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, Mar Peace, break thee off; look, where it comes again! 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. Question 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? 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? Such was the very armour he had on, 'Tis strange. Mar. Thus, twice before, and jump at this dead hour, With martial stalk hath he passed through our watch. Hor. In what particular thought to work, I know not; But, in the gross and scope of my opinion, Why this same strict and most observant watch Does not divide the Sunday from the week: Hor. That can I; Our last king, At least, the whisper goes so. (For so this side of our known world esteem'd him) Did slay this Fortinbras; who, by a seal'd compact, Well ratified by law, and heraldry, Did forfeit, with his life, all those his lands, Had he been vanquisher; as, by the same co venant And carriage of the article design'd, His fell to Hamlet. Now, sir, young Fortinbras, Hath in the skirts of Norway, here and there, 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, But, soft; behold! lo, where it comes again! Re-enter Ghost. I'll cross it, though it blast me.-Stay, illusion! If thou hast any sound, or use of voice, Speak to me: If there be any good thing to be done, If thou art privy to thy country's fate, 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, Mar cellus. Mar. Shall I strike at it with my partizan? Hor. Do, if it will not stand. Ber. Hor. Mar. 'Tis gone! 'Tis here! 'Tis here! [Exit Ghost. We do it wrong, being so majestical, 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 to 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, The bird of dawning singeth all night long; And then, they say, no spirit can walk abroad; 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: Do you consent we shall acquaint him with it, As needful in our loves, fitting our duty? Mar. Let's do't, I pray and I this morning know Where we shall find him most conveniently. [Exeunt. |