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Original Text
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Modern Translation
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Exit.
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OPHELIA:
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O, what a noble mind is here o'erthrown!
The courtier's, scholar's, soldier's, eye, tongue, sword,(160)
The expectancy and rose of the fair state,
The glass of fashion and the mould of form,
The observed of all observers, quite, quite down!
And I, of ladies most deject and wretched,
That suck'd the honey of his music vows,(165)
Now see that noble and most sovereign reason,
Like sweet bells jangled, out of tune and harsh;
That unmatch'd form and feature of blown youth
Blasted with ecstasy. O, woe is me,
To have seen what I have seen, see what I see!(170)
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OPHELIA:
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O, what a noble mind here is conquered!
The courtier's, scholar's, soldier's, eye, voice, sword,
The hope and flower of Denmark,
The mirror of fashion and the mold of perfect form,
The observed of all observers, quite, quite taken down!
And I of all ladies most dejected and wretched
That has tasted the honey of his musical vows,
Now see that noble and most royal mind,
Like sweet bells jangling, out of tune and harsh to hear,
That form and feature of blown youth without equal
Totally crazy. O, woe is me,
To have seen the man I have seen, see the man I see!
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Exit.
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Enter King and Polonius.
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KING:
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Love? His affections do not that way tend;
Nor what he spake, though it lack'd form a little,
Was not like madness. There's something in his soul
O'er which his melancholy sits on brood;
And I do doubt the hatch and the disclose(175)
Will be some danger; which for to prevent,
I have in quick determination
Thus set it down: he shall with speed to England
For the demand of our neglected tribute.
Haply the seas, and countries different,(180)
With variable objects shall expel
This something-settled matter in his heart,
Whereon his brains still beating puts him thus
From fashion of himself. What think you on't?
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KING:
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Love! his affections don’t go that way,
And what he said, though it was a little unorganized,
Wasn’t like craziness. There's something in his soul
Over which his depression sits like a bird on an egg,
And I doubt that egg will hatch and the “bird”
Will be something dangerous, which to prevent,
I have quickly decided
To write it down like this. He shall go quickly to England
To collect money due to us.
Happily the seas, and different countries
With other things, shall cure and get rid of
This problem in his heart that has such a hold on him,
Which his still active brain makes him like this
From being himself. What do you think about it?
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POLONIUS:
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It shall do well. But yet do I believe(185)
The origin and commencement of his grief
Sprung from neglected love. How now, Ophelia?
You need not tell us what Lord Hamlet said.
We heard it all. My lord, do as you please;
But, if you hold it fit, after the play,(190)
Let his queen mother all alone entreat him
To show his grief. Let her be round with him;
And I'll be placed, so please you, in the ear
Of all their conference. If she find him not,
To England send him; or confine him where(195)
Your wisdom best shall think.
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POLONIUS:
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It’ll be OK. But I still believe
The source and beginning of his grief
Began with rejected love. How are you, Ophelia!
You don’t have to tell us what Lord Hamlet said,
We heard it all. My lord, do as you please,
But if you think it’s OK, after the play,
Let his queen mother talk to him all alone and beg him
To share his problem. Let her be strict with him,
And I’ll be hide, if it pleases you, so I can hear
Of all their conference. If she can’t find out what’s wrong,
Then send him to England, or lock him up where
You think is the best place.
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KING:
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It shall be so.
Madness in great ones must not unwatch'd go.
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KING:
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That’s what I’ll do.
Craziness in great ones must not go unwatched.
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Exeunt.
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