Hamlet
Act V, Scene 2

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A hall in the castle. Enter HAMLET and HORATIO HAMLET So much for this, sir: now shall you see the other; You do remember all the circumstance? HORATIO Remember it, my lord? HAMLET	In a hall in the castle, Hamlet tells Horatio how he “escaped” from the ship.
Sir, in my heart there was a kind of fighting, That would not let me sleep: methought I lay Worse than the mutines in the bilboes. Rashly, And praised be rashness for it, let us know, Our indiscretion sometimes serves us well, When our deep plots do pall: and that should teach us There's a divinity that shapes our ends, Rough-hew them how we will,-- HORATIO That is most certain. HAMLET	Hamlet describes hearing some fighting, which kept him awake at night.
Up from my cabin, My sea-gown scarf'd about me, in the dark Groped I to find out them; had my desire.	Since he could not sleep (and there was nothing good on the TV), Hamlet went searching for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. He stumbled around in the dark until he found where they were.
Finger'd their packet, and in fine withdrew To mine own room again; making so bold,	According to his story (and there is no one around to contradict him), Hamlet stole the sealed orders from his two “friends,” Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
My fears forgetting manners, to unseal Their grand commission; where I found, Horatio,-- O royal knavery!--an exact command, Larded with many several sorts of reasons Importing Denmark's health and England's too, With, ho! such bugs and goblins in my life, That, on the supervise, no leisure bated, No, not to stay the grinding of the axe,	Hamlet opened them, and discovered that he was to die when he arrived in England.
My head should be struck off. HORATIO Is't possible? HAMLET Here's the commission: read it at more leisure. But wilt thou hear me how I did proceed? HORATIO I beseech you. HAMLET Being thus be-netted round with villanies,-- Ere I could make a prologue to my brains, They had begun the play--I sat me down,	Or, as he so delicately puts it, “My head should be struck off” (line 27).
Devised a new commission, wrote it fair: I once did hold it, as our statists do, A baseness to write fair and labour'd much How to forget that learning, but, sir, now It did me yeoman 's service: wilt thou know The effect of what I wrote? HORATIO Ay, good my lord. HAMLET An earnest conjuration from the king, As England was his faithful tributary, As love between them like the palm might flourish, As peace should stiff her wheaten garland wear And stand a comma 'tween their amities, And many such-like 'As'es of great charge, That, on the view and knowing of these contents, Without debatement further, more or less,	Hamlet proceeded to write some “fake orders.” He is quite proud of his excellent handwriting, and says that it served him well in this deed. These new "commisions," or orders, called for the death of his companions, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
He should the bearers put to sudden death, Not shriving-time allow 'd. HORATIO How was this seal 'd? HAMLET Why, even in that was heaven ordinant.	Hamlet's "new" order stated that both Rosencrantz and Guildenstern should be killed, with "no shriving time allowed." In other words, instantly.
I had my father's signet in my purse, Which was the model of that Danish seal; Folded the writ up in form of the other, Subscribed it, gave't the impression, placed it safely, The changeling never known. Now, the next day	Hamlet then “folded” the orders, put them back in the envelope, and even sealed them. Hamlet returned the letter to his companions, who were never aware that it was missing.
Was our sea-fight; and what to this was sequent Thou know'st already. HORATIO So Guildenstern and Rosencrantz go to't. HAMLET Why, man, they did make love to this employment; They are not near my conscience; their defeat Does by their own insinuation grow: 'Tis dangerous when the baser nature comes Between the pass and fell incensed points Of mighty opposites. HORATIO Why, what a king is this! HAMLET Does it not, think'st thee, stand me now upon-- He that hath kill'd my king and whored my mother, Popp'd in between the election and my hopes, Thrown out his angle for my proper life, And with such cozenage--is't not perfect conscience, To quit him with this arm? and is't not to be damn 'd, To let this canker of our nature come In further evil? HORATIO It must be shortly known to him from England What is the issue of the business there. HAMLET It will be short: the interim is mine; And a man's life's no more than to say 'One.' But I am very sorry, good Horatio, That to Laertes I forgot myself; For, by the image of my cause, I see The portraiture of his: I'll court his favours. But, sure, the bravery of his grief did put me Into a towering passion . HORATIO Peace! who comes here?	The very next day, the pirates attacked, and Hamlet was captured. The rest, as they say, was history.
Enter OSRIC	A new character enters. His name is Osric, and he is a most peculiar character, indeed. Osric is a courtier. He is also apparently a “fop.”
