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Addison, while I sate by him, to see this scene acted, made the same observation, asking me with some surprize, if I thought Hamlet should be in so violent a passion with the Ghost, which though it might have astonished, it had not provok'd him? for you may observe that in this beautiful speech, the passion never rises beyond an almost breathless astonishment, or an impatience, limited by filial reverence, to enquire into the suspected wrongs that may have rais'd him from his peaceful tomb! and a desire to know what a spirit so seemingly distress, might wish or enjoin a sorrowful son to execute towards his future quiet in the grave? this was the light into which Betterton threw this scene; which he open'd with a pause of mute amazement! then rising slowly, to a solemn, trembling voice, he made the Ghost equally terrible to the spectator, as to himself! and in the descriptive part of the natural emotions which the ghastly vision gave him, the boldness of his expostulation was still governed by decency, manly, but not braving; his voice never rising into that seeming outrage, or wild defiance of what he naturally rever'd.
This so provok'd his Neighbours of the black Girdle, an Order of Priests, of which he had been one, that they resolv'd to suppress him let it cost what it would. They run strange lengths to bring this to pass.
He runs between, and with his Cane beats the Swords down. Doct. Hold, hold, what mean you, Gentlemen? Scar. Let me go, Sir, I am provok'd beyond measure, Sir. Doct. Scar. Man of Honour to be so basely affronted here. Har.
She runs off squeaking. Scar. Ha, My Rival and my Mistress! Har. Advantages are lawful in Love and War. Scar. 'Twas contrary to our League and Covenant; therefore I defy thee as a Traytor. Har. I scorn to fight with thee, because I once call'd thee Brother. Scar. Then thou art a Poltroon, that's to say, a Coward. Har. Coward! nay, then I am provok'd, come on. Scar.
Looke you, sir, I can draw, and thus provok'd I dare chastise you, too. Cause I was merry I was not bound to feed your spleen eternally With laughter; yet I am not ignorant What an advantage, sir, your weapon gives you In length. Cou. Wee'le change; why, this is honour in thee. De. Now, sir, keepe of. Cou. Th'art not so base? De. I never cosen'd you, do you remember?
He's too brave to justify an Action Which was the Outrage only of his Passion, That soon will toil it self into a Calm, And then will grow considerate again, And hate the Rashness it provok'd him to. Phi. That shall not serve his turn go Tell him I'll get his Pardon of the King, And set him free from other fears of Justice, But those which I intend to execute.
Being weary at length, he sate down, and provok'd by the noisiness of the bath, set up his drunken throat, and fell a murdering some songs of Menecrates, as they that understood him told us.
How long, O Lord, shall Israel groan In bondage and in pain? Jehovah! hear Thy people moan, And break the tyrant's chain! "Joachim. Our crimes repeated have provok'd His rage, And now He scourges a degen'rate age. O come, my fair Susanna, come, And from my bosom chase its gloom," etc. Or is the abrupt third line of Joachim's speech to be regarded as a masterstroke of characterisation?
Lab. Yes, Sir, before I serv'd you, and since too: I Am provok'd to give you proofs on't sometimes; For when I am angry I am a very Hector. Fal. Ay, the Devil when a body's angry, but that's Not the Valour in mode; Men fight now a-days Without that, and even embrace whilst they draw Their Swords on one another. Lab. Ay, Sir, those are Men that despise their lives. Fal.
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