Reading Help HAMLET, PRINCE OF DENMARK

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` HAMLET, PRINCE OF DENMARK `
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` by William Shakespeare `
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` PERSONS REPRESENTED. `
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` Claudius, King of Denmark. `
` Hamlet, Son to the former, and Nephew to the present King. `
` Polonius, Lord Chamberlain. `
` Horatio, Friend to Hamlet. `
` Laertes, Son to Polonius. `
` Voltimand, Courtier. `
` Cornelius, Courtier. `
` Rosencrantz, Courtier. `
` Guildenstern, Courtier. `
` Osric, Courtier. `
` A Gentleman, Courtier. `
` A Priest. `
` Marcellus, Officer. `
` Bernardo, Officer. `
` Francisco, a Soldier `
` Reynaldo, Servant to Polonius. `
` Players. `
` Two Clowns, Grave-diggers. `
` Fortinbras, Prince of Norway. `
` A Captain. `
` English Ambassadors. `
` Ghost of Hamlet's Father. `
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` Gertrude, Queen of Denmark, and Mother of Hamlet. `
` Ophelia, Daughter to Polonius. `
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` Lords, Ladies, Officers, Soldiers, Sailors, Messengers, and other `
` Attendants. `
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` SCENE. Elsinore. `
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` ACT I. `
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` Scene I. Elsinore. A platform before the Castle. `
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` [Francisco at his post. Enter to him Bernardo.] `
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` Ber. `
` Who's there? `
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` Fran. `
` Nay, answer me: stand, and unfold yourself. `
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` Ber. `
` Long live the king! `
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` Fran. `
` Bernardo? `
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` Ber. `
` He. `
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` Fran. `
` You come most carefully upon your hour. `
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` Ber. `
` 'Tis now struck twelve. Get thee to bed, Francisco. `
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` Fran. `
` For this relief much thanks: 'tis bitter cold, `
` And I am sick at heart. `
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` Ber. `
` Have you had quiet guard? `
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` Fran. `
` Not a mouse stirring. `
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` Ber. `
` Well, good night. `
` If you do meet Horatio and Marcellus, `
` The rivals of my watch, bid them make haste. `
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` Fran. `
` I think I hear them.--Stand, ho! Who is there? `
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` [Enter Horatio and Marcellus.] `
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` Hor. `
` Friends to this ground. `
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` Mar. `
` And liegemen to the Dane. `
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` Fran. `
` Give you good-night. `
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` Mar. `
` O, farewell, honest soldier; `
` Who hath reliev'd you? `
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` Fran. `
` Bernardo has my place. `
` Give you good-night. `
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` [Exit.] `
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` Mar. `
` Holla! Bernardo! `
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` Ber. `
` Say. `
` What, is Horatio there? `
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` Hor. `
` A piece of him. `
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` Ber. `
` Welcome, Horatio:--Welcome, good Marcellus. `
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` Mar. `
` What, has this thing appear'd again to-night? `
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` Ber. `
` I have seen nothing. `
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` Mar. `
` 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; `
` That, if again this apparition come `
` He may approve our eyes and speak to it. `
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` Hor. `
` Tush, tush, 'twill not appear. `
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` Ber. `
` Sit down awhile, `
` And let us once again assail your ears, `
` That are so fortified against our story, `
` What we two nights have seen. `
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` Hor. `
` Well, sit we down, `
` And let us hear Bernardo speak of this. `
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` Ber. `
` Last night of all, `
` When yond same star that's westward from the pole `
` Had made his course to illume that part of heaven `
` Where now it burns, Marcellus and myself, `
` The bell then beating one,-- `
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` Mar. `
` Peace, break thee off; look where it comes again! `
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` [Enter Ghost, armed.] `
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` Ber. `
` In the same figure, like the king that's dead. `
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` Mar. `
` Thou art a scholar; speak to it, Horatio. `
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` Ber. `
` Looks it not like the King? mark it, Horatio. `
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` Hor. `
` Most like:--it harrows me with fear and wonder. `
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` Ber. `
` It would be spoke to. `
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` Mar. `
` Question it, Horatio. `
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` Hor. `
` What art thou, that usurp'st this time of night, `
` Together with that fair and warlike form `
` In which the majesty of buried Denmark `
` Did sometimes march? By heaven I charge thee, speak! `
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` Mar. `
` It is offended. `
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` Ber. `
` See, it stalks away! `
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` Hor. `
` Stay! speak, speak! I charge thee speak! `
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` [Exit Ghost.] `
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` Mar. `
` 'Tis gone, and will not answer. `
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` Ber. `
` How now, Horatio! You tremble and look pale: `
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