第二幕
第一景
[波隆尼爾傢中。 波隆尼爾與僕人瑞挪都入。 他們正在談關於
雷爾提之事。 雷爾提已返回巴黎。]
波: 把這些錢及信件帶去給他, 瑞挪都。
瑞: 我會的, 老爺。
波: 你最好能在見他之前打聽打聽他最近之品行, 瑞挪都。
瑞: 老爺, 我正打算如此。
波: 嗯, 很好, 很好。 這樣,
你可先打聽在巴黎住的有那些丹麥人,
他們是為何在那裏, 是些什麽人, 經濟情況如何,
住處在那裏, 朋友是誰, 及為其花費多少。
如此轉彎末角的, 你就可以知道他們是否認得他,
這比直接了當的詢問還容易得到真相。
你可以假裝你與他不熟,
可說「我認得他的父親以及他的朋友,
所以, 我也略認得他一些。」 記住了嗎?
瑞: 是的, 我記住了, 老爺。
波:「認得他一些, 但是,」你可說, 「並不熟悉。 不過,
若確是此人的話, 那他可是個品性狂野之人,
並且有某某之痞好。」 在此你可捏造些事情,
例如紈褲子弟們常會去幹的輕浮、放縱之勾當。
但是記住, 別壞了他的名譽。
瑞: 例如賭博, 老爺?
波: 對, 或酗酒, 或鬥劍, 或駡人, 或吵架, 或嫖妓。
你可提起這些。
瑞: 但是, 老爺, 這些可會敗壞他的名譽啊。
波: 那也未必, 衹要你在說此話時, 語言上稍帶含蓄。
你勿毀謗他是個放蕩不羈的浪子, 我無此意。
你僅需輕描淡寫的說出他的缺點,
有技巧的把它們形容為因太自由而造成之小瑕疵,
血氣興旺促使之妄為, 或無紀律導致之野行,
此乃常人之過也。
瑞: 但是, 我的好老爺...
波: 為何你要如此的去做?
瑞: 是的, 老爺, 我想要知道。
波: 好, 先生, 這就是我所設的良計:
當你把這些過錯--這衹不過是些小污點而已--講給某某人聽時,
假如此人心中明白我的兒子的確是犯有這些毛病,
那他一定會同意你之說法, 並且也會按其國之禮節和你稱朋道友,
稱呼你為「親愛的先生」, 或「朋友」, 或「紳士。」
瑞: 是的, 老爺。
波: 那時他若如此, 如此...{講得自己也糊塗了}
我想說些什麽? 我忘了, 我到底講到哪裏去了?
瑞: 講到「同意你之說法。」
波: 講到「同意你之說法?」 對, 沒錯。
那時他也就會信賴於你, 並且會告訴你:
「我也認得他, 昨天我纔碰到他,」或
「前幾天他纔如此如此,」 就如你所說的: 賭博、酗酒、
打網球時與人爭吵、 或「我見到他進入一妓院」等等。
你瞭解了嗎? 用你的一小小謊言來做餌釣一大魚, 即能知道事情真相。
咱們聰明、有腦筋之士就可用此拐彎末角之計獲得我們所需知的。
你若采納我所教的這些, 你也可同樣的償願於我兒。
你懂了嗎?
瑞: 我懂了, 老爺。
波: 上帝與你同在, 再會。
瑞: 謝老爺。
波: {叫回瑞挪都} 你得把他給看緊。
瑞: 我會的, 老爺。
波: 但也讓他能自奏其樂。
瑞: 是的, 老爺。
[出]
[歐菲利亞入]
波: 再會。
{對女兒}
怎麽啦, 歐菲利亞, 什麽事?
歐: 啊, 父親, 父親, 嚇死我了!
波: 老天, 什麽事?
歐: 剛纔我在房間裏縫紉時, 哈姆雷特殿下進了來 。
他敞開著他的外套, 頭上也沒戴帽子,
沒襪帶的襪子也髒兮兮的拖落於踝,
臉色白晰的就如其襯衫,
他就這樣雙膝並攏的一付可憐樣面對著我,
好像纔從地獄裏被釋放出來, 敘述其恐怖一樣。
波: 他因愛你而瘋啦?
歐: 父親, 我不知道, 不過, 我真的害怕。
波: 他和你說了些什麽?
歐: 他用力的扭住了我的手腕,
排我於一臂之距,
然後把另一支手這般的放在他的額頭上,
目不轉睛的端詳著我的臉, 好像想畫它一般。
良久之後, 他纔把我的手輕輕的抖了抖, 也這般的點了三次頭,
{學著慢慢點頭}
然後 慘的深嘆了一口氣,
就好像想在一口氣中嘆出他的胴體及生命一般。
此事完後, 他纔放鬆我;
他走時還掉過頭來; 出門時也不看路,
因為他的雙眼一直不停的在瞅著我呢。
波: 跟我來, 我們找國王去, 此乃癡情病狂也!
它來之兇猛時能令患者尋短見,
就如其他令人類痛楚之心病一樣。
對不起...你最近有無與他爭執了?
歐: 沒有, 父親, 但依照您的旨示,
我回絶了他的情書, 也避他不見。
波: 他這樣就瘋了!
對不起, 我沒把他給看準, 我還以為他對你衹是玩玩,
衹想把你給糟蹋了而以。 我這多疑之心真該慚愧,
天哪, 咱們老一輩的會疑心, 就像年青人會天真無忌一樣。
走吧, 我們找國王去, 他應該知道這些,
隱藏此事可能造出之悲劇,
將比揭發此事可能造出之悲劇來得更甚,
來!
[二人出]
第二景: 宮中
[號聲響起, 國王、皇后、羅生剋蘭、蓋登思鄧等與衆侍從入。]
王: 歡迎, 愛臣羅生剋蘭與蓋登思鄧,
朕急召二位來此, 除朕想念你們之外, 還有一重差須要囑托。
你們可聞近來哈姆雷特有變--
吾稱之為變, 乃因其儀態已與昔日回然不同。
除了其父之死外, 寡人實不悟其擾。
朕念你們與他自幼為友, 年紀相同並深悉其性,
望二位能留宮一時, 與他為伴, 使他重獲歡欣,
並當時機容允時, 察明其睏擾之由, 有無寡人不曉之處,
而可對癥療之也。
: 好先生們, 他經常提及你們, 而我料世上無別人能與他更熟,
二位若能依我們之意而留此一時, 為王的將感激不盡。
羅: 陛下與皇后乃一國之主, 有何旨示, 可儘管吩附, 不需托求。
蓋: 而臣等必聽從旨意, 將全力以赴。
王: 多謝, 羅生剋蘭與善良的蓋登思鄧。
: 多謝, 蓋登思鄧與善良的羅生剋蘭。
我懇求你們立刻就去見我那已改變許多的兒子。
[對侍從們]
去, 你們中之一位, 快帶這二位先生去哈姆雷特那兒。
蓋: 祈求老天能使我們令他愉快, 並對他有助。
: 對啊, 阿們。
[羅生剋蘭與蓋登思鄧出]
[波隆尼爾入]
波: 我很高興的宣佈我國駐挪威大使們現已歸國, 陛下。
王: 卿實不愧為「捷報之父。」
波: 是嗎, 主公? 您可放心,
臣視吾職, 如視吾魂--同心一致的效忠陛下與上帝。
我認為, 除非我這腦筋已無昔日之精明,
我已發現哈姆雷特喪失心神之緣由。
王: 啊, 請卿速言, 吾欲聽之。
波: 不妨先召見大使們, 此消息可置之於後, 當作宴席之甜點。
王: 那你就召他們晉見罷。
[波隆尼爾出]
{對皇后} 親愛的葛簇特, 他告訴我他已發現你兒心病之原因。
: 無疑那主要原因决不出於其父之死, 與我們之倉促婚事。
王: 嗯, 待寡人好好的問問他。
[波隆尼爾, 傅特曼, 及孔裏尼入]
歡迎, 朋友們。
喂, 傅特曼, 挪威王那兒有何消息?
傅: 對陛下之問候及要求有極有利之答覆。
經我們初步談判後, 他就立刻派人去抑製其侄所招幕之隊伍。
當初他衹道那支軍隊是準備抵抗波蘭用的,
但經他細察後, 發現它果真是針對著陛下。
對其因病、老、與無能而被欺, 他深感不安,
因此他下令遏製福丁布拉;
簡而說之, 其侄也聽話,
他在挪威王面前被責, 並且最後也與其叔發誓永不與陛下為敵。
聽此之後, 挪威老王竜心大悅, 賞他年祿三千金圓,
並特派他率此軍徵討波蘭。
在此有函 [遞出信件] 乞求陛下讓徵軍平安渡境本國,
一切條件及所應註意事項如下...
王: 朕甚慰。 有暇時朕必閱此函, 細慮此事, 並為它作個答覆;
不過, 此際朕可要先謝你們之功勞。 請稍歇會兒,
今夜我們可共宴, 歡迎你們歸國。
[傅特曼與孔裏尼出]
波: 此事就圓滿結束。
吾王與夫人, 與其討論為君者應如何, 他之職責何在,
或為何日即日、 夜即夜、或時即時,
實是在浪費夜、日、與時也!
既然「簡扼乃機智之魂, 而冗言即無用之外飾,」
我將簡略的說此:
您們的貴子瘋了。
我言之為『瘋,』 難道僅有瘋人才能真正的瞭解瘋者是如何?
好了, 不談它了。
: 請多說些事實, 少說些矯飾廢話。
波: 夫人, 我發誓, 我沒在矯飾。
他瘋了, 這是個事實; 它事實是很可悲, 也很可悲它是個事實。
此話聽起來很傻, 所以可不去提它了; 但是, 我的確是無在虛飾此言。
就當他是真正的瘋了好了, 那麽我們現在就應找出致使他發瘋的原因,
或令其發瘋之某缺陷,
因為瘋癥是個結果, 而此結果必是某缺陷所造成的,
所以我們現在...現在我們...得仔細考慮考慮...{自己也搞糊塗了}
我有一女, 她尚未婚。 她因孝順、聽話--您們請聽--所以她給了我這個
{掏出哈姆雷特給其女之情書}。 請聆聽並請自作結論:
[念信]
「給我心靈之偶像, 美化成仙之歐菲利亞--」,
這是個壞字, 壞透的字。 「美化」是個壞透的字(註1)。 以下還有:
「在她美極之雪白胸懷裏...」, 等等, 等等。
: 這封信是哈姆雷特寫給她的?
波: 好夫人, 請稍忍耐會兒, 讓我把它全部念完:
「可不信星星是火,
也不信太陽能走,
更不信事實是謊,
但信我予你之愛。
啊, 親愛的歐菲利亞, 我不善詩詞,
也無法用它來表達我內心之苦楚,
但我愛你之甚, 最甚, 你可相信。
再會。
我永遠是你的, 親愛的女子啊,
衹要在我有生之年。
哈姆雷特」
這就是我那乖女兒給我看的。
還有, 她也告訴了我他怎樣的追求她, 在何時、何法、與何處。
王: 那麽, 她有無接受他的愛?
波: 您覺得我是怎樣的一個人?
王: 一位有信用及正直的人。
波: 我也想做這樣的一個人。
但是, 當這火辣辣的戀情發生時, 您們會怎樣的想
--您們可要知道, 我是在我女兒告訴我之前發現它的--
陛下會怎樣的想, 或皇后會怎樣的想,
倘若我是此事的撮合人,
或倘若我不顧良心的指使, 或倘若我對此事衹睜一眼閉一眼,
那您們會怎樣的想?
所以, 我就馬上采取行動, 告訴我那年輕的女兒:
「與哈姆雷特王子在一起是高攀, 萬萬不可。」
然後我也命令她遠離他, 切勿接見他遣來的信差,
也不可接受他的禮物。 她也聽話的采納了我的交代於心。
從此以後, 他就變了。 長話短說, 他就墜入憂鬱鄉中,
既不能食, 也不能寢, 日漸衰弱, 精神恍惚。
這個程序最後就造出現在令大傢痛心之瘋狂癥狀。
王: 你覺得這就是了嗎?
: 也許, 很可能。
波: 凡我說過「就是如此」之事, 有無在事後被證明是錯誤過?
我想要知道。
王: 據我所知, 你不曾有過。
波: [指著自己的頭與肩膀]
要是我是不對的話, 那您可把這個從此處摘下來。
即使事情被埋藏於地中心, 衹要我有綫索指引, 我一定能發現真相。
王: 我們有何法可證實它?
波: 您可曉得, 他有時在此廳內徘回長達四小時久?
: 他的確是有時這樣。
波: 等到那時, 我可縱我女兒來此會見他(註2),
而你我可躲在簾後偷聽。
假如他不愛她, 或他並未因此而喪失理智,
那我不配當一國之相, 而僅配當一鄉俗、車 而已。
王: 咱們可試之。
[哈姆雷特入, 正念著一本書]
: 看他埋頭苦讀的那付可憐樣。
波: 請您們趕快回避, 讓我一人來對付他。 請之, 請。
[國王、皇后、與侍從們出]
我的哈姆雷特殿下, 您可好?
哈: 好, 托老天慈悲。
波: 您認得我嗎, 殿下?
哈: 當然認得, 你是個魚販。 (註3)
波: 我不是, 殿下。
哈: 既然如此, 那我希望你也是個老實人。
波: 老實, 殿下?
哈: 對, 先生, 在此世界, 老實人僅是萬中有一而已呢。
波: 那也的確是, 殿下。
哈: [從書中念] 太陽之吻能使死狗屍上生蛆 (註4),
它是個可親可吻的好腐肉--
你有無一位女兒?
波: 我有, 殿下。
哈: 別讓她去太陽下。 腹中懷智是個佳事,
但你的女兒因能腹中懷孕,
朋友, 你得留意。
波: [私下] 你看, 又在羅嗦關於我女兒之事。 剛纔他還不認得我,
衹道我是個魚販, 可見他已全瘋了, 全瘋了。
老實說, 我年輕時也曾為愛情痛苦, 也幾乎到同樣地步。
讓我再與他談談。
[對哈姆雷特]
您在讀什麽, 殿下?
哈: 空字, 空字, 空字。
波: 什麽事, 殿下? {波隆尼爾是在問此書是關於何事}
哈: 誰有事? {把此「事」當為人們間之爭吵}
波: 我的意思是「此書是關於何事。」
哈: 誹謗也, 先生。 這專愛諷刺的無賴在此說{敲著書本}老年人有灰鬍子,
臉上有斑斑皺紋, 眼框裏有厚厚的一層芝麻糊, 頭顱裏沒腦筋, 腿也無力。
先生, 這些我完全相信, 但是我覺得這樣寫恐怕不太妥當, 因為, 先生,
總有一天你也會和我一樣的老--如果你能像螃蟹般倒行的話。
波: [私下] 他雖瘋, 但卻有他的一套理論。
[對哈姆雷特] 你要不要從外邊進來了, 殿下?
哈: 進我的墳墓?
波: 真的, 那纔真正的是「進去了。」
[私下] 他這些答覆有時倒還蠻有含義的; 有些瘋人能樂而如此,
但有理智之常人卻反而不能。 現在我要離他而去,
好設法讓他能與我女兒會面。
[對哈姆雷特] 殿下, 我提先告別了。
哈: 先生, 你提不出另一樣使我更樂意告別之物, 除了我的性命,
除了我的性命, 除了我的性命。
波: 再會, 殿下。
哈: {私下} 這些羅哩羅嗦的老笨蛋們。
[羅生剋蘭與蓋登思鄧入]
波: 你們找哈姆雷特殿下, 他就在此。
羅: 上帝保佑你, 先生。
[波隆尼爾出]
蓋: {行禮} 我的尊貴殿下。
羅: {行禮} 我的最親愛殿下。
哈: 我的好朋友們! 你們好嗎? 蓋登思鄧, 啊, 羅生剋蘭,
好夥子們, 你們可好?
羅: 普普通通。
蓋: 也很高興我們沒過份的高興: 在命運之神身上,
我們可不是她帽頂上的那扣扣兒。
哈: 也不是她的鞋跟底?
羅: 也不是。
哈: 那麽, 我看你們差不多是在她半腰, 在她的好處那兒?
蓋: 就在她的私隱之處。
哈: 在命運女神之私處? 那可真對啊--她是個娼妓。
你們還有什麽消息?
羅: 沒什麽, 殿下, 衹是這個世界可是愈來愈善良了。
哈: 那麽世界末日就快來臨了; 但是, 你們的消息並不靈通。
讓我再問, 朋友們, 你們為何被命運之神押送來此牢獄?
蓋: 牢獄, 殿下?
哈: 丹麥就是個牢獄。
羅: 那麽, 這整個世界也是。
哈: 是個很大的, 它有很多囚室、 監房、地牢等,
而丹麥是其中最壞之一部份。
羅: 我們並不以為然, 殿下。
哈: 那... 它對你們來講不是。 其實世事並無好壞, 全看你們怎樣去想。
對我來說, 它是個牢獄。
羅: 那是您的野心作祟促使成的。 對您的心靈來說, 丹麥是太狹小了。
哈: 啊, 老天呀, 我可閉於一核桃殼內,
而仍自認我是個無疆限之君主--
衹要我無那些噩夢。
蓋: 您的那些夢也就是您的野心; 凡野心傢之所成, 均先出其夢幻之影也。
哈: 夢也衹不過是個幻影而已。
羅: 對, 我覺得野心纔更是捉摸不到, 它真是個幻影之幻影。
哈: 若是這樣, 那毫無野心的乞丐豈不是「實體」,
而帝王及其他野心傢們豈不是乞丐之「影子」?
