Speeches (Lines) for Horatio
in "Hamlet"
Total: 109

1

I,1,18

Friends to this ground.

2

I,1,28

A piece of him.

3

I,1,39

Tush, tush, 'twill not appear.

4

I,1,44

Well, sit we down,
And let us hear Bernardo speak of this.

5

I,1,56

Most like. It harrows me with fear and wonder.

6

I,1,59

What art thou that usurp'st this time of night
Together with that fair and warlike form
In which the majesty of buried Denmark
Did sometimes march? By heaven I charge thee speak!

7

I,1,65

Stay! Speak, speak! I charge thee speak!

8

I,1,71

Before my God, I might not this believe
Without the sensible and true avouch
Of mine own eyes.

9

I,1,75

As thou art to thyself.
Such was the very armour he had on
When he th' ambitious Norway combated.
So frown'd he once when, in an angry parle,
He smote the sledded Polacks on the ice.
'Tis strange.

10

I,1,83

In what particular thought to work I know not;
But, in the gross and scope of my opinion,
This bodes some strange eruption to our state.

11

I,1,96

That can I.
At least, the whisper goes so. Our last king,
Whose image even but now appear'd to us,
Was, as you know, by Fortinbras of Norway,
Thereto prick'd on by a most emulate pride,
Dar'd to the combat; in which our valiant Hamlet
(For so this side of our known world esteem'd him)
Did slay this Fortinbras; who, by a seal'd compact,
Well ratified by law and heraldry,
Did forfeit, with his life, all those his lands
Which he stood seiz'd of, to the conqueror;
Against the which a moiety competent
Was gaged by our king; which had return'd
To the inheritance of Fortinbras,
Had he been vanquisher, as, by the same cov'nant
And carriage of the article design'd,
His fell to Hamlet. Now, sir, young Fortinbras,
Of unimproved mettle hot and full,
Hath in the skirts of Norway, here and there,
Shark'd up a list of lawless resolutes,
For food and diet, to some enterprise
That hath a stomach in't; which is no other,
As it doth well appear unto our state,
But to recover of us, by strong hand
And terms compulsatory, those foresaid lands
So by his father lost; and this, I take it,
Is the main motive of our preparations,
The source of this our watch, and the chief head
Of this post-haste and romage in the land.

12

I,1,129

A mote it is to trouble the mind's eye.
In the most high and palmy state of Rome,
A little ere the mightiest Julius fell,
The graves stood tenantless, and the sheeted dead
Did squeak and gibber in the Roman streets;
As stars with trains of fire, and dews of blood,
Disasters in the sun; and the moist star
Upon whose influence Neptune's empire stands
Was sick almost to doomsday with eclipse.
And even the like precurse of fierce events,
As harbingers preceding still the fates
And prologue to the omen coming on,
Have heaven and earth together demonstrated
Unto our climature and countrymen.
[Enter Ghost again.]
But soft! behold! Lo, where it comes again!
I'll cross it, though it blast me.- Stay illusion!
[Spreads his arms.]
If thou hast any sound, or use of voice,
Speak to me.
If there be any good thing to be done,
That may to thee do ease, and, grace to me,
Speak to me.
If thou art privy to thy country's fate,
Which happily foreknowing may avoid,
O, speak!
Or if thou hast uphoarded in thy life
Extorted treasure in the womb of earth
(For which, they say, you spirits oft walk in death),
[The cock crows.]
Speak of it! Stay, and speak!- Stop it, Marcellus!

13

I,1,161

Do, if it will not stand.

14

I,1,163

'Tis here!

15

I,1,171

And then it started, like a guilty thing
Upon a fearful summons. I have heard
The cock, that is the trumpet to the morn,
Doth with his lofty and shrill-sounding throat
Awake the god of day; and at his warning,
Whether in sea or fire, in earth or air,
Th' extravagant and erring spirit hies
To his confine; and of the truth herein
This present object made probation.

16

I,1,188

So have I heard and do in part believe it.
But look, the morn, in russet mantle clad,
Walks o'er the dew of yon high eastward hill.
Break we our watch up; and by my advice
Let us impart what we have seen to-night
Unto young Hamlet; for, upon my life,
This spirit, dumb to us, will speak to him.
Do you consent we shall acquaint him with it,
As needful in our loves, fitting our duty?
Let's do't, I pray; and I this morning know
Where we shall find him most conveniently.

17

I,2,365

Hail to your lordship!

