_Ham._ Seems, madam! nay, it is; I know not 'seems.' 'Tis not alone my inky cloak, good mother,[149] Nor customary suits of solemn black, Nor windy suspiration of forced breath, No, nor the fruitful river in the eye, 80 Nor the dejected haviour of the visage, Together with all forms, moods, shapes of grief,[150] That can denote me truly: these indeed seem,[151] For they are actions that a man might play: But I have that within which passes show;[152] 85 These but the trappings and the suits of woe. _King._ 'Tis sweet and commendable in your nature, Hamlet,[153] To give these mourning duties to your father: But, you must know, your father lost a father, That father lost, lost his, and the survivor bound[154] 90 In filial obligation for some term To do obsequious sorrow: but to persever[155] In obstinate condolement is a course[156] Of impious stubbornness; 'tis unmanly grief:[156][157] It shows a will most incorrect to heaven, 95 A heart unfortified, a mind impatient,[158] An understanding simple and unschool'd: For what we know must be and is as common As any the most vulgar thing to sense, Why should we in our peevish opposition 100 Take it to heart? Fie! 'tis a fault to heaven, A fault against the dead, a fault to nature, To reason most absurd, whose common theme[159] Is death of fathers, and who still hath cried, From the first corse till he that died to-day,[160] 105 'This must be so.' We pray you, throw to earth This unprevailing woe, and think of us[161] As of a father: for let the world take note,[162] You are the most immediate to our throne, And with no less nobility of love[163][164] 110 Than that which dearest father bears his son[164] Do I impart toward you. For your intent[164][165] In going back to school in Wittenberg,[166] It is most retrograde to our desire:[167] And we beseech you, bend you to remain[168] 115 Here in the cheer and comfort of our eye, Our chiefest courtier, cousin and our son. _Queen._ Let not thy mother lose her prayers, Hamlet:[169] I pray thee, stay with us; go not to Wittenberg.[170] _Ham._ I shall in all my best obey you, madam.[171] 120 _King._ Why, 'tis a loving and a fair reply:[172] Be as ourself in Denmark. Madam, come; This gentle and unforced accord of Hamlet Sits smiling to my heart: in grace whereof,[173] No jocund health that Denmark drinks to-day, 125 But the great cannon to the clouds shall tell,[174] And the king's rouse the heaven shall bruit again,[175] Re-speaking earthly thunder. Come away.[176] [_Flourish. Exeunt all but Hamlet._