PERSONS REPRESENTED. Claudius, King of Denmark. Hamlet, son to the former, and nephew to the pre sent King. Polonius, Lord Chamberlain. Horatio, friend to Hamlet. Laertes, son to Polonius. Voltimand, Cornelius, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern,. Courtiers. Osrick, a courtier. Another courtier. A Priest. Francisco, a soldier. Reynaldo, servant to Polonius. Gertrude, Queen of Denmark, and mother of Hamlet. Lords, Ladies, Officers, Soldiers, Players, Gravediggers, Sailors, Messengers, and other Attend ants. SCENE, Elsinore. HAMLET, PRINCE OF DENMARK. ACT I. SCENE I. Elsinore. A Platform before the Castle. FRANCISCO on his Post. Enter to him BARNARDO. BAR. Who's there? FRAN. Nay, answer me:a stand, and unfold Yourself. BAR. Long live the king!" FRAN. BAR. Barnardo? He. FRAN. You come most carefully upon your hour. BAR. 'Tis now struck twelve;" get thee to bed, Francisco. FRAN. For this relief, much thanks: 'tis bitter cold, And I am sick at heart. BAR. Have you had quiet guard? FRAN. Not a mouse stirring. me] i. e. me who am already on the watch, and have a right to demand the watch-word. STEEVENS. b unfold] Announce, make known. BAR. Well, good night. If you do meet Horatio and Marcellus, The rivals of my watch, bid them make haste. Enter HORATIO and MARcellus. FRAN. I think, I hear them.-Stand, ho! Who is there? HOR. Friends to this ground. BAR. Welcome, Horatio; welcome, good Mar cellus. HOR. What, has this thing appear'd again tonight? BAR. I have seen nothing. MAR. Horatio says, 'tis but our fantasy; Touching this dreaded sight, twice seen of us : With us, to watch the minutes of this night; (5) He may approve our eyes, and speak to it. a Approve our eyes] "To approove or confirme. Ratum habere aliquid." Baret's Alvearie, Fo. 1580. 66 Approves the common liar," Ant. & Cl. I. 1. Dem. See Two G. of V. Prot. V, 4. |