18

I,2,368

The same, my lord, and your poor servant ever.

19

I,2,375

A truant disposition, good my lord.

20

I,2,382

My lord, I came to see your father's funeral.

21

I,2,385

Indeed, my lord, it followed hard upon.

22

I,2,391

O, where, my lord?

23

I,2,393

I saw him once. He was a goodly king.

24

I,2,396

My lord, I think I saw him yesternight.

25

I,2,398

My lord, the King your father.

26

I,2,400

Season your admiration for a while
With an attent ear, till I may deliver
Upon the witness of these gentlemen,
This marvel to you.

27

I,2,405

Two nights together had these gentlemen
(Marcellus and Bernardo) on their watch
In the dead vast and middle of the night
Been thus encount'red. A figure like your father,
Armed at point exactly, cap-a-pe,
Appears before them and with solemn march
Goes slow and stately by them. Thrice he walk'd
By their oppress'd and fear-surprised eyes,
Within his truncheon's length; whilst they distill'd
Almost to jelly with the act of fear,
Stand dumb and speak not to him. This to me
In dreadful secrecy impart they did,
And I with them the third night kept the watch;
Where, as they had deliver'd, both in time,
Form of the thing, each word made true and good,
The apparition comes. I knew your father.
These hands are not more like.

28

I,2,425

My lord, I did;
But answer made it none. Yet once methought
It lifted up it head and did address
Itself to motion, like as it would speak;
But even then the morning cock crew loud,
And at the sound it shrunk in haste away
And vanish'd from our sight.

29

I,2,433

As I do live, my honour'd lord, 'tis true;
And we did think it writ down in our duty
To let you know of it.

30

I,2,444

O, yes, my lord! He wore his beaver up.

31

I,2,446

A countenance more in sorrow than in anger.

32

I,2,448

Nay, very pale.

33

I,2,450

Most constantly.

34

I,2,452

It would have much amaz'd you.

35

I,2,454

While one with moderate haste might tell a hundred.

36

I,2,456

Not when I saw't.

37

I,2,458

It was, as I have seen it in his life,
A sable silver'd.

38

I,2,462

I warr'nt it will.

39

I,4,627

It is a nipping and an eager air.

40

I,4,629

I think it lacks of twelve.

41

I,4,631

Indeed? I heard it not. It then draws near the season
Wherein the spirit held his wont to walk.
[A flourish of trumpets, and two pieces go off.]
What does this mean, my lord?

42

I,4,640

Is it a custom?

43

I,4,667

Look, my lord, it comes!

44

I,4,688

It beckons you to go away with it,
As if it some impartment did desire
To you alone.

45

I,4,694

No, by no means!

46

I,4,696

Do not, my lord!

47

I,4,702

What if it tempt you toward the flood, my lord,
Or to the dreadful summit of the cliff
That beetles o'er his base into the sea,
And there assume some other, horrible form
Which might deprive your sovereignty of reason
And draw you into madness? Think of it.
The very place puts toys of desperation,
Without more motive, into every brain
That looks so many fadoms to the sea
And hears it roar beneath.

48

I,4,716

Be rul'd. You shall not go.

49

I,4,725

He waxes desperate with imagination.

50

I,4,727

Have after. To what issue will this come?

51

I,4,729

Heaven will direct it.

52

I,5,851

[within] My lord, my lord!

53

I,5,854

Heaven secure him!

54

I,5,859

What news, my lord?

55

I,5,861

Good my lord, tell it.

56

I,5,863

Not I, my lord, by heaven!

57

I,5,870

There needs no ghost, my lord, come from the grave
To tell us this.

58

I,5,879

These are but wild and whirling words, my lord.

59

I,5,882

There's no offence, my lord.

60

I,5,890

What is't, my lord? We will.

61

I,5,894

In faith,
My lord, not I.

62

I,5,905

Propose the oath, my lord.

63

I,5,917

O day and night, but this is wondrous strange!

64

III,2,1931

Here, sweet lord, at your service.

65

III,2,1934

O, my dear lord!

66

III,2,1967

Well, my lord.
If he steal aught the whilst this play is playing,
And scape detecting, I will pay the theft.
Sound a flourish. [Enter Trumpets and Kettledrums. Danish
march. [Enter King, Queen, Polonius, Ophelia, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern,
and other Lords attendant, with the Guard carrying torches.]

67

III,2,2166

Half a share.

