Hamlet.

I am very glad to see you.- Good even, sir.-
But what, in faith, make you from Wittenberg ?

Horatio.

A truant disposition, good my lord.

Hamlet.

I would not hear your enemy say so;
Nor shall you do mine ear that violence.
To make it truster of your own report
Against yourself: I know you are no truant.
But what is your affair in Elsinore ?
We'll teach you to drink deep ere you depart.

Horatio.

My lord, I came to see your father's funeral.

Hamlet.

I pray thee, do not mock me, fellow-student ;
I think it was to see my mother's wedding.

Horatio.

Indeed, my lord, it followed hard upon.

Hamlet.

Thrift, thrift, Horatio ! the funeral baked meats
Did coldly furnish forth the marriage tables.
Would I had met my dearest foe in heaven
Or ever I had seen that day, Horatio! -
My father,-methinks I see my father.

[All start.

Two nights together had these gentlemen,
Marcellus and Bernardo, on their watch,
In the dead vast and middle of the night,
Been thus encountered. A figure like your father,
Armed at all points exactly, cар-à-pïе,
Appears before them, and with solemn march
Goes slow and stately by them: thrice he walked
By their oppressed and fear-surprisèd eyes,
Within his truncheon's length; whilst they, distilled
Almost to jelly with the act of fear,

Stand dumb, and speak not to him. This to me
In dreadful secrecy impart they did;
And I with them the third night kept the watch:
Where, as they had delivered, both in time,
Form of the thing, each word made true and good,
The apparition comes.

Hamlet.

But where was this?

Mar.

My lord, upon the platform where we watched.

Hamlet.

Did you not speak to it ?

Horatio.

My lord, I did;

But answer made it none: yet once methought

It lifted up its head, and did address

Itself to motion, like as it would speak :

But, even then, the morning cock crew loud;

And at the sound it shrunk in haste away,

And vanished from our sight.

'Tis very strange.

Hamlet.

Horatio.

As I do live, my honoured lord, 't is true;
And we did think it writ down in our duty
To let you know of it.

Hamlet.

Indeed, indeed, sirs, but this troubles me.
Hold you the watch to-night ?

Mar., Ber.

We do, my lord.

Hamlet.

Armed, say you?

Horatio.

Armed, my lord.

Hamlet.

From top to toe?

Horatio.

My lord, from head to foot.

Hamlet.

Then saw you not his face ?

Horatio.

O, yes, my lord; he wore his beaver up.

While one with moderate haste might tell a hundred.

Mar., Ber.

Longer, longer.

If it assume my noble father's person,
I'll speak to it, though hell itself should gape,
And bid me hold my peace. I pray you all,
If you have hitherto concealed this sight,
Let it be tenable in your silence still;
And whatsoever else shall hap to-night,
Give it an understanding, but no tongue :
I will requite your loves. So, fare ye well:
Upon the platform, 'twixt eleven and twelve,
I'll visit you.

Horatio.

Our duty to your honour.

Hamlet.

Your loves, as mine to you: farewell.

[Exeunt Horatio, Marcellus, and Bernardo c.

My father's spirit in arms! all is not well;

I doubt some foul play: would the night were come!
Till then sit still, my soul: foul deeds will rise,

Though all the earth o'erwhelm them, to men's eyes.

[Exit Hamlet L.