Claudius Speech.

Original Speech:

To be contracted in one brow of woe, yet so far hath discretion fought with nature that we with wisest sorrow think on him together with remembrance of ourselves. Therefore our sometimes sister, now our queen, th'imperial jointress to this warlike state, have we, as 'twere with a defeated joy, with an auspicious and dropping eye, with mirth in funeral and with dirge in marriage, in equal scale weighing delight and dole, taken to wife. Nor have we herein barred your better wisodms, which have freely gone with this affair along. For all, our thanks.

Modern Version of the Speech:

Through the memory of our dear brother, Hamlets death is still fresh and that it was proper for us to grieve for him in our hears, and our kingdom to be united in one sorrow. Yet discretion has fought with nature so much that we now think on him with more tempered sorrow, together with remembrance of ourselves, therefore,  our former sister-in-law, now our queen, the royal dowager of this warring country we have, as it were with an unhappy joy, with a hopeful and crying eye, with joy in mourning and with lament in marriage. In equal parts weighing delight and sorrow married. We have not disregarded your good advice, which has freely gone along with this affair. To all, our thanks.