That for some vicious mole of nature in them, By their o'ergrowth of some complexion, Oft breaking down the pales and forts of reason; Being nature's livery, or fortune's star, Their virtues else, be they as pure as grace, Shall in the general censure take corruption Hor. Enter Ghost. 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, Thou com'st in such a questionable shape, That I will speak to thee. I'll call thee, Hamlet, Let me not burst in ignorance; but tell, With thoughts beyond the reaches of our souls? As if it some impartment did desire To you alone. Mar. Look, with what courteous action 42 43 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, Which might deprive your sovereignty of reason, 44 The very place puts toys of desperation, And makes each petty artery in this body My fate cries out, [Ghost beckons. [Breaking from them. By heaven, I'll make a ghost of him that lets me: I say, away! Hor. Mar. Hor. Mar. Hor. Mar. [Exeunt Ghost and HAMLET. He waxes desperate with imagination. Nay, let 's follow him. SCENE V. A more remote Part of the Platform. Enter Ghost and HAMLET. Ham. Whither wilt thou lead me? speak, I'll go no farther. 45 Alas, poor ghost! When I to sulphurous and tormenting flames Must render up myself. Ham. Ghost. Pity me not; but lend thy serious hearing To what I shall unfold. Ham. Ghost. Ham. Speak, I am bound to hear. So art thou to revenge, when thou shalt hear. 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 To tell the secrets of my prison-house, 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 an-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 God! Ghost. Ham. Ghost. Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder. Murder most foul, as in the best it is; But this most foul, strange, and unnatural. | Ham. Haste me to know 't, 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 46 47 That roots itself in ease on Lethe wharf, Would'st thou not stir in this: now, Hamlet, hear. 'T is given out, that sleeping in my orchard, 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! Ghost. Ay, that incestuous, that adulterate beast, • With witchcraft of his wit, with traitorous gifts, (O wicked wit, and gifts, that have the power So to seduce!) won to his shameful lust The will of my most seeming virtuous queen. | 48 O, Hamlet, what a falling-off was there! From me, whose love was of that dignity, That it went hand in hand even with the vow I made to her in marriage; and to decline Upon a wretch, whose natural gifts were poor To those of mine! But virtue, as it never will be mov'd, Though lewdness court it in a shape of heaven, And prey on garbage. But, soft! methinks, I scent the morning air: Most lazar-like, with vile and loathsome crust 50 Thus was I, sleeping, by a brother's hand, Of life, of crown, of queen, at once despatch'd: Cut off even in the blossoms of my sin, No reckoning made, but sent to my account Ham. O, horrible! O, horrible! most horrible! Taint not thy mind, nor let thy soul contrive Adieu, adieu, adieu, remember me. | Ham. O, all you host of heaven! O earth! What else? And shall I couple hell? Exit. O fie! 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, All saws of books, all forms, all pressures past, O villain, villain, smiling, damned villain! | That one may smile, and smile, and be a villain; So, uncle, there you are. Now to my word; I have sworn 't. Hor. [Within.] My lord! my lord! Mar. [Within.] Lord Hamlet! Hor. Within.] Mar. [Within.] So be it! Heaven secure him! Hor. [Within.] Illo, ho, ho, my lord! Ham. Hillo, ho, ho, boy! come, bird, come. [Writing. 51 52 |