Ham. I, or any shew you'le shew him,
Be not afeard to shew, hee'le not be afeard to tell:
O these Players cannot keepe counsell, thei'le tell all.
Prol. For vs, and for our Tragedie,
Heere stowping to your clemencie, 95
We begge your hearing patiently.
Ham. I'st a prologue, or a poesie for a ring?
Ofel. T'is short my Lord.
Ham. As womens loue.
Enter the Duke and Dutchesse.
Duke Full fortie yeares are past, their date is gone, 100
Since happy time ioyn'd both our hearts as one:
And now the blood that fill'd my youthfull veines,
Runnes weakely in their pipes, and all the straines
Of musicke, which whilome pleasde mine eare,
Is now a burthen that Age cannot beare: 105
And therefore sweete Nature must pay his due,
To heauen must I, and leaue the earth with you.
Dutchesse O say not so, lest that you kill my heart,
When death takes you, let life from me depart.
Duke Content thy selfe, when ended is my date, 110
Thou maist (perchance) haue a more noble mate,
More wise, more youthfull, and one.
Dutchesse O speake no more, for then I am accurst,
None weds the second, but she kils the first:
A second time I kill my Lord that's dead, 115
When second husband kisses me in bed.