Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: Hamlet, a dramatic prelude, in five acts / by James Rush. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)
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![Mar. These are the voices that gave us thy Royal Father: and will, we hope, give thee his throne here- after. Ham. But voices change, Marcellus; and break or falter as age creeps on the state. Yet if their authority and thy good will, should smile agreement on each other,—condition would but brighten friendship's eye on thee, and show no pride above acknowledgment to them. Mar. Thou art already in their hearts: they only wait the time, to seal their choice upon thee. Ham. This will be favor undeserved. Let me ask you one question, Marcellus. What is the world's opinion ? Mar. My lord, I see not how to answer that. Ham. It's plain enough : and you might say,—'Tis the opinion of those who know nothing about you. Mar. As the unweighing times keep score, this is reputation, and gives high place. Ham. And what is popularity ? Mar. Ay, my lord,—that's a riddle. Ham. To most, 'tis the child's riddle of the candle :— The longer it stands, the shorter it grows. Whilst fame, of the great man's making, so to confront the phrase, is as a perpetual lamp in the sepulchre of merit; looking on name and relics with unwavering light. [.# huzza at a distance.] That's the way a thousand mouths together say— well done. I warrant you, it was for the end of a speech, or the worst part of it. Mar. It was for neither. Most of the shouters did not hear a word of it: they only wanted to hear them- selves. But they come: let us be aside. Enter a crowd of the Populace, who confer variously, near the rostrum. Ham. Who are those few, so busy with their con- sequence ? Mar. They are the Leaders, my lord, the Leaders.](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b21152081_0074.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
