sometime a paradox121, but now the time gives it proof. I did
love you once.
OPHELIA Indeed, my lord, you made me believe so.
HAMLET You should not have believed me, for virtue cannot so124
inoculate our old stock but we shall relish of it: I loved you not.
OPHELIA I was the more deceived.
HAMLET Get thee to a nunnery127. Why wouldst thou be a
breeder of sinners? I am myself indifferent honest128, but yet I
could accuse me of such things that it were better my mother
had not borne me: I am very proud, revengeful, ambitious,
with more offences at my beck131 than I have thoughts to put
them in, imagination to give them shape, or time to act them
in. What should such fellows as I do crawling between
heaven and earth? We are arrant knaves all: believe none of
us. Go thy ways to a nunnery. Where's your father?
OPHELIA At home, my lord.
HAMLET Let the doors be shut upon him, that he may play
the fool nowhere but in's own house. Farewell.
OPHELIA O, help him, you sweet heavens!
HAMLET If thou dost marry, I'll give thee this plague for thy
dowry: be thou as chaste as ice, as pure as snow, thou shalt
not escape calumny142. Get thee to a nunnery: go, farewell. Or,
if thou wilt needs marry, marry a fool, for wise men know
well enough what monsters144 you make of them. To a
nunnery, go, and quickly too. Farewell.
OPHELIA O heavenly powers, restore him!
HAMLET I have heard of your paintings147 too, well enough.
God has given you one face and you make yourself another:
you jig, you amble and you lisp149, and nickname God's
creatures, and make your wantonness your ignorance150. Go