Here is a translation of "Der Bestrafte Brudermord" as provided
by Horace Howard Furness in "A New Variorum Edition of
Shakespeare, Vol. IV, Hamlet Vol. II Appendix, (Third Edition,)
published by J. B. Lippincott & Co., 1877, pages 121 - 142.

This is an imitation of the "Variorum" original, as best simple HTML
can render it.
A good reproduction that uses DjVu software can be found on
the "Hamlet Works" website at the following link:

Hamlet Works Library: Furness Variorum Edition Volume II
TRAGŒDIA.

DER BESTRAFTE BRUDERMORD

ODER:

PRINZ HAMLET AUS DÆNNEMARK.

(FRATRICIDE PUNISHED

OR

PRINCE HAMLET OF DENMARK.)

By: Anonymous

DRAMATIS PERSONAE.

1. – In the Prologue.

NIGHT, in a car covered with stars. [a female personification of night, apparently the goddess Nyx]

ALECTO.

THISIPHONE.

MÆGERA.

-=-=-
Editor's Note - the last three above are the three Furies in Greek Mythology. They are sisters.

Alecto (Ancient Greek Ἀληκτώ, "implacable anger") has the task of castigating moral crimes, such as anger, committed by one person against another.

Thisiphone ("Tisiphone," Ancient Greek Τισιφόνη, "avenging murder") puishes crimes of murder, including parricide, fratricide and homicide.

Mægera ("Megaera," Ancient Greek Μέγαιρα, "the jealous one") is the cause of jealousy and envy, and punishes those who commit marital infidelity.
=-=-=

2. – In the Tragedy.

GHOST of the old King of Denmark.

ERICO, brother to the King. [corresponds to Claudius]

HAMLET, Prince, son to the murdered King.

SIGRIE, the Queen, Hamlet's mother. [corresponds to Gertrude]

HORATIO, a noble friend to the Prince.

CORAMBUS. Royal Chamberlain. [corresponds to Polonius]

LEONHARDUS, his son. [corresponds to Laertes]

OPHELIA, his daughter. [sic - Corambus's daughter, we are to understand.]

PHANTASMO, the Court Fool.

FRANCISCO, Officer of the Guard.

JENS, a peasant.

CARL, the principal of the Actors.

Corporal of the Guard.

Two talking Banditti (Zwei redende Banditen).

Two Sentinels.

[Mutes (Stumme)]:
Life Guards, [bodyguards]
Court Servants,
Two Actors.



PROLOGUE.

      Night [from above]. I am dark Night, which sends all things to sleep,
I am the wife of Morpheus, the time for vicious pleasure,
I am the guardian of thieves, and the protector of lovers;
I am dark Night, and have it in my might
To practice evil, to afflict mankind.
My mantle covers the shame and rest of the harlot.
Before Phoebus shall shine I will begin a game.
Ye children of my breast, and daughters of my lust,
Ye Furies, up, up! come forth and show yourselves!
Come, hearken attentively to what will soon take place.

      Alec. What says dark Night, the queen of quiet ?
What new work does she propose ? what is her wish and will ?

      Mæg. From Acheron's dark pit come I, Mægera, hither,
From thee, thou mother of evil, to hear thy desire.

      This. And I, Thisiphone: what hast thou to the fore ? Say on
Thou black Hecate, whether I can serve thee.

      Night. Listen, ye Furies all three, – listen, ye children of darkness and mothers
of all misfortune; listen to your poppy-crowned Queen of the Night, the patroness
of thieves and robbers, the friend and light of the incendiary, the lover of stolen
goods, the dearly loved goddess of unlawful love, how often are my altars hon-
ored by it ! During this night and the coming morrow must ye stand by me, for it is
the King of this land who burns with love for the wife of his brother, whom for her
sake he has murdered, that he may possess both her and the kingdom. Now is the
hour at hand when they lie together. I will throw my mantle over them so that
neither may see their sin. Therefore be ready to sow the seeds of disunion, mingle
poison with their marriage, and put jealousy in their hearts. Kindle a fire of re-
venge, and let the sparks fly over the whole realm; entangle kinsmen in the net
of crime, and give joy to hell, so that those who swim in the sea of murder may
soon drown. Begone, hasten, and fulfil my command.

      This. I have already heard enough, and will soon perform
More than dark Night can of herself imagine.

      Mæg. Pluto himself shall not prompt me to so much
As shortly I shall be seen performing.

      Alec. I fan the sparks and make the fire burn;
Ere it dawns the second time, the whole game I'll shiver.

      Night. Then haste; while I ascend make good your work. [Ascends. Music.



ACT I.

SCENE I. – Two Soldiers.
First Sentinel Who's there ?

Second Sentinel. A friend !

First Sent. What friend ?

Sec. Sent. Sentinel !

First Sent. O ho, comrade ! – if thou com'st to relieve me, I wish the time may
not be so long to thee as it has been to me.

Sec. Sent. Eh ! comrade, it is not so cold now.

First Sent. Cold or not, I've had a hell's sweat here.

Sec. Sent. Why so frightened ? – that's not right in a soldier. He must fear
neither friend nor foe; no. nor the devil himself.

First Sent. Yes, but just let him grab thee behind, and thou'lt soon learn to pray
Miserere Domine.

Sec. Sent. But what is it that has particularly frightened thee ?

First Sent. I'il tell thee. I've seen a ghost in the front of the castle, and he
wanted twice to pitch me down from the bastion.

Sec. Sent. Then relieve guard, you fool! A dead dog doesn't bite. I'll see
whether a ghost that has neither flesh nor blood can hurt me.

First Sent. Just look out, if he shows himself to thee again, what he does to
thee. I'm off to the watch-house. Adieu! [Exit

Sec. Sent. Only be off; perhaps you were born on a Sunday: they say such
folks can see all kinds of ghosts. I'll now mount guard. [Healths proclaimed
within, to the sound of trumpets.
] Our new King makes merry. They are drink-
ing healths.



SCENE II. – Ghost of the King approaches the Sentinel, and frightens him, and
then exit.

Sec. Sent. O holy Anthony of Padua, defend me! I see now what my comrade
told me. O Saint Velten [sic] ! if my first round were only over, I'd run away like
any rogue. [Sennet and drums wilhin.] If I only had a drink of wine from the
king's table, to put out the fear and fire in my heart! [Ghost from behind gives him
a box on the ear, and makes him drop his musket and exit.
] The devil himself is
after me. Oh, I'm so frightened, I can't stir!



Scene III. – Horatio and Soldiers.

Sec. Sent. Who's there ?

Hor. The watch !

Sec. Sent. Which one ?

Hor. The first !

Sec. Sent. Stand, watch! Corporal, forward, to arms!

[Francisco and Watch come forward, and give the word from the other side.

Hor. Sentinel, look well to thy post; the Prince himself may perhaps go the
rounds. Be caught sleeping, and it may cost thee the best head thou'st got.

