Exit Ghost.
Mar. 'Tis gone!
We do it wrong, being so majestical,
To offer it the show of violence; 144
For it is, as the air, invulnerable,
And our vain blows malicious mockery.
Ber. It was about to speak when the cock crew.
Hor. And then it started like a guilty thing
Upon a fearful summons, I have heard, 149
The cock, that is the trumpet to the morn.
Doth with his lofty and shrill-sounding throat
Awake the god of day; and at his warning, 152
Whether in sea or fire, in earth or air.
The extravagant and erring spirit hies
To his confine; and of the truth herein
This present object made probation. 156
Mar. It faded on the crowing of the cock.
Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes
Wherein our Saviour's birth is celebrated.
The bird of dawning singeth all night long; 160
And then, they say, no spirit can walk 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 the time. 164
Hor. So have I heard and do in part believe it.
But, look, the morn in russet mantle clad.
Walks o'er the dew of yon high eastern hill;
Break we our watch up; and by my advice 168
Let us impart what we have seen to-night
Unto young Hamlet; for, upon my life.
This spirit, dumb to us, will speak to him.
150 cock; cf. n.
154 extravagant: vagrant
erring: wandering
hies: hastens
155 confine: place of confinement
156 probation: proof
158 gainst that: by the time that
162 planets strike; cf. n
163 takes: bewitches
164 gracious: instinct with goodness