我們需上法庭來判斷此論嗎? 因為我已為此絞盡腦汁, 不能再想了。
二人: 我們願意伺候您。
哈: 那可不成, 我不能把你們當僕人看待。 老實說, 我真是沒被人伺候好,
還有--朋友之間不忌直問--你們來艾辛諾爾堡是為何?
羅: 來拜訪您, 殿下, 無其他事。
哈: 我是個乞丐, 窮得連個「謝謝」都沒有。 但我還是該謝謝你們。
不過, 親愛的朋友們, 我這個「謝謝」, 老實說是連半文錢都不值。
你們的確不是奉派而來的嗎? 此拜訪純粹是出於自願? 是無條件的?
來, 來, 老實的告訴我, 來, 來, 快說呀!
蓋: 我們該怎麽講, 殿下?
哈: 怎麽講都可以, 衹要是實話。 {羅與蓋面面相覷}
你們是被派來的, 這早就被你們帶愧之臉色招出來了, 遮掩不住的。
我曉得你們是被國王與皇后遣派來的。
羅: {裝著不知} 為了何事, 殿下?
哈: 那你們得告訴我。 不過, 讓我事先懇求你們, 以我們之友誼,
以我們之忘年深交, 以我們永恆不變之友愛, 及其它珍貴之情,
請坦白、直率的說, 你們到底是不是奉派而來的?
羅: [私下與蓋登思鄧] 你要如何說?
哈: 我在註意你們喲。
你們如果愛我, 那就請別再猶豫。
蓋: 殿下, 我們的確是奉派而來的。
哈: 讓我先道破其中之原因, 這樣, 你們也無須把它說出,
令你們失諾於國王與皇后。
最近--我也不知是為何--我失去了歡欣,
對一切事務也毫無興致。 說真的,
我的心靈沉重的使我覺得這整個世界僅不過是塊枯燥的頑石。
這個美好的天空, 看 {用手指天}, 好一個懸於頭頂之壯麗穹蒼,
好一個有金色火焰點綴之華麗屋宇, 但是,
現在它對我來說, 衹不過是一團污煙瘴氣而已。
人類是個多麽美妙的傑作, 它擁有著崇高的理智,
也有無限的能力與優美可欽的儀表。 其舉止就如天使, 靈性可媲神仙。
它是天之驕子, 也是萬物之靈。 但是, 對我來講, 它豈不是朽如糞土?
人們已無法令我歡欣--就連女人。
{羅與蓋互相交換眼色並點頭微笑}
你們在笑, 好像不以為然。
羅: 殿下, 我全無此意。
哈: 那你笑什麽, 當我說「人們已無法令我歡欣」時?
羅: 我在想, 殿下, 如果人們已無法令您歡欣,
那麽, 您將會多麽的冷落了那剛到的戲班子--
我們來此時纔剛超越了他們, 他們現在正要來此為殿下效勞呢。
哈: {興高采烈的}
飾演國王者將受我歡迎, 我將樂意的納貢於此君。
英勇的武士可揮舞其劍與盾。 癡情的戀者無須再空悲嘆。
暴燥的性格演員可安心的終其劇。 小醜可令愛笑者捧腹。
女主角可暢訴其心願, 否則對白將失其板眼。
他們是何許戲班?
羅: 就是您一嚮最喜愛的: 從城裏來的悲劇團。
哈: 他們為何要如此的出外巡回賣藝?
有一個固定的劇院對他們的聲望及利潤都極有益的。
羅: 我想他們是因近來戲劇界之遷變而休演。
哈: 他們的名氣是否還是像昔日我在城裏時一般?
他們是否還是那麽的紅?
羅: 那可沒有了。
哈: 那是為什麽呢, 難道他們的藝技老 ?
羅: 不是的, 他們仍在努力的保持其藝如昔, 先生,
但是現在戲劇界出了一窩新派的童子戲班, 號稱「雛鷹們」,
他們以尖銳的嗓門取勝, 博取觀衆的瘋狂喝采, 成為一時之風行。
他們也攻擊他們所謂之「普通」劇團, 聲勢咄咄逼人,
至今許多腰係佩劍的傳統伶人都裹足不前,
深懼新潮派劇作傢鵝毛筆下之作品。
哈: 什麽, 他們是小孩嗎? 是誰在管他們? 他們從哪兒來的資助?
他們變音、不能歌唱後還會繼續的當演員嗎? 我想是會的,
因為他們不能做其它之事。 那時, 當他們當普通演員時,
他們會不會埋怨那些劇作傢們曾耽誤了他們的前途,
讓他們一度敵視了自己的同行?
羅: 老實說, 雙方都有其理, 而國人均熱中, 並且鼓勵、慫恿此爭論。
甚至有一段時間無人肯花錢委托劇作傢們寫劇本,
除非此劇本曾令編劇傢與演員們大吵過一次。
哈: 真有此等事?
蓋: 唉, 為此事曾發生過無數的糾紛。
哈: 而孩兒們都贏嗎?
羅: 是的, 當然, 殿下。 連那有大力士扛地球招牌之劇院都不例外 (註5)。
哈: 那也不稀奇; 我的叔父現在是丹麥王, 昔日我父親健在時,
對他曾做過不屑鬼臉的那一班人現在肯花二十、四十、五十、甚至一百大洋
來買他的一幅小小畫像。 我發誓, 這實在是有點不對, 值得思索。
[號聲齊響]
蓋: 戲班到了。
哈: 先生們{指蓋與羅}, 歡迎你們來艾辛諾爾堡, 來, 握個手。
歡迎的禮儀是非常重要的, 所以讓我現在就行此禮罷。
假使你們覺得我給與戲班演員們之歡迎--讓我事先聲明,
它將是極熱誠的--會比你們所得之還更要熱誠, 那你們就該瞭解,
你們的確是受歡迎的。
可是, 「叔叔父親」與「嬸嬸母親」卻上當了。
蓋: 此話怎麽講, 殿下?
哈: 我衹是在吹西北風時發瘋。
吹南風時, 我是能分辦錘子與鋸子的。 {註6}
[波隆尼爾入]
波: 你們好, 先生們。
哈: 你聽, 蓋登思鄧; {對羅生剋蘭} 你也聽, 所有的耳朵都要聽。
那邊那個大嬰兒{指波隆尼爾}尚未脫離他的尿布呢。
羅: 那麽, 這是他第二次做嬰兒; 俗雲老年即二度為嬰也。
哈: 我料他是來告訴我有關戲子之事, 你們瞧吧。
{假裝正在談話中} 你說得對, 先生, 就在星期一早上...
波: 主公, 我有消息要告訴您。
哈: 主公, 我有消息要告訴您: 當羅希斯{註7}在古羅馬當演員時...
波: 戲班子到了, 殿下。
哈: 哼, 哼。 {一付不屑模樣}
波: 以我名譽發誓。
哈: 「那麽, 每個戲子都騎著驢來。」 {念老民謠中之一詞}
波: 他們是全世界之最佳演員。 他們善演悲劇、喜劇、史劇、田園劇、
田園喜劇、田園史劇、悲史劇、悲喜田園史劇、無法分類劇、
及包羅萬象劇。 對他們來說, 賽尼卡{註}筆下之劇無過悲,
浦勞塔斯{註7}筆下之劇非太喜--無論古典浪漫, 唯其舉世獨尊也。
哈: 「啊! 耶弗他{註8}, 以色列之判官, 你曾擁有過那些寶貝?」
{又念老民謠中之一詞}
波: 他曾擁有過那些寶貝, 殿下?
哈: 「他有一美麗的獨生女, 把她寵為至寶。」
波: [私下] 又提及我的女兒了。
哈: 難道我不對嗎, 老耶弗他?
波: 既然您要稱呼我為耶弗他, 殿下, 那麽, 我是有個愛女。
哈: 不是這樣的。
波: 那應怎樣, 殿下?
哈: 應這樣: {朗誦民謠}
「上帝先知道, 然後你知道, 而它就無法避免的發生了。」
你若去翻查此民謠的第一段, 它就會告訴你以後怎樣,
不過, 看來, 我即將被打斷...
[戲班演員們入]
歡迎, 衆師傅們, 歡迎各位光臨!
{對其中之一演員} 我很高興能見到你無恙。
{對衆藝人} 歡迎, 好朋友們。
{走入藝人群中} 哈, 老朋友, 至從我們上次見面, 你蓄了鬍子,
你不是來丹麥嚮我挑戰的吧? {註9}
{對一扮女裝之男孩演員} 什麽? 我的姑娘、情婦,
你比我們上次見面時高出一高跟鞋跟!
祈望你的金嗓子不會變音--像塊不能共鳴之破金幣。
{對大傢} 師傅們, 歡迎。
就如法國的放鷹者, 咱們就隨意捕捉, 隨地取材罷。 來, 念一段,
讓大傢嘗試嘗試你們的技藝。 來, 念一段熱情的劇白。
演員甲: 念那一段呢, 殿下。
哈: 我曾聽你念過一段, 但是, 我從未見過此出戲的正式演出;
就是見過, 也决不多於一次。
依我所記, 此出戲並非傢喻戶曉, 因為它乃針對給行傢的;
不過, 它得到了鑒賞傢們的一致好評, 贊為是出一流好戲。
它的情節細膩, 構造適中。 有人評此劇無參插騷衆之穢言,
劇情之流露也自然而無做作; 稱此為誠實、清新、脫俗之作品也。
此劇中我最喜愛之一段,
就是當艾尼亞士{註10}告訴黛多{註11}有關普萊安{註12}遇害之事。
你們若記得, 它就如此的開始...
讓我想想, 讓我想想...
「殘暴的皮拉斯{註13}, 猛如海肯尼亞之虎{註14}。」
不對, 這不對。 再從皮拉斯開始: {繼續朗誦}
「殘暴的皮拉斯,
身披黑甲,
蹲伏於木馬中。
其心志之黑,
好比深夜。
他的黝黑肌膚
也被塗上了一層邪惡的色彩,
他由頭至足,
被無辜父母、子女們的淋漓鮮血染成一片殷紅。
血液經炎陽焙乾,
泛著可怖的光澤,
也映出了無數的兇殘殺戮。
他的怒火填胸,
他混身沾滿著凝血,
他圓睜著紅如寶石的雙目,
像似個惡魔的皮拉斯,
就在到處找尋老邁的普萊安。」
你們就由此處接下去罷。
波: 老天, 殿下, 念得好--語氣與神情俱佳。
演員甲:「不久,
他就尋得了他。
這時,
那老王已無力抵抗圍攻的希臘軍,
他那支已揮舞不動的古老兵器
也被鏘然的擊落於地。
皮拉斯見此破綻,
便更瘋狂的加強其猛烈攻擊。
無情的劍鋒耍得虎虎作響,
筋疲力盡的老者就在此一陣劈砍後被擊倒。
在此關鍵,
那無生命的的伊霖堡 {註15},
它的屋脊冒著熊熊的烈火,
似乎懂其苦難,
就霎時轟然坍倒。
巨響震聾了皮拉斯的雙耳。
看! 那正劈嚮普萊安白首之利劍,
就在半空中突然停止。
像幅暴君的繪像,
皮拉斯伫立不動,
對萬物也漠然無衷。
恰如暴風雨前之寧靜,
雲收風斂的一片死寂籠罩了大地。
傾刻後,
轟轟隆的雷響又重返天際,
喚醒了皮拉斯的戴天深仇。
就像獨眼巨人之鐵錘打擊戰神之不壞甲胄,
皮拉斯之濺血寶劍更無情的砍嚮普萊安。
滾開! 滾開! 賤如婊子的命運女神。
諸神明啊,
削除了她的力量吧!
粉碎了她的車輪,
讓那空軸子由天堂滾入地獄!」
波: 這段太長了。
哈: 它就像你的鬍須, 該去理發師那兒剪一剪。
{對演員} 請繼續念吧。
他衹想聽鬧劇或穢劇, 要不然他就會打瞌睡的。
請繼續念西古芭{註16}那段。
演員甲: 唉, 可憐呀, 誰見到了那「蒙面皇后?」
哈: 蒙面皇后?
波: 好哇! 「蒙面皇后」好。
演員甲:「赤腳在熊熊的烈火中奔走,
她哭瞎了雙眼。
昔日戴著冠冕的頭上,
現在衹裹了一塊破布。
在驚惶恐懼中,
僅有一條毛氈
遮蓋著她因多産而瘦弱的身軀,
代替了她的皇袍。
任何人見此悲慘的景象,
必會為她打抱不平,
而咒駡那殘酷的命運之神。
倘若諸神有靈,
當她目睹皮拉斯兇殘的砍下其夫君手足時,
她的 厲哭號一定會驚動天地,
令衆星為她落淚,
也令諸神為她悲憤,
除非神明對人間凡事均無動於衷。」
波: 看他淚水汪汪的, 臉色都變了 {指正在朗誦的演員}。 別再念下去了。
哈: 那也好, 我們改天再把它念完罷。
{對波隆尼爾} 好先生, 你可否把這班伶人安頓好?
你聽著: 我們可要好好的招待他們, 因他們是歷史的書記;
我們寧可死後落得個惡名墓碑, 也別在生前壞了他們的口碑。
波: 殿下, 我會依他們所應得來對待他們。
哈: 以上帝聖體之名, 人呀, 要更好!
倘若凡事都依其所應得, 那誰不該打?
你應以禮儀來款待他們。
他們所應得的愈少, 你的寬大就愈值得表揚。
帶他們去罷。
波: 來, 先生們。
哈: 請隨他去, 朋友們, 我們明天再來聽另一出戲。
{對演員甲} 你聽我說, 老朋友, 你會不會演「鞏查哥遇害記」?
演員甲: 會的, 殿下。
哈: 我們明晚就聽這出戲。 若有必要, 你能否參插我寫的一段於此劇,
大約十二到十六行字?
演員甲: 沒問題, 殿下。
哈: 好極了!
[對衆演員]
你們就隨那先生去罷, 可是別取笑他喔。
[波隆尼爾與衆演員出]
[對羅生剋蘭與蓋登思鄧]
好朋友們, 現在我就嚮你們告別, 直至今晚。
歡迎你們來到艾辛諾爾。
羅: 好的, 殿下。
[羅生剋蘭與蓋登思鄧出]
哈: 是的, 再見。 現在我可單獨了。
唉, 我是個惡人, 也是個無用的蠢才!
真不可思議, 這個伶人能把單單一個虛構的故事, 偽裝的感情,
表演得如此淋漓盡致。
他的臉色可隨意蒼白, 熱淚可泉涌, 神情可倉皇,
聲音可抖顫, 姿態可傳神。 但這全徒勞啊, 這僅是為了西古芭!
西古芭對他是何許人, 他對西古芭又是何許人, 他須如此的為她哭泣?
倘若他有了我的悲憤理由與動機, 那他又會怎樣?
他一定會把此戲臺用淚水淹沒, 把那駭人之聽聞灌入觀衆耳內,
令帶罪者瘋狂, 無罪者驚愕, 愚 者惶惑, 也使衆人的耳目迷亂如癡。
而我...
卻是個懶散不振的傢夥, 整天仰鬱不樂, 胸無成竹的沒個主意。
簡直像個白日夢迷, 也無能替一位被狠毒謀害的國王說半句話。
我是不是個懦夫?
有誰能指責我是個惡棍, 敲我的腦袋, 扭我的鼻子,
揪掉我的鬍須然後吹它於我臉上, 斥駡我是個無恥的謊者?
誰能對我如此? 呵, 我發誓, 我會心甘情願的承受這些,
因我無疑是個膽小鬼, 無勇氣抗議惡行;
否則我早會挖出那卑鄙奴才之肺腑, 來喂飽天下之所有兀鷹!
血淋淋的猥褻惡賊! 毫無愧疚、姦詐、荒淫、無義的惡賊!
啊, 復仇呀!
唉, 我是個笨驢!
我是個被害國君之子, 天地之鬼神均慫恿我去為他復仇,
而我卻還是在此, 衹能用字眼來咒駡,
活像個滿口穢言的下流婊子,
帶著一付潑婦駡街的模樣, 真是勇敢極了! 呸, 算了, 呸!