Sec. Sent. Ah ! if the whole company were here, not a man of them would go
to sleep; and I must be relieved, or I'll run away, though I be hanged to-morrow
on the highest gallows.

Hor. What for ?

Sec. Sent. Oh, your worship, there's a ghost here which appears every quarter
of an hour; it set upon me so that I fancy myself a live man in purgatory.

Fran. Just what the sentinel last relieved told me.

Sec. Sent. Ay, ay; only just wait a bit. It won't keep away long.

[Ghost goes across the stage.

Hor. On my life it is a ghost, and looks just like the late king of Denmark.

Fran. He bears himself sadly, and seems as if he wanted to say something.

Hor. There is some mystery in this.



SCENE IV. – Hamlet.

Sec. Sent. Who's there ?

Ham. Hush !

Sec. Sent. Who's there?

Ham. Hush !

Sec. Sent. Answer, or I'll teach thee better manners.

Ham. A friend !

Sec. Sent. What friend ?

Ham. Friend to the kingdom.

Fran. By my life, it is the Prince.

Hor. Your highness, is it you or not ?

Ham. What ! are you here, Horatio ? What brings you here ?

Hor. Your highness, I have gone [visitirt] the rounds to see that every one is at
his post.

Ham. That's like an honest soldier, for on you rests the safety of the king and
kingdom.

Hor. Your highness, a strange thing has happened: regularly every quarter of
an hour a ghost appears; and, to my mind, he is very like the dead king, your
father. He does much harm to the sentinels on this post.

Ham. I hope not; for the souls of the pious rest quietly till the time of their
resurrection.

Hor. Yet so it is, your highness. I've seen it myself.

Fran. And he frightened me very much, your highness.

Sec. Sent. And he gave me a sound box on the ear.

Ham. What time is it ?

Fran. It is just midnight.

Ham. Good !just the time when ghosts, if they walk, show themselves.
[Healths again, and trumpets.] Holloa ! what is this ?

Hor. I fancy that at court they are still jolly with their toasts.

Ham. Right, Horatio! My father and uncle makes himself bravely merry with
his followers [Adhærenten]. Alas, Horatio! I know not why it is that since my
father's death I am all the time so sick at heart, while my royal mother has so soon
forgotten him, and this King still sooner, for while I was in Germany he had him-
self quickly crowned king in Denmark; but with a show of right he has made over
to me the crown of Norway, and appealed to the election of the states.



SCENE V. – Ghost

Sec. Sent. Oh dear! here's the ghost again!

Hor. Does your highness see now ?

Fran. Your highness, don't be frightened.

[Ghost crosses the stage, and beckons to Hamlet.

Ham. The Ghost beckons me. Gentlemen, stand aside a littie. – Horatio, do
not go too far away. I will follow the ghost, and see what he wants. [Exit.

Hor. Gentlemen, let us follow him to see that he take no harm. [Exeunt.

Ghost beckons Hamlet to the middie of lhe stage, and opens his jaws several times.

Ham. Tell who thou art, and say what thou desirest.

Ghost. Hamlet !

Ham. Sir !

Ghost. Hamlet !

Ham. What desirest thou ?

Ghost. Hear me, Hamlet, for the time draws near when I must betake myself
again to the place whence I have come; hear, and give heed to what I shall relate
to thee.

Ham. Speak, thou sacred shade of my royal father l

Ghost. Then hear, my son Hamlet, what I have to tell thee of thy father's un-
natural death.

Ham. What ? unnatural death ?

Ghost. Ay, unnatural death ! Know that I had the habit, to which nature had
accustomed me, of walking in my royal pleasure-garden everyday after my noontide
meal, and there to enjoy an hour's rest. One day when I did this, behold, my
brother came, thirsting for my crown, and had with him the subtile [subtilen] juice
of so-called Hebenon [Ebeno]. This oil, or juice, has this effect: that as soon as a
few drops of it mix with the blood of man, they at once clog the veins and destroy
life. This juice he poured, while I was sleeping, into my ear, and as soon as it en-
tered my head I had to die instantly; whereupon it was given out that I had had a
violent apoplexy. So was I of my kingdom, my wife, and my life robbed by this
tyrant.

Ham. Just Heaven ! If this be true, I swear to revenge thee.

Ghost. I cannot rest until my unnatural murder be revenged. [Exit.

Ham. I swear not to rest until I have revenged myself on this fratricide.



Scene VI. – Horatio. Hamlet. Francisco.


Hor. How is it with your highness ? Why so terror-stricken ? Mayhap you have
been hurt [alterirt].

Ham. Yes, verily, and indeed beyond measure.

Hor. Has your highness seen the Ghost ?

Ham. Ay! truly have I seen it, and also spoken to it.

Hor. O Heaven! this bodes something strange.

Ham. He revealed to me a horrible thing; therefore I pray you, gentlemen,
stand by me in a matter that calls for vengeance.

Hor. Of my fidelity you are surely convinced: only disclose it to me.

Fran. Your highness cannot doubt as to my help either.

Ham. Gentlemen, before I reveal the matter you must swear an oath on your
honor and faith.

Fran. Your highness knows the great love I bear you. I will willingly risk my
life if you wish to avenge yourself.

Hor. Only just propose the oath to us: we will stand by you faithfully.

Ham. Then lay your finger on my sword: We swear!

Hor. and Fran. We swear !

Ghost [within]. We swear!

Ham. Holla! what is this? Once more: We swear!

Hor. and Fran. We swear!

Ghost. We swear !

Ham. This must mean something strange. Come, once more, and let us go to
the other side. We swear !

Hor. and Fran. We swear !

Ghost. We swear !

Ham. What is this? Is it an echo which sends back our own words? Come,
we will go to another spot. We swear!

Ghost. We swear !

Ham. Oh! I hear now what this means. It seems that the Ghost of my father
is displeased at my making the matter known. Gentlemen, I pray you, leave me;
to-morrow I will tell you all.

Hor. and Fran. Your highness, farewell. [Exit Francisco.

Ham. Horatio, come here.

Hor. What is your highnesse's will ?

Ham. Has the other gone ?

Hor. Yes, he has gone.

Ham. I know, Horatio, that thou hast been at all times true to me; to thee I
will reveal what the Ghost told me, – namely, that my father died a violent death.
My father,he who is now my father, murdered him.

Hor. O Heaven ! what do I hear ?

Ham. Thou knowest, O Horatio! that my departed father was wont every day
after his noontide meal to sleep an hour in his pleasure-garden. The villain, know-
ing this, comes to my father and pours into his ear, whilst he is asleep, the juice of
Hebenon, from which powerful poison my father at once gave up the ghost. This the
accursed dog did in order to obtain the crown; but from this moment I will begin a
feigned madness, and, thus feigning, so cunningly will I play my part that I shall
find an opportunity to avenge my father's death.

Hor. If so it stands, I pledge myself to be true to your highness.

Ham. Horatio, I will so avenge myself on this ambitious man and adulterer and
murderer that posterity shall talk of it for ever. I will now go, and, feigning mad-
ness, wait upon him until I find an opportunity to effect my revenge. [Exeunt.