OSRIC Your lordship is right welcome back to Denmark. HAMLET I humbly thank you, sir. Dost know this water-fly? HORATIO No, my good lord. HAMLET Thy state is the more gracious; for 'tis a vice to know him. He hath much land, and fertile: let a beast be lord of beasts, and his crib shall stand at the king's mess: 'tis a chough; but, as I say, spacious in the possession of dirt. OSRIC
Sweet lord, if your lordship were at leisure, I should impart a thing to you from his majesty. HAMLET I will receive it, sir, with all diligence of	Osric is dressed in a rather large, annoying hat, which he respectfully removes.
spirit. Put your bonnet to his right use; 'Tis for the head. [HAMLET places OSRIC's hat on his head.] OSRIC I thank your lordship, it is very hot. HAMLET No, believe me, 'tis very cold; the wind is northerly. OSRIC It is indifferent cold, my lord, indeed. HAMLET But yet methinks it is very sultry and hot for my complexion . OSRIC Exceedingly, my lord; it is very sultry,--as 'twere,--I cannot tell how. But, my lord, his majesty bade me signify to you that he has laid a great wager on your head: sir, this is the matter,-- HAMLET I beseech you, remember--	Hamlet keeps putting the hat back on Osric’s head.
[HAMLET moves him to put on his hat.] OSRIC Nay, good my lord; for mine ease, in good faith. Sir, here is newly come to court Laertes; believe me, an absolute gentleman, full of most excellent differences, of very soft society and great showing: indeed, to speak feelingly of him, he is the card or calendar of gentry, for you shall find in him the continent of what part a gentleman would see. HAMLET Sir, his definement suffers no perdition in you; though, I know, to divide him inventorially would dizzy the arithmetic of memory, and yet but yaw neither, in respect of his quick sail. But, in the verity of extolment, I take him to be a soul of great article; and his infusion of such dearth and rareness, as, to make true diction of him, his semblable is his mirror; and who else would trace him, his umbrage, nothing more. OSRIC Your lordship speaks most infallibly of him. HAMLET The concernancy, sir? why do we wrap the gentleman in our more rawer breath? OSRIC Sir? HORATIO Is't not possible to understand in another tongue? You will do't, sir, really. HAMLET What imports the nomination of this gentleman? OSRIC Of Laertes? HORATIO His purse is empty already; All's golden words are spent. HAMLET Of him, sir. OSRIC I know you are not ignorant-- HAMLET I would you did, sir; yet, in faith, if you did, it would not much approve me. Well, sir? OSRIC You are not ignorant of what excellence Laertes is-- HAMLET I dare not confess that, lest I should compare with him in excellence; but, to know a man well, were to know himself. OSRIC I mean, sir, for his weapon; but in the imputation laid on him by them, in his meed he's unfellowed. HAMLET What's his weapon? OSRIC	Osric is annoyed, but he still manages to explain why he has come. Osric mentions Laertes, and what a "gentleman" he is. Osric praises the guy quite a bit.
Rapier and dagger. HAMLET That's two of his weapons: but, well. OSRIC	Finally, Osric brags about Laertes' skill with a rapier and a dragon. A rapier is a type of sword.
The king, sir, hath wagered with him six Barbary horses: against the which he has imponed, as I take it, six French rapiers and poniards, with their assigns, as girdle, hangers, and so: three of the carriages, in faith, are very dear to fancy, very responsive to the hilts, most delicate carriages, and of very liberal conceit . HAMLET What call you the carriages? HORATIO I knew you must be edified by the margent ere you had done. OSRIC The carriages, sir, are the hangers. HAMLET The phrase would be more german to the matter, if we could carry cannon by our sides: I would it might be hangers till then. But, on: six Barbary horses against six French swords, their assigns, and three liberal-conceited carriages; that's the French bet against the Danish. Why is this 'imponed,' as you call it? OSRIC The king, sir, hath laid, that in a dozen passes between yourself and him, he shall not exceed you three hits: he hath laid on twelve for nine; and it would come to immediate trial, if your lordship would vouchsafe the answer . HAMLET	Osric tells them that Hamlet is invited to compete against Laertes in a fencing match, and that King Claudius has wagered on Hamlet’s success.
