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Post by Jonny Fairplay on Dec 11, 2014 16:10:11 GMT
HORATIO That can I; At least, the whisper goes so. Our last king, Whose image even but now appear'd to us, Was, as you know, by Fortinbras of Norway, Thereto prick'd on by a most emulate pride, Dared to the combat; in which our valiant Hamlet-- For so this side of our known world esteem'd him-- Did slay this Fortinbras; who by a seal'd compact, Well ratified by law and heraldry, Did forfeit, with his life, all those his lands Which he stood seized of, to the conqueror: Against the which, a moiety competent Was gaged by our king; which had return'd To the inheritance of Fortinbras, Had he been vanquisher; as, by the same covenant, And carriage of the article design'd, His fell to Hamlet. Now, sir, young Fortinbras, Of unimproved mettle hot and full, Hath in the skirts of Norway here and there Shark'd up a list of lawless resolutes, For food and diet, to some enterprise That hath a stomach in't; which is no other-- As it doth well appear unto our state-- But to recover of us, by strong hand And terms compulsatory, those foresaid lands So by his father lost: and this, I take it, Is the main motive of our preparations, The source of this our watch and the chief head Of this post-haste and romage in the land.
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Post by Jonny Fairplay on Dec 11, 2014 16:10:25 GMT
BERNARDO I think it be no other but e'en so: Well may it sort that this portentous figure Comes armed through our watch; so like the king That was and is the question of these wars.
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Post by Jonny Fairplay on Dec 11, 2014 16:10:35 GMT
HORATIO A mote it is to trouble the mind's eye. In the most high and palmy state of Rome, A little ere the mightiest Julius fell, The graves stood tenantless and the sheeted dead Did squeak and gibber in the Roman streets: As stars with trains of fire and dews of blood, Disasters in the sun; and the moist star Upon whose influence Neptune's empire stands Was sick almost to doomsday with eclipse: And even the like precurse of fierce events, As harbingers preceding still the fates And prologue to the omen coming on, Have heaven and earth together demonstrated Unto our climatures and countrymen.-- But soft, behold! lo, where it comes again!
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Post by Jonny Fairplay on Dec 11, 2014 16:10:49 GMT
Re-enter Ghost
I'll cross it, though it blast me. Stay, illusion! If thou hast any sound, or use of voice, Speak to me: If there be any good thing to be done, That may to thee do ease and grace to me, Speak to me: Cock crows
If thou art privy to thy country's fate, Which, happily, foreknowing may avoid, O, speak! Or if thou hast uphoarded in thy life Extorted treasure in the womb of earth, For which, they say, you spirits oft walk in death, Speak of it: stay, and speak! Stop it, Marcellus.
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Post by Jonny Fairplay on Dec 11, 2014 16:11:01 GMT
MARCELLUS Shall I strike at it with my partisan?
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Post by Jonny Fairplay on Dec 11, 2014 16:11:14 GMT
HORATIO Do, if it will not stand.
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Post by Jonny Fairplay on Dec 11, 2014 16:11:24 GMT
BERNARDO 'Tis here!
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Post by Jonny Fairplay on Dec 11, 2014 16:11:38 GMT
HORATIO 'Tis here!
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Post by Jonny Fairplay on Dec 11, 2014 16:11:49 GMT
MARCELLUS 'Tis gone! Exit Ghost
We do it wrong, being so majestical, To offer it the show of violence; For it is, as the air, invulnerable, And our vain blows malicious mockery.
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Post by Jonny Fairplay on Dec 11, 2014 16:12:01 GMT
BERNARDO It was about to speak, when the cock crew.
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Post by Jonny Fairplay on Dec 11, 2014 16:12:12 GMT
HORATIO And then it started like a guilty thing Upon a fearful summons. I have heard, The cock, that is the trumpet to the morn, Doth with his lofty and shrill-sounding throat Awake the god of day; and, at his warning, Whether in sea or fire, in earth or air, The extravagant and erring spirit hies To his confine: and of the truth herein This present object made probation.
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Post by Jonny Fairplay on Dec 11, 2014 16:12:24 GMT
MARCELLUS It faded on the crowing of the cock. Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes Wherein our Saviour's birth is celebrated, The bird of dawning singeth all night long: And then, they say, no spirit dares stir abroad; The nights are wholesome; then no planets strike, No fairy takes, nor witch hath power to charm, So hallow'd and so gracious is the time.
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Post by Jonny Fairplay on Dec 11, 2014 16:12:38 GMT
HORATIO So have I heard and do in part believe it. But, look, the morn, in russet mantle clad, Walks o'er the dew of yon high eastward hill: Break we our watch up; and by my advice, Let us impart what we have seen to-night Unto young Hamlet; for, upon my life, This spirit, dumb to us, will speak to him. Do you consent we shall acquaint him with it, As needful in our loves, fitting our duty?
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Post by Jonny Fairplay on Dec 11, 2014 16:12:49 GMT
MARCELLUS Let's do't, I pray; and I this morning know Where we shall find him most conveniently. Exeunt
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Post by Jonny Fairplay on Dec 11, 2014 16:13:02 GMT
SCENE II. A room of state in the castle.
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