SCENE VII. – King, Queen, Hamlet, Corambus, and Court.

King. Although our brother's death is still fresh in the memory of us all, and it
befits us to suspend all state-shows, we must nevertheless change our black mourning
suits into crimson, purple, and scarlet, since my late departed brother's widow has
now become our dearest consort. Let, then, every one show himself cheerful, and
make himself a sharer of our pleasure. But you, Prince Hamlet, do you be con-
tent. See here, how your lady mother is grieved and troubled at your melancholy.
We have heard, too, that you have determined to go back to Wittenberg; do not
do so for your mother's sake. Stay here, for we love you and like to see you, and
would not that any harm should happen to you. Stay with us at court, or, if not,
you can betake yourself to your kingdom, Norway.

Queen. Dearly-beloved son, Prince Hamlet, it greatly astonishes us that you have
thought to go away from here, and to betake yourself to Wittenberg. You know
well that your royal father has lately died, and if you leave us, the grief and melan-
choly which now oppress our hearts will only be the greater. Then, dearest son,
stay here, and every pleasure and delight, if so it please you, shall be freely
yours.

Ham. Your command I will obey with all my heart, and will here remain and
not depart.

King. Do so, dearest Prince. But, Corambus, how is it with your son Leon-
hardo ? Has he already set out for France ?

Cor. Ay, gracious lord and King, he has gone already.

King. But is it with your consent [Consens] ?

Cor. Ay with over-consent, with middle-consent, and with under-consent. Oh,
your majesty, he got an extraordinary, noble, excellent, and splendid consent
from me.

King. As he has your consent, it may go well with him, and may the gods bring
him safe back again. But we have it now in mind to hold a carouse [Carisell],
whereby our dearest spouse may forget her melancholy. But you, Prince Hamlet,
with the other nobles, must show yourself mirthful. For the preseht, however, we
will make an end of our festivities, for the day is dawning to put to flight black
night. You, however, dearest consort, I shall accompany to your bed-chamber.
Come, let us, arm in arm and hand in hand,
Enjoy the pledge that love and rest demand.



ACT II.
SCENE I. – King. Queen.


King. Dearest consort, how comes it that you are so sad ? Tell, I pray you, the
cause of your sadness. You are indeed our Queen. We love you, and all that the
kingdom can afford is yours. What is it, then, that troubles you ?

Queen. My King, I am greatly troubled at the melancholy of my son Hamlet,
who is my only Prince; and this it is that pains me.

King. What! is he melancholy ? We will gather together all the excellent doc-
tors and physicians in our whole kingdom to relieve him.



SCENE II. – Enter to them Corambus.


Cor. News, gracious lord and King!

King. What news ?

Cor. Prince Hamlet is mad – ay, as mad as the Greek madman ever was.

King. And why is he mad ?

Cor. Because he has lost his wits.

King. Where, pray, has he lost his wits ?

Cor. That I don't know. That he may know who has found them.



SCENE III. – Ophelia.


Oph. Alas, father ! protect me !

Cor. What is it, my child ?

Oph. Alas, father! Prince Hamlet plagues me. He lets me have no peace.

Cor. Make thyself easy, dear daughter. But he has not done anything else to
thee ? – Oh, now I know why Prince Hamlet is mad. He is certainly in love with
my daughter.

King. Has love, then, such power as to make a man mad ?

Cor. Gracious lord and King, love is certainly strong enough to make a man
mad. I can still remember how it plagued me when I was young: it made me as
mad as a March hare [Märzhaasen]. But now I do not mind it. I like better to
sit by my fire and count my red pennies, and drink your majesty's health.

King. May not one see with one's own eyes his raving and madness ?

Cor. Yes, your majesty. We will just step a little aside, and my daughter shall
show him the jewel which he gave her, and then your majesty can see his madness.

[They hide themselves.



Scene IV. – Hamlet and Ophelia.


Oph. I pray your highness to take back the jewel which you presented to me.

Ham. What, girl! wouldst thou have a husband? Get thee away from me;
nay, come here. Hearken, girl, you young women do nothing but lead young
fellows astray. Your beauty you buy of the apothecaries and peddlers. Listen, I will
tell you a story. There was a cavalier in Artion [sic] who fell in love with a lady,
who, to look at, was the goddess Venus. However, when bedtime came, the bride
went first and began to undress herself. First, she took out an eye which had been
set in very cunningly; then her front teeth, made of ivory, so cleverly that the like
were not to be seen; then she washed herself, and off went all the paint with which
she had smeared herself. At last, when the bridegroom came and thought to em-
brace her, the moment he saw her he started back, and thought it was a spectre.
And thus it is that you deceive the young fellows; therefore listen to me. But stay,
girl! No, go to a nunnery, but not to a nunnery where two pairs of slippers lie at
the bedside. [Exit.

Cor. Is he not perfectly and veritably [perfect und veritabel] mad, gracious lord
and King ?

King. Corambus, leave us. When we have need of you we will send for you.
[Exit Corambus.] We have seen this madness and raving of the Prince's with
great astonishment. But it seems to us that this is not genuine madness, but rather
a reigned [simulirte] madness. We must contrive to have him removed from here,
if not from life; otherwise some harm may come of it.



Scene V. – Hamlet. Horatio.


Ham. My worthy friend Horatio, through this assumed madness I hope to get
the opportunity of revenging my father's death. You know, however, that my father
is always surrounded by many guards [Trabanten]; wherefore it may miscarry.
Should you chance to find my dead body, let it be honorably buried; for at the first
opportunity I will try my chance with him.

Hor. I entreat your highness to do no such thing; perhaps the Ghost has de-
ceived you.

Ham. Oh no! his words were all too plainly spoken. I can, indeed, believe in
him. But what news is the old fool bringing here ?



Scene VI. – Corambus.


Cor. News, gracious lord! the comedians have come.

Ham. When Marus Russig [sic] was a comedian in Rome, what a fine time
that was !

Cor. Ha! ha! ha! Your highness is always teasing [vexiren] me.

Ham. O Jeptha, Jeptha! what a fair daughter hast thou !

Cor. Your highness always will be bringing in my daughter.

Ham. Well, old man, let the master of the comedians come in.

Cor. It shall be so. [Exit.

Ham. These comedians come just in time. I will use them to test the Ghost,
whether he has told the truth or not. I have seen a tragedy acted wherein one
brother kills another in a garden, and this they shall now act. If the king change
color, he has done what the Ghost has told me.



Scene VII. – Actors. Carl, the principal Actor.


Carl. May the gods always bestow on your highness blessings, happiness, and
health!

Ham. I thank you, my friend. What do you wish ?

Carl. Your highness will graciously pardon us. We are foreign High-German
actors, and our wish was to have had the privilege of acting at his majesty's wed-
ding. But Fortune turned her back, and contrary winds their face, toward us.
We therefore ask of your highness leave to act a story, so that our long journey shall
not have l)een made in vain.

