you That have ta'en these tenders for true pay, Which are not sterling. Tender yourself more dearly; Or (not to crack the wind of the poor phrase, In honourable fashion. Pol. Ay, fashion you may call it; go to, go to. Oph. And hath given countenance to his speech, my lord, With almost all the holy vows of heaven. Pel. Ay, springes to catch woodcocks. I do know, When the blood burns, how prodigal the soul I would not, in plain terms, from this time forth, [Exeunt. SCENE IV. The Platform. Enter HAMLET, HORATIO, and MARCELLUS. 6 very Ham. The air bites shrewdly; it is Hor. cold. I think, it lacks of twelve. Mar. No, it is struck. Hor. Indeed? I heard it not; it then draws near the season, Wherein the spirit held his wont to walk. [A Flourish of Trumpets, and Ordnance shot off, within. What does this mean, my lord? Ham. The king doth wake to-night, and takes his rouse ?, Keeps wassel, and the swaggering up-spring? reels; And, as he drains his draughts of Rhenish down, The kettle-drum and trumpet thus bray out The triumph of his pledge. Hor. Ham. Ay, marry, is 't: Is it a custom? But to my mind,-though I am native here, And to the manner born, it is a custom More honour'd in the breach, than the observance. This heavy-headed revel, east and west, Makes us traduc'd and tax'd of other nations: They clepe1 us, drunkards, and with swinish phrase Soil our addition; and, indeed it takes From our achievements, though perform'd at height, The pith and marrow of our attribute. So, oft it chances in particular men, By the o'ergrowth of some complexion 2, Shall in the general censure take corruption Enter Ghost. Hor. Look, my lord, it comes ! Ham. Angels and ministers of grace defend us !Be thou a spirit of health, or goblin damn'd, Bring with thee airs from heaven, or blasts from hell, Be thy intents wicked, or charitable, 4 Thou com'st in such a questionable shape, That I will speak to thee; I'll call thee, Hamlet, • Humour. 3 Do out. 4 Conversable. So horridly to shake our disposition, With thoughts beyond the reaches of our souls? Say, why is this? wherefore? what should we do? Hor. It beckons you to go away with it, As if it some impartment did desire Το you alone. Mar. Look, with what courteous action It waves you to a more removed ground: But do not go with it. Hor. No, by no means. Ham. It will not speak; then I will follow it. Why, what should be the fear? Ham. And, for my soul, what can it do to that, It waves me forth again;-I'll follow it. Hor. What, if it tempt you toward the flood, my lord, Or to the dreadful summit of the cliff, That beetles o'er his base into the sea! 7 And there assume some other horrible form, Still am I call'd; unhand me, gentlemen; [Breaking from them. By heaven, I'll make a ghost of him that lets" me: I say, away: Go on, I'll follow thee. [Exeunt Ghost and HAMLET. Hor. He waxes desperate with imagination. Mar. Let's follow; 'tis not fit thus to obey him. Hor. Have after:- To what issue will this come? Mar. Something is rotten in the state of Den Re-enter Ghost and. HAMLET. Ham. Whither wilt thou lead me? speak, I'll go no further. Ghost. Mark me. Ham. Ghost. When I to sulphurous and tormenting flames I will. My hour is almost come, Alas, poor ghost! Must render up myself. Ham. Ghost. Pity me not, but lend thy serious hearing To what I shall unfold. Ham. Speak, I am bound to hear. Ghost. So art thou to revenge, when thou shalt hear. Ham. What? s Hinders. |