讓我動腦筋想想... 我曾聽說, 當犯罪者看戲時,
有時逼真的劇情能使他突然天良發現, 使他當場懺悔其過。
謀殺血案也許是無口申冤, 但它卻另有其它之神奇表達方法。
我要教這班演員們在叔父面前演出父親遇害的過程,
那時我可註意他的反應, 觀察他的一舉一動。
待他有變時, 我自然曉得如何去辦。
我所見到的那個幽魂也許是個惡鬼, 而惡鬼有能力化為美形,
趁我憂鬱脆弱時來蠱惑我, 使我沉淪墮墜。
是的, 惡鬼的確是有此本領的。
我可用此劇為陷阱來補捉國王良心內之隱秘, 獲得最確鑿的證據。
[出]
{第二幕完}
_______________________________________________________________________
譯者註:
(1).『美化』對波隆尼爾來講是個『壞字』因為它表示歐菲莉亞
有用 飾品。
(2). 在此譯者用『縱』字, 因原文的『loose,』強調了波隆尼爾
利用女兒之心態--如『縱馬』、『縱狗』等。
(3). 魚販即皮條客的俗稱。哈姆雷特在此諷刺波隆尼爾利用女兒來
調查哈姆雷特發瘋之內幕。
(4). 中古時代人們認為蛆是從太陽而生。
(5).「環球劇院」即莎士比亞本人的劇院, 而它的招牌即一力士扛地球。
(6). 沒那麽瘋之意。
(7). 羅希斯(Roscius): 古羅馬之名伶。
(8). 耶弗他(Jephthah): 在聖經 耶弗他因大意而犧牲其女,
在此哈姆雷特再度的諷刺波隆尼爾。
(9). 英文「鬍須」與「挑戰」可同字。
(10). 艾尼亞士(Aeneas): 威吉爾(古羅馬大詩人 Publius Vergilius Maro,
70 - 19 B.C.)寫的史詩 Aeneid 中之英雄, 也是羅馬人之始祖。
(11). 黛多(Dido): 迦太基之後。 迦太基(Carthage)是非洲北部之古國,
在今突尼斯附近, 紀元前一四六年被羅馬人所滅。
(12). 普萊安(Priam): 特羅伊(Troy)之王, 在木馬屠城記裏被皮拉斯所殺。
(13). 皮拉斯(Pyrrhus): 阿奇裏斯(Achilles)之子,
其父被普萊安之子所殺。 皮拉斯替父報仇, 藏於木馬腹內,
進城後殺死普萊安。
(14). 海肯尼亞: 地名, 海南區, 位在今伊朗。 古羅馬時代産猛虎出名。
(15). 伊霖堡: 特羅伊(Troy)城中之堡, 在木馬屠城記中被希臘人摧毀。
(16). 西古芭(Hecuba): 普萊安之妻, 特羅伊之後。
Elsinore. A room in the house of Polonius.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Enter Polonius and Reynaldo.
Polonius. Give him this money and these notes, Reynaldo.
Reynaldo. I will, my lord.
Polonius. You shall do marvell's wisely, good Reynaldo, 950
Before You visit him, to make inquire
Of his behaviour.
Reynaldo. My lord, I did intend it.
Polonius. Marry, well said, very well said. Look you, sir,
Enquire me first what Danskers are in Paris; 955
And how, and who, what means, and where they keep,
What company, at what expense; and finding
By this encompassment and drift of question
That they do know my son, come you more nearer
Than your particular demands will touch it. 960
Take you, as 'twere, some distant knowledge of him;
As thus, 'I know his father and his friends,
And in part him.' Do you mark this, Reynaldo?
Reynaldo. Ay, very well, my lord.
Polonius. 'And in part him, but,' you may say, 'not well. 965
But if't be he I mean, he's very wild
Addicted so and so'; and there put on him
What forgeries you please; marry, none so rank
As may dishonour him- take heed of that;
But, sir, such wanton, wild, and usual slips 970
As are companions noted and most known
To youth and liberty.
Reynaldo. As gaming, my lord.
Polonius. Ay, or drinking, fencing, swearing, quarrelling,
Drabbing. You may go so far. 975Reynaldo. My lord, that would dishonour him.
Polonius. Faith, no, as you may season it in the charge.
You must not put another scandal on him,
That he is open to incontinency.
That's not my meaning. But breathe his faults so quaintly 980
That they may seem the taints of liberty,
The flash and outbreak of a fiery mind,
A savageness in unreclaimed blood,
Of general assault.
Reynaldo. But, my good lord- 985Polonius. Wherefore should you do this?
Reynaldo. Ay, my lord,
I would know that.
Polonius. Marry, sir, here's my drift,
And I believe it is a fetch of warrant. 990
You laying these slight sullies on my son
As 'twere a thing a little soil'd i' th' working,
Mark you,
Your party in converse, him you would sound,
Having ever seen in the prenominate crimes 995
The youth you breathe of guilty, be assur'd
He closes with you in this consequence:
'Good sir,' or so, or 'friend,' or 'gentleman'-
According to the phrase or the addition
Of man and country- 1000Reynaldo. Very good, my lord.
Polonius. And then, sir, does 'a this- 'a does- What was I about to say?
By the mass, I was about to say something! Where did I leave?
Reynaldo. At 'closes in the consequence,' at 'friend or so,' and
gentleman.' 1005Polonius. At 'closes in the consequence'- Ay, marry!
He closes thus: 'I know the gentleman.
I saw him yesterday, or t'other day,
Or then, or then, with such or such; and, as you say,
There was 'a gaming; there o'ertook in's rouse; 1010
There falling out at tennis'; or perchance,
'I saw him enter such a house of sale,'
Videlicet, a brothel, or so forth.
See you now-
Your bait of falsehood takes this carp of truth; 1015
And thus do we of wisdom and of reach,
With windlasses and with assays of bias,
By indirections find directions out.
So, by my former lecture and advice,
Shall you my son. You have me, have you not? 1020Reynaldo. My lord, I have.
Polonius. God b' wi' ye, fare ye well!
Reynaldo. Good my lord! [Going.]
Polonius. Observe his inclination in yourself.
Reynaldo. I shall, my lord. 1025Polonius. And let him ply his music.
Reynaldo. Well, my lord.
Polonius. Farewell!
[Exit Reynaldo.]
[Enter Ophelia.] 1030
How now, Ophelia? What's the matter?
Ophelia. O my lord, my lord, I have been so affrighted!
Polonius. With what, i' th' name of God?
Ophelia. My lord, as I was sewing in my closet,
Lord Hamlet, with his doublet all unbrac'd, 1035
No hat upon his head, his stockings foul'd,
Ungart'red, and down-gyved to his ankle;
Pale as his shirt, his knees knocking each other,
And with a look so piteous in purport
As if he had been loosed out of hell 1040
To speak of horrors- he comes before me.
Polonius. Mad for thy love?
Ophelia. My lord, I do not know,
But truly I do fear it.
Polonius. What said he? 1045Ophelia. He took me by the wrist and held me hard;
Then goes he to the length of all his arm,
And, with his other hand thus o'er his brow,
He falls to such perusal of my face
As he would draw it. Long stay'd he so. 1050
At last, a little shaking of mine arm,
And thrice his head thus waving up and down,
He rais'd a sigh so piteous and profound
As it did seem to shatter all his bulk
And end his being. That done, he lets me go, 1055
And with his head over his shoulder turn'd
He seem'd to find his way without his eyes,
For out o' doors he went without their help
And to the last bended their light on me.
Polonius. Come, go with me. I will go seek the King. 1060
This is the very ecstasy of love,
Whose violent property fordoes itself
And leads the will to desperate undertakings
As oft as any passion under heaven
That does afflict our natures. I am sorry. 1065
What, have you given him any hard words of late?
Ophelia. No, my good lord; but, as you did command,
I did repel his letters and denied
His access to me.
Polonius. That hath made him mad. 1070
I am sorry that with better heed and judgment
I had not quoted him. I fear'd he did but trifle
And meant to wrack thee; but beshrew my jealousy!
By heaven, it is as proper to our age
To cast beyond ourselves in our opinions 1075
As it is common for the younger sort
To lack discretion. Come, go we to the King.
This must be known; which, being kept close, might move
More grief to hide than hate to utter love.
Come. 1080Exeunt.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Act II, Scene 2
Elsinore. A room in the Castle.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flourish. [Enter King and Queen, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern,
cum aliis.
Claudius. Welcome, dear Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
Moreover that we much did long to see you, 1085
The need we have to use you did provoke
Our hasty sending. Something have you heard
Of Hamlet's transformation. So I call it,
Sith nor th' exterior nor the inward man
Resembles that it was. What it should be, 1090
More than his father's death, that thus hath put him
So much from th' understanding of himself,
I cannot dream of. I entreat you both
That, being of so young days brought up with him,
And since so neighbour'd to his youth and haviour, 1095
That you vouchsafe your rest here in our court
Some little time; so by your companies
To draw him on to pleasures, and to gather
So much as from occasion you may glean,
Whether aught to us unknown afflicts him thus 1100
That, open'd, lies within our remedy.
Gertrude. Good gentlemen, he hath much talk'd of you,
And sure I am two men there are not living
To whom he more adheres. If it will please you
To show us so much gentry and good will 1105
As to expend your time with us awhile
For the supply and profit of our hope,
Your visitation shall receive such thanks
As fits a king's remembrance.
Rosencrantz. Both your Majesties 1110
Might, by the sovereign power you have of us,
Put your dread pleasures more into command
Than to entreaty.
Guildenstern. But we both obey,
And here give up ourselves, in the full bent, 1115
To lay our service freely at your feet,
To be commanded.
Claudius. Thanks, Rosencrantz and gentle Guildenstern.
Gertrude. Thanks, Guildenstern and gentle Rosencrantz.
And I beseech you instantly to visit 1120
My too much changed son.- Go, some of you,
And bring these gentlemen where Hamlet is.
Guildenstern. Heavens make our presence and our practices
Pleasant and helpful to him!
Gertrude. Ay, amen! 1125Exeunt Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, [with some Attendants].
Enter Polonius.
Polonius. Th' ambassadors from Norway, my good lord,
Are joyfully return'd.
Claudius. Thou still hast been the father of good news. 1130Polonius. Have I, my lord? Assure you, my good liege,
I hold my duty as I hold my soul,
Both to my God and to my gracious king;
And I do think- or else this brain of mine
Hunts not the trail of policy so sure 1135
As it hath us'd to do- that I have found
The very cause of Hamlet's lunacy.
Claudius. O, speak of that! That do I long to hear.
Polonius. Give first admittance to th' ambassadors.
My news shall be the fruit to that great feast. 1140Claudius. Thyself do grace to them, and bring them in.
[Exit Polonius.]
He tells me, my dear Gertrude, he hath found
The head and source of all your son's distemper.
Gertrude. I doubt it is no other but the main, 1145
His father's death and our o'erhasty marriage.
Claudius. Well, we shall sift him.
[Enter Polonius, Voltemand, and Cornelius.]
Welcome, my good friends.
Say, Voltemand, what from our brother Norway? 1150Voltemand. Most fair return of greetings and desires.
Upon our first, he sent out to suppress
His nephew's levies; which to him appear'd
To be a preparation 'gainst the Polack,
But better look'd into, he truly found 1155
It was against your Highness; whereat griev'd,
That so his sickness, age, and impotence
Was falsely borne in hand, sends out arrests
On Fortinbras; which he, in brief, obeys,
Receives rebuke from Norway, and, in fine, 1160
Makes vow before his uncle never more
To give th' assay of arms against your Majesty.
Whereon old Norway, overcome with joy,
Gives him three thousand crowns in annual fee
And his commission to employ those soldiers, 1165
So levied as before, against the Polack;
With an entreaty, herein further shown,
[Gives a paper.]
That it might please you to give quiet pass
Through your dominions for this enterprise, 1170
On such regards of safety and allowance
As therein are set down.
Claudius. It likes us well;
And at our more consider'd time we'll read,
Answer, and think upon this business. 1175
Meantime we thank you for your well-took labour.
Go to your rest; at night we'll feast together.
Most welcome home! Exeunt Ambassadors.
Polonius. This business is well ended.
My liege, and madam, to expostulate 1180
What majesty should be, what duty is,
Why day is day, night is night, and time is time.
Were nothing but to waste night, day, and time.
Therefore, since brevity is the soul of wit,
And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes, 1185
I will be brief. Your noble son is mad.
Mad call I it; for, to define true madness,
What is't but to be nothing else but mad?
But let that go.
Gertrude. More matter, with less art. 1190Polonius. Madam, I swear I use no art at all.
That he is mad, 'tis true: 'tis true 'tis pity;
And pity 'tis 'tis true. A foolish figure!
But farewell it, for I will use no art.
Mad let us grant him then. And now remains 1195
That we find out the cause of this effect-
Or rather say, the cause of this defect,
For this effect defective comes by cause.
Thus it remains, and the remainder thus.
Perpend. 1200
I have a daughter (have while she is mine),
Who in her duty and obedience, mark,
Hath given me this. Now gather, and surmise.
[Reads] the letter.]
'To the celestial, and my soul's idol, the most beautified Ophelia,'- 1205
That's an ill phrase, a vile phrase; 'beautified' is a vile phrase.
But you shall hear. Thus:
[Reads.]
'In her excellent white bosom, these, &c.'
Gertrude. Came this from Hamlet to her? 1210Polonius. Good madam, stay awhile. I will be faithful. [Reads.]
'Doubt thou the stars are fire;
Doubt that the sun doth move;
Doubt truth to be a liar;
But never doubt I love. 1215
'O dear Ophelia, I am ill at these numbers; I have not art to
reckon my groans; but that I love thee best, O most best, believe
it. Adieu.
'Thine evermore, most dear lady, whilst this machine is to
him, HAMLET.' 1220
This, in obedience, hath my daughter shown me;
And more above, hath his solicitings,
As they fell out by time, by means, and place,
All given to mine ear.
Claudius. But how hath she 1225
Receiv'd his love?
Polonius. What do you think of me?
Claudius. As of a man faithful and honourable.
Polonius. I would fain prove so. But what might you think,
When I had seen this hot love on the wing 1230
(As I perceiv'd it, I must tell you that,
Before my daughter told me), what might you,
Or my dear Majesty your queen here, think,
If I had play'd the desk or table book,
Or given my heart a winking, mute and dumb, 1235
Or look'd upon this love with idle sight?
What might you think? No, I went round to work
And my young mistress thus I did bespeak:
'Lord Hamlet is a prince, out of thy star.
This must not be.' And then I prescripts gave her, 1240
That she should lock herself from his resort,
Admit no messengers, receive no tokens.
Which done, she took the fruits of my advice,
And he, repulsed, a short tale to make,
Fell into a sadness, then into a fast, 1245
Thence to a watch, thence into a weakness,
Thence to a lightness, and, by this declension,
Into the madness wherein now he raves,
And all we mourn for.
Claudius. Do you think 'tis this? 1250Gertrude. it may be, very like.
Polonius. Hath there been such a time- I would fain know that-
That I have Positively said 'Tis so,'
When it prov'd otherwise.?
Claudius. Not that I know. 1255Polonius. [points to his head and shoulder] Take this from this, if this be otherwise.
If circumstances lead me, I will find
Where truth is hid, though it were hid indeed
Within the centre.
Claudius. How may we try it further? 1260Polonius. You know sometimes he walks for hours together
Here in the lobby.
Gertrude. So he does indeed.
Polonius. At such a time I'll loose my daughter to him.
Be you and I behind an arras then. 1265
Mark the encounter. If he love her not,
And he not from his reason fall'n thereon
Let me be no assistant for a state,
But keep a farm and carters.
Claudius. We will try it. 1270Enter Hamlet, reading on a book.
Gertrude. But look where sadly the poor wretch comes reading.
Polonius. Away, I do beseech you, both away
I'll board him presently. O, give me leave.
[Exeunt King and Queen, [with Attendants].] 1275
How does my good Lord Hamlet?
Hamlet. Well, God-a-mercy.
Polonius. Do you know me, my lord?
Hamlet. Excellent well. You are a fishmonger.
Polonius. Not I, my lord. 1280Hamlet. Then I would you were so honest a man.
Polonius. Honest, my lord?
Hamlet. Ay, sir. To be honest, as this world goes, is to be one man
pick'd out of ten thousand.
Polonius. That's very true, my lord. 1285Hamlet. For if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog, being a god
kissing carrion- Have you a daughter?
Polonius. I have, my lord.
Hamlet. Let her not walk i' th' sun. Conception is a blessing, but not
as your daughter may conceive. Friend, look to't. 1290Polonius. [aside] How say you by that? Still harping on my daughter. Yet
he knew me not at first. He said I was a fishmonger. He is far
gone, far gone! And truly in my youth I suff'red much extremity
for love- very near this. I'll speak to him again.- What do you
read, my lord? 1295Hamlet. Words, words, words.
Polonius. What is the matter, my lord?
Hamlet. Between who?
Polonius. I mean, the matter that you read, my lord.
Hamlet. Slanders, sir; for the satirical rogue says here that old men 1300
have grey beards; that their faces are wrinkled; their eyes
purging thick amber and plum-tree gum; and that they have a
plentiful lack of wit, together with most weak hams. All which,
sir, though I most powerfully and potently believe, yet I hold it
not honesty to have it thus set down; for you yourself, sir, 1305
should be old as I am if, like a crab, you could go backward.
Polonius. [aside] Though this be madness, yet there is a method in't.-
Will You walk out of the air, my lord?
Hamlet. Into my grave?
Polonius. Indeed, that is out o' th' air. [Aside] How pregnant sometimes 1310
his replies are! a happiness that often madness hits on, which
reason and sanity could not so prosperously be delivered of. I
will leave him and suddenly contrive the means of meeting between
him and my daughter.- My honourable lord, I will most humbly take
my leave of you. 1315Hamlet. You cannot, sir, take from me anything that I will more
willingly part withal- except my life, except my life, except my
life,
Enter Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
Polonius. Fare you well, my lord. 1320Hamlet. These tedious old fools!
