The ghost or the closet scene in Hamlet, Isaac Cruikshank, 1799

The prince of wales, dressed as hamlet (cf. Bmsat 8527), staggers back in terror at the sight of the duke of cumberland (left), wearing uniform with cocked hat and spurred boots and holding his staff. The prince asks: "what would your gracious figure?" the duke, very solid, but with clouds behind him, says, extending a forefinger: "dont be frightened george, dont be frightened but next monday fortnight must come & take a glass of burgundy along with us dont be frightened i just slip'd of to tell you i heard the governor tell some of his runners to fetch you!! glad to see you dont be frightened". A pretty young woman (right) puts her right hand on the shoulder of the prince, who grasps her left hand as if for protection; she says: "what mean you my love? throw off these nervous fears, hast to the crescent, their shall love & harmony delight soul to such an extacy that bladduds streams shall never quench". She is evidently a miss gubbins, see bmsat 9373, &c. The king's profile extends into the design from the extreme right, saying: "what - what, what is he going at now who's who's that william? send him to ireland send him to ireland". See bmsat 9381. 14 may 1799 hand-coloured etching. Date: 1799. Dimensions: Height: 259 mm; Width: 362 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Prince William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland. Collection: British Museum. The ghost or the closet scene in Hamlet (BM 1868,0808.12521)