With an attent ear; 'till I may deliver, Upon the witness of these gentlemen, This marvel to you. 39° Ham. For heaven's love, let me hear. Hor. Two nights together had these gentlemen, Marcellus and Bernardo, on their watch, In the dead waste and middle of the night, Been thus encounter'd. A figure like your father, 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 401 And I with them, the third night, kept the watch: Where, as they had deliver'd, both in time, Form of the thing, each word made true and good, The apparition comes: I knew your father; These hands are not more like. Ham. But where was this? Mar. My lord, upon the platform where 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 we 410 But, even then, the morning cock crew loud; And And at the sound it shrunk in haste away, Ham. 'Tis very strange. Hor. As I do live, my honour'd lord, 'tis 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? All. We do, my lord. All. My lord, from head to foot. 419 Ham. Then saw you not his face. 439 Hor. O, yes, my lord; he wore his beaver up. Hor. Not when I saw it. Ham. His beard was grizzl'd? no? Hor. It was, as I have seen it in his life, A sable silver'd. Ham. I will watch to night; Perchance, 'twill walk again. Hor. I warrant, it will. Ham. If it assume my noble father's person, I'll speak to it, though hell itself should gape, And bid me hold my peace. I pray you all, If you have hitherto conceal'd this sight, I will requite your loves: So, fare you well: Upon the platform, 'twixt eleven and twelve, All. Our duty to your honour. Ham. Your loves, as mine to you: Farewel. My father's spirit in arms! all is not well; 450 460 [Exeunt. I doubt some foul play: 'would, the night were come! 'Till then sit still, my soul: Foul deeds will rise, (Though all the earth o'erwhelm them) to men's eyes. [Exit.. SCENE SCENE III. An Apartment in POLONIUS' House. Enter LAERTES, and OPHELIA. Laer. My necessaries are embark'd; farewel: And, sister, as the winds give benefit, And convoy is assistant, do not sleep, But let me hear from you. Oph. Do you doubt that? 470 Laer. For Hamlet, and the trifling of his favour, Hold it a fashion, and a toy in blood; 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 In thews, and bulk; but, as this temple waxes, C 480 490 Unte Unto the voice and yielding of that body, Whereof he is the head: Then if he says, he loves you, It fits your wisdom so far to believe it, May give his saying deed; which is no further, Fear it, Ophelia, fear it, my dear sister; Youth to itself rebels, though none else near. 500 510 Oph. I shall the effect of this good lesson keep, As watchman to my heart: But, good my brother, Do not, as some ungracious pastors do, Shew me the steep and thorny way to heaven; 520 Laer. |