Page:Hamlet (1917) Yale.djvu/147

Prince of Denmark, V. i Couch we awhile. and mark.

[Retiring with Horatio.]

Laer. What ceremony else?

Ham. That is Laertes,

A very noble youth: mark.

Laer. What ceremony else?

Priest. Her obsequies have been as far enlarg'd

As we have warrantise: her death was doubtful,

And, but that great command o'ersways the order,

She should in ground unsanctified have lodg'd

Till the last trumpet; for charitable prayers,

Shards, flints, and pebbles should be thrown on her;

Yet here she is allow'd her virgin crants,

Her maiden strewments, and the bringing home

Of bell and burial.

Laer. Must there no more be done?

Priest. No more be done:

We should profane the service of the dead,

To sing a requiem, and such rest to her

As to peace-parted souls.

Laer. Lay her i' the earth;

And from her fair and unpolluted flesh

May violets spring! I tell thee, churlish priest,

A ministering angel shall my sister be,

When thou liest howling.

Ham. What! the fair Ophelia?

Queen. Sweets to the sweet: farewell!

I hop'd thou shouldst have been my Hamlet's wife;

I thought thy bride-bed to have deck'd, sweet maid,

And not have strew'd thy grave.

 250 enlarg'd: extended

251 warrantise: warrant

doubtful: suspicious

255 Shards: fragments of pottery

256 crants: garlands; cf. n.

257 strewments: flowers strewn on a grave

262 peace-parted: departed in peace

