SONG.-HORATIO.

(Tune—« Heigho! says Rowley.")

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 tomb-stone, jaw-bone, skull, shroud, and skeleton,

“ Too strange to be true,” says Horatio.

The ghost like your father look’d, arm'd cap-a-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, gc.
“ 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 tomb stone, fc. “ 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 tomb-stone, fc. “ 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, fc. “ You'd best shew where 'tis hid,” sąys 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 tomb-stone, fc. “ 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 Hór. 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). (Erit.

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 (g) so much the better.

Ophelia.
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:

He'll flirt with any wench in town, then leave her ;
For know, that Hamlet is a gay deceiver.
She sports her figure quite enough (take note)
Who wears a flannel under-petticoat (h).

Ophelia.
I take the hint: but do not, good my brother,
Shew me one road, and go yourself another:
Like our good priest, who, whilst our sports retrenching,
Himself goes nightly round the village wenching.

Laertes. O, fear me not; I hope you do not doubt me.But I must run for't, or they'll sail without me. (Exeunt.

SCENE III.

The Platform.
Enter HAMLET, HORATIO, and MARCELLUS.

Hamlet.
Jack Frost is gadding (1)—it is very cold.

Horatio.
Why, any fool, methinks, might that have told. (Aside.)

Hamlet.
What is't o'clock?

Horatio.
Half past eleven at most.-

Marcellus.
My watch says twelve (k).

. Horatio. But see! here comes the ghost!

Enter Ghost.

Hamlet.
Zounds! here's a pretty rig! (1) O Lord, defend us !
Prythee no more such frightful spectres send us !
Be thou a jovial sprite or goblin damn'd;
Be thou or ether-puff’d or sulphur-cramm’d;
Be thy intents indiff'rent, good, or bad,
I'll speak to thee, thou look'st so like

my

dad.
In a trim grave so snugly wast thou lain,
Say what the devil brought thee out again?
I like a joke myself; but 'tis not right
To come and frighten us to death at night.
Say, why is this? and straight the reason tell us,
For frightning me, Horatio, and Marcellus.-

Iloratio.
He'd have a tête-à-tête with you--alone.

Hamlet.
Would he?-Here goes then-now, my cock, lead on!

Marcellus.
You shall not go.
(

Horatio.
Perhaps he means to kill you.

Hamlet.
You'd better hold your jaw (m),-be quiet, will you?

Horatio.
Now blow me if you go.

Hamlet,

My fate cries out
And gives me pluck-so mind what you're about.