Pol. Ay, fashion you may call it; go to, go to. Oph. And hath given countenance to his speech, my Lord, With almost all the holy vows of heaven. Pol. Ay, springes to catch woodcocks. I do know, When the blood burns, how prodigal the soul I would not, in plain terms, from this time forth, SCENE IV. The Platform. [Exeunt. Enter HAMLET, HORATIO, and MARCELLUS. Ham. The air bites shrewdly; it is very cold Ham. What hour now? Hor. I think, it lacks of twelve. Mar. No, it is struck. 1 Hor. Indeed? I heard it not; it then draws near the season, Wherein the spirit held his wont to walk. [A flourish of trumpets, and ordnance shot off, within. What does this mean my Lord? Ham. The King doth wake to-night, and takes his rouse, Keeps wassel, and the swaggering up-spring reels: Hor. Is it a custom? Ham. Ay, marry, is't: But to my mind, though I am native here, And to the manner born, it is a custom More honour'd in the breach, than the observance. This heavy-headed revel, east and west, Makes us traduc'd, and tax'd of other nations: They clepe us, drunkards, and with swinish phrase, Soil our addition; and, indeed it takes From our achievements, though perform'd at height, The pith and marrow of our attribute. That, for some vicious mole of nature in them, Being nature's livery, or fortune's star, Shall in the general censure take corruption Enter Ghost. Hor. Look, my Lord, it comes! Ham. Angels and ministers of grace defend us!. Be thou a spirit of health, or goblin damn'd, Bring with thee airs from heaven, or blasts from hell, Be thy intents wicked, or charitable, With thoughts beyond the reaches of our souls? To you alone. Mar. Look, with what courteous action It waves you to a more removed ground: Hor. No, by no means. Ham. It will not speak; then I will follow it. Hor. Do not, my Lord. Ham. Why, what should be the fear? And, for my soul, what can it do to that, It waves me forth again; -I'll follow it. Or to the dreadful summit of the cliff, Ham. It waves me still: Go on, I'll follow thee. Mar. You shall not go, my Lord. And makes each petty artery in this body - [Ghost beckons. Still am I call'd:-unhand me, Gentlemen ; [Breaking from them. By heaven, I'll make a ghost of him that lets Har. He waxes desperate with imagination. Mar. Let's follow; 'tis not fit thus to obey him. Hor. Have after: To what issue will this Ham. Whither wilt thou lead me? speak, I'll Ghost. Mark me. go no further. Ham. I will. Ghost. My hour is almost come, When I to sulphurous and tormenting flames Must render up myself. Ham. Alas, poor ghost! Ghost. Pity me not, but lend thy serious hearing To what I shall unfold. Ham. Speak, I am bound to hear. Ghost. So art thou to revenge, when thou shalt hear. Ham. What? Ghost. I am thy father's spirit; Doom'd for a certain term to walk the night; Till the foul crimes, done in my days of nature, |