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Hamlet

Page 10

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BARNARDO 'Tis here!

HORATIO 'Tis here!

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.

BARNARDO It was about to speak when the cock crew.

HORATIO And then it started like a guilty thing

Upon a fearful summons. I have heard

The cock, that is the trumpet to the day,

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,

Th'extravagant and erring spirit hies147

To his confine148: and of the truth herein

This present object made probation149.

MARCELLUS It faded on the crowing of the cock.

Some say that ever gainst151 that season comes

Wherein our Saviour's152 birth is celebrated,

The bird of dawning153 singeth all night long,

And then, they say, no spirit can walk abroad:

The nights are wholesome, then no planets strike155,

No fairy talks, nor witch hath power to charm156,

So hallowed and so gracious157 is the time.

HORATIO So have I heard and do in part believe it.

But, look, the morn in russet159 mantle clad,

Walks o'er the dew of yon high eastern hill.

Break we our watch up, and by my advice,



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