Two months have scarce pass'd since dad's death, and my

mother,
Like a brute as she is, has just married his brother.
To wed such a bore !—but 'tis all too late now:
We can't make a silk purse of the ear of a sow.

Derry down, &c.

So fondly he lov'd her, I've oft heard him tell her,
“If it rains, my dear Gertrude, pray take my umbrella :"
When too roughly the winds have beset her, he'th said,
“My dear, take my belcher (c) to tie round your head.”

Derry down, &c.

Why, zounds ! she'd hang on him, as much as to say,
“ The longer I love you, the longer I may:"—
Yet before one could whistle, as I am a true man,
He's forgotten !—Oh, frailty, thy name sure is woman!

Derry down, &c.

To marry my uncle! my father's own brother !-
I'm as much like a lion as one's like the other.
It will not, by jingo, it can't come to good-
But break, my poor heart :-I'd say more if I could.

Derry down, &c.

Enter Horatio, MARCELLUS, and Bernardo.

Hamlet.
My lads, I'm glad to see you. I implore
You'll tell me what brought you to Elsinore.

[T. Horatio.

Horatio.
To see dad's funeral I popp'd my head in.

Hamlet. No quizzing (d)—'twas to see my mother's wedding.

Horatio.
Indeed, my lord, one follow'd hard on t'other.-
I never should have thought it of your mother.

Hamlet. Thrift, thrift, Horatio! Denmark's cooks were able With funeral meats to cheer (e) the marriage-table.Methinks I have my father in my sight.

Horatio.
My lord, I'll swear I saw him yesternight.

Hamlet.

Saw! Who?

Horatio.
The king, your father.

Hamlet.

Much I doubt it.

Marcellus.

'Tis true, my lord.

Horatio.
I'll tell you all about it.

Two nights to watch these gentlemen went,

“ Heigho!" says Horatio ; When, just at the time when the night was spent, A spectre to frighten them thither was sent; With his comb-stone, jaw-bone, skull, shroud and skeleton,

“Too strange to be true,” says Horatio.

The ghost like your father look’d, arm'd cap-à-pié.

“Heigho!” says Horatio ; They came in a twitter to tell this to me, Saying, “ If you don't credit us, pray come and see.

With his tomb-stone, &c. “A cock and a bull,” says Horatio.

I promis'd with them to keep watch the next night :

“Heigho!” says Horatio ; When lo! as they'd told me, the ghost came in sightSays I, “ 'Tis too plain that there's something not right.

With his tomb-stone, &c. “But we'll soon find it out,” says Horatio.

I intended to say a few words to the ghost;

“ Heigho!” says Horatio ; (I shouldn't have kept him five minutes at most) But I found the poor fellow as dumb as a post.

With his comb-stone, &c. “He's no blabber, I find,” says Horatio.

He turn'd on his heel, and went off in a pet,

“Heigho!" says Horatio ;
But he frown'd on us all ere away we could get,
Just as much as to say, “ I've not done with you yet,"

With his comb-stone, &c.
“ We had better make off,” says Horatio.

He soon came in again, so I told him my mind :

“Heigho !” says Horatio ;
Says I, “ I'm quite sure you've left something behind,
“Some treasure, perhaps, your exec'tors can't find :

With his tomb-stone, &c.
“You'd best shew where 'tis hid," says Horatio.

He seem'd not to like it, and look'd rather black,

“Heigho!" says Horatio;
As much as to say, “You had best hold your clack;"
But he heard the cock crow and was off in a crack.

With his comb-stone, &c.
“You're a rum kind of ghost," says Horatio.

Hamlet. Perchance 'twill walk again ;—I'll watch to-night, And beg a conversation with the sprite: If in my father's form it come to scare me, I'll speak to it, should e'en Old Harry dare me. (To Hor. and Mar.) Don't let the cat out of the bag, I prythee.

Horatio.
Never fear me.

Marcellus.
Nor me.

Hamlet.

Then I'll be with ye.

Soon after supper.

Horatio.
Honour ?
Hamlet.

Poz.-Adieu !
Exeunt Hor Mar, and Ber.

No doubt some dirty work, if this be true.
Would it were supper-time, this tale so wheedles,
Till then I'm sitting upon pins and needles (f). [Exit.

SCENE II.

An Apartment in Polonius's House.

Enter Ophelia and Laertes.

Laertes.
I've pack'd off bag and baggage. Never fail
To let me have a letter ev'ry mail-
If Dad will get it frank'd (8) so much the better.

Opbelia.
Do'st think I'd grudge the postage of a letter ?

Laertes.
Be not too easily by Hamlet caught,
For all his swearing is not worth a groat.
He may not, like we folks of meaner station,
Take up with any trollop in the nation;
So look before you leap; depend upon it,
'Tis moonshine all, in valentine or sonnet :