Page:Hamlet (1917) Yale.djvu/139

Prince of Denmark, V. i

[First] Clo. How can that be, unless she

drowned herself in her own defence?

Other. Why, 'tis found so.

[First] Clo. It must be se offendendo; it can-

not be else. For here lies the point: if I

drown myself wittingly it argues an act; and

an act hath three branches; it is, to act, to do,

and to perform: argal, she drowned herself

wittingly.

Other. Nay, but hear you, goodman delver,—

[First] Clo. Give me leave. Here lies the

water; good: here stands the man; good: if the

man go to this water, and drown himself, it is,

will he, nill he, he goes; mark you that? but if

the water come to him, and drown him, he

drowns not himself: argal, he that is not guilty

of his own death shortens not his own life.

Other. But is this law?

[First] Clo. Ay, marry, is 't; crowner's quest

law.

Other. Will you ha' the truth on 't? If this

had not been a gentlewoman she should have

been buried out o' Christian burial.

[First] Clo. Why, there thou sayest; and the

more pity that great folk should have counte-

nance in this world to drown or hang them-

selves more than their even Christian. Come,

my spade. There is no ancient gentlemen but

gardeners, ditchers, and grave-makers; they

hold up Adam's profession.

Other. Was he a gentleman?

[First] Clo. A' was the first that ever bore

arms.

 9 se offendendo; cf. n.

12 branches: divisions [of learning]

13 argal: corruption of ergo, therefore

15 delver: digger

24 quest: inquest

32 even: fellow

37 bore arms; cf. n.