Polonius. You go to seek the Lord Hamlet. There he is.
Rosencrantz. [to Polonius] God save you, sir!
Exit [Polonius].
Guildenstern. My honour'd lord! 1325Rosencrantz. My most dear lord!
Hamlet. My excellent good friends! How dost thou, Guildenstern? Ah,
Rosencrantz! Good lads, how do ye both?
Rosencrantz. As the indifferent children of the earth.
Guildenstern. Happy in that we are not over-happy. 1330
On Fortune's cap we are not the very button.
Hamlet. Nor the soles of her shoe?
Rosencrantz. Neither, my lord.
Hamlet. Then you live about her waist, or in the middle of her
favours? 1335Guildenstern. Faith, her privates we.
Hamlet. In the secret parts of Fortune? O! most true! she is a
strumpet. What news ?
Rosencrantz. None, my lord, but that the world's grown honest.
Hamlet. Then is doomsday near! But your news is not true. Let me 1340
question more in particular. What have you, my good friends,
deserved at the hands of Fortune that she sends you to prison
hither?
Guildenstern. Prison, my lord?
Hamlet. Denmark's a prison. 1345Rosencrantz. Then is the world one.
Hamlet. A goodly one; in which there are many confines, wards, and
dungeons, Denmark being one o' th' worst.
Rosencrantz. We think not so, my lord.
Hamlet. Why, then 'tis none to you; for there is nothing either good 1350
or bad but thinking makes it so. To me it is a prison.
Rosencrantz. Why, then your ambition makes it one. 'Tis too narrow for your
mind.
Hamlet. O God, I could be bounded in a nutshell and count myself a
king of infinite space, were it not that I have bad dreams. 1355Guildenstern. Which dreams indeed are ambition; for the very substance of
the ambitious is merely the shadow of a dream.
Hamlet. A dream itself is but a shadow.
Rosencrantz. Truly, and I hold ambition of so airy and light a quality that
it is but a shadow's shadow. 1360Hamlet. Then are our beggars bodies, and our monarchs and outstretch'd
heroes the beggars' shadows. Shall we to th' court? for, by my
fay, I cannot reason.
Rosencrantz. [with Guildenstern] We'll wait upon you.
Hamlet. No such matter! I will not sort you with the rest of my 1365
servants; for, to speak to you like an honest man, I am most
dreadfully attended. But in the beaten way of friendship, what
make you at Elsinore?
Rosencrantz. To visit you, my lord; no other occasion.
Hamlet. Beggar that I am, I am even poor in thanks; but I thank you; 1370
and sure, dear friends, my thanks are too dear a halfpenny. Were
you not sent for? Is it your own inclining? Is it a free
visitation? Come, deal justly with me. Come, come! Nay, speak.
Guildenstern. What should we say, my lord?
Hamlet. Why, anything- but to th' purpose. You were sent for; and 1375
there is a kind of confession in your looks, which your modesties
have not craft enough to colour. I know the good King and Queen
have sent for you.
Rosencrantz. To what end, my lord?
Hamlet. That you must teach me. But let me conjure you by the rights 1380
of our fellowship, by the consonancy of our youth, by the
obligation of our ever-preserved love, and by what more dear a
better proposer could charge you withal, be even and direct with
me, whether you were sent for or no.
Rosencrantz. [aside to Guildenstern] What say you? 1385Hamlet. [aside] Nay then, I have an eye of you.- If you love me, hold
not off.
Guildenstern. My lord, we were sent for.
Hamlet. I will tell you why. So shall my anticipation prevent your
discovery, and your secrecy to the King and Queen moult no 1390
feather. I have of late- but wherefore I know not- lost all my
mirth, forgone all custom of exercises; and indeed, it goes so
heavily with my disposition that this goodly frame, the earth,
seems to me a sterile promontory; this most excellent canopy, the
air, look you, this brave o'erhanging firmament, this majestical 1395
roof fretted with golden fire- why, it appeareth no other thing
to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of vapours. What a
piece of work is a man! how noble in reason! how infinite in
faculties! in form and moving how express and admirable! in
action how like an angel! in apprehension how like a god! the 1400
beauty of the world, the paragon of animals! And yet to me what
is this quintessence of dust? Man delights not me- no, nor woman
neither, though by your smiling you seem to say so.
Rosencrantz. My lord, there was no such stuff in my thoughts.
Hamlet. Why did you laugh then, when I said 'Man delights not me'? 1405Rosencrantz. To think, my lord, if you delight not in man, what lenten
entertainment the players shall receive from you. We coted them
on the way, and hither are they coming to offer you service.
Hamlet. He that plays the king shall be welcome- his Majesty shall
have tribute of me; the adventurous knight shall use his foil and 1410
target; the lover shall not sigh gratis; the humorous man shall
end his part in peace; the clown shall make those laugh whose
lungs are tickle o' th' sere; and the lady shall say her mind
freely, or the blank verse shall halt for't. What players are
they? 1415Rosencrantz. Even those you were wont to take such delight in, the
tragedians of the city.
Hamlet. How chances it they travel? Their residence, both in
reputation and profit, was better both ways.
Rosencrantz. I think their inhibition comes by the means of the late 1420
innovation.
Hamlet. Do they hold the same estimation they did when I was in the
city? Are they so follow'd?
Rosencrantz. No indeed are they not.
Hamlet. How comes it? Do they grow rusty? 1425Rosencrantz. Nay, their endeavour keeps in the wonted pace; but there is,
sir, an eyrie of children, little eyases, that cry out on the top
of question and are most tyrannically clapp'd for't. These are now
the fashion, and so berattle the common stages (so they call
them) that many wearing rapiers are afraid of goosequills and 1430
dare scarce come thither.
Hamlet. What, are they children? Who maintains 'em? How are they
escoted? Will they pursue the quality no longer than they can
sing? Will they not say afterwards, if they should grow
themselves to common players (as it is most like, if their means 1435
are no better), their writers do them wrong to make them exclaim
against their own succession.
Rosencrantz. Faith, there has been much to do on both sides; and the nation
holds it no sin to tarre them to controversy. There was, for a
while, no money bid for argument unless the poet and the player 1440
went to cuffs in the question.
Hamlet. Is't possible?
Guildenstern. O, there has been much throwing about of brains.
Hamlet. Do the boys carry it away?
Rosencrantz. Ay, that they do, my lord- Hercules and his load too. 1445Hamlet. It is not very strange; for my uncle is King of Denmark, and
those that would make mows at him while my father lived give
twenty, forty, fifty, a hundred ducats apiece for his picture in
little. 'Sblood, there is something in this more than natural, if
philosophy could find it out. 1450Flourish for the Players.
Guildenstern. There are the players.
Hamlet. Gentlemen, you are welcome to Elsinore. Your hands, come! Th'
appurtenance of welcome is fashion and ceremony. Let me comply
with you in this garb, lest my extent to the players (which I 1455
tell you must show fairly outwards) should more appear like
entertainment than yours. You are welcome. But my uncle-father
and aunt-mother are deceiv'd.
Guildenstern. In what, my dear lord?
Hamlet. I am but mad north-north-west. When the wind is southerly I 1460
know a hawk from a handsaw.
Enter Polonius.
Polonius. Well be with you, gentlemen!
Hamlet. Hark you, Guildenstern- and you too- at each ear a hearer!
That great baby you see there is not yet out of his swaddling 1465
clouts.
Rosencrantz. Happily he's the second time come to them; for they say an old
man is twice a child.
Hamlet. I will prophesy he comes to tell me of the players. Mark it.-
You say right, sir; a Monday morning; twas so indeed. 1470Polonius. My lord, I have news to tell you.
Hamlet. My lord, I have news to tell you. When Roscius was an actor in Rome-
Polonius. The actors are come hither, my lord.
Hamlet. Buzz, buzz!
Polonius. Upon my honour- 1475Hamlet. Then came each actor on his ass-
Polonius. The best actors in the world, either for tragedy, comedy,
history, pastoral, pastoral-comical, historical-pastoral,
tragical-historical, tragical-comical-historical-pastoral; scene
individable, or poem unlimited. Seneca cannot be too heavy, nor 1480
Plautus too light. For the law of writ and the liberty, these are
the only men.
Hamlet. O Jephthah, judge of Israel, what a treasure hadst thou!
Polonius. What treasure had he, my lord?
Hamlet. Why, 1485
'One fair daughter, and no more,
The which he loved passing well.'
Polonius. [aside] Still on my daughter.
Hamlet. Am I not i' th' right, old Jephthah?
Polonius. If you call me Jephthah, my lord, I have a daughter that I 1490
love passing well.
Hamlet. Nay, that follows not.
Polonius. What follows then, my lord?
Hamlet. Why,
'As by lot, God wot,' 1495
and then, you know,
'It came to pass, as most like it was.'
The first row of the pious chanson will show you more; for look
where my abridgment comes.
[Enter four or five Players.] 1500
You are welcome, masters; welcome, all.- I am glad to see thee
well.- Welcome, good friends.- O, my old friend? Why, thy face is
valanc'd since I saw thee last. Com'st' thou to' beard me in
Denmark?- What, my young lady and mistress? By'r Lady, your
ladyship is nearer to heaven than when I saw you last by the 1505
altitude of a chopine. Pray God your voice, like a piece of
uncurrent gold, be not crack'd within the ring.- Masters, you are
all welcome. We'll e'en to't like French falconers, fly at
anything we see. We'll have a speech straight. Come, give us a
taste of your quality. Come, a passionate speech. 1510First Player. What speech, my good lord?
Hamlet. I heard thee speak me a speech once, but it was never acted;
or if it was, not above once; for the play, I remember, pleas'd
not the million, 'twas caviary to the general; but it was (as I
receiv'd it, and others, whose judgments in such matters cried in 1515
the top of mine) an excellent play, well digested in the scenes,
set down with as much modesty as cunning. I remember one said
there were no sallets in the lines to make the matter savoury,
nor no matter in the phrase that might indict the author of
affectation; but call'd it an honest method, as wholesome as 1520
sweet, and by very much more handsome than fine. One speech in't
I chiefly lov'd. 'Twas AEneas' tale to Dido, and thereabout of it
especially where he speaks of Priam's slaughter. If it live in
your memory, begin at this line- let me see, let me see:
'The rugged Pyrrhus, like th' Hyrcanian beast-' 1525
'Tis not so; it begins with Pyrrhus:
'The rugged Pyrrhus, he whose sable arms,
Black as his purpose, did the night resemble
When he lay couched in the ominous horse,
Hath now this dread and black complexion smear'd 1530
With heraldry more dismal. Head to foot
Now is be total gules, horridly trick'd
With blood of fathers, mothers, daughters, sons,
Bak'd and impasted with the parching streets,
That lend a tyrannous and a damned light 1535
To their lord's murther. Roasted in wrath and fire,
And thus o'ersized with coagulate gore,
With eyes like carbuncles, the hellish Pyrrhus
Old grandsire Priam seeks.'
So, proceed you. 1540Polonius. Fore God, my lord, well spoken, with good accent and good discretion.
First Player. 'Anon he finds him,
Striking too short at Greeks. His antique sword,
Rebellious to his arm, lies where it falls,
Repugnant to command. Unequal match'd, 1545
Pyrrhus at Priam drives, in rage strikes wide;
But with the whiff and wind of his fell sword
Th' unnerved father falls. Then senseless Ilium,
Seeming to feel this blow, with flaming top
Stoops to his base, and with a hideous crash 1550
Takes prisoner Pyrrhus' ear. For lo! his sword,
Which was declining on the milky head
Of reverend Priam, seem'd i' th' air to stick.
So, as a painted tyrant, Pyrrhus stood,
And, like a neutral to his will and matter, 1555
Did nothing.
But, as we often see, against some storm,
A silence in the heavens, the rack stand still,
The bold winds speechless, and the orb below
As hush as death- anon the dreadful thunder 1560
Doth rend the region; so, after Pyrrhus' pause,
Aroused vengeance sets him new awork;
And never did the Cyclops' hammers fall
On Mars's armour, forg'd for proof eterne,
With less remorse than Pyrrhus' bleeding sword 1565
Now falls on Priam.
Out, out, thou strumpet Fortune! All you gods,
In general synod take away her power;
Break all the spokes and fellies from her wheel,
And bowl the round nave down the hill of heaven, 1570
As low as to the fiends!
Polonius. This is too long.
Hamlet. It shall to the barber's, with your beard.- Prithee say on.
He's for a jig or a tale of bawdry, or he sleeps. Say on; come to
Hecuba. 1575First Player. 'But who, O who, had seen the mobled queen-'
Hamlet. 'The mobled queen'?
Polonius. That's good! 'Mobled queen' is good.
First Player. 'Run barefoot up and down, threat'ning the flames
With bisson rheum; a clout upon that head 1580
Where late the diadem stood, and for a robe,
About her lank and all o'erteemed loins,
A blanket, in the alarm of fear caught up-
Who this had seen, with tongue in venom steep'd
'Gainst Fortune's state would treason have pronounc'd. 1585
But if the gods themselves did see her then,
When she saw Pyrrhus make malicious sport
In Mincing with his sword her husband's limbs,
The instant burst of clamour that she made
(Unless things mortal move them not at all) 1590
Would have made milch the burning eyes of heaven
And passion in the gods.'
Polonius. Look, whe'r he has not turn'd his colour, and has tears in's
eyes. Prithee no more!
Hamlet. 'Tis well. I'll have thee speak out the rest of this soon.- 1595
Good my lord, will you see the players well bestow'd? Do you
hear? Let them be well us'd; for they are the abstract and brief
chronicles of the time. After your death you were better have a
bad epitaph than their ill report while you live.
Polonius. My lord, I will use them according to their desert. 1600Hamlet. God's bodykins, man, much better! Use every man after his
desert, and who should scape whipping? Use them after your own
honour and dignity. The less they deserve, the more merit is in
your bounty. Take them in.
Polonius. Come, sirs. 1605Hamlet. Follow him, friends. We'll hear a play to-morrow.
[Exeunt Polonius and Players [except the First].]
Dost thou hear me, old friend? Can you play 'The Murther of
Gonzago'?
First Player. Ay, my lord. 1610Hamlet. We'll ha't to-morrow night. You could, for a need, study a
speech of some dozen or sixteen lines which I would set down and
_insert_ in't, could you not?
First Player. Ay, my lord.
Hamlet. Very well. Follow that lord- and look you mock him not. 1615
[Exit First Player.]
My good friends, I'll leave you till night. You are welcome to
Elsinore.
Rosencrantz. Good my lord!
Hamlet. Ay, so, God b' wi' ye! 1620
[Exeunt Rosencrantz and Guildenstern]
Now I am alone.
O what a rogue and peasant slave am I!
Is it not monstrous that this player here,
But in a fiction, in a dream of passion, 1625
Could force his soul so to his own conceit
That, from her working, all his visage wann'd,
Tears in his eyes, distraction in's aspect,
A broken voice, and his whole function suiting
With forms to his conceit? And all for nothing! 1630
For Hecuba!
What's Hecuba to him, or he to Hecuba,
That he should weep for her? What would he do,
Had he the motive and the cue for passion
That I have? He would drown the stage with tears 1635
And cleave the general ear with horrid speech;
Make mad the guilty and appal the free,
Confound the ignorant, and amaze indeed
The very faculties of eyes and ears.
Yet I, 1640
A dull and muddy-mettled rascal, peak
Like John-a-dreams, unpregnant of my cause,
And can say nothing! No, not for a king,
Upon whose property and most dear life
A damn'd defeat was made. Am I a coward? 1645
Who calls me villain? breaks my pate across?
Plucks off my beard and blows it in my face?
Tweaks me by th' nose? gives me the lie i' th' throat
As deep as to the lungs? Who does me this, ha?
'Swounds, I should take it! for it cannot be 1650
But I am pigeon-liver'd and lack gall
To make oppression bitter, or ere this
I should have fatted all the region kites
With this slave's offal. Bloody bawdy villain!
Remorseless, treacherous, lecherous, kindless villain! 1655
O, vengeance!
Why, what an ass am I! This is most brave,
That I, the son of a dear father murther'd,
Prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell,
Must (like a whore) unpack my heart with words 1660
And fall a-cursing like a very drab,
A scullion!