Ham. Were you not, a few years ago, at the University of Wittenberg? I think
I saw you act [agiren] there.

Carl. Yes, your highness. We are the same actors.

Ham. Have you still got all of the same company ?

Carl. We are not quite so strong, because some students took situations [Con-
dition
] in Hamburg. Still, we are strong enough for many merry comedies, and
tragedies.

Ham. Could you give us a play to-night ?

Carl. Yes, your highness: we are strong enough and in practice enough.

Ham. Have you still all three women with you ? They acted very well.

Carl. No, only two. One remained with her husband at the court of Saxony.

Ham. When you were at Wittenberg you acted good comedies; but there were
some fellows among you who had good clothes, but dirty shirts, and some who had
boots, but no spurs.

Carl. Your highness, it is often a hard matter to have everything. Perhaps they
thought they would not have to ride.

Ham. Still, it is better when everything is just right [accurat]. But listen a few
minutes, and excuse me; you do not often hear directly what the spectators think
of you. There were also some among you who had silk stockings and white shoes,
but with black hats full of feathers on their heads, and with about as many feathers
below as above. I think they must have gone to bed in them instead of nightcaps.
That's bad, and is easily changed. You may, too, as well tell some of them that
when they act a king or a princely personage, they should not leer so much when
they pay a compliment to a lady. and not be always stepping a Spanish pavan
[spanische Pfauentritte], nor putting on such braggadocio airs [Fechtermienen].
A man of rank laughs at such things. Natural ease is the best. He who plays a
king must fancy that during the play he is a king, and a peasant must be a peasant.

Carl. Your highness, I accept this correction with humble respect, and we will
try to do better for the future.

Ham. I am a great lover of your art, and mean well toward you; in a mirror
one may see his own failings. Listen to me: you acted once at Wittenberg a piece
about King Pit–, Pit–, Pit something or other.

Carl. Ah! perhaps it was one about the great King Pyrro [sic].

Ham. I think it was, but I am not quite sure.

Carl. If your highness could only name a character in it, or say what it was
about.

Ham. It was about one brother murdering another in a garden.

Carl. That's the piece, I'm sure. Did not the king's brother pour poison into
the king's ear ?

Ham. Right, right ! That's the very one. Can you play [präsentiren] that piece
this evening ?

Carl. Oh yes, easily enough: it requires only a few characters.

Ham. Well, then, go, get the stage ready in the great hall. If' you want any
timber, you can get it of the architect; if anything from the armory, or anything in
the way of clothes, ask the Master of the Robes or the Steward. We wish you to be
provided with everything.

Carl. I humbly thank your highness for these favors; we will set about it at
once. Farewell. [Exit.

Ham. These actors come most opportunely for me. Horatio, give good heed to
the King; if he turn pale or change color [altirert], he has certainly done the deed;
for these players with their fictions often produce the effect of truth. Listen, I'll tell
thee a pretty tale. At Strasburg, in Germany, there was a pretty case [Casus]: a woman
murdered her husband by stabbing him through the heart with a shoemaker's awl,
and then, with the help of her paramour, she buried him under the threshold.
Nine whole years did the deed remain concealed, until at last actors came that way and
acted a tragedy containing a similar incident. The woman, who was with her hus-
band [sic] at the play, was touched in her conscience, and began to cry aloud, and
shrieked,' Woe is me! that hits me; for so it was that I killed my innocent hus-
band.' She tore her hair, ran out of the theatre to the judge. confessed of her own
accord the murder; and as this was found to be true, she, in deep repentance for her
sins, received the consolations of a priest, and in true contrition gave up her body
to the executioner and commended her soul to Heaven. Oh, that my father and
uncle might thus feel remorse if he has done this thing! Come, Horatio, we will
go and await the King. Pray, however, observe [observiren] everything closely, for
I shall dissemble [simuliren].

Hor. Your highness, I shall impose on my eyes a sharp lookout. [Exeunt.



Scene VIII. – King. Queen. Hamlet. Horatio. Corambus. Ophelia. Courtiers.


King. My dearest consort, I hope that now you will banish your melancholy,
and let it give place to joy: there is to be, before supper, a comedy by the Germans,
and after supper a ballet [Ballet] by our own people.

Queen. I shall be glad to see such mirth; I doubt much whether my heart will
be at ease, for I know not what kind of an approaching misfortune disturbs our
spirits.

King. Pray be content. – Prince Hamlet, we understand that some actors have
arrived who are to act a comedy for us this evening. Tell us, is that so ?

Ham. Yes, my father, it is. They applied to me, and I gave them permission.
I hope your majesty will also approve.

King. What kind of a plot is it? There is nothing, I suppose, offensive in it
or rude ?

Ham. It is a good plot. We who have good consciences are not touched by it.

King. Where are they ? Let them begin soon; for we would like to see what
these Germans can do.

Ham. Marshal, see whether the actors are ready; tell them to begin.

Cor. Ye actors, where are ye? Ye must begin at once. Holla! they're
coming.

Here enters the Play. The King wilh his consort. He wishes to lie down to sleep;
the Queen begs him not to do so; he lies down, nevertheless; the Queen takes
leave of him with a kiss, and exit. The King's brother comes with a phial and
pours something into his ear, and exit.


Ham. That is King Pyrrus who goes into the garden to sleep. The Queen begs
him not to do so ; however, he lies down. The poor little wife goes away ; see, there
comes the King's brother with the juice of Hebenon and pours it into his ear, which,
as soon as it mixes with the blood of man, destroys the body.

King. Torches, lanterns, here ! the play does not please us.

Cor. Pages, lackies [Pagem, Lackeyen], light the torches! The King wishes to
leave. Quick, light up! The actors have made a mess of it.

[Exeunt King, Queen, Corambus, and Courtiers.

Ham. Torches here ! the play does not please us. – Now thou seest that the Ghost
has not deceived me. _ Actors, go hence with this conclusion, that though you did
not act the piece all through, and the King was displeased with it, yet it pleased us
much, and in my behalf Horatio shall satisfy [contentiren] you.

Carl. We thank you, and beg you for a passport [Reisepass].

Ham. That you shall have. [Exeunt Actors.] Now, can I dare to go on
boldly with my revenge. Did you see how the King changed color when he saw
the play ?

Hor. Yes, your highness, the thing is certain.

Ham. Therefore my father was murdered just as you saw it in the play. But I
will pay him off for his evil deed.



Scene. IX. – Corambus.


Cor. The actors will get a poor reward, for their acting [Action] has sore dis-
pleased the King.

Ham. What sayest thou, old man : they will get a poor reward? The worse
they are rewarded by the King, all the better will they be rewarded by Heaven.

Cor. Your highness, can actors get to heaven ?

Ham. Dost thou suppose, old fool, that they won't find room there, too ? Where-
fore, begone, and treat [tractiren] these people well.

Cor. Ay, ay, I'll treat them as they deserve.

