_Ham._ Thrift, thrift, Horatio! the funeral baked-meats 180 Did coldly furnish forth the marriage tables. Would I had met my dearest foe in heaven Or ever I had seen that day, Horatio![218] My father!--methinks I see my father. _Hor._ O where, my lord? _Ham._ In my mind's eye, Horatio.[219] 185 _Hor._ I saw him once; he was a goodly king.[220] _Ham._ He was a man, take him for all in all,[220][221] I shall not look upon his like again.[222] _Hor._ My lord, I think I saw him yesternight. _Ham._ Saw? Who?[223] 190 _Hor._ My lord, the king your father. _Ham._ The king my father! _Hor._ Season your admiration for a while[224] With an attent ear, till I may deliver,[225] Upon the witness of these gentlemen, This marvel to you. _Ham._ For God's love, let me hear.[226] 195 _Hor._ Two nights together had these gentlemen, Marcellus and Bernardo, on their watch, In the dead vast and middle of the night,[227] Been thus encounter'd. A figure like your father, Armed at point exactly, cap-a-pe,[228] 200 Appears before them, and with solemn march Goes slow and stately by them: thrice he walk'd[229] By their oppress'd and fear-surprised eyes,[230] Within his truncheon's length; whilst they, distill'd[231] Almost to jelly with the act of fear,[232] 205 Stand dumb, and speak not to him. This to me In dreadful secrecy impart they did;[233] And I with them the third night kept the watch: Where, as they had deliver'd, both in time,[234] Form of the thing, each word made true and good, 210 The apparition comes: I knew your father;[235] These hands are not more like. _Ham._ But where was this? _Mar._ My lord, upon the platform where we watch'd. _Ham._ Did you not speak to it? _Hor._ My lord, I did,[236] But answer made it none: yet once methought[237] 215 It lifted up its head and did address[238] Itself to motion, like as it would speak:[239] But even then the morning cock crew loud, And at the sound it shrunk in haste away And vanish'd from our sight. _Ham._ 'Tis very strange. 220 _Hor._ As I do live, my honour'd lord, 'tis true,[240] And we did think it writ down in our duty[241] To let you know of it.[242] _Ham._ Indeed, indeed, sirs, but this troubles me.[243] Hold you the watch to-night? _Mar._ } We do, my lord.[244] 225 _Ber._ } _Ham._ Arm'd, say you? _Mar._ } Arm'd, my lord. _Ber._ } _Ham._ From top to toe?[244]