How if I answer 'no'? OSRIC I mean, my lord, the opposition of your person in trial. HAMLET Sir, I will walk here in the hall: if it please his majesty, 'tis the breathing time of day with me; let the foils be brought, the gentleman willing, and the	Hamlet wonders what might happen if he refuses.
king hold his purpose, I will win for him an I can; if not, I will gain nothing but my shame and the odd hits. OSRIC Shall I re-deliver you e'en so? HAMLET To this effect, sir; after what flourish your nature will. OSRIC I commend my duty to your lordship. HAMLET Yours, yours. Exit OSRIC	Hamlet agrees to the match, and Osric leaves.
He does well to commend it himself; there are no tongues else for's turn . HORATIO This lapwing runs away with the shell on his head. HAMLET	After Osric leaves, Hamlet and Horatio make fun of the guy.
He did comply with his dug, before he sucked it. Thus has he--and many more of the same bevy that I know the dressy age dotes on--only got the tune of the time and outward habit of encounter; a kind of yesty collection, which carries them through and through the most fond and winnowed opinions; and do but blow them to their trial, the bubbles are out.	The word "dug" means "breast." Hamlet says that Osric probably had formal negotiations with his mother's breast before he drank from it.
Enter a Lord LORD My lord, his majesty commended him to you by young Osric, who brings back to him that you attend him in the hall: he sends to know if your pleasure hold to play with Laertes, or that you will take longer time. HAMLET I am constant to my purpose; they follow the king's pleasure: if his fitness speaks, mine is ready; now or whensoever, provided I be so able as now. LORD The king and queen and all are coming down. HAMLET In happy time. LORD The queen desires you to use some gentle entertainment to Laertes before you fall to play. HAMLET She well instructs me. Exit Lord HORATIO	A Lord comes in. He was sent by the King and Queen, to make sure that Hamlet is willing to duel with Laertes. Hamlet confirms that he is.
You will lose this wager, my lord. HAMLET I do not think so: since he went into France, I have been in continual practise: I shall win at the odds. But thou wouldst not think how ill all's here about my heart: but it is no matter. HORATIO Nay, good my lord,-- HAMLET It is but foolery; but it is such a kind of gain-giving, as would perhaps trouble a woman. HORATIO If your mind dislike anything, obey it: I will forestall their repair hither, and say you are not fit . HAMLET Not a whit, we defy augury: there's a special providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be now, 'tis not to come; if it be not to come, it will be now; if it be not now, yet it will come: the readiness is all: since no man has aught of what he leaves, what is't to leave betimes?	Horatio tells Hamlet that he is worried that Hamlet might lose, but Hamlet seems to think he has a chance to win. Apparently, he has been practicing lately.
Enter KING CLAUDIUS, QUEEN GERTRUDE, LAERTES, Lords, OSRIC, and Attendants with foils, etc.	The door opens, and in comes a large procession of people. King Claudius and Gertrude enter, and Laertes. Also, Osric, followed closely by his hat. Next, lots of Lords and attendants come in, and they set up a table with some cups of wine—or something which looks very much like wine.
KING CLAUDIUS Come, Hamlet, come, and take this hand from me. KING CLAUDIUS puts LAERTES' hand into HAMLET's HAMLET
Give me your pardon, sir: I've done you wrong; But pardon't, as you are a gentleman. This presence knows, And you must needs have heard, how I am punish'd With sore distraction. What I have done, That might your nature, honour and exception Roughly awake, I here proclaim was madness. Was't Hamlet wrong'd Laertes? Never Hamlet: If Hamlet from himself be ta'en away, And when he's not himself does wrong Laertes, Then Hamlet does it not, Hamlet denies it. Who does it, then? His madness: if't be so, Hamlet is of the faction that is wrong'd; His madness is poor Hamlet's enemy. Sir, in this audience, Let my disclaiming from a purposed evil Free me so far in your most generous thoughts, That I have shot mine arrow o'er the house, And hurt my brother. LAERTES	Before the match begins, Hamlet and Laertes exchange some courteous conversation. Hamlet seems to apologize to Laertes. He admits that he wronged Laertes, but also says it was due to his madness. He says it was not himself that wronged Laertes, but that it was his madness. Since he was not in his mind, then it must have been someone else. This legal argument will be used by many people in courtrooms, for at least the next 400 years.
I am satisfied in nature, Whose motive, in this case, should stir me most To my revenge: but in my terms of honour I stand aloof; and will no reconcilement, Till by some elder masters, of known honour, I have a voice and precedent of peace, To keep my name ungored. But till that time, I do receive your offer'd love like love, And will not wrong it. HAMLET I embrace it freely; And will this brother's wager frankly play.	Laertes is polite, but he also reminds Hamlet that he has yet to receive any justice or "voice" in this matter.