Fie upon't! foh! About, my brain! Hum, I have heard
That guilty creatures, sitting at a play,
Have by the very cunning of the scene 1665
Been struck so to the soul that presently
They have proclaim'd their malefactions;
For murther, though it have no tongue, will speak
With most miraculous organ, I'll have these Players
Play something like the murther of my father 1670
Before mine uncle. I'll observe his looks;
I'll tent him to the quick. If he but blench,
I know my course. The spirit that I have seen
May be a devil; and the devil hath power
T' assume a pleasing shape; yea, and perhaps 1675
Out of my weakness and my melancholy,
As he is very potent with such spirits,
Abuses me to damn me. I'll have grounds
More relative than this. The play's the thing
Wherein I'll catch the conscience of the King. Exit. 1680
第一景
[波隆尼爾傢中。 波隆尼爾與僕人瑞挪都入。 他們正在談關於
雷爾提之事。 雷爾提已返回巴黎。]
波: 把這些錢及信件帶去給他, 瑞挪都。
瑞: 我會的, 老爺。
波: 你最好能在見他之前打聽打聽他最近之品行, 瑞挪都。
瑞: 老爺, 我正打算如此。
波: 嗯, 很好, 很好。 這樣,
你可先打聽在巴黎住的有那些丹麥人,
他們是為何在那裏, 是些什麽人, 經濟情況如何,
住處在那裏, 朋友是誰, 及為其花費多少。
如此轉彎末角的, 你就可以知道他們是否認得他,
這比直接了當的詢問還容易得到真相。
你可以假裝你與他不熟,
可說「我認得他的父親以及他的朋友,
所以, 我也略認得他一些。」 記住了嗎?
瑞: 是的, 我記住了, 老爺。
波:「認得他一些, 但是,」你可說, 「並不熟悉。 不過,
若確是此人的話, 那他可是個品性狂野之人,
並且有某某之痞好。」 在此你可捏造些事情,
例如紈褲子弟們常會去幹的輕浮、放縱之勾當。
但是記住, 別壞了他的名譽。
瑞: 例如賭博, 老爺?
波: 對, 或酗酒, 或鬥劍, 或駡人, 或吵架, 或嫖妓。
你可提起這些。
瑞: 但是, 老爺, 這些可會敗壞他的名譽啊。
波: 那也未必, 衹要你在說此話時, 語言上稍帶含蓄。
你勿毀謗他是個放蕩不羈的浪子, 我無此意。
你僅需輕描淡寫的說出他的缺點,
有技巧的把它們形容為因太自由而造成之小瑕疵,
血氣興旺促使之妄為, 或無紀律導致之野行,
此乃常人之過也。
瑞: 但是, 我的好老爺...
波: 為何你要如此的去做?
瑞: 是的, 老爺, 我想要知道。
波: 好, 先生, 這就是我所設的良計:
當你把這些過錯--這衹不過是些小污點而已--講給某某人聽時,
假如此人心中明白我的兒子的確是犯有這些毛病,
那他一定會同意你之說法, 並且也會按其國之禮節和你稱朋道友,
稱呼你為「親愛的先生」, 或「朋友」, 或「紳士。」
瑞: 是的, 老爺。
波: 那時他若如此, 如此...{講得自己也糊塗了}
我想說些什麽? 我忘了, 我到底講到哪裏去了?
瑞: 講到「同意你之說法。」
波: 講到「同意你之說法?」 對, 沒錯。
那時他也就會信賴於你, 並且會告訴你:
「我也認得他, 昨天我纔碰到他,」或
「前幾天他纔如此如此,」 就如你所說的: 賭博、酗酒、
打網球時與人爭吵、 或「我見到他進入一妓院」等等。
你瞭解了嗎? 用你的一小小謊言來做餌釣一大魚, 即能知道事情真相。
咱們聰明、有腦筋之士就可用此拐彎末角之計獲得我們所需知的。
你若采納我所教的這些, 你也可同樣的償願於我兒。
你懂了嗎?
瑞: 我懂了, 老爺。
波: 上帝與你同在, 再會。
瑞: 謝老爺。
波: {叫回瑞挪都} 你得把他給看緊。
瑞: 我會的, 老爺。
波: 但也讓他能自奏其樂。
瑞: 是的, 老爺。
[出]
[歐菲利亞入]
波: 再會。
{對女兒}
怎麽啦, 歐菲利亞, 什麽事?
歐: 啊, 父親, 父親, 嚇死我了!
波: 老天, 什麽事?
歐: 剛纔我在房間裏縫紉時, 哈姆雷特殿下進了來 。
他敞開著他的外套, 頭上也沒戴帽子,
沒襪帶的襪子也髒兮兮的拖落於踝,
臉色白晰的就如其襯衫,
他就這樣雙膝並攏的一付可憐樣面對著我,
好像纔從地獄裏被釋放出來, 敘述其恐怖一樣。
波: 他因愛你而瘋啦?
歐: 父親, 我不知道, 不過, 我真的害怕。
波: 他和你說了些什麽?
歐: 他用力的扭住了我的手腕,
排我於一臂之距,
然後把另一支手這般的放在他的額頭上,
目不轉睛的端詳著我的臉, 好像想畫它一般。
良久之後, 他纔把我的手輕輕的抖了抖, 也這般的點了三次頭,
{學著慢慢點頭}
然後 慘的深嘆了一口氣,
就好像想在一口氣中嘆出他的胴體及生命一般。
此事完後, 他纔放鬆我;
他走時還掉過頭來; 出門時也不看路,
因為他的雙眼一直不停的在瞅著我呢。
波: 跟我來, 我們找國王去, 此乃癡情病狂也!
它來之兇猛時能令患者尋短見,
就如其他令人類痛楚之心病一樣。
對不起...你最近有無與他爭執了?
歐: 沒有, 父親, 但依照您的旨示,
我回絶了他的情書, 也避他不見。
波: 他這樣就瘋了!
對不起, 我沒把他給看準, 我還以為他對你衹是玩玩,
衹想把你給糟蹋了而以。 我這多疑之心真該慚愧,
天哪, 咱們老一輩的會疑心, 就像年青人會天真無忌一樣。
走吧, 我們找國王去, 他應該知道這些,
隱藏此事可能造出之悲劇,
將比揭發此事可能造出之悲劇來得更甚,
來!
[二人出]
第二景: 宮中
[號聲響起, 國王、皇后、羅生剋蘭、蓋登思鄧等與衆侍從入。]
王: 歡迎, 愛臣羅生剋蘭與蓋登思鄧,
朕急召二位來此, 除朕想念你們之外, 還有一重差須要囑托。
你們可聞近來哈姆雷特有變--
吾稱之為變, 乃因其儀態已與昔日回然不同。
除了其父之死外, 寡人實不悟其擾。
朕念你們與他自幼為友, 年紀相同並深悉其性,
望二位能留宮一時, 與他為伴, 使他重獲歡欣,
並當時機容允時, 察明其睏擾之由, 有無寡人不曉之處,
而可對癥療之也。
: 好先生們, 他經常提及你們, 而我料世上無別人能與他更熟,
二位若能依我們之意而留此一時, 為王的將感激不盡。
羅: 陛下與皇后乃一國之主, 有何旨示, 可儘管吩附, 不需托求。
蓋: 而臣等必聽從旨意, 將全力以赴。
王: 多謝, 羅生剋蘭與善良的蓋登思鄧。
: 多謝, 蓋登思鄧與善良的羅生剋蘭。
我懇求你們立刻就去見我那已改變許多的兒子。
[對侍從們]
去, 你們中之一位, 快帶這二位先生去哈姆雷特那兒。
蓋: 祈求老天能使我們令他愉快, 並對他有助。
: 對啊, 阿們。
[羅生剋蘭與蓋登思鄧出]
[波隆尼爾入]
波: 我很高興的宣佈我國駐挪威大使們現已歸國, 陛下。
王: 卿實不愧為「捷報之父。」
波: 是嗎, 主公? 您可放心,
臣視吾職, 如視吾魂--同心一致的效忠陛下與上帝。
我認為, 除非我這腦筋已無昔日之精明,
我已發現哈姆雷特喪失心神之緣由。
王: 啊, 請卿速言, 吾欲聽之。
波: 不妨先召見大使們, 此消息可置之於後, 當作宴席之甜點。
王: 那你就召他們晉見罷。
[波隆尼爾出]
{對皇后} 親愛的葛簇特, 他告訴我他已發現你兒心病之原因。
: 無疑那主要原因决不出於其父之死, 與我們之倉促婚事。
王: 嗯, 待寡人好好的問問他。
[波隆尼爾, 傅特曼, 及孔裏尼入]
歡迎, 朋友們。
喂, 傅特曼, 挪威王那兒有何消息?
傅: 對陛下之問候及要求有極有利之答覆。
經我們初步談判後, 他就立刻派人去抑製其侄所招幕之隊伍。
當初他衹道那支軍隊是準備抵抗波蘭用的,
但經他細察後, 發現它果真是針對著陛下。
對其因病、老、與無能而被欺, 他深感不安,
因此他下令遏製福丁布拉;
簡而說之, 其侄也聽話,
他在挪威王面前被責, 並且最後也與其叔發誓永不與陛下為敵。
聽此之後, 挪威老王竜心大悅, 賞他年祿三千金圓,
並特派他率此軍徵討波蘭。
在此有函 [遞出信件] 乞求陛下讓徵軍平安渡境本國,
一切條件及所應註意事項如下...
王: 朕甚慰。 有暇時朕必閱此函, 細慮此事, 並為它作個答覆;
不過, 此際朕可要先謝你們之功勞。 請稍歇會兒,
今夜我們可共宴, 歡迎你們歸國。
[傅特曼與孔裏尼出]
波: 此事就圓滿結束。
吾王與夫人, 與其討論為君者應如何, 他之職責何在,
或為何日即日、 夜即夜、或時即時,
實是在浪費夜、日、與時也!
既然「簡扼乃機智之魂, 而冗言即無用之外飾,」
我將簡略的說此:
您們的貴子瘋了。
我言之為『瘋,』 難道僅有瘋人才能真正的瞭解瘋者是如何?
好了, 不談它了。
: 請多說些事實, 少說些矯飾廢話。
波: 夫人, 我發誓, 我沒在矯飾。
他瘋了, 這是個事實; 它事實是很可悲, 也很可悲它是個事實。
此話聽起來很傻, 所以可不去提它了; 但是, 我的確是無在虛飾此言。
就當他是真正的瘋了好了, 那麽我們現在就應找出致使他發瘋的原因,
或令其發瘋之某缺陷,
因為瘋癥是個結果, 而此結果必是某缺陷所造成的,
所以我們現在...現在我們...得仔細考慮考慮...{自己也搞糊塗了}
我有一女, 她尚未婚。 她因孝順、聽話--您們請聽--所以她給了我這個
{掏出哈姆雷特給其女之情書}。 請聆聽並請自作結論:
[念信]
「給我心靈之偶像, 美化成仙之歐菲利亞--」,
這是個壞字, 壞透的字。 「美化」是個壞透的字(註1)。 以下還有:
「在她美極之雪白胸懷裏...」, 等等, 等等。
: 這封信是哈姆雷特寫給她的?
波: 好夫人, 請稍忍耐會兒, 讓我把它全部念完:
「可不信星星是火,
也不信太陽能走,
更不信事實是謊,
但信我予你之愛。
啊, 親愛的歐菲利亞, 我不善詩詞,
也無法用它來表達我內心之苦楚,
但我愛你之甚, 最甚, 你可相信。
再會。
我永遠是你的, 親愛的女子啊,
衹要在我有生之年。
哈姆雷特」
這就是我那乖女兒給我看的。
還有, 她也告訴了我他怎樣的追求她, 在何時、何法、與何處。
王: 那麽, 她有無接受他的愛?
波: 您覺得我是怎樣的一個人?
王: 一位有信用及正直的人。
波: 我也想做這樣的一個人。
但是, 當這火辣辣的戀情發生時, 您們會怎樣的想
--您們可要知道, 我是在我女兒告訴我之前發現它的--
陛下會怎樣的想, 或皇后會怎樣的想,
倘若我是此事的撮合人,
或倘若我不顧良心的指使, 或倘若我對此事衹睜一眼閉一眼,
那您們會怎樣的想?
所以, 我就馬上采取行動, 告訴我那年輕的女兒:
「與哈姆雷特王子在一起是高攀, 萬萬不可。」
然後我也命令她遠離他, 切勿接見他遣來的信差,
也不可接受他的禮物。 她也聽話的采納了我的交代於心。
從此以後, 他就變了。 長話短說, 他就墜入憂鬱鄉中,
既不能食, 也不能寢, 日漸衰弱, 精神恍惚。
這個程序最後就造出現在令大傢痛心之瘋狂癥狀。
王: 你覺得這就是了嗎?
: 也許, 很可能。
波: 凡我說過「就是如此」之事, 有無在事後被證明是錯誤過?
我想要知道。
王: 據我所知, 你不曾有過。
波: [指著自己的頭與肩膀]
要是我是不對的話, 那您可把這個從此處摘下來。
即使事情被埋藏於地中心, 衹要我有綫索指引, 我一定能發現真相。
王: 我們有何法可證實它?
波: 您可曉得, 他有時在此廳內徘回長達四小時久?
: 他的確是有時這樣。
波: 等到那時, 我可縱我女兒來此會見他(註2),
而你我可躲在簾後偷聽。
假如他不愛她, 或他並未因此而喪失理智,
那我不配當一國之相, 而僅配當一鄉俗、車 而已。
王: 咱們可試之。
[哈姆雷特入, 正念著一本書]
: 看他埋頭苦讀的那付可憐樣。
波: 請您們趕快回避, 讓我一人來對付他。 請之, 請。
[國王、皇后、與侍從們出]
我的哈姆雷特殿下, 您可好?
哈: 好, 托老天慈悲。
波: 您認得我嗎, 殿下?
哈: 當然認得, 你是個魚販。 (註3)
波: 我不是, 殿下。
哈: 既然如此, 那我希望你也是個老實人。
波: 老實, 殿下?
哈: 對, 先生, 在此世界, 老實人僅是萬中有一而已呢。
波: 那也的確是, 殿下。
哈: [從書中念] 太陽之吻能使死狗屍上生蛆 (註4),
它是個可親可吻的好腐肉--
你有無一位女兒?
波: 我有, 殿下。
哈: 別讓她去太陽下。 腹中懷智是個佳事,
但你的女兒因能腹中懷孕,
朋友, 你得留意。
波: [私下] 你看, 又在羅嗦關於我女兒之事。 剛纔他還不認得我,
衹道我是個魚販, 可見他已全瘋了, 全瘋了。
老實說, 我年輕時也曾為愛情痛苦, 也幾乎到同樣地步。
讓我再與他談談。
[對哈姆雷特]
您在讀什麽, 殿下?
哈: 空字, 空字, 空字。
波: 什麽事, 殿下? {波隆尼爾是在問此書是關於何事}
哈: 誰有事? {把此「事」當為人們間之爭吵}
波: 我的意思是「此書是關於何事。」
哈: 誹謗也, 先生。 這專愛諷刺的無賴在此說{敲著書本}老年人有灰鬍子,
臉上有斑斑皺紋, 眼框裏有厚厚的一層芝麻糊, 頭顱裏沒腦筋, 腿也無力。
先生, 這些我完全相信, 但是我覺得這樣寫恐怕不太妥當, 因為, 先生,
總有一天你也會和我一樣的老--如果你能像螃蟹般倒行的話。
波: [私下] 他雖瘋, 但卻有他的一套理論。
[對哈姆雷特] 你要不要從外邊進來了, 殿下?
哈: 進我的墳墓?
波: 真的, 那纔真正的是「進去了。」
[私下] 他這些答覆有時倒還蠻有含義的; 有些瘋人能樂而如此,
但有理智之常人卻反而不能。 現在我要離他而去,
好設法讓他能與我女兒會面。
[對哈姆雷特] 殿下, 我提先告別了。
哈: 先生, 你提不出另一樣使我更樂意告別之物, 除了我的性命,
除了我的性命, 除了我的性命。
波: 再會, 殿下。
哈: {私下} 這些羅哩羅嗦的老笨蛋們。
[羅生剋蘭與蓋登思鄧入]
波: 你們找哈姆雷特殿下, 他就在此。
羅: 上帝保佑你, 先生。
[波隆尼爾出]
蓋: {行禮} 我的尊貴殿下。
羅: {行禮} 我的最親愛殿下。
哈: 我的好朋友們! 你們好嗎? 蓋登思鄧, 啊, 羅生剋蘭,
好夥子們, 你們可好?
羅: 普普通通。
蓋: 也很高興我們沒過份的高興: 在命運之神身上,
我們可不是她帽頂上的那扣扣兒。
哈: 也不是她的鞋跟底?
羅: 也不是。
哈: 那麽, 我看你們差不多是在她半腰, 在她的好處那兒?
蓋: 就在她的私隱之處。
哈: 在命運女神之私處? 那可真對啊--她是個娼妓。
你們還有什麽消息?
羅: 沒什麽, 殿下, 衹是這個世界可是愈來愈善良了。
哈: 那麽世界末日就快來臨了; 但是, 你們的消息並不靈通。
讓我再問, 朋友們, 你們為何被命運之神押送來此牢獄?
蓋: 牢獄, 殿下?
哈: 丹麥就是個牢獄。
羅: 那麽, 這整個世界也是。
哈: 是個很大的, 它有很多囚室、 監房、地牢等,
而丹麥是其中最壞之一部份。
羅: 我們並不以為然, 殿下。
哈: 那... 它對你們來講不是。 其實世事並無好壞, 全看你們怎樣去想。
對我來說, 它是個牢獄。
羅: 那是您的野心作祟促使成的。 對您的心靈來說, 丹麥是太狹小了。
哈: 啊, 老天呀, 我可閉於一核桃殼內,
而仍自認我是個無疆限之君主--
衹要我無那些噩夢。
蓋: 您的那些夢也就是您的野心; 凡野心傢之所成, 均先出其夢幻之影也。
哈: 夢也衹不過是個幻影而已。
羅: 對, 我覺得野心纔更是捉摸不到, 它真是個幻影之幻影。
哈: 若是這樣, 那毫無野心的乞丐豈不是「實體」,
而帝王及其他野心傢們豈不是乞丐之「影子」?
