Cast of Hamlet Travestie, As performed at Covent Garden, London, June 17, 1813. As performed at Mitchell's Olympic Theatre, New York, on HAMLET TRAVESTIE. ACT THE FIRST. SCENE I. A Room of State in the Palace. KING, QUEEN, HAMLET, POLONIUS, LAERTES, Flourish of Trumpets and Drums. King. THO' by our dismal phizzes plain 'tis seen 'Tis time we think upon our royal self: Have ta'en his widow Gertrude for our Queen.— Laertes. My Lord, that's true: I have a mighty wish to learn to dance, Your suit is granted. King. Laertes. Sire, I'm much your debtor. King. Then brush! the sooner you are off the better. Exit Laertes. (To Hamlet) Cheer up, my son and cousin, never mind— Hamlet. A little more than kin, and less than kind. King. Why hang the clouds still on you? Come, have done. Hamlet. You're out, my Lord: I'm too much in the sun.— Queen. Come, Hamlet, leave off crying; 'tis in vain, Hamlet. Aye, Madam, it is common. Queen. If it be, Why seems there such a mighty fuss with thee? Hamlet. Talk not to me of seems-when husbands die, HAMLET TRAVESTIE. King. Cheer up, my hearty: tho' you've lost your dad, Your father lost a father; and 'tis certain Death o'er your great-grandfather drew a curtain. Queen. Go not to Wittenberg, my love, I pray you. Hamlet. Mamma, I shall in all my best obey you. King. Well said, my lad! Cheer up! (b) no more foul weather: We'll meet anon, and all get drunk together. [Flourish of trumpets and drums Exeunt all but Hamlet. SONG.-HAMLET. (Tune-" Derry Down.") A ducat I'd give if a sure way I knew How to thaw and resolve my stout flesh into dew! How happy were I if no sin were self-slaughter, For I'd then throw myself and my cares in the water! How weary, how profitless, stale and how flat, Seem to me all life's uses, its joys,—and all that: This world is a garden unweeded; and clearly Not worth living for-things rank and gross hold it merely. Derry down, &c. |