_Mar._ It faded on the crowing of the cock.[94] Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes[95] Wherein our Saviour's birth is celebrated, The bird of dawning singeth all night long:[96] 160 And then, they say, no spirit dare stir abroad,[97] The nights are wholesome, then no planets strike, No fairy takes nor witch hath power to charm,[98] So hallow'd and so gracious is the time.[99] _Hor._ So have I heard and do in part believe it. 165 But look, the morn, in russet mantle clad, Walks o'er the dew of yon high eastward hill:[100] Break we our watch up; and by my advice,[101] Let us impart what we have seen to-night Unto young Hamlet; for, upon my life,[102] 170 This spirit, dumb to us, will speak to him: Do you consent we shall acquaint him with it,[103] As needful in our loves, fitting our duty? _Mar._ Let's do't, I pray; and I this morning know[104] Where we shall find him most conveniently. [_Exeunt._[105] 175 SCENE II. _A room of state in the castle._ _Flourish. Enter the_ KING, QUEEN, HAMLET, POLONIUS, LAERTES, VOLTIMAND, CORNELIUS, Lords, _and_ Attendants.[106] _King._ Though yet of Hamlet our dear brother's death[107] The memory be green, and that it us befitted[107][108] To bear our hearts in grief and our whole kingdom[109] To be contracted in one brow of woe, Yet so far hath discretion fought with nature 5 That we with wisest sorrow think on him, Together with remembrance of ourselves. Therefore our sometime sister, now our queen,[110] The imperial jointress to this warlike state,[111] Have we, as 'twere with a defeated joy,-- 10 With an auspicious and a dropping eye,[112] With mirth in funeral and with dirge in marriage, In equal scale weighing delight and dole,-- Taken to wife: nor have we herein barr'd Your better wisdoms, which have freely gone 15 With this affair along. For all, our thanks.[113] Now follows, that you know, young Fortinbras,[114] Holding a weak supposal of our worth, Or thinking by our late dear brother's death Our state to be disjoint and out of frame, 20 Colleagued with this dream of his advantage,[115] He hath not fail'd to pester us with message, Importing the surrender of those lands Lost by his father, with all bonds of law,[116] To our most valiant brother. So much for him.[117] 25 Now for ourself, and for this time of meeting:[118] Thus much the business is: we have here writ To Norway, uncle of young Fortinbras,-- Who, impotent and bed-rid, scarcely hears[119] Of this his nephew's purpose,--to suppress 30 His further gait herein; in that the levies,[120] The lists and full proportions, are all made