Page 210 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

And then it started like a guilty thing
Upon a fearful summons. I have heard
The cock, that is the trumpet to the morn, [155]
Doth with his lofty and shrill-sounding throat

Awake the god of day, and at his warning,
Whether in sea or fire, in earth or air,
Th’extravagant and erring spirit hies
To his confine; and of the truth herein [160]

This present object made probation.

MARCELLUS
It faded on the crowing of the cock.
Some say that ever ’gainst that season comes
Wherein our Saviour’s birth is celebrated,
This bird of dawning singeth all night long; [165]

And then, they say, no spirit dare stir abroad,
The nights are wholesome, then no planets strike,
No fairy takes, nor witch hath power to charm,

So hallow’d and so gracious is that time.

HORATIO

So have I heard and do in part believe it. [170]
But look, the morn in russet mantle clad
Walks o’er the dew of yon high eastward hill.
Break we our watch up, and by my advice

Let us impart what we have seen tonight
Unto young Hamlet; for upon my life [175]
This spirit, dumb to us, will speak to him.
Do you consent we shall acquaint him with it

As needful in our loves, fitting our duty?

MARCELLUS
Let’s do’t, I pray, and I this morning know
Where we shall find him most convenient.
Exeunt.

Scene II IT