(The castle walls, enter Hamlet,
Horatio and Marcellus.)
HAMLET
Damn it's cold!
HORATIO
The air cuts right through to the bone.
What hour is it now?
HORATIO
Almost midnight.
MARCELLUS
It's right around now that it has appeared.
(TRUMPETS and two CANNON SHOTS are
heard.)
HORATIO (CONT'D)
What's that mean?
HAMLET
The king is celebrating. He likes a flourish and a cannon
blast to punctuate his toasts.
HORATIO
Is it a custom?
HAMLET
It's one better broken than observed. We enjoy our drink,
but too much spoils a reputation every time. Even if a
person is pure of heart and worthy of praise, too much drink
drowns it all. Drunkenness will never know mercy in the
courts of public opinion.
(Enter Ghost.)
HORATIO
My lord!
HAMLET
Angels and ministers of grace defend us! Are you heavenly or
from hell?! Righteous or wicked you look like my father,
King Hamlet! Royal Dane! Speak to me! Tell why you're
here! Don't leave me in agony, wondering! What does it
mean, you, head to toe in steel?! Don't rattle our minds by
the light of the moon, and not tell why? Help us! What
should we do?!
(Ghost beckons.)
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