Ham. Treat them well, I say; for there is no greater praise to be got than
through actors, for they travel far and wide. If they are treated well in one place,
they cannot praise it enough in another; for their theatre [Theatrum] is a little
world wherein they represent nearly all that happens in the great world. They
revive the old forgotten histories, and set before us good and bad examples ; they
publish abroad the justice and praiseworthy government of princes; they punish
vices, and exalt virtues; they praise the good, and show how tyranny is punished.
Therefore you should reward them well.

Col. Well, they shall have their reward, since they are such people. Farewell,
your highness. [Exit.

Ham. Come, Horatio, I am going; and from this hour I shall endeavor to find
the King, alone, that I may take his life as he has taken my father's.

Hor. Pray, your highness, be very cautious, lest you yourself come to harm.

Verse.
Ham. I shall, I must, I will, give this vile wretch his due.
If stratagem should fail, with force I'll then break through.



ACT III.

Scene I. – Here is presented [präsentirt sich] an Altar in a Temple.


King [alone]. Now begins my conscience to awaken, the sting of treachery to
prick me sharply. It is time to turn to repentance, and to confess to Heaven the
crime I have committed. I fear my crime is so great that they will never forgive
me; nevertheless, I will pray to the gods from the bottom of my heart that they
will forgive my grievous sins. [The King kneels before the altar.



Scene II. – Hamlet with a drawn sword.


Ham. Thus long have I followed the damned dog, until I have found him. Now
is the time, when he is alone. I will slay him in the midst of his devotions. [Is
about to stab him.
] But no, I will first let him finish his prayer. But ah, when I
think of it, he did not first give my father time for a prayer, but sent him to hell in
his sleep and perhaps in his sins. Therefore will I send him after to the same place.
[Is again about to run him through fom behind.] But hold, Hamlet! why wouldst
thou take his sins upon thyself? I will let him finish his prayer, and let him go this
time, and give him his life; but another time I will fulfil my revenge. [Exit.

King. My conscience is somewhat lightened; but the dog still lies gnawing at
my heart. Now will I go, and with fastings, and alms. and fervent prayers appease
the Highest. Ah, cursed ambition ! to what hast thou brought me !



Scene III. – Queen. Corambus.


Queen. Corambus, say, how is it with our son, Prince Hamlet ? Does his mad-
ness abate at all, or will not his raving cease ?

Cor. Ah, no, your majesty; he is still just as mad as he was before.



Scene IV. – Horatio.


Hor. Most gracious Queen, Prince Hamlet is in the antechamber, and craves a
private audience [Audiens].

Queen. He is very dear to us; so let him come in at once.

Hor. It shall be done, your majesty. [Exit.

Queen. Hide yourself, Corambus, behind the tapestry till we call you.

Cor. Ay, ay, I will hide myself a bit. [Hides himself.



Scene V. – Hamlet.


Ham. Lady mother, did you really know your first husband.

Queen. Ah ! remind me not of my former grief. I cannot restrain my tears when
I think of him.

Ham. Do you weep? Ah, leave off; they are mere crocodile's tears. But see,
there in that gallery hangs the counterfeit [Conterfait] of your first husband, and
there hangs the counterfeit of your present. What think you now ? Which of
them is the comeliest ? Is not the first a majestic lord ?

Queen. He is indeed that.

Ham. How could you, then, so soon forget him? Fie, for shame! Almost on
the same day you had the burial and the nuptials. But hush! are all the doors shut
fast ?

Queen. Why do you ask it ? [Corambus coughs behind the tapestry.

Ham. Who is that listening to us ? [Stabs him.

Cor. Woe is me, O Prince! What are you doing? I die!

Queen. O Heaven, my son! what are you doing ? It is Corambus, the cham-
berlain.



Scene VI. – Ghost passes across the stage. It lightens.


Ham. Ah, noble shade of my father, stay! Alas! alas! what wouldst thou?
Dost thou demand vengeance ? I will fulfil it at the right time.

Queen. What are you about ? and to whom are you talking ?

Ham. See you not the ghost of your departed husband? See, he beckons as if
he would speak to you.

Queen. How ? I see nothing at all.

Ham. I can readily believe that you see nothing, for you are no longer worthy
to look on his form. Fie, for shame ! Not another word wiil I speak to you. [Exit.

Queen [alone]. O Heaven! how much madness this melancholy has brought
upon the Prince ! Alas ! my only son has wholly lost his senses. Alas ! alas ! I am
much to blame for it. Had I not wedded my brother-in-law, my first husband's
brother, I had not robbed my son of the crown of Denmark. But when a thing is
done, what can we do ? Nothing. It must be as it is. If the pope had not allowed
the marriage, it would never have taken place. I will go hence, and try my best to
restore my son to his former sense and health.



Scene VII. – Jens, alone.


Jens. It is long since I have been to court and paid my taxes. I am afraid that,
go where I may, I shall be put into jail [ins Loch kriechen]. If I could only find
some good friend who would speak a good word for me, so that I might not be
punished !



Scene VIII. – Phantasmo.


Phan. There are strange goings-on at court. Prince Hamlet is mad, Ophelia is
mad too. In short [in Summa], things go on so very strangely that I am almost
inclined to run away.

Jens. Potz tausend ! I see my good friend Phantasmo. No better man could I
hit upon. I will ask him to say a good word for me. – Good luck to you, Mr Phan-
tasmo !

Phan. Many thanks! What do you want, Mr Clown ?

Jens. Ah, Mr Phantasmo, 'tis a long time since I have been at court, and I owe a
great deal. Therefore I beg that you will put in a good word for me; I will reward
[spendiren] you with a good cheese.

Phan. What ! dost thou think, churl, that at court I get nothing to eat ?



Scene IX. – Ophelia, mad.


Oph. I run and race, but cannot find my sweetheart. He sent me word to come
to him. We are to be married, and I am dressed for it already. But there is my
love ! See ! art thou there, my lambkin ? I have sought thee so; yes, have I sought
thee. Alas! just think! the tailor has spoilt my cotton [kattunen] gown. See, there
is a pretty floweret for thee, my heart !

Phan. Oh, the devil! I wish I could clear out. She thinks I am her sweet-
heart.

Oph. What sayest thou, my love? We will go to bed together. I will wash
thee quite clean.

Phan. Ay, ay, I'll soap thee, and wash thee out, too.

Oph. Listen, my love: hast thou already put on thy new suit ? Ay, that is beau-
tifully made, just in the new fashion.

Phan. I know that well enough without –

Oph. Potz tausend! what I came near forgetting! The King has invited
me to supper, and I must run fast. Look there ! my little coach, my little coach !
[Exit.
Phan. O Hecate, thou queen of witches, how glad I am that mad thing has
cleared out! If she had stayed any longer, I should have been mad too. I must
get away before the foolish thing comes back.

Jens. Oh, merciful Mr Phantasmo, I beg you not to forget me.

Phan. Come along, Brother Rogue. I'll see what I can do for thee with the
tax-collector. [Exeunt.



Scene X. – King. Hamlet. Horatio. Two Attendants.


