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 honor'd in the breach, than the observance. Enter Ghost. Hor. Look, my lord, it comes! Ham. Angels and ministers of grace defend us! Bring with thee airs from heaven, or blasts from he Thou com'st in such a questionable shape, That I will speak to thee; I'll call thee Hamlet, With thoughts beyond the reaches of our souls? As if it some impartment did desire To you alone. Mar. It waves you to a more removed ground: Look, with what courteous action No, by no means. But do not go with it. Hor. Ham. It will not speak; then I will follow it. Ham. Why, what should be the fear? I do not set my life at a pin's fee; 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? And there assume some other horrible form, Ham. It waves me still : Go on, I'l. follow thee. Hor. Be rul'd, you shall not go. Hold off your hands. My fate cries out, And makes each petty artery in this body [Ghost beckons. [Breaking from them. By heaven, I'll make a ghost of him that lets me :say, away :-Go on, I'll follow thee. I [Exeunt Ghost and HAMLET. SCENE V.—A more remote Part of the Platform. 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 Must render up myself. Ham. I will. My hour is almost come, Alas, poor ghost! 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? Ghost. I am thy father's spirit; Doom'd for a certain term to walk the night, And, for the day confin'd to fast in fires, Till the foul crimes, done in my days of nature, Are burnt and purg'd away. But that I am forbid I could a tale unfold, whose lightest word Would harrow up thy soul; freeze thy young blood; Make thy two eyes, like stars, start from their spheres ; And each particular hair to stand on end, But this eternal blazon must not be To ears of flesh and blood:-List, list, O list!— If thou didst ever thy dear father love, Ham. O heaven! Ghost. Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder. Ham. Murder? Ghost. Murder most foul, as in the best it is; But this most foul, strange, and unnatural. D Ham. Haste me to know it; that I, with wings as swift As meditation, or the thoughts of love, May sweep to my revenge. Ghost. I find thee apt; And duller should'st thou be than the fat weed That rots itself in ease on Lethe wharf, Would'st thou not stir in this. Now, Hamlet, hear: A serpent stung me; so the whole ear of Denmark Rankly abus'd: but know, thou noble youth, Ham. O, my prophetic soul! my uncle! With witchcraft of his wit, with traitorous gifts, The will of my most seeming virtuous queen: But, soft! methinks, I scent the morning air; Ham. O, horrible! O, horrible! most horrible! The glow-worm shows the ratin to be near, Ham. Hold, hold, my heart: And you, my sinews, grow not instant old, Ay, thou poor ghost, while memory holds a seat I'll wipe away all trivial fond records, Hor. [Within.] My lord, my lord,- Hor. [Within.] Ham. [Exit. Heaven secure him! Mar. [Within.] Illo, ho, ho, my lord! Ham. Hillo, ho, ho, boy! come, bird, come. Enter HORATIO and MARCELLUS. So be it. Mar. Ham. How say you then; would heart of man once think it ?- But you'll be secret, Hor. Mar. Ay, by heaven, my lord. Ham. There's ne'er a villain, dwelling in all Denmark, But he's an arrant knave. Hor. There needs no ghost, my lord, come from the grave, To tell us this. Ham. Why, right; you are in the right: And so, without more circumstance at all, I hold it fit that we shake hands, and part: You, as your business, and desire, shall point you ;- Such as it is, and for my own poor part, Look you, I will go pray. Hor. These are but wild and whirling words, my lord. Ham. I am sorry they offend you, heartily; yes, 'Faith, heartily. Hor. There's no offence, my lord. For your desire to know what is between us, Give me one poor request. Hor. We will. What is't, my lord? Ham. Never make known what you have seen to-night. Ham. Hor. Propose the oath, my lord. Nay, but swear't. Ham. Never to speak of this that you have seen, Swear by my sword. Ghost. [Beneath.] Swear. Hor. O day and night, but this is wondrous strange! Ham. And therefore as a stranger give it welcome. There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy. But come; Here, as before, never, so help you mercy! That you, at such times seeing me, never shall Or by pronouncing of some doubtful phrase, As, Well, well, we know ;-or, We could, and if we would;-on, If we list to speak ;-or, There be, an if they might ;— Or such ambiguous giving out, to note That you know aught of me :-This do you swear, So grace and mercy at your most need help you! Ghost. [Beneath.] Swear. Ham. Rest, rest, perturbed spirit! So, gentlemen, With all my love I do commend me to you: And what so poor a man as Hamlet is May do, to express his love and friending to you, God willing, shall not lack. Let us go in together; And still your fingers on your lips, I pray. The time is out of joint ;-O cursed spite! [Exeuni |