_Ghost._ Ay, that incestuous, that adulterate beast,[447] With witchcraft of his wit, with traitorous gifts,--[448] O wicked wit and gifts, that have the power[449] So to seduce!--won to his shameful lust[450] 45 The will of my most seeming-virtuous queen:[451] O Hamlet, what a falling-off was there![452] From me, whose love was of that dignity That it went hand in hand even with the vow I made to her in marriage; and to decline[453] 50 Upon a wretch, whose natural gifts were poor To those of mine![454][455] But virtue, as it never will be moved,[454] Though lewdness court it in a shape of heaven, So lust, though to a radiant angel link'd,[456] 55 Will sate itself in a celestial bed[457][458] And prey on garbage.[457][459] But, soft! methinks I scent the morning air;[460] Brief let me be. Sleeping within my orchard,[461] My custom always of the afternoon,[462] 60 Upon my secure hour thy uncle stole,[463] With juice of cursed hebenon in a vial,[464] And in the porches of my ears did pour[465] The leperous distilment; whose effect[466] Holds such an enmity with blood of man[466] 65 That swift as quicksilver it courses through The natural gates and alleys of the body;[467] And with a sudden vigour it doth posset[468] And curd, like eager droppings into milk,[469] The thin and wholesome blood: so did it mine; 70 And a most instant tetter bark'd about,[470] Most lazar-like, with vile and loathsome crust, All my smooth body. Thus was I, sleeping, by a brother's hand Of life, of crown, of queen, at once dispatch'd:[471] 75 Cut off even in the blossoms of my sin,[472] Unhousel'd, disappointed, unanel'd;[473] No reckoning made, but sent to my account With all my imperfections on my head:[474] O, horrible! O, horrible! most horrible![475] 80 If thou hast nature in thee, bear it not; Let not the royal bed of Denmark be A couch for luxury and damned incest. But, howsoever thou pursuest this act,[476] Taint not thy mind, nor let thy soul contrive[477] 85 Against thy mother aught: leave her to heaven, And to those thorns that in her bosom lodge, To prick and sting her. Fare thee well at once! The glow-worm shows the matin to be near,[478] And 'gins to pale his uneffectual fire: 90 Adieu, adieu, adieu! remember me. [_Exit._[479]