我們需上法庭來判斷此論嗎? 因為我已為此絞盡腦汁, 不能再想了。
二人: 我們願意伺候您。
哈: 那可不成, 我不能把你們當僕人看待。 老實說, 我真是沒被人伺候好,
還有--朋友之間不忌直問--你們來艾辛諾爾堡是為何?
羅: 來拜訪您, 殿下, 無其他事。
哈: 我是個乞丐, 窮得連個「謝謝」都沒有。 但我還是該謝謝你們。
不過, 親愛的朋友們, 我這個「謝謝」, 老實說是連半文錢都不值。
你們的確不是奉派而來的嗎? 此拜訪純粹是出於自願? 是無條件的?
來, 來, 老實的告訴我, 來, 來, 快說呀!
蓋: 我們該怎麽講, 殿下?
哈: 怎麽講都可以, 衹要是實話。 {羅與蓋面面相覷}
你們是被派來的, 這早就被你們帶愧之臉色招出來了, 遮掩不住的。
我曉得你們是被國王與皇后遣派來的。
羅: {裝著不知} 為了何事, 殿下?
哈: 那你們得告訴我。 不過, 讓我事先懇求你們, 以我們之友誼,
以我們之忘年深交, 以我們永恆不變之友愛, 及其它珍貴之情,
請坦白、直率的說, 你們到底是不是奉派而來的?
羅: [私下與蓋登思鄧] 你要如何說?
哈: 我在註意你們喲。
你們如果愛我, 那就請別再猶豫。
蓋: 殿下, 我們的確是奉派而來的。
哈: 讓我先道破其中之原因, 這樣, 你們也無須把它說出,
令你們失諾於國王與皇后。
最近--我也不知是為何--我失去了歡欣,
對一切事務也毫無興致。 說真的,
我的心靈沉重的使我覺得這整個世界僅不過是塊枯燥的頑石。
這個美好的天空, 看 {用手指天}, 好一個懸於頭頂之壯麗穹蒼,
好一個有金色火焰點綴之華麗屋宇, 但是,
現在它對我來說, 衹不過是一團污煙瘴氣而已。
人類是個多麽美妙的傑作, 它擁有著崇高的理智,
也有無限的能力與優美可欽的儀表。 其舉止就如天使, 靈性可媲神仙。
它是天之驕子, 也是萬物之靈。 但是, 對我來講, 它豈不是朽如糞土?
人們已無法令我歡欣--就連女人。
{羅與蓋互相交換眼色並點頭微笑}
你們在笑, 好像不以為然。
羅: 殿下, 我全無此意。
哈: 那你笑什麽, 當我說「人們已無法令我歡欣」時?
羅: 我在想, 殿下, 如果人們已無法令您歡欣,
那麽, 您將會多麽的冷落了那剛到的戲班子--
我們來此時纔剛超越了他們, 他們現在正要來此為殿下效勞呢。
哈: {興高采烈的}
飾演國王者將受我歡迎, 我將樂意的納貢於此君。
英勇的武士可揮舞其劍與盾。 癡情的戀者無須再空悲嘆。
暴燥的性格演員可安心的終其劇。 小醜可令愛笑者捧腹。
女主角可暢訴其心願, 否則對白將失其板眼。
他們是何許戲班?
羅: 就是您一嚮最喜愛的: 從城裏來的悲劇團。
哈: 他們為何要如此的出外巡回賣藝?
有一個固定的劇院對他們的聲望及利潤都極有益的。
羅: 我想他們是因近來戲劇界之遷變而休演。
哈: 他們的名氣是否還是像昔日我在城裏時一般?
他們是否還是那麽的紅?
羅: 那可沒有了。
哈: 那是為什麽呢, 難道他們的藝技老 ?
羅: 不是的, 他們仍在努力的保持其藝如昔, 先生,
但是現在戲劇界出了一窩新派的童子戲班, 號稱「雛鷹們」,
他們以尖銳的嗓門取勝, 博取觀衆的瘋狂喝采, 成為一時之風行。
他們也攻擊他們所謂之「普通」劇團, 聲勢咄咄逼人,
至今許多腰係佩劍的傳統伶人都裹足不前,
深懼新潮派劇作傢鵝毛筆下之作品。
哈: 什麽, 他們是小孩嗎? 是誰在管他們? 他們從哪兒來的資助?
他們變音、不能歌唱後還會繼續的當演員嗎? 我想是會的,
因為他們不能做其它之事。 那時, 當他們當普通演員時,
他們會不會埋怨那些劇作傢們曾耽誤了他們的前途,
讓他們一度敵視了自己的同行?
羅: 老實說, 雙方都有其理, 而國人均熱中, 並且鼓勵、慫恿此爭論。
甚至有一段時間無人肯花錢委托劇作傢們寫劇本,
除非此劇本曾令編劇傢與演員們大吵過一次。
哈: 真有此等事?
蓋: 唉, 為此事曾發生過無數的糾紛。
哈: 而孩兒們都贏嗎?
羅: 是的, 當然, 殿下。 連那有大力士扛地球招牌之劇院都不例外 (註5)。
哈: 那也不稀奇; 我的叔父現在是丹麥王, 昔日我父親健在時,
對他曾做過不屑鬼臉的那一班人現在肯花二十、四十、五十、甚至一百大洋
來買他的一幅小小畫像。 我發誓, 這實在是有點不對, 值得思索。
[號聲齊響]
蓋: 戲班到了。
哈: 先生們{指蓋與羅}, 歡迎你們來艾辛諾爾堡, 來, 握個手。
歡迎的禮儀是非常重要的, 所以讓我現在就行此禮罷。
假使你們覺得我給與戲班演員們之歡迎--讓我事先聲明,
它將是極熱誠的--會比你們所得之還更要熱誠, 那你們就該瞭解,
你們的確是受歡迎的。
可是, 「叔叔父親」與「嬸嬸母親」卻上當了。
蓋: 此話怎麽講, 殿下?
哈: 我衹是在吹西北風時發瘋。
吹南風時, 我是能分辦錘子與鋸子的。 {註6}
[波隆尼爾入]
波: 你們好, 先生們。
哈: 你聽, 蓋登思鄧; {對羅生剋蘭} 你也聽, 所有的耳朵都要聽。
那邊那個大嬰兒{指波隆尼爾}尚未脫離他的尿布呢。
羅: 那麽, 這是他第二次做嬰兒; 俗雲老年即二度為嬰也。
哈: 我料他是來告訴我有關戲子之事, 你們瞧吧。
{假裝正在談話中} 你說得對, 先生, 就在星期一早上...
波: 主公, 我有消息要告訴您。
哈: 主公, 我有消息要告訴您: 當羅希斯{註7}在古羅馬當演員時...
波: 戲班子到了, 殿下。
哈: 哼, 哼。 {一付不屑模樣}
波: 以我名譽發誓。
哈: 「那麽, 每個戲子都騎著驢來。」 {念老民謠中之一詞}
波: 他們是全世界之最佳演員。 他們善演悲劇、喜劇、史劇、田園劇、
田園喜劇、田園史劇、悲史劇、悲喜田園史劇、無法分類劇、
及包羅萬象劇。 對他們來說, 賽尼卡{註}筆下之劇無過悲,
浦勞塔斯{註7}筆下之劇非太喜--無論古典浪漫, 唯其舉世獨尊也。
哈: 「啊! 耶弗他{註8}, 以色列之判官, 你曾擁有過那些寶貝?」
{又念老民謠中之一詞}
波: 他曾擁有過那些寶貝, 殿下?
哈: 「他有一美麗的獨生女, 把她寵為至寶。」
波: [私下] 又提及我的女兒了。
哈: 難道我不對嗎, 老耶弗他?
波: 既然您要稱呼我為耶弗他, 殿下, 那麽, 我是有個愛女。
哈: 不是這樣的。
波: 那應怎樣, 殿下?
哈: 應這樣: {朗誦民謠}
「上帝先知道, 然後你知道, 而它就無法避免的發生了。」
你若去翻查此民謠的第一段, 它就會告訴你以後怎樣,
不過, 看來, 我即將被打斷...
[戲班演員們入]
歡迎, 衆師傅們, 歡迎各位光臨!
{對其中之一演員} 我很高興能見到你無恙。
{對衆藝人} 歡迎, 好朋友們。
{走入藝人群中} 哈, 老朋友, 至從我們上次見面, 你蓄了鬍子,
你不是來丹麥嚮我挑戰的吧? {註9}
{對一扮女裝之男孩演員} 什麽? 我的姑娘、情婦,
你比我們上次見面時高出一高跟鞋跟!
祈望你的金嗓子不會變音--像塊不能共鳴之破金幣。
{對大傢} 師傅們, 歡迎。
就如法國的放鷹者, 咱們就隨意捕捉, 隨地取材罷。 來, 念一段,
讓大傢嘗試嘗試你們的技藝。 來, 念一段熱情的劇白。
演員甲: 念那一段呢, 殿下。
哈: 我曾聽你念過一段, 但是, 我從未見過此出戲的正式演出;
就是見過, 也决不多於一次。
依我所記, 此出戲並非傢喻戶曉, 因為它乃針對給行傢的;
不過, 它得到了鑒賞傢們的一致好評, 贊為是出一流好戲。
它的情節細膩, 構造適中。 有人評此劇無參插騷衆之穢言,
劇情之流露也自然而無做作; 稱此為誠實、清新、脫俗之作品也。
此劇中我最喜愛之一段,
就是當艾尼亞士{註10}告訴黛多{註11}有關普萊安{註12}遇害之事。
你們若記得, 它就如此的開始...
讓我想想, 讓我想想...
「殘暴的皮拉斯{註13}, 猛如海肯尼亞之虎{註14}。」
不對, 這不對。 再從皮拉斯開始: {繼續朗誦}
「殘暴的皮拉斯,
身披黑甲,
蹲伏於木馬中。
其心志之黑,
好比深夜。
他的黝黑肌膚
也被塗上了一層邪惡的色彩,
他由頭至足,
被無辜父母、子女們的淋漓鮮血染成一片殷紅。
血液經炎陽焙乾,
泛著可怖的光澤,
也映出了無數的兇殘殺戮。
他的怒火填胸,
他混身沾滿著凝血,
他圓睜著紅如寶石的雙目,
像似個惡魔的皮拉斯,
就在到處找尋老邁的普萊安。」
你們就由此處接下去罷。
波: 老天, 殿下, 念得好--語氣與神情俱佳。
演員甲:「不久,
他就尋得了他。
這時,
那老王已無力抵抗圍攻的希臘軍,
他那支已揮舞不動的古老兵器
也被鏘然的擊落於地。
皮拉斯見此破綻,
便更瘋狂的加強其猛烈攻擊。
無情的劍鋒耍得虎虎作響,
筋疲力盡的老者就在此一陣劈砍後被擊倒。
在此關鍵,
那無生命的的伊霖堡 {註15},
它的屋脊冒著熊熊的烈火,
似乎懂其苦難,
就霎時轟然坍倒。
巨響震聾了皮拉斯的雙耳。
看! 那正劈嚮普萊安白首之利劍,
就在半空中突然停止。
像幅暴君的繪像,
皮拉斯伫立不動,
對萬物也漠然無衷。
恰如暴風雨前之寧靜,
雲收風斂的一片死寂籠罩了大地。
傾刻後,
轟轟隆的雷響又重返天際,
喚醒了皮拉斯的戴天深仇。
就像獨眼巨人之鐵錘打擊戰神之不壞甲胄,
皮拉斯之濺血寶劍更無情的砍嚮普萊安。
滾開! 滾開! 賤如婊子的命運女神。
諸神明啊,
削除了她的力量吧!
粉碎了她的車輪,
讓那空軸子由天堂滾入地獄!」
波: 這段太長了。
哈: 它就像你的鬍須, 該去理發師那兒剪一剪。
{對演員} 請繼續念吧。
他衹想聽鬧劇或穢劇, 要不然他就會打瞌睡的。
請繼續念西古芭{註16}那段。
演員甲: 唉, 可憐呀, 誰見到了那「蒙面皇后?」
哈: 蒙面皇后?
波: 好哇! 「蒙面皇后」好。
演員甲:「赤腳在熊熊的烈火中奔走,
她哭瞎了雙眼。
昔日戴著冠冕的頭上,
現在衹裹了一塊破布。
在驚惶恐懼中,
僅有一條毛氈
遮蓋著她因多産而瘦弱的身軀,
代替了她的皇袍。
任何人見此悲慘的景象,
必會為她打抱不平,
而咒駡那殘酷的命運之神。
倘若諸神有靈,
當她目睹皮拉斯兇殘的砍下其夫君手足時,
她的 厲哭號一定會驚動天地,
令衆星為她落淚,
也令諸神為她悲憤,
除非神明對人間凡事均無動於衷。」
波: 看他淚水汪汪的, 臉色都變了 {指正在朗誦的演員}。 別再念下去了。
哈: 那也好, 我們改天再把它念完罷。
{對波隆尼爾} 好先生, 你可否把這班伶人安頓好?
你聽著: 我們可要好好的招待他們, 因他們是歷史的書記;
我們寧可死後落得個惡名墓碑, 也別在生前壞了他們的口碑。
波: 殿下, 我會依他們所應得來對待他們。
哈: 以上帝聖體之名, 人呀, 要更好!
倘若凡事都依其所應得, 那誰不該打?
你應以禮儀來款待他們。
他們所應得的愈少, 你的寬大就愈值得表揚。
帶他們去罷。
波: 來, 先生們。
哈: 請隨他去, 朋友們, 我們明天再來聽另一出戲。
{對演員甲} 你聽我說, 老朋友, 你會不會演「鞏查哥遇害記」?
演員甲: 會的, 殿下。
哈: 我們明晚就聽這出戲。 若有必要, 你能否參插我寫的一段於此劇,
大約十二到十六行字?
演員甲: 沒問題, 殿下。
哈: 好極了!
[對衆演員]
你們就隨那先生去罷, 可是別取笑他喔。
[波隆尼爾與衆演員出]
[對羅生剋蘭與蓋登思鄧]
好朋友們, 現在我就嚮你們告別, 直至今晚。
歡迎你們來到艾辛諾爾。
羅: 好的, 殿下。
[羅生剋蘭與蓋登思鄧出]
哈: 是的, 再見。 現在我可單獨了。
唉, 我是個惡人, 也是個無用的蠢才!
真不可思議, 這個伶人能把單單一個虛構的故事, 偽裝的感情,
表演得如此淋漓盡致。
他的臉色可隨意蒼白, 熱淚可泉涌, 神情可倉皇,
聲音可抖顫, 姿態可傳神。 但這全徒勞啊, 這僅是為了西古芭!
西古芭對他是何許人, 他對西古芭又是何許人, 他須如此的為她哭泣?
倘若他有了我的悲憤理由與動機, 那他又會怎樣?
他一定會把此戲臺用淚水淹沒, 把那駭人之聽聞灌入觀衆耳內,
令帶罪者瘋狂, 無罪者驚愕, 愚 者惶惑, 也使衆人的耳目迷亂如癡。
而我...
卻是個懶散不振的傢夥, 整天仰鬱不樂, 胸無成竹的沒個主意。
簡直像個白日夢迷, 也無能替一位被狠毒謀害的國王說半句話。
我是不是個懦夫?
有誰能指責我是個惡棍, 敲我的腦袋, 扭我的鼻子,
揪掉我的鬍須然後吹它於我臉上, 斥駡我是個無恥的謊者?
誰能對我如此? 呵, 我發誓, 我會心甘情願的承受這些,
因我無疑是個膽小鬼, 無勇氣抗議惡行;
否則我早會挖出那卑鄙奴才之肺腑, 來喂飽天下之所有兀鷹!
血淋淋的猥褻惡賊! 毫無愧疚、姦詐、荒淫、無義的惡賊!
啊, 復仇呀!
唉, 我是個笨驢!
我是個被害國君之子, 天地之鬼神均慫恿我去為他復仇,
而我卻還是在此, 衹能用字眼來咒駡,
活像個滿口穢言的下流婊子,
帶著一付潑婦駡街的模樣, 真是勇敢極了! 呸, 算了, 呸!