Give us the foils. Come on. LAERTES Come, one for me. HAMLET I'll be your foil, Laertes: in mine ignorance Your skill shall, like a star i' the darkest night, Stick fiery off indeed. LAERTES You mock me, sir. HAMLET No, by this hand. KING CLAUDIUS Give them the foils, young Osric. Cousin Hamlet, You know the wager? HAMLET Very well, my lord Your grace hath laid the odds o' the weaker side. KING CLAUDIUS I do not fear it; I have seen you both: But since he is better'd, we have therefore odds. LAERTES This is too heavy, let me see another. HAMLET	A "foil" is a sword. Hamlet asks that the weapons be brought forward.
This likes me well. These foils have all a length? They prepare to play OSRIC Ay, my good lord. KING CLAUDIUS Set me the stoops of wine upon that table . If Hamlet give the first or second hit, Or quit in answer of the third exchange, Let all the battlements their ordnance fire:	Hamlet calls for his weapon, and examines it: “This likes me well” (line 271).
The king shall drink to Hamlet's better breath; And in the cup an union shall he throw, Richer than that which four successive kings In Denmark's crown have worn. Give me the cups; And let the kettle to the trumpet speak, The trumpet to the cannoneer without, The cannons to the heavens, the heavens to earth, 'Now the king dunks to Hamlet.' Come, begin:	King Claudius announces that he shall ask everyone to join him in “a toast” if Hamlet should be winning, or losing, regardless. He is undoubtedly planning ahead. Hamlet’s weapon may like him, but his uncle does not.
And you, the judges, bear a wary eye . HAMLET Come on, sir. LAERTES Come, my lord.	Notice how Claudius urges the men in white striped shirts to keep "a wary eye." Claudius knows that Hamlet has a reputation for cheating.
They play	Finally, the match begins. As usual, Shakespeare is not very good at describing the exciting stuff. Therefore, I shall help him out a bit. Hamlet thrusts with his rapier. ("thhhht!") Laertes knocks it aside. ("Clang!") Hamlet toys with Laertes' weapon. ("dink!") ("dink!") Laertes' weapon does not like being toyed with. Laertes' attacks. ("Uumph!") He slices, he dices, and he stabs. ("pphtt!") ("ppphhht!") (sshoomph!") However, he misses. ("Snip!") ("Slap!") Hamlet lunges at Laertes. ("Unnh!") Laertes thinks this is much too forward. They have not even been on a formal date. Laertes steps aside. ("Uggh!") Finally, in a miraculous move, Hamlet thrusts again, and his weapon finds Laertes ("Owww!")
HAMLET
One! LAERTES No. HAMLET Judgment. OSRIC	"One!" says Hamlet. He thinks he has scored a hit. Laertes does not agree, so the referee (its that Osric guy again) is called in to render a decision.
A hit, a very palpable hit. LAERTES Well; again. KING CLAUDIUS	Carefully, Osric studies the instant replay, and he renders a ruling.
Stay; give me drink. Hamlet, this pearl is thine; Here's to thy health. Trumpets sound, and cannon shot off within Give him the cup. HAMLET	King Claudius tries to offer up a drink for Hamlet, but Hamlet wants to play another round, first.
I'll play this bout first; set it by awhile. Come.	He realizes that luck is on his side. If Hamlet takes the drink, this may very well change, for more reasons than one.
They play	So, Hamlet does not drink. The two of them continue to fight... ("pppht!") ("shhhmph!") ("snap!") ("crackle!") ("pop!")
Another hit; what say you? LAERTES A touch, a touch, I do confess. KING CLAUDIUS Our son shall win. QUEEN GERTRUDE	In round two, Hamlet scores a second “hit” (line 297). This time, Laertes agrees, and they take a break.
He's fat, and scant of breath.	"He's fat," says Gertrude. What a thing for a mother to say.
Here, Hamlet, take my napkin, rub thy brows; The queen carouses to thy fortune, Hamlet. HAMLET Good madam! KING CLAUDIUS Gertrude, do not drink. QUEEN GERTRUDE	During the break, Queen Gertrude brings Hamlet his cup, and a napkin: “Here, Hamlet, take my napkin, rub thy brows” (line 301).
I will, my lord; I pray you, pardon me. [Queen Gertrude drinks from the poisoned cup.] KING CLAUDIUS [Aside] It is the poison'd cup: it is too late. HAMLET	Then, feeling a sudden thirst, Queen Gertrude swallows from Hamlet's cup. King Claudius tries to stop her, but it is too late. Queen Gertrude has swallowed the poison intended for Hamlet.
