As hardy as the Nemean lion's nerve. (34) [Breaking from them. (34) If the outline of Hamlet's hand, which he is holding before his face, be conceived to be extended up to that which constitutes the third, or foremost, of the three outlines of Hudibras's face, it will exhibit, together with the adjoining parts, the likeness of a lion, as drawn in Fig. 64. This is often alluded to in Hudibras; and it occupies the same space in the moon as (Hudibras or) Hamlet himself: the streaks of light in this space, constitute the nerves of the animal, as mentioned by the poet. By Heaven, I'll make a ghost of him that lets me Exeunt Ghost and Hamlet. Hor. He waxes desperate with imagination." come? [mark. Mar. Something is rotten in the state of Den Hor. Heaven will direct it. Mar. Nay, let's follow him. [Exeunt. SCENE changes to a more remote Part of the Platform. Re-enter Ghost and HAMLET. Ham. Where wilt thou lead me? speak, I'll go no further. Ghost. Mark me. Ham. I will. Ghost. My hour is almost comë, When I to sulphurous and tormenting flames. Must render up myself. Ham. Alas, poor Ghost! Ghost. Pity me not, but lend thy serious hearing To what I shall unfold. Ham. Speak, I am bound to hear. [hear. A Ghost. So art thou to revenge, when thou shalt i Doomed for a certain term to walk the night, I could a tale unfold, whose lightest word Would harrow up thy soul, freeze thy young blood, To ears of flesh and blood; list, list, oh list! Ham. Oh Heaven! Ghost. Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder. Ham. Murder! · Ghost. Murder most foul, as in the best it is; But this most foul, strange, and unnatural. Ham. Haste me to know it, that I, with wings As meditation or the thoughts of love, [as swift May sweep to my revenge. Ghost. I find thee apt; And duller shouldst thou be than the fat weed Wouldst thou not stir in this. Now, Hamlet, hear; 'Tis given out, that, sleeping in my orchard, VOL. II. A serpent stung ine. So the whole ear of Denmark Rankly abused: but know, thou noble youth, <i uncle?! Ham. Oh my prophetic soul! my uncle? Ghost, Ay, that incestuous, that adulterate beast, With witchcraft of his wit, with traitorous gifts, (O wicked wit, and gifts, that have the power So to seduce!) won to his shameful lust The will of my most seeming-virtuous Queen. Oh Hamlet, what a falling off was there! From me whose love was of that dignity, That it went hand in hand even with the vow I made to her in marriage; and to decline Upon a wretch whose natural gifts were poor To those of mine! But virtue, as it never will be moved, J Though lewdness court it in the shape of heaven; (35) The space in the moon occupied by Claudius the king, and by the king, Hamlet's father, are so nearly the same, that the crown (in light, formed of the face of Polonius), may appear to be set on the head of either: that likewise may have been the reason, perhaps, of the poet's conceiving them to be brothers. But soft! methinks I scent the morning dir ར་ H Upon my secure hour thy uncle stole Thus was I, sleeping, by a brother's hand, (36) Vidë ǹgure 54, ante; and the portion of the moon with which it corresponds. |