Ber. 'Tis here![87]
Hor. 'Tis here![87]
Mar. 'Tis gone! [Exit Ghost.[87][89]
We do it wrong, being so majestical,
To offer it the show of violence;
For it is, as the air, invulnerable,[90] 145
And our vain blows malicious mockery.
Ber. It was about to speak, when the cock crew.
Hor. And then it started like a guilty thing
Upon a fearful summons. I have heard,
The cock, that is the trumpet to the morn,[91] 150
Doth with his lofty and shrill-sounding throat
Awake the god of day, and at his warning,[92]
Whether in sea or fire, in earth or air,[92]
The extravagant and erring spirit hies[92][93]
To his confine: and of the truth herein[92] 155
This present object made probation.
Mar. It faded on the crowing of the cock.[94]
Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes[95]
Wherein our Saviour's birth is celebrated,
The bird of dawning singeth all night long:[96] 160
And then, they say, no spirit dare stir abroad,[97]
The nights are wholesome, then no planets strike,
No fairy takes nor witch hath power to charm,[98]
So hallow'd and so gracious is the time.[99]
Hor. So have I heard and do in part believe it. 165
But look, the morn, in russet mantle clad,
Walks o'er the dew of yon high eastward hill:[100]
Break we our watch up; and by my advice,[101]
Let us impart what we have seen to-night
Unto young Hamlet; for, upon my life,[102] 170
This spirit, dumb to us, will speak to him:
Do you consent we shall acquaint him with it,[103]
As needful in our loves, fitting our duty?
Mar. Let's do't, I pray; and I this morning know[104]
Where we shall find him most conveniently. [Exeunt.[105] 175
Scene II. A room of state in the castle.
Flourish. Enter the King, Queen, Hamlet, Polonius, Laertes, Voltimand, Cornelius, Lords, and Attendants.[106]