I dare not drink yet, madam; by and by. QUEEN GERTRUDE Come, let me wipe thy face. LAERTES My lord, I'll hit him now. KING CLAUDIUS I do not think't. LAERTES [Aside] And yet 'tis almost 'gainst my conscience. HAMLET Come, for the third, Laertes: you but dally; I pray you, pass with your best violence; I am afeard you make a wanton of me. LAERTES Say you so? come on.	Hamlet decides he is not yet thirsty. He is on a roll. The score is Hamlet: two, Laertes: 0. And, Gertrude: well, Gertrude's number may well be up.
They play OSRIC Nothing, neither way. LAERTES Have at you now!	Hamlet and Laertes begin the third round of their fencing match.
LAERTES wounds HAMLET; then in scuffling, they change rapiers.	In this one, according to the stage directions, Laertes finally does score a "hit" on Hamlet, and wounds him. Then, in a scuffle, somehow, they exchange weapons.
Then, HAMLET wounds LAERTES.	Hamlet, who now has the weapon which is poison-tipped, wounds Laertes.
KING CLAUDIUS
Part them; they are incensed. HAMLET Nay, come, again.	According to Webster's, the word "incensed" means "mad." "Ticked." "Really pissed off."
QUEEN GERTRUDE falls OSRIC Look to the queen there, ho! HORATIO	Queen Gertrude suddenly "falls."
They bleed on both sides. How is it, my lord? OSRIC How is't, Laertes? LAERTES Why, as a woodcock to mine own springe, Osric; I am justly kill'd with mine own treachery. HAMLET How does the queen? KING CLAUDIUS	Horatio says it best: “They bleed on both sides.” As the British might say, “what a bloody mess.”
She swounds to see them bleed.	When Queen Gertrude suddenly “falls,” King Claudius attempts to explain why: “She swounds to see them bleed” (line 327). The word “swound” means “faint.”
QUEEN GERTRUDE
No, no, the drink, the drink! --O my dear Hamlet,-- The drink, the drink! I am poison'd.	Queen Gertrude, who apparently still has a few good words left in her, contradicts him, and says that the drink was poison.
Dies HAMLET O villany! Ho! let the door be lock'd: Treachery! Seek it out. LAERTES	Then, as if on cue, she dies.
It is here, Hamlet: Hamlet, thou art slain; No medicine in the world can do thee good; In thee there is not half an hour of life; The treacherous instrument is in thy hand,	Laertes falls, and realizes that he had better speak fast.
Unbated and envenom'd: the foul practise Hath turn 'd itself on me lo, here I lie, Never to rise again: thy mother's poison'd:	Laertes explains to Hamlet how the weapon was tipped with poison, and how the drink was also poisoned.
I can no more: the king, the king's to blame. HAMLET The point! -- envenom'd too! Then, venom, to thy work.	Then, he says: “The King! The King’s to blame!” (line 340).
[HAMLET Stabs KING CLAUDIUS] ALL Treason! treason! KING CLAUDIUS	Hamlet finally remembers that he has a job to do, and he picks up the poison-tipped weapon and stabs Claudius.
O, yet defend me, friends; I am but hurt. HAMLET Here, thou incestuous, murderous, damned Dane,	King Claudius says he is “but hurt.” Apparently, this is one tough King.
Drink off this potion. Is thy union here? Follow my mother. [HAMLET pours the poison down CLAUDIUS' throat.]	Hamlet picks up the cup of poison, and pours the remaining contents down King Claudius’ throat.
KING CLAUDIUS dies LAERTES He is justly served; It is a poison temper 'd by himself.	The King dies quickly, with no long speeches nor further commentary whatsoever.
Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet: Mine and my father's death come not upon thee, Nor thine on me.	Laertes, who never could keep his mouth shut, explains to Hamlet that poison is to blame. He also asks forgiveness.
Dies HAMLET Heaven make thee free of it! I follow thee.	Laertes checks his script, and realizes he has no more lines to say. He dies.
I am dead, Horatio. Wretched queen, adieu! You that look pale and tremble at this chance, That are but mutes or audience to this act, Had I but time--as this fell sergeant, death, Is strict in his arrest--O, I could tell you-- But let it be. Horatio, I am dead;	"I am dead, Horatio," says Hamlet. Hmmm... then, he proceeds to recite one of the longer speeches in the play.