King. Where is the corpse of Corambus ? Has it not yet been removed ?

Hor. He is still lying in the place where he was stabbed.

King. It grieves us that he has lost his life so suddenly. Go, let him be taken
away. We wish to have him honorably buried. – Alas ! Prince Hamlet ! what have
you done, to stab old, harmiess Corambus! It grieves us to our heart, yet since it
was done unwittingly, this murder is in some degree excusable; but I fear that when
it gets known among the nobility, it will raise a riot among my subjects, and they
may revenge his death on you. However, out of fatherly care we have devised a
plan to avert this misfortune.

Ham. I am sorry for it, uncle and father. I wanted to say something in private
to the Queen, but this spy lay in wait for us. I did not know, however, that it was
this o}d fool. But what does your majesty intend as the best thing to be done [pro-
cediren
] with me ?

King. We have resolved to send you to England, because this crown is friendly
to our own; there you can cool yourself off [refrigiren] for a while, since the air
there is healthier, and may promote your recovery better than here. We will give
you some of our attendants, who shall accompany you and serve you faithfully.

Ham. Ay, ay, King; just send me off to Portugal, so that I may never come back
again. That's the best.

King. No, not to Portugal, but to England, and these two shall accompany you
on the journey. But when you arrive in England you shall have more attendants.

Ham. Are those the lackeys [Laquaien] ? They're nice fellows !

King. Listen, you two [aside to the two Attendants]. As soon as you get to
England, do as I have ordered you. Take a dagger, or each one a pistol, and kill
him. But should this attempt miscarry, take this letter and present it, along with the
Prince, at the place which is written on it. There he will be so well looked to that
he will never come back again from England. But on this point I warn you:
reveal your business to no man. You shall receive your reward as soon as you
return.

Ham. Well, your majesty, who are the right ones, then, that are to travel with
me ?

King. These two. Now, the gods be with you, that with a fair wind you may
reach the place and spot!

Ham. Well, adieu [Adieu], lady mother !

King. How is this, my prince ? why do you call us mother ?

Ham. Surely, man and wife are one flesh. Father or mother – it is all the same
to me.

King. Well, fare ye well. Heaven be with you ! [Exit.

Ham. Now, you noble chaps [noblen Ouantchen], are you to be my com-
panions ?

Attends. Ay, your highness.

Ham. Come, then, noble comrades [taking each by the hand], let us go, let us
go to England; take your little message in your hands; thou art a brave chap. Let
us go, let us go to England! [Exeunt.



Scene XI. _ Phantasmo. Ophelia.


Phan. Wherever I go or stay, that darned [elementische] girl, that Ophelia, runs
after me out of every corner. I can get no peace along of her. She keeps saying
that I am her lover, and it is not true. If I could only hide myself somewhere
where she could not find me! Now, the plague is loose again! There she comes
again !

Oph. Where can my sweetheart be? The rogue won't stay with me, but had
rather run away. – But, see, there he is ! Listen, my love: I have been at the priest's,
and he will join us this very day. I have made all ready for the wedding, and
bought chickens, hares, meat, butter, and cheese. There is nothing else wanting
but the musicians to play us to bed.

Phan. I can only say, yes. – Come, then, let us go to bed together.

Oph. No, no, my poppet, we must first go to church together, and then we'll eat
and drink, and then we'll dance. Ah, how merry we shall be!

Phan. Ay, it will be right merry, – three eating out of one dish.

Oph. What sayest thou? If thou wilt not have me, I'll not have thee [striikes
him
]. Look there ! there is my love beckoning to me. See there what fine
clothes he has on ! See, he is enticing me to him. He throws me a rose and a lily.
He wants to take me in his arms. He beckons me: I am coming, ! am coming.
[Exit.
Phan. Near to, she's not wise, but farther off, she's downright mad. ! wish she
were hanged, and then the carrion could not run after me so.



ACT IV.

Scene I. – HamIet. Two Banditti [Banditen].


Ham. This is a pleasant spot, here on this island. Let us stay here a while, and
dine. There's a pleasant wood, and there a cool stream of water. So fetch me the
best from the ship; here we'll make right merry.

First Band. Gracious sir, this is no time for eating, for from this island you will
never depart; for here is the spot which is chosen for your churchyard.

Ham. What sayest thou, thou scoundrel, thou slave [EscIav] ? Knowest thou
whom I am ? Wouldst thou jest so with a royal prince ? However, for this time,
I forglve you.

Sec. Band. No, it is no jest, but downright earnest. Just prepare yourself for
death.

Ham. Why so? What injury have I ever done you? For my part I can think
of none. Therefore, speak out: why do you entertain such bad thoughts ?

First Band. It is our orders from the King; as soon as we get your highness on
this island we are to kill you.

Ham. Dear friends, spare my life! Say that you have done your work, and so
long as I live I will never return to the King. Think well what good you gain by
having your hands covered with the blood of an innocent prince ! Will you stain
your consciences with my sins ? Alas ! that most unfortunately I am unarmed ! If
I only had something in my hands ! [Snatches at a dagger.

Sec. Band. I say, comrade, take care of thy weapon.

First Band. I'll take care. Now, Prince, get ready. We haven't much time.

Ham. Since it cannot be otherwise. and I must die at your hands at the bidding
of the tyrannical King, I will submit without resistance, although I'm innocent. And
you, bribed to the deed through poverty, I willingly forgive. My blood, however,
must be answered for by the murderer of his brother and of my father at the great
Day of Judgement.

First Band. What has that Day to do with us ? We must do this day what we
were told.

Sec. Band. That's true, brother. – Hurry up ! there's no help for it. – Let us fire,
– I on one side and thou on the other.

Ham. Hear me one word more. Since the very worst of malefactors is not
denied a time for repentance, I, an innocent prince, beg you to let me raise to my
Maker a fervent prayer; after that ! am ready to die. But I will give you a signal:
I will turn my hands toward heaven, and the moment I stretch out my arms, fire !
Aim both pistols at my sides, and when I say "Shoot !" give me as much as I need,
and be sure to hit me so that I shall not be long in torture.

Sec. Band. Well, we can easily grant him this favor. – Therefore, go ahead.

Ham. [Spreading out his hands]. Shoot! [throwing himself forward on his face
between the two, who shoot each other.
] O just Heaven ! thanks be to thee for this
angelic idea! I will praise for ever the guardian angel who through my own idea
has saved lay life. But these villains, – as was their work, so is their pay. The
dogs are still stirring; they have shot [harquebusirt] each other. But out of re-
venge [Revange] I'll give them a death-blow to make sure, else one of the rogues
might escape. [Stabs them with their own swords.] I'll search them, and see
whether they have by chance any warrant of arrest about them. This one has
nothing. Here on this murderer I find a letter; I will read it. This letter is written
to an arch-murderer in England; should this attempt fail, they had only to hand me
over to him, and he would soon enough blow out the light of my life. But the gods
stand by the righteous. Now will I return to my father, to his horror. But I will
not trust any longer to water; who knows but what the ship's captain is a villain
too ? I will go to the first town and take the post. The sailors I will order back to
Denmark. These rascals I will throw into the water. [Exit.



