'Tis the doubt of our ending all snugly Kicks, cuffs, frowns, and many an odd thing, When he might his own quietus make, And end all his cares with a bodkin? Ri tol de rol, &c. Truly, death is a fine thing to talk of, But I'll leave it to men of more learning; After all, 'tis the pleasanter way, To bear up as we can 'gainst our sorrow: So if things go not easy to-day, Let us hope they'll go better to-morrow. Ri tol de rol, &c. Hamlet. Oh, ho! Ophelia here. I'll shew my airs.-(Aside.) Ophelia. I hope you're well, my Lord. (Aside.) I fear he'll bite (c). Hamlet. Methinks I'm something better, though not quite. Ophelia. I've got your present here; I'll now return it, Hamlet. What is't you mean? Ophelia. The pair Of worsted garters from the Easter fair. You know you gave them, and with words bewitching, Last week when I was frying in the kitchen. I've left them ever since upon the shelf, In hopes you'd come and put them on yourself; But since you did not, they're not worth a penny : Hamlet. I never gave you any. SONG.-HAMLET. (Tune-" Mr. Mug.") Let me tell you, Miss Ophelia, your behaviour's very rude, subdu'd; So if my advice will better you, to give it 'tis my duty :— I told you once I lov'd you ;but 'twas easy to perceive In future, trust to none of us; we're arrant knaves at best; If you marry, (just to comfort you,) this plague take for portion, That calumny will twig you, tho' you act with greatest caution: I've lately been inform'd that you paint both red and white; The married may remain so, but the rest shall all keep single. [Exit Hamlet. Ophelia. O, what a pity such a charming lad Should, at his time of life, go roaring mad! RECITATIVE (accompanied,) and DUETT (d). HAMLET and OPHELIA. RECITATIVE. Ophelia. Dear Hamlet, pray come back. (Enter Hamlet.) I'm your's for ever. And shall we never part, love? Hamlet. (Together.) Ah! no, never! DUETT. (Tune-" I've kiss'd and I've prattled.") Hamlet. I've made love to fifty young women in Denmark, And chang'd them as oft, d'ye see: But if she would promise to love me-why, then mark- Ophelia. I've kiss'd and I've prattled with fifty young fellows, And chang'd them as oft, d'ye see: But if he would not be so devilish jealous, Young Hamlet's the lad for me. Hamlet. Your father, I know, doesn't much like the match; But we in our choice will be free: I'm a prince-and he ought to be glad of the catch, Ham. Oph. Ham. Oph. Ophelia. We know very well that advice cheap as dirt is, And plenty I've had, d'ye see: But in spite of the lessons of brother Laertes, Young Hamlet's the lad for me. Hamlet and Ophelia. Then here be an end to our squabbles and strife And happy for ever we'll be. And as no other woman shall e'er be my wife, Ophelia's the maid for me. Young Hamlet's the lad for me. [Exeunt. SCENE II. A Theatre in the Palace. Enter HAMLET and the FIRST ACTOR. SONG. HAMLET. (Tune-" Liberty-Hall.") Tho' a talent for acting must nature impart, Tol de rol, &c. When speaking a speech, it an actor becomes or M without it? Tol de rol, &c. |