How is it, my noble lord? Why so terror-stricken? Have you perhaps been disturbed?

Why yes, Horatio, beyond all measure.

Have you seen the ghost, my lord?

Indeed yes, I have seen it, and spoken with it too.

O Heaven! this bodes something strange!

He has revealed to me a horrible thing; therefore, I pray you, gentlemen, stand by me in a matter that calls for vengeance.

Certainly you are assured of my loyalty; only explain it to me, my lord.

Your lordship cannot doubt of my aid also.

Gentlemen, before I make this matter known to you, you must swear an oath by your loyalty and honor.

Your lordship knows how much I love you, and how gladly I will lend my life if you wish to be revenged.

Offer us the oath; we will stand by you faithfully.

Then lay your finger on my sword. We swear!

We swear.

We swear.

What is this? Can there be an echo here, to give us back our words? Come, gentlemen, we will go to another spot. We swear.

We swear.

This means something strange! Come, once more; we will go to the other side. We swear.

We swear.

We swear.

Ha, what is this? Again: We swear.

We swear.

We swear.

O! now I understand what it is. It appears that the spirit of my father is not pleased that I should make this matter known. Good friends, I pray you, leave me —tomorrow I shall reveal it all to you.

Farewell, Your Highness!

Come here, Horatio.

What is Your Highness' will?

Has the other fellow gone?

Yes, he has gone.

I know, Horatio, thou hast at all times been true to me; therefore I shall reveal to thee what the ghost told me, namely, that my father died an unnatural death. My father, he who is now my father, has murdered him.

O heavens! what do I hear!

Thou know'st, Horatio, that my late father was accustomed to sleep an hour every day after dinner in his garden. Knowing this, the villain comes to my father and pours the juice of hebenon into his ear while he is asleep; so that through this strong poison, he immediately yields up the ghost. And this the accursed dog did to obtain the crown: but from this hour I will put on a feigned madness, and in this deceit I'll play my part so skilfully that surely I shall find an opportunity to avenge my father's death.

My lord, if the matter stands thus, I shall offer you my loyal help.

Horatio, I will so revenge myself on this usurper, this adulterer, this murderer, that posterity shall speak of it to all eternity; now I shall go, and with dissembling wait upon him until I find an opportunity to execute my vengeance.