And much offence, too. Touching this vision here,
It is an honest ghost, that let me tell you:
For your desire to know what is between us,
O'er-master it[121] as you may. And now, good friends,
As you are friends, scholars, and soldiers,
Give me one poor request.

_Hor._ What is't, my lord?
We will.

_Ham._ Never make known what you have seen to-night.

_Hor._}
} My lord, we will not.
_Mar._}

_Ham._ Nay, but swear't.

_Hor._ Propose the oath, my lord.

_Ham._ Never to speak of this that you have seen.
Swear by my sword.

[HORATIO _and_ MARCELLUS _place each their right
hand on_ HAMLET'S _sword._]

_Ghost._ (_Beneath._) Swear.

_Hor._ O day and night, but this is wondrous strange!

_Ham._ And therefore as a stranger give it welcome.[122]
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
But come;--
Here, as before, never, so help you mercy,
How strange or odd soe'er I bear myself,
As I, perchance, hereafter shall think meet
To put an antick disposition[123] on,--
That you, at such times seeing me, never shall,
With arms encumber'd thus,[124] or this head-shake,
Or by pronouncing of some doubtful phrase,
As, _Well, we know_; or, _We could, an if we would_; or, _If
we list to speak_;--or, _There be, an if they might_;--
Or such ambiguous giving out, to note
That you know aught of me:--This do you swear,
So grace and mercy at your most need help you!

[HORATIO _and_ MARCELLUS _again place their hands on_ HAMLET'S
_sword._]

_Ghost._ (_Beneath._) Swear.

_Ham._ Rest, rest, perturbed spirit! So gentlemen,
With all my love I do commend me to you:
And what so poor a man as Hamlet is
May do, to express his love and friending to you,
Heaven willing, shall not lack.[125] Let us go in together;

[_Crosses to_ L.]

And still your fingers on your lips, I pray.
The time is out of joint;--O cursed spite,
That ever I was born to set it right!
Nay, come, let's go together.

[_Exeunt_ L.H.]

END OF ACT FIRST.

Notes

Act I

[Footnote I.1: _Me:_] _i.e., me_ who am already on the watch, and
have a right to demand the watch-word.]

[Footnote I.2: _Unfold_] Announce, make known.]

[Footnote I.3: _Long live the King._] The watch-word.]

[Footnote I.4: _Th