PERSONS REPRESENTED. Claudius, king of Denmark. Hamlet, son to the former king, and nephew to the present king. Polonius, lord chamberlain. Horatio, friend to Hamlet. Laertes, son to Polonius. Francisco, a soldier. Reynaldo, servant to Polonius. Gertrude, queen of Denmark, and mother of Hamlet. Ophelia, daughter of Polonius. Lords, Ludies, Officers, Soldiers, Players, Gravediggers, Sailors, Messengers, and other Attendants. Scene, Elsinore. HAMLET, PRINCE OF DENMARK. ACT I. SCENE 1-Elsinore. A platform before the castle. Francisco on his post. Enter to him Bernardo. WHO'S there? Bernardo. Fran. Nay, answer me: stand, and unfold Yourself. Ber. Ber. Long live the king! Bernardo? He. Fran. You come most carefully upon your hour. Ber. 'Tis now struck twelve; get thee to bed, Francisco. Fran. For this relief, much thanks: 'tis bitter cold, And I am sick at heart. If Ber. Have you had quiet guard? Fran. Ber. Well, good night. Not a mouse stirring. you do meet Horatio and Marcellus, The rivals1 of my watch, bid them make haste. Enter Horatio and Marcellus. Fran. I think, I hear them.-Stand, ho! Who is there? A piece of him. Hor. Ber. Welcome, Horatio; welcome, good Mar cellus. Hor. What, has this thing appear'd again tonight? Ber. I have seen nothing. Mar. Horatio says, 'tis but our fantasy; Touching this dreaded sight, twice seen of us; Sit down a while; And let us once again assail your ears, Hor. Ber. Last night of all, When yon 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! (1) Make good, or establish. Enter Ghost. Ber. In the same figure like the king that's dead. Mar. Thou art a scholar, speak to it, Horatio. Ber. Looks it not like the king? mark it, Horatio. Hor. Most like :-it harrows me with fear, and wonder. Ber. It would be spoke to. Mar. Speak to it, Horatio. Hor. What art thou, that usurp'st this time of night, Together with that fair and warlike form In which the majesty of buried Denmark speak. Mar. It is offended. Ber. See! it stalks away. Hor. Stay; speak: speak I charge thee, speak. [Exit Ghost. Mar. '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 of it? Hor. Before my God, I might not this believe, Without the sensible and true avouch Of mine own eyes. Mar. Is it not like the king? Hor. As thou art to thyself: 'Tis strange. Mar. Thus, twice before, and jumps at this dead hour, With martial stalk hath he gone by our watch. (1) Conquers. (2) Dispute. (3) Sledged. (4) Polander, an inhabitant of Poland. (5) Just. Hor. In what particular thought to work, I know not; But, in the gross and scope of mine opinion, Why this same strict and most observant watch Hor. That can I; At least, the whisper goes so. Our last king, Did forfeit, with his life, all those his lands Had he been vanquisher; as, by the same co-mart,1 His fell to Hamlet: Now, sir, young Fortinbras, Of unimproved mettle hot and full,3 Hath in the skirts of Norway, here and there, Shark'd4 up a list of landless resoluteš, (1) Joint bargain. (2) The covenant to confirm that bargain. |