Scene II. – King, with Attendants.


King. We long to learn how matters have turned out with our son, Prince Ham-
let, and whether the men whom we sent with him as his fellow-travellers have faith-
fully performed what we commanded.



Scene III. – Phantasmo. King.


Phan. News, Monsieur [sic] King ! The very latest news !

King. What is it, Phantasmo ?

Phan. Leonhardus has come back home from France.

King. That pleases us; admit him to our presence.



Scene IV. – Leonhardus.


Leon. Gracious lord and King, I demand of your majesty my father, or just
vengeance for his lamentable murder. If this be not done, I shall forget that you
are King, and revenge myself on him who has done the deed.

King. Leonhardus, be satisfied that we are guiltless of thy father's death. Prince
Hamlet unawares ran him through, behind the hangings, but we will take care that
he is punished for it.

Leon. Since your majesty is guiltless of my father's death, I therefore beg for
pardon on my knees. Rage as well as filial affection so overcame me that I scarcely
knew what I did.

King. Thou art forgiven. We can well believe that it goes to thy very heart to
have lost thy father so miserably. But be satisfied, thou shalt have a father again in
ourselves.

Leon. I thank you for this high royal favor.



Scene V. – Phantasmo.


Phan. Uncle King, more news still!

King. What news dost thou bring again ?

Phan. Prince Hamlet has come back.

King. The devil has come back, and not Prince Hamlet !

Phan. Prince Hamlet has come back, and not the devil.

King. Leonhardus, listen here. Now thou canst avenge thy father's death. The
Prince has come home again; but thou must promise us on thy oath not to reveal it
to any one.

Phan. Doubt me not, your majesty. What you reveal to me shall be as secret
as if you had spoken to a stone.

King. We will arrange a match between thee and him, thus: you shall fence
with rapiers [Rapieren], and the one who makes the first three hits shall win a
white Neapolitan horse. But in the middle of this combat you must let your rapier
drop, and instead of it you must have at hand a sharp-pointed sword, made exactly
like the rapier, but the point thou must smear with strong poison: as soon, then, as thou
shalt have wounded him with it, he will have to die. But thou wilt win the prize,
and with it the King's favor.

Leon. Your majesty must pardon me. I dare not undertake this, because the
Prince is a skilled swordsman, and he might easily practise all this on me.

King. Leonhardus, hesitate not, but do thy King this pleasure; to revenge thy
father thou must do it. For know, as your father's murderer the Prince deserves
such a death. But we cannot get justice upon him, because he has his lady mother
to back him, and the subjects love him much. Hence, if we openly revenged our-
selves on him, there might easily be a rebellion. But to shun him as our stepson
and kinsman is only an act of sacred justice; for he is murderous and mad, and for
the future we ourselves must be in fear of such a wicked man. If you do what we
desire, you will relieve your King of his fears, and in a disguised way revenge your
father's murder.

Leon. It is a hard matter, and one which I am scarcely equal to. For should it
get abroad it would surely cost me my life.

King. Do not doubt! Should this fail, we have thought of another trick. We
will have an oriental diamond pounded fine, and when he is heated present it to
him, mixed with sugar, in a beaker full of wine. Thus shall he drink his death to
our health.

Leon. Well, then, your majesty, under this safeguard I will do the deed.


Scene VI. – Queen.


Queen. Gracious lord and King, dearest husband, I bring you bad news.

King. What is it, dearest soul ?

Queen. My favorite attendant [Staatjungfer], Ophelia, runs up and down,
cries and screams; she eats and drinks nothing. They think she has quite lost
her wits.

King. Alas ! one hears nothing but downright sad and unhappy news !



Scenev. VII. – Ophelia , with flowers.


Oph. See! there, thou hast a flower; thou too; thou too. [Gives each a flower.]
But, potz tausend! what had I clean forgotten! I must run quick. I have for-
gotten my ornaments. Alas! my frontlet [Fronte]! I must go quickly to the
court-jeweller, and ask what new fashions he has got. Sa, sa [sic], set the table
quickly. I'll soon be back. [Runs off.

Leon. Am I, then, born to every misfortune ? My father is dead, and my sister
is robbed of her wits! My heart almost bursts with grief.

King. Leonhardus, be content, thou shalt live alone in our favor. – But do you,
dearest wife, be pleased to walk within with us, for we have something secret to
reveal to you. – Leonhardus, do not forget what we have said to you.

Leon. I shall be eager to do it.

Queen. My King, we must devise some means by which this unfortunate maiden
may be restored to her senses.

King. Let the case be submitted to our own physician. – But do you, Leonhardus,
follow us. [Exeunt.



ACT V.

Scene I. – Hamlet.


Ham. Unfortunate Prince! how much longer must thou live without peace?
How long dost thou delay, O righteous Nemesis! before thou whettest thy righteous
sword of vengeance for my uncle, the fratricide ? Hither have I come once more,
but cannot attain to my revenge, because the fratricide is surrounded all the time
by so many people. But I swear that, before the sun has finished his journey from
east to west, I will revenge myself on him.



Scene II. – Horatio.


Hor. Your highness, I am heartily glad to see you here again in good health,
But, I pray you, tell me why you have returned so soon.

Ham. Ah, Horatio, thou hast nearly missed never seeing me again alive; for
my life was already at stake, had not the Almighty power specially protected me.

Hor. How ? What says your highness ? How did it happen ?

Ham. Thou knowest that the King gave me two fellow-travellers as servants to
accompany me. Now it happened that one day we had contrary [contrairen] winds,
and we anchored at an island not far from Dover. I went on shore with my two
companions to get a little fresh air. Then came these cursed rascals, and would
have taken my life, and said that the King had bribed them to it. I begged for my
life, and promised to give them as great a reward, and that, if they reported me to
the King as dead, I would never again go near the court. But there was no pity in
them. At last the gods put something into my head; whereupon I begged them
that, before my death, I might offer a prayer, and that when I cried "Shoot !" they
were to fire at me. But just as I gave the word I fell on the ground, and they
shot each other. Thus have I this time escaped with my life. My arrival, however,
will not be agreeable to the King.

Hor. Oh, unheard-of treachery !



Scene III. – Phantasmo.


Ham. Look, Horatio, this fool is far dearer to the King than my person. Let
us hear what he has to say.

Phan. Welcome home, Prince Hamlet! Do you know the news? The King
has laid a wager on you and the young Leonhardus. You are to fight together with
rapiers, and he who gives the other the first two [sic] hits is to win a white Neapoli-
tan horse.

Ham. Is this certain what thou sayest ?

Phan. Yes, it is precisely so.

Ham. Horatio, what can this mean ? I and Leonhardus are to fight one another.
I fancy they have been quizzing this fool, for you can make him beIieve what you
choose. See here. Signora [sic] Phantasmo, it is terribly cold.

