PERSONS REPRESENTED CLAUDIUS: KING OF DENMARK. HAMLET: SON TO THE LATE, AND NEPHEW TO THE GERTRUDE: QUEEN OF DENMARK, AND MOTHER TO HAMLET. OPHELIA: DAUGHTER TO POLONIUS. LORDS, LADIES, OFFICERS, SOLDIERS, SAILORS, MESSENGERS, AND OTHER ATTENDANTS. GHOST OF HAMLET'S FATHER. SCENE-Denmark. THE TRAGEDY OF HAMLET PRINCE OF DENMARK ACT I SCENE I. Elsinore. A Platform before the Castle. FRANCISCO at his post. Enter to him BERNARDO. BERN. Who's there? FRAN. Nay, answer me: stand, and unfold yourself. FRAN. Bernardo? BERN. He. FRAN. You come most carefully upon your hour. BERN. 'Tis now struck twelve; get thee to bed, Fran cisco. FRAN. For this relief much thanks: 'tis bitter cold, And I am sick at heart. BERN. Have you had quiet guard? BERN. Well, good night. Not a mouse stirring. II If you do meet Horatio and Marcellus, Enter HORATIO and MARCELLUS. Who hath reliev'd you? Give you good night. Who's And liegemen to the Dane. O, farewell, honest Soldier: Bernardo has my place. [exit. BERN. Welcome, Horatio; welcome, good Marcellus. MARC. Horatio says 'tis but our fantasy, And will not let belief take hold of him Touching this dreaded sight, twice seen of us : Therefore I have entreated him along With us to watch the minutes of this night, Sit down awhile; And let us once again assail your ears, Well, sit we down, And let us hear Bernardo speak of this. BERN. Last night of all, When yond same Star that's westward from the Pole The bell then beating one 20 38 MARC. Peace, break thee off; look, where it comes again! Enter the Ghost. BERN. In the same figure, like the King that's dead. MARC. Question it, Horatio. HORA. What art thou, that usurp'st this time of night, In which the Majesty of buried Denmark Did sometimes march? by Heaven I charge thee, speak! 1 confirm the evidence of our eyes. |