Her Madness is an excerpt from “Hamlet’s Obsession” (2014) by Jon Pescevich.
(…Ophelia wanders through the woods…)
Ophelia:
Where is the beauteous Majesty of Denmark?
(…Gertrude watches Ophelia with great concern…)
How should I your true love know from another one?
(…Gertrude goes to Ophelia…)
By his cockle hat and staff, and sandal shoon.
Queen Gertrude:
Alas sweet lady, what imports this song?
Ophelia:
He is dead and gone, he is dead and gone.
(…Claudius enters and goes to Gertrude…)
At his head a grass green turf, at his heels a stone.
Queen Gertrude:
Nay, Ophelia–
Ophelia:
White his shroud as snow–
(…to Claudius…)
Queen Gertrude:
Alas, look here, lord.
Ophelia:
Larded with sweet, sweet flowers.
Which bewept to the grave they did go, with true love showers.
King Claudius:
Conceit upon her father.
Queen Gertrude:
Pretty Ophelia–
Ophelia:
Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day, all in the morning betime,
and I a maid at your window, to be your Valentine.
Then he rose and donn’d his clothes,
up and dupp’d the chamber door,
let in the maid, that out a maid never departed more.
King Claudius:
How long hath she been thus?
Ophelia:
By God, and by Saint Charity, alack, and fie for shame!
Young men will do’t if they come to’t,
by cock, they are to blame.
Quoth she ‘before you tumbled me, you promised me to wed.’
So would I ha’ done, by yonder sun,
an thou hadst not come to my bed.
…my bed…
I hope all will be well.
We must be patient.
But I cannot choose but weep.
My brother shall know of it.
Good night.
Good night.
Good night.