Phan. Ay, ay, it is terribly cold. [His teeth chatter.

Ham. It is not so cold now as it was.

Phan. Ay, ay, it is just the happy medium.

Ham. But now it is very hot. [Wipes his face.

Phan. Oh, what a terrible heat! [Also wipes away the perspiration.

Ham. And now it is neither really hot, nor really cold.

Phan. Yes, it is now just temperate [temperirt].

Ham. There. thou seest, Horatio, one can quiz him as much as one likes. – Phan-
tasmo, go back to the King and say that I will shortly wait on him. [Exit Phan-
tasmo.
] Come now, Horatio, I will go at once and present myself to the King.
But ah! what means this ? Blood flows fi'om my nose, and my whole body shakes.
Oh, woe's me what has happened ? [Swoons.

Hor. Most noble prince ! – O Heaven! what means this? – Be yourself again,
your highness. Most noble Prince, what's the matter? What ails you ?

Ham. I know not, Horatio. When I thought of returning to the court, a sudden
faintness came over me. What this may mean is known to the gods.

Hor. Ah, Heaven grant that this omen [Omen] portends nothing bad !

Ham. Be it what it may, I'll none the less go to the court, even though it cost
me my life.



Scene IV. – King. Leonhardus. Phantasmo.


King. Leonhardus, get thyself ready, for Prince Hamlet will soon be here too.

Leon. Your majesty, I am already prepared, and I will do my best.

King. Look well to it! Here comes the Prince



Scene V. – Hamlet. Horatio.


Ham. All happiness and health to your majesty !

King. We thank you, Prince! We are greatly rejoiced that melancholy has in
some degree left you. Wherefore, we have arranged a friendly match between you
and the young Leonhardus. You are to fight with rapiers, and the one who makes
the first three [sic] hits shall win a white Neapolitan horse, with saddle and
trappings.

Ham. Your majesty must pardon me, for I have had but little practice with
rapiers. But Leonhardus has just come from France, where, doubtless, he has had
good practice. Therefore you must excuse me.

King. Prince Hamlet, do it to gratify us, for we are desirous of knowing what
sort of feints the Germans and French use.



Scene VI. – Queen.


Queen. Gracious lord and King, I have to announce to you a great calamity !

King. Heaven forbid! What is it ?

Queen. Ophelia went up a high hill, and threw herself down, and killed her-
self.

Leon. Alas! Unfortunate Leonhardus! thou hast lost within a short space of
time both a father and a sister! Whither will misfortune lead thee? I could for
grief wish myself dead.

King. Be comforted, Leonhardus. We are gracious to you; only begin the con-
test. Phantasmo, bring the rapiers. – Horatio, you shall be umpire.

Phan. Here is the warm beer.

Ham. Well, then, Leonhardus, come on, and let us see which of us is to fit the
other with the fool's cap and bells. Should I, however, make a mistake [einen
Exces begehen
], pray excuse [excusiren] me, for it is long since I have fought.

Leon. I am your highness's servant : you are only jesting.

[During the first bout they fight fair. Leonhardus is hit.

Ham. That was one, Leonhardus!

Leon. True, your highness! Now for revenge [Allo Revange] [He drops his
rapier, and seizes the poisoned sword which lies ready
[parat], and gives the Prince
a thrust in carte
[die Quarte] in the arm. Hamlet parries [pariret] on Leonhardus,
so that they both drop their weapons. Each runs for his rapier. Hamlet gets the
poisoned sword, and stabs Leonhardus mortally.
] Woe is me ! I have a mortal
thrust. I receive what I thought to pay another. Heaven have mercy on me !

Ham. What the devil is this, Leonhardus? Have I wounded you with the
rapier? How does this happen?

King. Go quick, and bring my beaker with wine, so that the combatants may
refresh themselves a little. Go, Phantasmo, and fetch it. [Descends from the throne.
Aside.] I hope that when they both drink of the wine they will then die, and no
one will know of this trick.

Ham. Tell me, Leonhardus! how has this come about ?

Leon. Alas, Prince ! I have been seduced into this misfortune by the King. See
what you have in your hand! It is a poisoned sword.

Ham. O Heaven! what is this ? Preserve me from it!

Leon. I was to have wounded you with it, for it is so strongly poisoned that who
gets the least wound from it must straightway die.

King. Ho, gentlemen! rest yourselves a little and drink. [While the King is
rising from his chair and speaking these words, the Queen takes the cup out of Phan-
tasmo's hand and drinks, the King cries out.
] Ho ! what keeps the goblet?
Alas, dearest wife ! what are you doing ? This wine is mixed with deadly poison !
Oh woe! what have you done ?

Queen. Oh woe! I am dying! [The King stands in front of the Queen.

Ham. And thou, tyrant, shalt bear her company in death.

[Hamlet stabs him from behind.

King. Oh woe ! I receive my evil reward !

Leon. Adieu [sic], Prince Hamlet ! – Adieu, world ! I am dying a!so. – Ah, for-
give me, Prince !

Ham. May Heaven receive thy soul ! for thou art guiltless. But this tyrant, I
hope he may wash off his black sins in hell. Ah, Horatio, now is my soul at rest,
now that I have revenged myself on my enemies ! 'Tis true I have also received a
hit on my arm, but I hope it will signify nothing. I grieve that I have stabbed
Leonhardus; but I know not how I got the accursed sword into my hand. But as
is the labor, so is the reward; he has received his pay. Nothing afflicts me more
than my lady mother. Still, she too has deserved this death for her sins. But tell
me, who gave her the cup that has poisoned her ?

Phan. I, Prince. I too brought the poisoned sword ; but the poisoned wine was
to be drunk by you alone.

Ham. Hast thou also been an instrument in this misery? Lo, there ! thou also
hast thy reward ! [Stabs him dead.

Phan. Stab away, till your sword is tired ! [dass euch die Klinge verlahme !]

Ham. Alas, Horatio! I fear that my completed revenge will cost me my life,
for I am sore wounded in the arm. I am growling very faint; my limbs grow weak;
my legs will no longer stand; my voice fails me; I feel the poison in all my limbs.
But I pray you, dear Horatio, carry the crown to Norway, to my cousin, the Duke
Fortempras [sic], so that the kingdom may not fall into other hands. Alas! Oh
woe ! I die !

Hor. Alas, most noble Prince! still look for aid ! – O Heaven ! he is dying in
my arms ! Alas ! what has not this kingdom suffered for ever so long from hard
wars? Scarcely is there peace but internal disturbance, ambition, faction, and
murder fill the land anew. In no age of the world could such a lamentable tragedy
ever have happened as has now, alas ! been enacted at this court. With the help of
the faithful councillors I will make all preparations that these high personages shall
be interred according to their rank. Then will I at once [cito] betake myself to
Norway with the crown, and hand it over as this unfortunate Prince commanded.

So is it when a King with guile usurps the throne,
And afterward with treachery maintains it as his own.
With mockery and scorn he ends his days abhorred,
For as the labor is, so follows the reward.



[The End]