Thy knotted and combined locks to part To ears of flesh and blood. List, list, O, list! Hamlet. O God! Ghost. Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder. Ghost. Murder most foul, as in the best it is; But this most foul, strange and unnatural. 20 Hamlet. Haste me to know 't, that I, with wings as swift As meditation or the thoughts of love, May sweep to my revenge. I find thee apt; Ghost. That roots itself in ease on Lethe wharf, Wouldst thou not stir in this. Now, Hamlet, hear; A serpent stung me; so the whole ear of Denmark Rankly abused: but know, thou noble youth, The serpent that did sting thy father's life Now wears his crown. Hamlet. My uncle! O my prophetic soul! Ghost. Ay, that incestuous, that adulterate beast, 30 40 50 60 But virtue, as it never will be moved, Though lewdness court it in a shape of heaven, Will sate itself in a celestial bed And prey on garbage. But, soft! methinks I scent the morning air; The thin and wholesome blood: so did it mine; Thus was I, sleeping, by a brother's hand Of life, of crown, of queen, at once dispatch'd: No reckoning made, but sent to my account The glow-worm shows the matin to be near, 70 80 90 Adieu, adieu, adieu! remember me. [Exit. Hamlet. O all you host of heaven! O earth! what else? And shall I couple hell? O, fie! Hold, hold, my heart; And you, my sinews, grow not instant old, But bear me stiffly up. Remember thee! Ay, thou poor ghost, while memory holds a seat 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 ; I have sworn 't. Marcellus. [Within.] My lord, my lord! Horatio. Marcellus. [Within.] Lord Hamlet! Horatio. [Within.] Hamlet. So be it! 100 [Writing. Heaven secure him! Horatio. [Within.] Hillo, ho, ho, my lord! Hamlet. Hillo, ho, ho, boy! come, bird, come. Enter HORATIO and MARCELLUS. Marcellus. How is 't, my noble lord? Horatio. Hamlet. O, wonderful! Horatio. Good my lord, tell it. Hamlet. What news, my lord? No; you will reveal it. Horatio. Not I, my lord by heaven. Marcellus. Nor I, my lord. I 20 Hamlet. How say you, then; would heart of man once think it? But you'll be secret? Horatio. Horatius:} Ay, by heaven, my lord. Hamlet. There's ne'er a villain dwelling in all Denmark But he's an arrant knave. Horatio. There needs no ghost, my lord, come from the grave To tell us this. Hamlet. Why, right; you are i̇' 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'll go pray. 130 Horatio. These are but wild and whirling words, my lord. Hamlet. I'm sorry they offend you, heartily; Yes, faith, heartily. Horatio. There's no offence, my lord. Hamlet. Yes, by Saint Patrick, but there is, Horatio, For your desire to know what is between us, As you are friends, scholars and soldiers, Give me one poor request. Horatio. What is 't, my lord? we will. 140 Hamlet. Never make known what you have seen to-night. Horatio. Marcellus. My lord, we will not. Hamlet. Nay, but swear 't. Hamlet. Indeed, upon my sword, indeed. Ghost. [Beneath.] Swear. Hamlet. Ah, ha, boy! say'st thou so? art thou there, truepenny? Come on: you hear this fellow in the cellarage: Consent to swear. Horatio. Propose the oath, my lord. Hamlet. Never to speak of this that you have seen, Swear by my sword. Ghost. [Beneath.] Swear. Hamlet. Hic et ubique? then we'll shift our ground. Come hither, gentlemen, And lay your hands again upon my sword: Never to speak of this that you have heard, Ghost. [Beneath.] Swear, Hamlet. fast? 150 160 Well said, old mole! canst work i' the earth so A worthy pioner! Once more remove, good friends. But come; Here, as before, never, so help you mercy, That you, at such times seeing me, never shall, 170 |