German
PERSONS REPRESENTED
CLAUDIUS, King of Denmark.
HAMLET, Son to the former, and Nephew to the present King.
POLONIUS, Lord Chamberlain.
HORATIO, Friend to Hamlet.
LAERTES, Son to Polonius.
VOLTIMAND, Courtier.
CORNELIUS, Courtier.
ROSENCRANTZ, Courtier.
GUILDENSTERN, Courtier.
OSRIC, Courtier.
A GENTLEMAN, Courtier.
A PRIEST.
MARCELLUS, Officer.
BERNARDO, Officer.
FRANCISCO, a Soldier
REYNALDO, Servant to Polonius.
PLAYERS.
A CAPTAIN.
TWO CLOWNS, Grave-diggers.
ENGLISH AMBASSADORS.
GHOST OF HAMLET’S FATHER.
FORTINBRAS, Prince of Norway.
GERTRUDE, Queen of Denmark, and Mother of Hamlet.
OPHELIA, Daughter to Polonius.
Lords, Ladies, Officers, Soldiers, Sailors, Messengers, and other
ATTENDANTS.
SCENE. Elsinore.
German
ACT I
SCENE I
Elsinore. A platform before the Castle.
[Francisco at his post. Enter to him Bernardo.]
BER.
Who’s there?
FRAN.
Nay, answer me: stand, and unfold yourself.
BER.
Long live the king!
FRAN.
Bernardo?
BER.
He.
FRAN.
You come most carefully upon your hour.
BER.
‘Tis now struck twelve. Get thee to bed, Francisco.
FRAN.
For this relief much thanks: ‘tis bitter cold,
And I am sick at heart.
BER.
Have you had quiet guard?
FRAN.
Not a mouse stirring.
BER.
Well, good night.
If you do meet Horatio and Marcellus,
The rivals of my watch, bid them make haste.
FRAN.
I think I hear them.—Stand, ho! Who is there?
[Enter Horatio and Marcellus.]
HOR.
Friends to this ground.
MAR.
And liegemen to the Dane.
FRAN.
Give you goodnight.
MAR.
O, farewell, honest soldier;
Who hath reliev’d you?
FRAN.
Bernardo has my place.
Give you goodnight.
[Exit.]
MAR.
Holla! Bernardo!
BER.
Say.
What, is Horatio there?
HOR.
A piece of him.
BER.
Welcome, Horatio:—Welcome, good Marcellus.
MAR.
What, has this thing appear’d again tonight?
BER.
I have seen nothing.
MAR.
Horatio says ‘tis but our fantasy,
And will not let belief take hold of him
Touching this dreaded sight, twice seen of us:
Therefore I have entreated him along
With us to watch the minutes of this night;
That, if