讓我動腦筋想想... 我曾聽說, 當犯罪者看戲時,
有時逼真的劇情能使他突然天良發現, 使他當場懺悔其過。
謀殺血案也許是無口申冤, 但它卻另有其它之神奇表達方法。
我要教這班演員們在叔父面前演出父親遇害的過程,
那時我可註意他的反應, 觀察他的一舉一動。
待他有變時, 我自然曉得如何去辦。
我所見到的那個幽魂也許是個惡鬼, 而惡鬼有能力化為美形,
趁我憂鬱脆弱時來蠱惑我, 使我沉淪墮墜。
是的, 惡鬼的確是有此本領的。
我可用此劇為陷阱來補捉國王良心內之隱秘, 獲得最確鑿的證據。
[出]
{第二幕完}
_______________________________________________________________________
譯者註:
(1).『美化』對波隆尼爾來講是個『壞字』因為它表示歐菲莉亞
有用 飾品。
(2). 在此譯者用『縱』字, 因原文的『loose,』強調了波隆尼爾
利用女兒之心態--如『縱馬』、『縱狗』等。
(3). 魚販即皮條客的俗稱。哈姆雷特在此諷刺波隆尼爾利用女兒來
調查哈姆雷特發瘋之內幕。
(4). 中古時代人們認為蛆是從太陽而生。
(5).「環球劇院」即莎士比亞本人的劇院, 而它的招牌即一力士扛地球。
(6). 沒那麽瘋之意。
(7). 羅希斯(Roscius): 古羅馬之名伶。
(8). 耶弗他(Jephthah): 在聖經 耶弗他因大意而犧牲其女,
在此哈姆雷特再度的諷刺波隆尼爾。
(9). 英文「鬍須」與「挑戰」可同字。
(10). 艾尼亞士(Aeneas): 威吉爾(古羅馬大詩人 Publius Vergilius Maro,
70 - 19 B.C.)寫的史詩 Aeneid 中之英雄, 也是羅馬人之始祖。
(11). 黛多(Dido): 迦太基之後。 迦太基(Carthage)是非洲北部之古國,
在今突尼斯附近, 紀元前一四六年被羅馬人所滅。
(12). 普萊安(Priam): 特羅伊(Troy)之王, 在木馬屠城記裏被皮拉斯所殺。
(13). 皮拉斯(Pyrrhus): 阿奇裏斯(Achilles)之子,
其父被普萊安之子所殺。 皮拉斯替父報仇, 藏於木馬腹內,
進城後殺死普萊安。
(14). 海肯尼亞: 地名, 海南區, 位在今伊朗。 古羅馬時代産猛虎出名。
(15). 伊霖堡: 特羅伊(Troy)城中之堡, 在木馬屠城記中被希臘人摧毀。
(16). 西古芭(Hecuba): 普萊安之妻, 特羅伊之後。
Elsinore. A room in the house of Polonius.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Enter Polonius and Reynaldo.
Polonius. Give him this money and these notes, Reynaldo.
Reynaldo. I will, my lord.
Polonius. You shall do marvell's wisely, good Reynaldo, 950
Before You visit him, to make inquire
Of his behaviour.
Reynaldo. My lord, I did intend it.
Polonius. Marry, well said, very well said. Look you, sir,
Enquire me first what Danskers are in Paris; 955
And how, and who, what means, and where they keep,
What company, at what expense; and finding
By this encompassment and drift of question
That they do know my son, come you more nearer
Than your particular demands will touch it. 960
Take you, as 'twere, some distant knowledge of him;
As thus, 'I know his father and his friends,
And in part him.' Do you mark this, Reynaldo?
Reynaldo. Ay, very well, my lord.
Polonius. 'And in part him, but,' you may say, 'not well. 965
But if't be he I mean, he's very wild
Addicted so and so'; and there put on him
What forgeries you please; marry, none so rank
As may dishonour him- take heed of that;
But, sir, such wanton, wild, and usual slips 970
As are companions noted and most known
To youth and liberty.
Reynaldo. As gaming, my lord.
Polonius. Ay, or drinking, fencing, swearing, quarrelling,
Drabbing. You may go so far. 975Reynaldo. My lord, that would dishonour him.
Polonius. Faith, no, as you may season it in the charge.
You must not put another scandal on him,
That he is open to incontinency.
That's not my meaning. But breathe his faults so quaintly 980
That they may seem the taints of liberty,
The flash and outbreak of a fiery mind,
A savageness in unreclaimed blood,
Of general assault.
Reynaldo. But, my good lord- 985Polonius. Wherefore should you do this?
Reynaldo. Ay, my lord,
I would know that.
Polonius. Marry, sir, here's my drift,
And I believe it is a fetch of warrant. 990
You laying these slight sullies on my son
As 'twere a thing a little soil'd i' th' working,
Mark you,
Your party in converse, him you would sound,
Having ever seen in the prenominate crimes 995
The youth you breathe of guilty, be assur'd
He closes with you in this consequence:
'Good sir,' or so, or 'friend,' or 'gentleman'-
According to the phrase or the addition
Of man and country- 1000Reynaldo. Very good, my lord.
Polonius. And then, sir, does 'a this- 'a does- What was I about to say?
By the mass, I was about to say something! Where did I leave?
Reynaldo. At 'closes in the consequence,' at 'friend or so,' and
gentleman.' 1005Polonius. At 'closes in the consequence'- Ay, marry!
He closes thus: 'I know the gentleman.
I saw him yesterday, or t'other day,
Or then, or then, with such or such; and, as you say,
There was 'a gaming; there o'ertook in's rouse; 1010
There falling out at tennis'; or perchance,
'I saw him enter such a house of sale,'
Videlicet, a brothel, or so forth.
See you now-
Your bait of falsehood takes this carp of truth; 1015
And thus do we of wisdom and of reach,
With windlasses and with assays of bias,
By indirections find directions out.
So, by my former lecture and advice,
Shall you my son. You have me, have you not? 1020Reynaldo. My lord, I have.
Polonius. God b' wi' ye, fare ye well!
Reynaldo. Good my lord! [Going.]
Polonius. Observe his inclination in yourself.
Reynaldo. I shall, my lord. 1025Polonius. And let him ply his music.
Reynaldo. Well, my lord.
Polonius. Farewell!
[Exit Reynaldo.]
[Enter Ophelia.] 1030
How now, Ophelia? What's the matter?
Ophelia. O my lord, my lord, I have been so affrighted!
Polonius. With what, i' th' name of God?
Ophelia. My lord, as I was sewing in my closet,
Lord Hamlet, with his doublet all unbrac'd, 1035
No hat upon his head, his stockings foul'd,
Ungart'red, and down-gyved to his ankle;
Pale as his shirt, his knees knocking each other,
And with a look so piteous in purport
As if he had been loosed out of hell 1040
To speak of horrors- he comes before me.
Polonius. Mad for thy love?
Ophelia. My lord, I do not know,
But truly I do fear it.
Polonius. What said he? 1045Ophelia. He took me by the wrist and held me hard;
Then goes he to the length of all his arm,
And, with his other hand thus o'er his brow,
He falls to such perusal of my face
As he would draw it. Long stay'd he so. 1050
At last, a little shaking of mine arm,
And thrice his head thus waving up and down,
He rais'd a sigh so piteous and profound
As it did seem to shatter all his bulk
And end his being. That done, he lets me go, 1055
And with his head over his shoulder turn'd
He seem'd to find his way without his eyes,
For out o' doors he went without their help
And to the last bended their light on me.
Polonius. Come, go with me. I will go seek the King. 1060
This is the very ecstasy of love,
Whose violent property fordoes itself
And leads the will to desperate undertakings
As oft as any passion under heaven
That does afflict our natures. I am sorry. 1065
What, have you given him any hard words of late?
Ophelia. No, my good lord; but, as you did command,
I did repel his letters and denied
His access to me.
Polonius. That hath made him mad. 1070
I am sorry that with better heed and judgment
I had not quoted him. I fear'd he did but trifle
And meant to wrack thee; but beshrew my jealousy!
By heaven, it is as proper to our age
To cast beyond ourselves in our opinions 1075
As it is common for the younger sort
To lack discretion. Come, go we to the King.
This must be known; which, being kept close, might move
More grief to hide than hate to utter love.
Come. 1080Exeunt.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Act II, Scene 2
Elsinore. A room in the Castle.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flourish. [Enter King and Queen, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern,
cum aliis.
Claudius. Welcome, dear Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
Moreover that we much did long to see you, 1085
The need we have to use you did provoke
Our hasty sending. Something have you heard
Of Hamlet's transformation. So I call it,
Sith nor th' exterior nor the inward man
Resembles that it was. What it should be, 1090
More than his father's death, that thus hath put him
So much from th' understanding of himself,
I cannot dream of. I entreat you both
That, being of so young days brought up with him,
And since so neighbour'd to his youth and haviour, 1095
That you vouchsafe your rest here in our court
Some little time; so by your companies
To draw him on to pleasures, and to gather
So much as from occasion you may glean,
Whether aught to us unknown afflicts him thus 1100
That, open'd, lies within our remedy.
Gertrude. Good gentlemen, he hath much talk'd of you,
And sure I am two men there are not living
To whom he more adheres. If it will please you
To show us so much gentry and good will 1105
As to expend your time with us awhile
For the supply and profit of our hope,
Your visitation shall receive such thanks
As fits a king's remembrance.
Rosencrantz. Both your Majesties 1110
Might, by the sovereign power you have of us,
Put your dread pleasures more into command
Than to entreaty.
Guildenstern. But we both obey,
And here give up ourselves, in the full bent, 1115
To lay our service freely at your feet,
To be commanded.
Claudius. Thanks, Rosencrantz and gentle Guildenstern.
Gertrude. Thanks, Guildenstern and gentle Rosencrantz.
And I beseech you instantly to visit 1120
My too much changed son.- Go, some of you,
And bring these gentlemen where Hamlet is.
Guildenstern. Heavens make our presence and our practices
Pleasant and helpful to him!
Gertrude. Ay, amen! 1125Exeunt Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, [with some Attendants].
Enter Polonius.
Polonius. Th' ambassadors from Norway, my good lord,
Are joyfully return'd.
Claudius. Thou still hast been the father of good news. 1130Polonius. Have I, my lord? Assure you, my good liege,
I hold my duty as I hold my soul,
Both to my God and to my gracious king;
And I do think- or else this brain of mine
Hunts not the trail of policy so sure 1135
As it hath us'd to do- that I have found
The very cause of Hamlet's lunacy.
Claudius. O, speak of that! That do I long to hear.
Polonius. Give first admittance to th' ambassadors.
My news shall be the fruit to that great feast. 1140Claudius. Thyself do grace to them, and bring them in.
[Exit Polonius.]
He tells me, my dear Gertrude, he hath found
The head and source of all your son's distemper.
Gertrude. I doubt it is no other but the main, 1145
His father's death and our o'erhasty marriage.
Claudius. Well, we shall sift him.
[Enter Polonius, Voltemand, and Cornelius.]
Welcome, my good friends.
Say, Voltemand, what from our brother Norway? 1150Voltemand. Most fair return of greetings and desires.
Upon our first, he sent out to suppress
His nephew's levies; which to him appear'd
To be a preparation 'gainst the Polack,
But better look'd into, he truly found 1155
It was against your Highness; whereat griev'd,
That so his sickness, age, and impotence
Was falsely borne in hand, sends out arrests
On Fortinbras; which he, in brief, obeys,
Receives rebuke from Norway, and, in fine, 1160
Makes vow before his uncle never more
To give th' assay of arms against your Majesty.
Whereon old Norway, overcome with joy,
Gives him three thousand crowns in annual fee
And his commission to employ those soldiers, 1165
So levied as before, against the Polack;
With an entreaty, herein further shown,
[Gives a paper.]
That it might please you to give quiet pass
Through your dominions for this enterprise, 1170
On such regards of safety and allowance
As therein are set down.
Claudius. It likes us well;
And at our more consider'd time we'll read,
Answer, and think upon this business. 1175
Meantime we thank you for your well-took labour.
Go to your rest; at night we'll feast together.
Most welcome home! Exeunt Ambassadors.
Polonius. This business is well ended.
My liege, and madam, to expostulate 1180
What majesty should be, what duty is,
Why day is day, night is night, and time is time.
Were nothing but to waste night, day, and time.
Therefore, since brevity is the soul of wit,
And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes, 1185
I will be brief. Your noble son is mad.
Mad call I it; for, to define true madness,
What is't but to be nothing else but mad?
But let that go.
Gertrude. More matter, with less art. 1190Polonius. Madam, I swear I use no art at all.
That he is mad, 'tis true: 'tis true 'tis pity;
And pity 'tis 'tis true. A foolish figure!
But farewell it, for I will use no art.
Mad let us grant him then. And now remains 1195
That we find out the cause of this effect-
Or rather say, the cause of this defect,
For this effect defective comes by cause.
Thus it remains, and the remainder thus.
Perpend. 1200
I have a daughter (have while she is mine),
Who in her duty and obedience, mark,
Hath given me this. Now gather, and surmise.
[Reads] the letter.]
'To the celestial, and my soul's idol, the most beautified Ophelia,'- 1205
That's an ill phrase, a vile phrase; 'beautified' is a vile phrase.
But you shall hear. Thus:
[Reads.]
'In her excellent white bosom, these, &c.'
Gertrude. Came this from Hamlet to her? 1210Polonius. Good madam, stay awhile. I will be faithful. [Reads.]
'Doubt thou the stars are fire;
Doubt that the sun doth move;
Doubt truth to be a liar;
But never doubt I love. 1215
'O dear Ophelia, I am ill at these numbers; I have not art to
reckon my groans; but that I love thee best, O most best, believe
it. Adieu.
'Thine evermore, most dear lady, whilst this machine is to
him, HAMLET.' 1220
This, in obedience, hath my daughter shown me;
And more above, hath his solicitings,
As they fell out by time, by means, and place,
All given to mine ear.
Claudius. But how hath she 1225
Receiv'd his love?
Polonius. What do you think of me?
Claudius. As of a man faithful and honourable.
Polonius. I would fain prove so. But what might you think,
When I had seen this hot love on the wing 1230
(As I perceiv'd it, I must tell you that,
Before my daughter told me), what might you,
Or my dear Majesty your queen here, think,
If I had play'd the desk or table book,
Or given my heart a winking, mute and dumb, 1235
Or look'd upon this love with idle sight?
What might you think? No, I went round to work
And my young mistress thus I did bespeak:
'Lord Hamlet is a prince, out of thy star.
This must not be.' And then I prescripts gave her, 1240
That she should lock herself from his resort,
Admit no messengers, receive no tokens.
Which done, she took the fruits of my advice,
And he, repulsed, a short tale to make,
Fell into a sadness, then into a fast, 1245
Thence to a watch, thence into a weakness,
Thence to a lightness, and, by this declension,
Into the madness wherein now he raves,
And all we mourn for.
Claudius. Do you think 'tis this? 1250Gertrude. it may be, very like.
Polonius. Hath there been such a time- I would fain know that-
That I have Positively said 'Tis so,'
When it prov'd otherwise.?
Claudius. Not that I know. 1255Polonius. [points to his head and shoulder] Take this from this, if this be otherwise.
If circumstances lead me, I will find
Where truth is hid, though it were hid indeed
Within the centre.
Claudius. How may we try it further? 1260Polonius. You know sometimes he walks for hours together
Here in the lobby.
Gertrude. So he does indeed.
Polonius. At such a time I'll loose my daughter to him.
Be you and I behind an arras then. 1265
Mark the encounter. If he love her not,
And he not from his reason fall'n thereon
Let me be no assistant for a state,
But keep a farm and carters.
Claudius. We will try it. 1270Enter Hamlet, reading on a book.
Gertrude. But look where sadly the poor wretch comes reading.
Polonius. Away, I do beseech you, both away
I'll board him presently. O, give me leave.
[Exeunt King and Queen, [with Attendants].] 1275
How does my good Lord Hamlet?
Hamlet. Well, God-a-mercy.
Polonius. Do you know me, my lord?
Hamlet. Excellent well. You are a fishmonger.
Polonius. Not I, my lord. 1280Hamlet. Then I would you were so honest a man.
Polonius. Honest, my lord?
Hamlet. Ay, sir. To be honest, as this world goes, is to be one man
pick'd out of ten thousand.
Polonius. That's very true, my lord. 1285Hamlet. For if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog, being a god
kissing carrion- Have you a daughter?
Polonius. I have, my lord.
Hamlet. Let her not walk i' th' sun. Conception is a blessing, but not
as your daughter may conceive. Friend, look to't. 1290Polonius. [aside] How say you by that? Still harping on my daughter. Yet
he knew me not at first. He said I was a fishmonger. He is far
gone, far gone! And truly in my youth I suff'red much extremity
for love- very near this. I'll speak to him again.- What do you
read, my lord? 1295Hamlet. Words, words, words.
Polonius. What is the matter, my lord?
Hamlet. Between who?
Polonius. I mean, the matter that you read, my lord.
Hamlet. Slanders, sir; for the satirical rogue says here that old men 1300
have grey beards; that their faces are wrinkled; their eyes
purging thick amber and plum-tree gum; and that they have a
plentiful lack of wit, together with most weak hams. All which,
sir, though I most powerfully and potently believe, yet I hold it
not honesty to have it thus set down; for you yourself, sir, 1305
should be old as I am if, like a crab, you could go backward.
Polonius. [aside] Though this be madness, yet there is a method in't.-
Will You walk out of the air, my lord?
Hamlet. Into my grave?
Polonius. Indeed, that is out o' th' air. [Aside] How pregnant sometimes 1310
his replies are! a happiness that often madness hits on, which
reason and sanity could not so prosperously be delivered of. I
will leave him and suddenly contrive the means of meeting between
him and my daughter.- My honourable lord, I will most humbly take
my leave of you. 1315Hamlet. You cannot, sir, take from me anything that I will more
willingly part withal- except my life, except my life, except my
life,
Enter Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
Polonius. Fare you well, my lord. 1320Hamlet. These tedious old fools!
