Couch we awhile. and mark. 246
[Retiring with Horatio.]
Laer. What ceremony else?
Ham. That is Laertes,
A very noble youth: mark.
Laer. What ceremony else?
Priest. Her obsequies have been as far enlarg'd 250
As we have warrantise: her death was doubtful,
And, but that great command o'ersways the order,
She should in ground unsanctified have lodg'd
Till the last trumpet; for charitable prayers, 254
Shards, flints, and pebbles should be thrown on her;
Yet here she is allow'd her virgin crants,
Her maiden strewments, and the bringing home
Of bell and burial. 258
Laer. Must there no more be done?
Priest. No more be done:
We should profane the service of the dead,
To sing a requiem, and such rest to her
As to peace-parted souls.
Laer. Lay her i' the earth; 262
And from her fair and unpolluted flesh
May violets spring! I tell thee, churlish priest,
A ministering angel shall my sister be,
When thou liest howling.
Ham. What! the fair Ophelia? 266
Queen. Sweets to the sweet: farewell!
[Scattering flowers.]
I hop'd thou shouldst have been my Hamlet's wife;
I thought thy bride-bed to have deck'd, sweet maid,
And not have strew'd thy grave.
250 enlarg'd: extended
251 warrantise: warrant
doubtful: suspicious
255 Shards: fragments of pottery
256 crants: garlands; cf. n.
257 strewments: flowers strewn on a grave
262 peace-parted: departed in peace
