Page 208 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

But to recover of us by strong hand [105]
And terms compulsatory those foresaid lands
So by his father lost. And this, I take it,
Is the main motive of our preparations,

The source of this our watch, and the chief head
Of this post-haste and rummage in the land. [110]

BARNARDO
I think it be no other but e’en so.
Well may it sort that this portentous figure

Comes armed through our watch so like the King
That was and is the question of these wars.

HORATIO
A mote it is to trouble the mind’s eye. [115]
In the most high and palmy state of Rome,
A little ere the mightiest Julius fell,

The graves stood tenantless and the sheeted dead
Did squeak and gibber in the Roman streets;
As stars with trains of fire and dews of blood, [120]
Disasters in the sun; and the moist star,

Upon whose influence Neptune’s empire stands,
Was sick almost to doomsday with eclipse.
And even the like precurse of fear’d events,
As harbingers preceding still the fates [125]

And prologue to the omen coming on,
Have heaven and earth together demonstrated
Unto our climatures and countrymen.

Enter Ghost.

But soft, behold. Lo, where it comes again.

I’ll cross it though it blast me.
Ghost spreads its arms.
Stay, illusion: [130]
If thou hast any sound or use of voice,

Speak to me.
If there be any good thing to be done