Doth make the night joint-labourer with the day; Who is't, that can inform me? Hor. At least, the whisper goes so. That can I; Our last king, Did forfeit, with his life, all those his lands, Had he been vanquisher; as, by the same co-mart, His fell to Hamlet: Now, sir, young Fortinbras, Of unimproved mettle hot and full,' Hath in the skirts of Norway, here and there, 2 Shark'd up a list of landless resolutes, For food and diet, to some enterprize That hath a stomach' in't: which is no other 8 Joint bargain. 9 The covenant to confirm that bargain. 2 Pick'd. 1 Full of spirit without experience. 8 3 Resolution. The source of this our watch; and the chief head Of this post-haste and romage4 in the land. [Ber. I think, it be no other, but even so : Well may it sort,' that this portentous figure Comes armed through our watch; so like the king That was, and is, the question of these wars. Hor. A mote it is, to trouble the mind's eye. In the most high and palmy state of Rome, A little ere the mightiest Julius fell, The graves stood tenantless, and the sheeted dead Did squeak and gibber in the Roman streets. As, stars with trains of fire and dews of blood, Re-enter Ghost. But, soft; behold! lo, where it comes again! If there be any good thing to be done, That may to thee do ease, and grace to me, If thou art privy to thy country's fate, 4 Search. 5 Suit. 6 Victorious. 7 The moon. 9 Event. Which, happily, foreknowing, may avoid, Or, if thou hast uphoarded in thy life For which, they say, you spirits oft walk in death, [Cock crows. Speak of it stay, and speak.-Stop it, Marcellus. Mar. Shall I strike at it with my partizan? : We do it wrong, being so majestical, To offer it the show of violence; For it is, as the air, invulnerable, And our vain blows malicious mockery. Ber. It was about to speak, when the cock crew. Hor. And then it started like a guilty thing Upon a fearful summons. I have heard, The cock, that is the trumpet of the morn, Doth with his lofty and shrill-sounding throat Awake the god of day; and, at his warning, Whether in sea or fire, in earth or air, The extravagant and erring spirit hies To his confine: and of the truth herein This present object made probation.' Mar. It faded on the crowing of the cock. Some say, that ever 'gainst that season comes Wherein our Saviour's birth is celebrated, This bird of dawning singeth all night long : And then they say no spirit dares stír abroad; 9 Wandering. I Proof. The nights are wholesome; then no planets strike, No fairy takes, nor witch hath power to charm, So hallow'd and so gracious is the time. Hor. So have I heard, and do in part believe it. But, look, the morn, in russet mantle clad, Walks o'er the dew of yon high eastern hill: Break we our watch up; and, by my advice, Let us impart what we have seen to-night Unto young Hamlet for, upon my life, : This spirit, dumb to us, will speak to him : Mar. Let's do't, I pray; and I this morning know Where we shall find him most convenient. [Exeunt. SCENE II. The same. A Room of State in the same. Enter the King, Queen, HAMLET, POLONIUS, LAERTES, VOLTIMAND, CORNELIUS, Lords, and Attendants. King. Though yet of Hamlet our dear brother's death The memory be green; and that it us befitted Yet so far hath discretion fought with nature, 2 Have we, as 'twere, with a defeated joy,— Farewell; and let your haste commend your duty. 2 Grief. 3 Bonds. 4 Way, path. |