As meditation or the thoughts of love, May sweep to my revenge. Ghost. I find thee apt; And duller shouldst thou be than the fat weed Wouldst thou not stir in this. Now, Hamlet, hear: 'Tis 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. My uncle! O my prophetic soul! 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: 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; Holds such an enmity with blood of man, Most lazar-like, with vile and loathsome crust Thus was I, sleeping, by a brother's hand No reckoning made, but sent to my account Adieu, adieu, adieu! remember me. - [Exit. Ham. O all you host of heaven! O earth! what else? And shall I couple hell? O, fie! - 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 I'll wipe away all trivial fond records, All saws of books, all forms, all pressures past, And thy commandment all alone shall live 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; [Writing. Heaven secure him! Ham. Hillo, ho, ho, boy! come, bird, come. Enter HORATIO and MARCELLUS. Mar. How is't, my noble lord? Ham. How say you, then; would heart of man once think it? But you'll be secret? Hor. Mar. Ay, by heaven, my lord. Ham. There's ne'er a villain dwelling in all Denmark But he's an arrant knave. Hor. There needs no ghost, my lord, come from the grave To tell us this. Ham. Why, right; you're i' the right; You, as your business and desire shall point you, Such as it is; and for mine own poor part, Look you, I'll - go pray. Hor. These are but wild and whirling words, my lord. Ham. I'm sorry they offend you, heartily; Yes, faith, heartily. Hor. There's no offence, my lord. Ham. Yes, by Saint Patrick, but there is, Horatio, For your desire to know what is between us, Give me one poor request. Hor. What is't, my lord? we will. Ham. Never make known what you have seen to-night. Ham. Hor. My lord, not I. Mar. Nay, but swear 't. In faith, Nor I, my lord, in faith. We've sworn, my lord, already. Ham. Upon my sword. Mar. Ham. Indeed, upon my sword, indeed. Ghost. [beneath] Swear. Ham. Ah, ha, boy! say'st thou so? art thou there, truepenny? Hor. Propose the oath, my lord. Ham. Never to speak of this that you have seen, Swear by my sword. Ghost. [beneath] Swear. Ham. Hic et ubique? then we'll shift our ground. Come hither, gentlemen, And lay your hands again upon my sword: Ghost. [beneath] Swear. Ham. Well said, old mole! canst work i' th' earth so fast? A worthy pioner! Once more remove, good friends. Hor. O day and night, but this is wondrous strange! Ham. And therefore as a stranger give it welcome. There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in our philosophy. But come; Here, as before, never, so help you mercy, That you, at such times seeing me, never shall, As "Well, well, we know," or "We could, an if we would," That you know aught of me: this not to do, So grace and mercy at your most need help you, Ghost. [beneath] Swear. Ham. Rest, rest, perturbed spirit! - So, gentlemen, With all my love I do commend me to you: And what so poor a man as Hamlet is May do t' express his love and friending to you, God willing, shall not lack. Let us go in together; And still your fingers on your lips, I pray. The time is out of joint: O cursed spite, That ever I was born to set it right! Nay, come, let's go together. [Exeunt. |