Claudius,
           King of Denmark.

    Marcellus,
           Officer.

    Hamlet,
           son to the former,
         and nephew
               to the present king.

    Polonius,
           Lord Chamberlain.

    Horatio,
           friend to Hamlet.

    Laertes,
           son to Polonius.

    Voltemand,
           courtier.

    Cornelius,
           courtier.

    Rosencrantz,
           courtier.

    Guildenstern,
           courtier.

    Osric,
           courtier.

    A Gentleman,
           courtier.

    A Priest.

    Marcellus,
           officer.

    Bernardo,
           officer.

    Francisco,
           a soldier

    Reynaldo,
           servant to Polonius.

    Players.

    Two Clowns,
           gravediggers.

    Fortinbras,
           Prince of Norway.

    A Norwegian Captain.

    English Ambassadors.

    Getrude,
           Queen of Denmark,
         mother to Hamlet.

    Ophelia,
           daughter to Polonius.

    Ghost of Hamlet's Father.

    Lords,
           ladies,
         Officers,
           Soldiers,
         Sailors,
           Messengers,
         Attendants.

    SCENE.

    - Elsinore.

 
  ACT I. Scene I. Elsinore. A
       platform before the Castle.

    Enter two Sentinels-[first,] Francisco,
         [who paces
               up and
             down at his post;
            then] Bernardo,
               [who approaches him].

    Ber.

    Who's there.

    ?

    Fran.

    Nay,
           answer me.

    Stand and unfold yourself.

    Ber.

    Long live the King!

    Fran.

    Bernardo?

    Ber.

    He.

    Fran.

    You come most carefully
           upon your hour.

    Ber.

    'Tis now struck twelve.

    Get thee to bed,
           Francisco.

    Fran.

    For this relief much thanks.

    'Tis bitter cold,
           And I
            am sick at heart.

    Ber.

    Have you had quiet guard?

    Fran.

    Not a mouse stirring.

    Ber.

    Well,
           good night.

    If you
          do meet Horatio and Marcellus,
           The rivals of my watch,
         bid them make haste.

    Enter Horatio and Marcellus.

    Fran.

    I think I hear them.

    Stand,
           ho!

    Who is there?

    Hor.

    Friends to this ground.

    Mar. And liegemen
           to the Dane.

    Fran.

    Give you good night.

    Mar. O,
           farewell,
         honest soldier.

    Who hath reliev'd you?

    Fran.

    Bernardo hath my place.

    Give you good night.