OF THE

A PLATFORM BEFORE THE

Scene First.ELSINILE. FULL STAGE. MOONLIGHT.

[Francisco, as sentinel on guard, discovered at his
post. Enter to him Bernardo.

Who's there?

Ber.

Fran.

Nay, answer me; stand, and unfold yourself.

'Tis now struck twelve; get thee to bed, Francisco.

Fran.

For this relief much thanks: 't is bitter cold,

And I am sick at heart.

Ber.

Have you had quiet guard?

Fran.

Not a mouse stirring.

Ber.

Well, good night.

If you do meet Horatio and Marcellus,
The rivals of my watch, bid them make haste.

Fran.

I think I hear them.-Stand, ho! Who's there?

[Exit Francisco.

HAMLET.

Ber.

Welcome, Horatio :-welcome, good Marcellus.

Mar.

What! has this thing appeared again to-night?

I have seen nothing.

Horatio

says

Ber.

Mar.

't is but our fantasy,

And will not let belief take hold of him

Touching this dreaded sight, twice seen of us:
Therefore I have entreated him along

With us to watch the minutes of this night;
That, if again this apparition come,

He may approve our eyes, and speak to it.

Horatio.

Tush, tush, 't will not appear.

Ber.

Come, let us once again assail your ears,
That are so fortified against our story,
What we two nights have seen.

Horatio.

Well, let us hear Bernardo speak of this.

Last night of all,

Ber.

When yond' same star that's westward from the pole
Had made his course to illume that part of heaven
Where now it burns, Marcellus and myself,

The bell then beating one,

Mar.

Peace, break thee off; look, where it comes again!

[Enter Ghost from Castle c.

Ber.

In the same figure, like the king that's dead.
Looks it not like the king?

Horatio.

Most like:- -it harrows me with fear and wonder.

What art thou, that usurp'st this time of night,

Together with that fair and warlike form

In which the majesty of buried Denmark

Did sometimes march? by heaven I charge thee, speak!

It is offended.

Mar.

Ber.

See, it stalks away!

Horatio.

Stay! speak, speak! I charge thee, speak!

Mar.

[Exit Ghost R. I. E

'Tis gone, and will not answer.

Ber.

How now, Horatio! you tremble, and look pale :

Is not this something more than fantasy ?

What think you on 't?

Horatio.

Before my God, I might not this believe
Without the sensible and true avouch
Of mine own eyes.

Such was the very armour he had on
When he the ambitious Norway combated;
So frowned he once, when, in an angry parle,
He smote the sledded Polack on the ice.

'Tis strange.

Mar.

Thus, twice before, and just at this dead hour,
With martial stalk hath he gone by our watch.
Horatio.

In what particular thought to work I know not;
But, in the gross and scope of my opinion,
This bodes some strange eruption to our state.
But, soft, behold! lo where it comes again!

[Re-enter Ghost R. 2 E
I'll cross it, though it blast me.-
Stay, illusion!
If thou hast any sound, or use of voice,
Speak to me:

If there be any good thing to be done,
That may
to thee do ease, and grace to me,
Speak to me:

If thou art privy to thy country's fate,
Which, happily, foreknowing may avoid,
O, speak!

Or if thou hast uphoarded in thy life

Extorted treasure in the womb of earth,

For which, they say, you spirits oft walk in death,
Speak of it-stay, and speak!

'T is

gone.

Mar.

[Exit Ghost L. I. E.

Ber.

It was about to speak when the cock crew,

: