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Hamlet.

He was a man, take him for all in all,
I shall not look upon his like again.

My lord, I think I saw him yesternight.

Horatio.

Hamlet.

Saw who?

Horatio.

My lord, the king your father.

Hamlet.

The king my father!

Horatio.

[With hesitation.

Season your admiration for a while

With an attent ear; till I may deliver
Upon the witness of these gentlemen
This marvel to you.

Hamlet.

For God's love, let me hear!

Horatio.

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, cap-à-pïe,

Appears before them, and with solemn march
Goes slow and stately by them: thrice he walked
By their oppressed and fear-surprised 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.

Did you not speak to it?

My lord, I did;

Hamlet.

Horatio.

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 e.
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.

What! looked he frowningly?

Hamlet.

Horatio.

A countenance more in sorrow than in anger.

Hamlet.

Pale or red?

Horatio.

Nay, very pale.

Hamlet.

And fixed his eyes upon you?

Horatio.

Most constantly.

Hamlet.

I would I had been there.

Horatio.

It would have much amazed you.

Hamlet.

Very like, very like. Stayed it long?

Horatio.

While one with moderate haste might tell a hundred.

Longer, longer.

Mar., Ber.

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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.

Our duty to your honour.

Horatio.

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

[Enter Laertes and Ophelia c.

Laer.

My necessaries are embarked: farewell:
And, sister, as the winds give benefit,
And convoy is assistant, do not sleep,
But let me hear from you.

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For Hamlet, and the trifling of his favour,
Hold it a fashion, and a toy in blood;
A violet in the youth of primy nature,
Forward, not permanent, sweet, not lasting,
The perfume and suppliance of a minute;
No more.

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For nature, crescent, does not grow alone
In thews and bulk: but, as this temple waxes,
The inward service of the mind and soul

Grows wide withal. Perhaps he loves you now;
And now no soil nor cautel does besmirch
The virtue of his will: but you must fear,
His greatness weighed, his will is not his own;
For he himself is subject to his birth:
He may not, as unvalued persons do,
Carve for himself; for on his choice depends
The safety and the health of the whole state.
Fear it, Ophelia, fear it, my dear sister;
And keep you in the rear of your affection,
Out of the shot and danger of desire.
The chariest maid is prodigal enough,
If she unmask her beauty to the moon.

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