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Samuel Johnson [1765], The plays of William Shakespeare, in eight volumes, with the corrections and illustrations of Various Commentators; To which are added notes by Sam. Johnson (Printed for J. and R. Tonson [and] C. Corbet [etc.], London) [word count] [S11001].
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SCENE IX. Enter Horatio and Marcellus.

Hor.
My Lord, my Lord,—

Mar.
Lord Hamlet,—

Hor.
Heav'n secure him!

Mar.
So be it.

Hor.
Illo, ho, ho, my Lord!

Ham.
Hillo, ho, ho, boy. 5 noteCome, bird, come.

Mar.
How is't, my noble Lord?

Hor.
What news, my Lord?

Ham.
Oh, wonderful!

-- 170 --

Hor.
Good, my Lord, tell it.

Ham.
No, you'll reveal it.

Hor.
Not I, my Lord, by heav'n.

Mar.
Nor I, my Lord.

Ham.
How say you then, would heart of man once think it?
But you'll be secret—

Both.
Ay, by heav'n, my Lord.

Ham.
There's ne'er a villain, dwelling in all Denmark,
But he's an arrant knave.

Hor.
There needs no Ghost, my Lord, come from the Grave
To tell us this.

Ham.
Why right, you are i'th' right;
And so without more circumstance at all,
I hold it fit that we shake hands, and part;
You, as your business and desires shall point you;
For every man has business and desire,
Such as it is; and, for my own poor part,
I will go pray.

Hor.
These are but wild and whirling words, my Lord.

Ham.
I'm sorry they offend you, heartily;
Yes, heartily.

Hor.
There's no offence, my Lord.

Ham.
Yes, 6 noteby St. Patrick, but there is, my Lord,
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 as you may. And now, good friends,

-- 171 --


As you are friends, scholars, and soldiers,
Give me one poor request.

Hor.
What is't, my Lord?

Ham.
Never make known what you have seen tonight.

Both.
My Lord, we will not.

Ham.
Nay, but swear't.

Hor.
In faith, my Lord, not I.

Mar.
Nor I, my Lord, in faith.

Ham.
Upon my sword.

Mar.
We have sworn, my Lord, already.

Ham.
Indeed, upon my sword, indeed.

Ghost.
Swear.
[Ghost cries under the Stage.

Ham.
Ah ha, boy, say'st thou so? art thou there, true-penny?
Come on, you hear this fellow in the cellarage.
Consent to swear.

Hor.
Propose the oath, my Lord.

Ham.
Never to speak of this that you have seen,
7 note

Swear by my sword.

Ghost.
Swear.

Ham.
Hic & ubique? then we'll shift our ground.
Come hither, gentlemen,
And lay your hands again upon my sword.
Never to speak of this which you have heard,
Swear by my sword.

Ghost.
Swear by his sword.

Ham.
Well said, old mole, can'st work i'th'ground so fast!

-- 172 --


A worthy pioneer! Once more remove, good friends.

Hor.
Oh day and night, but this is wondrous strange.

Ham.
8 noteAnd therefore as a stranger give it welcome.
There are more things in heav'n 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 on,
That you, at such time seeing me, never shall,
With arms encumbred thus, or this head-shake,
Or by pronouncing of some doubtful phrase,
As, well—we know—or, we could, and if we would—
Or, if we list to speak—or, there be, and if there might—
Or such ambiguous giving out, denote
That you know aught of me; This do ye swear,
So grace and mercy at your most need help you!
Swear.

Ghost.
Swear.

Ham.
Rest, rest, perturbed Spirit. So, Gentlemen,
With all my love do I commend me to you;
And what so poor a man as Hamlet is
May do t'express his love and friending to you,
God willing shall not lack. Let us go in together,
And still your fingers on your lips, I pray.
The Time is out of joint; oh, cursed spight!
That ever I was born to set it right.
Nay, come, let's go together.
[Exeunt.

-- 173 --

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Samuel Johnson [1765], The plays of William Shakespeare, in eight volumes, with the corrections and illustrations of Various Commentators; To which are added notes by Sam. Johnson (Printed for J. and R. Tonson [and] C. Corbet [etc.], London) [word count] [S11001].
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