Thou livest; report me and my cause aright To the unsatisfied. HORATIO Never believe it: I am more an antique Roman than a Dane:	Hamlet asks his friend Horatio to “report me and my cause aright to the unsatisfied.” Perhaps Hamlet has noticed the audience’s feelings so far.
Here's yet some liquor left. [Horatio snatches up the poisoned cup.]	Horatio, who never was one to follow simple orders, decides he would rather join the pile of bodies laying on the ground. Horatio snatches up the poisoned cup, to try to end his own life.
Here's yet some liquor left. HAMLET	A typical college student, Horatio cannot pass up a good, stiff drink.
As thou'rt a man, Give me the cup: let go; by heaven, I'll have't. O good Horatio, what a wounded name, Things standing thus unknown, shall live behind me! If thou didst ever hold me in thy heart Absent thee from felicity awhile, And in this harsh world draw thy breath in pain, To tell my story.	Hamlet and Horatio begin to wrestle over this poisoned cup, and Hamlet somehow wins.
March afar off, and shot within What warlike noise is this? OSRIC Young Fortinbras, with conquest come from Poland, To the ambassadors of England gives This warlike volley. HAMLET O, I die, Horatio; The potent poison quite o'er-crows my spirit: I cannot live to hear the news from England; But I do prophesy the election lights On Fortinbras: he has my dying voice; So tell him, with the occurrents, more and less, Which have solicited. The rest is silence.	Then, they hear a noise. It is the sound of marching soldiers and gunshots.
[Hamlet dies.]	This depresses Hamlet, who decides to die before anything even more depressing occurs.
HORATIO
Now cracks a noble heart. Good night sweet prince: And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest! Why does the drum come hither?
March within Enter FORTINBRAS, the English Ambassadors, and others PRINCE FORTINBRAS	After Hamlet’s death, Fortinbras and some English ambassadors and a bunch of soldiers burst in the door. For some reason, one of them is carrying a drum.
Where is this sight? HORATIO What is it ye would see? If aught of woe or wonder, cease your search . PRINCE FORTINBRAS This quarry cries on havoc. O proud death, What feast is toward in thine eternal cell, That thou so many princes at a shot So bloodily hast struck? FIRST AMBASSADOR	It is Fortinbras, from Norway. The Prince. He has his army with him. He is also a bit surprised to see the bodies laying about on the floor. This is a bit messy, even for the Danish.
The sight is dismal; And our affairs from England come too late: The ears are senseless that should give us hearing, To tell him his commandment is fulfill 'd,	An Ambassador also arrives, just at this moment.
That Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead: Where should we have our thanks? HORATIO Not from his mouth, Had it the ability of life to thank you: He never gave commandment for their death. But since, so jump upon this bloody question, You from the Polack wars, and you from England, Are here arrived give order that these bodies High on a stage be placed to the view;	The Ambassador rode all of the way here to tell us some news: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead. Or, perhaps, Guildenstern and Rosencrantz are dead.
And let me speak to the yet unknowing world How these things came about: so shall you hear Of carnal, bloody, and unnatural acts, Of accidental judgments, casual slaughters, Of deaths put on by cunning and forced cause, And, in this upshot, purposes mistook Fall'n on the inventors' reads: all this can I Truly deliver. PRINCE FORTINBRAS	Horatio tries to explain what happened, but the audience is stirring restlessly, and one or two are seen sneaking out early, to avoid the traffic.
Let us haste to hear it, And call the noblest to the audience. For me, with sorrow I embrace my fortune: I have some rights of memory in this kingdom, Which now to claim my vantage doth invite me. HORATIO Of that I shall have also cause to speak, And from his mouth whose voice will draw on more; But let this same be presently perform'd, Even while men's minds are wild; lest more mischance On plots and errors, happen. PRINCE FORTINBRAS	Fortinbras is apparently here to take over, yet it seems that there is no one left to fight. All of the really important people are lying on the floor over there, in a heap. Their best fighting days are over. Thus, it appears that Young Fortinbras will become the next leader of Denmark.
Let four captains Bear Hamlet, like a soldier, to the stage; For he was likely, had he been put on, To have proved most royally: and, for his passage, The soldiers' music and the rites of war Speak loudly for him.	Finally, Young Fortinbras praises Hamlet, and urges that his body be buried like a soldier, with music and lots of ceremony.
Take up the bodies: such a sight as this Becomes the field, but here shows much amiss. Go, bid the soldiers shoot.	Unfortunately, Hamlet does not hear any of this. He is still dead.
A dead march. Exeunt, bearing off the dead bodies; after which a peal of ordnance is shot off.	The play ends.

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