PERSONS REPRESENTED. CLAUDIUS, King of Denmark. HAMLET, Son to the late, and nephew to the present King. GERTRUDE, Queen of Denmark, and mother to Hamlet. Lords, Ladies, Officers, Soldiers, Sailors, Messengers, HAMLET, PRINCE OF DENMARK. ACT I. SCENE I.-Elsinore. A Platform before the Castle. FRANCISCO on guard. Enter to him BERNARDO. Fran. Bernardo. HO'S there? Fran. Nay, answer me: stand, and unfold yourself. 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. Ber. Have you had quiet guard? Fran. Not a mouse stirring. 10 Ber. Well, good night. If you do meet Horatio and Marcellus, The rivals of my watch, bid them make haste. 20 30 Enter HORATIO and MARCELLUS. Fran. I think I hear them.-Stand, ho! Mar. What, has this thing appeared again to-night? Ber. I have seen nothing. Mar. Horatio says 'tis but our fantasy; And will not let belief take hold of him Touching this dreaded sight, twice seen of us: Therefore I have entreated him along Hor. Well, sit we down, And let us hear Bernardo speak of this. Ber. Last night of all, When yon same star that's westward from the pole [heaven Had made his course to illume that part of Where now it burns, Marcellus and myself, The bell then beating one, Mar. Peace, break thee off; look, where it 40 comes again! Enter Ghost. Ber. In the same figure, like the king that's dead. Mar. Thou art a scholar; speak to it, Ho- Ber. Looks it not like the king? mark it, Hor. Most like :-it harrows me with fear 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 Mar. It is offended. Ber. See, it stalks away. 50 [Exit Ghost. Hor. Stay; speak: speak! I charge thee, speak! Mar. 'Tis gone, and will not answer. |