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. 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. Saw! Who? Hamlet. Horatio. The king, your father. Hamlet. Much I doubt it. Marcellus. 'Tis true, my lord. Horatio. I'll tell you all about it.. Heigho!" says Horatio; When, just at the time when the night was spent, With his tomb-stone, jaw-bone, skull, shroud, and skeleton, The ghost like your father look'd, arm'd cap-à-pié. They came in a twitter to tell this to me, Saying, "If you don't credit us, pray come and see. "A cock and a bull," says With his tomb-stone, &c. I promis'd with them to keep watch the next night: When lo! as they'd told me, the ghost came in sight- I intended to say a few words to the ghost; "Heigho!" says Horatio; 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, &c. "He's no blabber, I find," says Horatio. He turn'd on his heel, and went off in a pet, 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," He soon came in again, so I told him my mind: Says I, "I'm quite sure you've left something behind, "You'd best shew where 'tis hid," says Horatio. He seem'd not to like it, and look'd rather black, As much as to say, " You had best hold your clack;" Hamlet. Perchance 'twill walk again;-I'll watch to-night, 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. Never fear me. Horatio. 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. SCENE II. An Apartment in POLONIUS's House. Enter OPHELIA and LAERTES. Laertes. I've pack'd off bag and baggage. To let me have a letter ev'ry mail Never fail 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, He'll flirt with any wench in town, then leave her; Ophelia. I take the hint: but do not, good my brother, Laertés. O, fear me not; I hope you do not doubt me.- SCENE III. The Platform. Enter HAMLET, HORATIO, and MARCELLUS. Hamlet. Jack Frost is gadding (i)—it is very cold. Horatio. Why, any fool, methinks, might that have told. (Aside.} |