In the dead vast and middle of the night, Appears before them, and with solemn march Within his truncheon's length; whilst they, distill'd Stand dumb, and speak not to him. This to me And I with them the third night kept the watch; These hands are not more like. Ham. But where was this? Mar. My lord, upon the platform where we watch'd. Ham. Did you not speak to it? Hor. My lord, I did, But answer made it none; yet once, methought, It lifted up its head, and did address Itself to motion, like as it would speak: But, even then, the morning cock crew loud, And vanish'd from our sight. Ham. 'Tis very strange. Hor. As I do live, my honour'd lord, 't is true; And we did think it writ down in our duty, To let you know of it. Ham. Indeed, indeed, Sirs, but this troubles me. Hold you the watch to-night? Hor. O yes, my lord; he wore his beaver up. Hor. While one with moderate haste might tell a hundred. Mar. Ber. Longer, longer. Hor. Not when I saw it. I warrant it will. Hor. I'll visit you. All. Our duty to your honour. Ham. Your loves, as mine to you. Farewell. [Exeunt HORATIO, MARCELLUS, and BERNARDO. My father's spirit in arms! all is not well; I doubt some foul play: would the night were come! Till then sit still, my soul. Foul deeds will rise, SCENE III. A Room in POLONIUS' House. Enter LAERTES and OPHELIA. Laer. My necessaries are embark'd; farewell: Oph. Do you doubt that? Laer. For Hamlet, and the trifling of his favour, A violet in the youth of primy nature, No more. Oph. No more but so? Laer. Think it no more: For nature, crescent, does not grow alone Grows wide withal. Perhaps, he loves you now; As he in his particular act and place he loves you, May give his saying deed; which is no farther, [Exit. Than the main voice of Denmark goes withal. Or lose your heart, or your chaste treasure open Fear it, Ophelia, fear it, my dear sister; Oph. I shall th' effect of this good lesson keep, Show me the steep and thorny way to heaven, Laer. O! fear me not. but here my father comes. Enter POLONIUS. A double blessing is a double grace; Occasion smiles upon a second leave. Pol. Yet here, Laertes? aboard, aboard, for shame! The wind sits in the shoulder of your sail, And you are stay'd for. There, my blessing with you; And these few precepts in thy memory Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar: Bear 't, that th' opposed may beware of thee. But not express'd in fancy; rich, not gaudy: For the apparel oft proclaims the man ; And they in France, of the best rank and station, For loan oft loses both itself and friend, Laer. Most humbly do I take my leave, my lord. What I have said to you. Oph. 'Tis in my memory lock'd, [Exit LAERTES. And you yourself shall keep the key of it. Laer. Farewell. Pol. What is 't, Ophelia, he hath said to you? Oph. So please you, something touching the lord Hamlet. Pol. Marry, well bethought: 'Tis told me, he hath very oft of late Given private time to you; and you yourself Have of your audience been most free and bounteous. If it be so, (as so 't is put on me, And that in way of caution) I must tell you, You do not understand yourself so clearly, VI. 17 |