Page:Hamlet - The Arden Shakespeare - 1899.djvu/268

 But as I have a soule, I sweare by heaven, I never knew of this most horride murder: But Hamlet, this is onely fantasie, And for my love forget these idle fits.

Ham. Idle, no mother, my pulse doth beate like yours, It is not madnesse that possesseth Hamlet. O mother, if ever you did my deare father love, Forbeare the adulterous bed to night, And win your selfe by little as you may, In time it may be you wil lothe him quite: And mother, but assist mee in revenge, And in his death your infamy shall die.

Queene. Hamlet, I vow by that majesty. That knowes our thoughts, and lookes into our hearts, I will conceale, consent, and doe my best, What stratagem soe're thou shalt devise.

Ham. It is enough, mother, good night: Come sir, I'le provide you a grave, Who was in life, a foolish prating knave.

The following is absent from the later texts, but the information here given by Horatio to the Queen is given by Hamlet to Horatio in the received text in V. ii. This scene follows IV. v.:

Hor. Madame, your sonne is safe arriv'de in Denmarke, This letter I even now received of him, Whereas he writes how he escap't the danger, And subtle treason that the king had plotted, Being crossed by the contention of the windes, He found the Packet sent to the king of England, Wherein he saw himselfe betray'd to death, As at his next conversion with your grace, He will relate the circumstance at full.

Queene. Then I perceive there's treason in his lookes That seem'd to sugar o're his villanie: But I will soothe and please him for a time, For murderous mindes are alwayes jealous, But know not you Horatio where he is?