68

III,2,2172

You might have rhym'd.

69

III,2,2175

Very well, my lord.

70

III,2,2177

I did very well note him.

71

IV,5,2871

'Twere good she were spoken with; for she may strew
Dangerous conjectures in ill-breeding minds.

72

IV,6,3100

What are they that would speak with me?

73

IV,6,3102

Let them come in.
[Exit Attendant.]
I do not know from what part of the world
I should be greeted, if not from Lord Hamlet.

74

IV,6,3108

Let him bless thee too.

75

IV,6,3112

[reads the letter] 'Horatio, when thou shalt have overlook'd
this, give these fellows some means to the King. They have
letters for him. Ere we were two days old at sea, a pirate of
very warlike appointment gave us chase. Finding ourselves too
slow of sail, we put on a compelled valour, and in the grapple I
boarded them. On the instant they got clear of our ship; so I
alone became their prisoner. They have dealt with me like thieves
of mercy; but they knew what they did: I am to do a good turn for
them. Let the King have the letters I have sent, and repair thou
to me with as much speed as thou wouldst fly death. I have words
to speak in thine ear will make thee dumb; yet are they much too
light for the bore of the matter. These good fellows will bring
thee where I am. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern hold their course
for England. Of them I have much to tell thee. Farewell.
'He that thou knowest thine, HAMLET.'
Come, I will give you way for these your letters,
And do't the speedier that you may direct me
To him from whom you brought them. Exeunt.

76

V,1,3409

Custom hath made it in him a property of easiness.

77

V,1,3423

It might, my lord.

78

V,1,3428

Ay, my lord.

79

V,1,3453

Not a jot more, my lord.

80

V,1,3455

Ay, my lord, And of calveskins too.

81

V,1,3526

What's that, my lord?

82

V,1,3528

E'en so.

83

V,1,3531

E'en so, my lord.

84

V,1,3535

'Twere to consider too curiously, to consider so.

85

V,1,3608

Good my lord, be quiet.

86

V,2,3652

Remember it, my lord!

87

V,2,3661

That is most certain.

88

V,2,3676

Is't possible?

89

V,2,3679

I beseech you.

90

V,2,3689

Ay, good my lord.

91

V,2,3700

How was this seal'd?

92

V,2,3709

So Guildenstern and Rosencrantz go to't.

93

V,2,3716

Why, what a king is this!

94

V,2,3725

It must be shortly known to him from England
What is the issue of the business there.

95

V,2,3735

Peace! Who comes here?

96

V,2,3740

[aside to Hamlet] No, my good lord.

97

V,2,3774

[aside to Hamlet] Is't not possible to understand in another
tongue? You will do't, sir, really.

98

V,2,3778

[aside] His purse is empty already. All's golden words are
spent.

99

V,2,3799

[aside to Hamlet] I knew you must be edified by the margent
ere you had done.

100

V,2,3823

This lapwing runs away with the shell on his head.

101

V,2,3844

You will lose this wager, my lord.

102

V,2,3848

Nay, good my lord—

103

V,2,3851

If your mind dislike anything, obey it. I will forestall their
repair hither and say you are not fit.

104

V,2,3960

They bleed on both sides. How is it, my lord?

105

V,2,3999

Never believe it.
I am more an antique Roman than a Dane.
Here's yet some liquor left.

106

V,2,4021

Now cracks a noble heart. Good night, sweet prince,
And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!
[March within.]
Why does the drum come hither?
Enter Fortinbras and English Ambassadors, with Drum, Colours, and Attendants.

107

V,2,4027

What is it you will see?
If aught of woe or wonder, cease your search.

108

V,2,4039

Not from his mouth,
Had it th' ability of life to thank you.
He never gave commandment for their death.
But since, so jump upon this bloody question,
You from the Polack wars, and you from England,
Are here arriv'd, give order that these bodies
High on a stage be placed to the view;
And let me speak to the yet unknowing world
How these things came about. So shall you hear
Of carnal, bloody and unnatural acts;
Of accidental judgments, casual slaughters;
Of deaths put on by cunning and forc'd cause;
And, in this upshot, purposes mistook
Fall'n on th' inventors' heads. All this can I
Truly deliver.

109

V,2,4059

Of that I shall have also cause to speak,
And from his mouth whose voice will draw on more.
But let this same be presently perform'd,
Even while men's minds are wild, lest more mischance
On plots and errors happen.