Polonius. You go to seek the Lord Hamlet. There he is.
Rosencrantz. [to Polonius] God save you, sir!
Exit [Polonius].
Guildenstern. My honour'd lord! 1325Rosencrantz. My most dear lord!
Hamlet. My excellent good friends! How dost thou, Guildenstern? Ah,
Rosencrantz! Good lads, how do ye both?
Rosencrantz. As the indifferent children of the earth.
Guildenstern. Happy in that we are not over-happy. 1330
On Fortune's cap we are not the very button.
Hamlet. Nor the soles of her shoe?
Rosencrantz. Neither, my lord.
Hamlet. Then you live about her waist, or in the middle of her
favours? 1335Guildenstern. Faith, her privates we.
Hamlet. In the secret parts of Fortune? O! most true! she is a
strumpet. What news ?
Rosencrantz. None, my lord, but that the world's grown honest.
Hamlet. Then is doomsday near! But your news is not true. Let me 1340
question more in particular. What have you, my good friends,
deserved at the hands of Fortune that she sends you to prison
hither?
Guildenstern. Prison, my lord?
Hamlet. Denmark's a prison. 1345Rosencrantz. Then is the world one.
Hamlet. A goodly one; in which there are many confines, wards, and
dungeons, Denmark being one o' th' worst.
Rosencrantz. We think not so, my lord.
Hamlet. Why, then 'tis none to you; for there is nothing either good 1350
or bad but thinking makes it so. To me it is a prison.
Rosencrantz. Why, then your ambition makes it one. 'Tis too narrow for your
mind.
Hamlet. O God, I could be bounded in a nutshell and count myself a
king of infinite space, were it not that I have bad dreams. 1355Guildenstern. Which dreams indeed are ambition; for the very substance of
the ambitious is merely the shadow of a dream.
Hamlet. A dream itself is but a shadow.
Rosencrantz. Truly, and I hold ambition of so airy and light a quality that
it is but a shadow's shadow. 1360Hamlet. Then are our beggars bodies, and our monarchs and outstretch'd
heroes the beggars' shadows. Shall we to th' court? for, by my
fay, I cannot reason.
Rosencrantz. [with Guildenstern] We'll wait upon you.
Hamlet. No such matter! I will not sort you with the rest of my 1365
servants; for, to speak to you like an honest man, I am most
dreadfully attended. But in the beaten way of friendship, what
make you at Elsinore?
Rosencrantz. To visit you, my lord; no other occasion.
Hamlet. Beggar that I am, I am even poor in thanks; but I thank you; 1370
and sure, dear friends, my thanks are too dear a halfpenny. Were
you not sent for? Is it your own inclining? Is it a free
visitation? Come, deal justly with me. Come, come! Nay, speak.
Guildenstern. What should we say, my lord?
Hamlet. Why, anything- but to th' purpose. You were sent for; and 1375
there is a kind of confession in your looks, which your modesties
have not craft enough to colour. I know the good King and Queen
have sent for you.
Rosencrantz. To what end, my lord?
Hamlet. That you must teach me. But let me conjure you by the rights 1380
of our fellowship, by the consonancy of our youth, by the
obligation of our ever-preserved love, and by what more dear a
better proposer could charge you withal, be even and direct with
me, whether you were sent for or no.
Rosencrantz. [aside to Guildenstern] What say you? 1385Hamlet. [aside] Nay then, I have an eye of you.- If you love me, hold
not off.
Guildenstern. My lord, we were sent for.
Hamlet. I will tell you why. So shall my anticipation prevent your
discovery, and your secrecy to the King and Queen moult no 1390
feather. I have of late- but wherefore I know not- lost all my
mirth, forgone all custom of exercises; and indeed, it goes so
heavily with my disposition that this goodly frame, the earth,
seems to me a sterile promontory; this most excellent canopy, the
air, look you, this brave o'erhanging firmament, this majestical 1395
roof fretted with golden fire- why, it appeareth no other thing
to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of vapours. What a
piece of work is a man! how noble in reason! how infinite in
faculties! in form and moving how express and admirable! in
action how like an angel! in apprehension how like a god! the 1400
beauty of the world, the paragon of animals! And yet to me what
is this quintessence of dust? Man delights not me- no, nor woman
neither, though by your smiling you seem to say so.
Rosencrantz. My lord, there was no such stuff in my thoughts.
Hamlet. Why did you laugh then, when I said 'Man delights not me'? 1405Rosencrantz. To think, my lord, if you delight not in man, what lenten
entertainment the players shall receive from you. We coted them
on the way, and hither are they coming to offer you service.
Hamlet. He that plays the king shall be welcome- his Majesty shall
have tribute of me; the adventurous knight shall use his foil and 1410
target; the lover shall not sigh gratis; the humorous man shall
end his part in peace; the clown shall make those laugh whose
lungs are tickle o' th' sere; and the lady shall say her mind
freely, or the blank verse shall halt for't. What players are
they? 1415Rosencrantz. Even those you were wont to take such delight in, the
tragedians of the city.
Hamlet. How chances it they travel? Their residence, both in
reputation and profit, was better both ways.
Rosencrantz. I think their inhibition comes by the means of the late 1420
innovation.
Hamlet. Do they hold the same estimation they did when I was in the
city? Are they so follow'd?
Rosencrantz. No indeed are they not.
Hamlet. How comes it? Do they grow rusty? 1425Rosencrantz. Nay, their endeavour keeps in the wonted pace; but there is,
sir, an eyrie of children, little eyases, that cry out on the top
of question and are most tyrannically clapp'd for't. These are now
the fashion, and so berattle the common stages (so they call
them) that many wearing rapiers are afraid of goosequills and 1430
dare scarce come thither.
Hamlet. What, are they children? Who maintains 'em? How are they
escoted? Will they pursue the quality no longer than they can
sing? Will they not say afterwards, if they should grow
themselves to common players (as it is most like, if their means 1435
are no better), their writers do them wrong to make them exclaim
against their own succession.
Rosencrantz. Faith, there has been much to do on both sides; and the nation
holds it no sin to tarre them to controversy. There was, for a
while, no money bid for argument unless the poet and the player 1440
went to cuffs in the question.
Hamlet. Is't possible?
Guildenstern. O, there has been much throwing about of brains.
Hamlet. Do the boys carry it away?
Rosencrantz. Ay, that they do, my lord- Hercules and his load too. 1445Hamlet. It is not very strange; for my uncle is King of Denmark, and
those that would make mows at him while my father lived give
twenty, forty, fifty, a hundred ducats apiece for his picture in
little. 'Sblood, there is something in this more than natural, if
philosophy could find it out. 1450Flourish for the Players.
Guildenstern. There are the players.
Hamlet. Gentlemen, you are welcome to Elsinore. Your hands, come! Th'
appurtenance of welcome is fashion and ceremony. Let me comply
with you in this garb, lest my extent to the players (which I 1455
tell you must show fairly outwards) should more appear like
entertainment than yours. You are welcome. But my uncle-father
and aunt-mother are deceiv'd.
Guildenstern. In what, my dear lord?
Hamlet. I am but mad north-north-west. When the wind is southerly I 1460
know a hawk from a handsaw.
Enter Polonius.
Polonius. Well be with you, gentlemen!
Hamlet. Hark you, Guildenstern- and you too- at each ear a hearer!
That great baby you see there is not yet out of his swaddling 1465
clouts.
Rosencrantz. Happily he's the second time come to them; for they say an old
man is twice a child.
Hamlet. I will prophesy he comes to tell me of the players. Mark it.-
You say right, sir; a Monday morning; twas so indeed. 1470Polonius. My lord, I have news to tell you.
Hamlet. My lord, I have news to tell you. When Roscius was an actor in Rome-
Polonius. The actors are come hither, my lord.
Hamlet. Buzz, buzz!
Polonius. Upon my honour- 1475Hamlet. Then came each actor on his ass-
Polonius. The best actors in the world, either for tragedy, comedy,
history, pastoral, pastoral-comical, historical-pastoral,
tragical-historical, tragical-comical-historical-pastoral; scene
individable, or poem unlimited. Seneca cannot be too heavy, nor 1480
Plautus too light. For the law of writ and the liberty, these are
the only men.
Hamlet. O Jephthah, judge of Israel, what a treasure hadst thou!
Polonius. What treasure had he, my lord?
Hamlet. Why, 1485
'One fair daughter, and no more,
The which he loved passing well.'
Polonius. [aside] Still on my daughter.
Hamlet. Am I not i' th' right, old Jephthah?
Polonius. If you call me Jephthah, my lord, I have a daughter that I 1490
love passing well.
Hamlet. Nay, that follows not.
Polonius. What follows then, my lord?
Hamlet. Why,
'As by lot, God wot,' 1495
and then, you know,
'It came to pass, as most like it was.'
The first row of the pious chanson will show you more; for look
where my abridgment comes.
[Enter four or five Players.] 1500
You are welcome, masters; welcome, all.- I am glad to see thee
well.- Welcome, good friends.- O, my old friend? Why, thy face is
valanc'd since I saw thee last. Com'st' thou to' beard me in
Denmark?- What, my young lady and mistress? By'r Lady, your
ladyship is nearer to heaven than when I saw you last by the 1505
altitude of a chopine. Pray God your voice, like a piece of
uncurrent gold, be not crack'd within the ring.- Masters, you are
all welcome. We'll e'en to't like French falconers, fly at
anything we see. We'll have a speech straight. Come, give us a
taste of your quality. Come, a passionate speech. 1510First Player. What speech, my good lord?
Hamlet. I heard thee speak me a speech once, but it was never acted;
or if it was, not above once; for the play, I remember, pleas'd
not the million, 'twas caviary to the general; but it was (as I
receiv'd it, and others, whose judgments in such matters cried in 1515
the top of mine) an excellent play, well digested in the scenes,
set down with as much modesty as cunning. I remember one said
there were no sallets in the lines to make the matter savoury,
nor no matter in the phrase that might indict the author of
affectation; but call'd it an honest method, as wholesome as 1520
sweet, and by very much more handsome than fine. One speech in't
I chiefly lov'd. 'Twas AEneas' tale to Dido, and thereabout of it
especially where he speaks of Priam's slaughter. If it live in
your memory, begin at this line- let me see, let me see:
'The rugged Pyrrhus, like th' Hyrcanian beast-' 1525
'Tis not so; it begins with Pyrrhus:
'The rugged Pyrrhus, he whose sable arms,
Black as his purpose, did the night resemble
When he lay couched in the ominous horse,
Hath now this dread and black complexion smear'd 1530
With heraldry more dismal. Head to foot
Now is be total gules, horridly trick'd
With blood of fathers, mothers, daughters, sons,
Bak'd and impasted with the parching streets,
That lend a tyrannous and a damned light 1535
To their lord's murther. Roasted in wrath and fire,
And thus o'ersized with coagulate gore,
With eyes like carbuncles, the hellish Pyrrhus
Old grandsire Priam seeks.'
So, proceed you. 1540Polonius. Fore God, my lord, well spoken, with good accent and good discretion.
First Player. 'Anon he finds him,
Striking too short at Greeks. His antique sword,
Rebellious to his arm, lies where it falls,
Repugnant to command. Unequal match'd, 1545
Pyrrhus at Priam drives, in rage strikes wide;
But with the whiff and wind of his fell sword
Th' unnerved father falls. Then senseless Ilium,
Seeming to feel this blow, with flaming top
Stoops to his base, and with a hideous crash 1550
Takes prisoner Pyrrhus' ear. For lo! his sword,
Which was declining on the milky head
Of reverend Priam, seem'd i' th' air to stick.
So, as a painted tyrant, Pyrrhus stood,
And, like a neutral to his will and matter, 1555
Did nothing.
But, as we often see, against some storm,
A silence in the heavens, the rack stand still,
The bold winds speechless, and the orb below
As hush as death- anon the dreadful thunder 1560
Doth rend the region; so, after Pyrrhus' pause,
Aroused vengeance sets him new awork;
And never did the Cyclops' hammers fall
On Mars's armour, forg'd for proof eterne,
With less remorse than Pyrrhus' bleeding sword 1565
Now falls on Priam.
Out, out, thou strumpet Fortune! All you gods,
In general synod take away her power;
Break all the spokes and fellies from her wheel,
And bowl the round nave down the hill of heaven, 1570
As low as to the fiends!
Polonius. This is too long.
Hamlet. It shall to the barber's, with your beard.- Prithee say on.
He's for a jig or a tale of bawdry, or he sleeps. Say on; come to
Hecuba. 1575First Player. 'But who, O who, had seen the mobled queen-'
Hamlet. 'The mobled queen'?
Polonius. That's good! 'Mobled queen' is good.
First Player. 'Run barefoot up and down, threat'ning the flames
With bisson rheum; a clout upon that head 1580
Where late the diadem stood, and for a robe,
About her lank and all o'erteemed loins,
A blanket, in the alarm of fear caught up-
Who this had seen, with tongue in venom steep'd
'Gainst Fortune's state would treason have pronounc'd. 1585
But if the gods themselves did see her then,
When she saw Pyrrhus make malicious sport
In Mincing with his sword her husband's limbs,
The instant burst of clamour that she made
(Unless things mortal move them not at all) 1590
Would have made milch the burning eyes of heaven
And passion in the gods.'
Polonius. Look, whe'r he has not turn'd his colour, and has tears in's
eyes. Prithee no more!
Hamlet. 'Tis well. I'll have thee speak out the rest of this soon.- 1595
Good my lord, will you see the players well bestow'd? Do you
hear? Let them be well us'd; for they are the abstract and brief
chronicles of the time. After your death you were better have a
bad epitaph than their ill report while you live.
Polonius. My lord, I will use them according to their desert. 1600Hamlet. God's bodykins, man, much better! Use every man after his
desert, and who should scape whipping? Use them after your own
honour and dignity. The less they deserve, the more merit is in
your bounty. Take them in.
Polonius. Come, sirs. 1605Hamlet. Follow him, friends. We'll hear a play to-morrow.
[Exeunt Polonius and Players [except the First].]
Dost thou hear me, old friend? Can you play 'The Murther of
Gonzago'?
First Player. Ay, my lord. 1610Hamlet. We'll ha't to-morrow night. You could, for a need, study a
speech of some dozen or sixteen lines which I would set down and
_insert_ in't, could you not?
First Player. Ay, my lord.
Hamlet. Very well. Follow that lord- and look you mock him not. 1615
[Exit First Player.]
My good friends, I'll leave you till night. You are welcome to
Elsinore.
Rosencrantz. Good my lord!
Hamlet. Ay, so, God b' wi' ye! 1620
[Exeunt Rosencrantz and Guildenstern]
Now I am alone.
O what a rogue and peasant slave am I!
Is it not monstrous that this player here,
But in a fiction, in a dream of passion, 1625
Could force his soul so to his own conceit
That, from her working, all his visage wann'd,
Tears in his eyes, distraction in's aspect,
A broken voice, and his whole function suiting
With forms to his conceit? And all for nothing! 1630
For Hecuba!
What's Hecuba to him, or he to Hecuba,
That he should weep for her? What would he do,
Had he the motive and the cue for passion
That I have? He would drown the stage with tears 1635
And cleave the general ear with horrid speech;
Make mad the guilty and appal the free,
Confound the ignorant, and amaze indeed
The very faculties of eyes and ears.
Yet I, 1640
A dull and muddy-mettled rascal, peak
Like John-a-dreams, unpregnant of my cause,
And can say nothing! No, not for a king,
Upon whose property and most dear life
A damn'd defeat was made. Am I a coward? 1645
Who calls me villain? breaks my pate across?
Plucks off my beard and blows it in my face?
Tweaks me by th' nose? gives me the lie i' th' throat
As deep as to the lungs? Who does me this, ha?
'Swounds, I should take it! for it cannot be 1650
But I am pigeon-liver'd and lack gall
To make oppression bitter, or ere this
I should have fatted all the region kites
With this slave's offal. Bloody bawdy villain!
Remorseless, treacherous, lecherous, kindless villain! 1655
O, vengeance!
Why, what an ass am I! This is most brave,
That I, the son of a dear father murther'd,
Prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell,
Must (like a whore) unpack my heart with words 1660
And fall a-cursing like a very drab,
A scullion!
Fie upon't! foh! About, my brain! Hum, I have heard
That guilty creatures, sitting at a play,
Have by the very cunning of the scene 1665
Been struck so to the soul that presently
They have proclaim'd their malefactions;
For murther, though it have no tongue, will speak
With most miraculous organ, I'll have these Players
Play something like the murther of my father 1670
Before mine uncle. I'll observe his looks;
I'll tent him to the quick. If he but blench,
I know my course. The spirit that I have seen
May be a devil; and the devil hath power
T' assume a pleasing shape; yea, and perhaps 1675
Out of my weakness and my melancholy,
As he is very potent with such spirits,
Abuses me to damn me. I'll have grounds
More relative than this. The play's the thing
Wherein I'll catch the conscience of the King. Exit. 1680