Page:The Psychology of Shakespeare.pdf/100

Rh unearthly visitant, he has caught the conscience of the fratri

cide King, and unkenneled the dark secret of his guilt; therefore it is that at this second visitation the feeling of awe is unmixed with doubt and that touch of defiance which is so

perceptible on the former one.

Since that, moreover, his

nerves have been rudely shaken ; he has lived in the torture of extreme anxiety and profound grief, and the same cause would produce upon him a greater effect. Even while he is vehemently railing at the criminal whom he had been called upon to punish, the Ghost appears. How is it with you, lady ? Queen. Alas! how is't with you ? That you do bend your eye on vacancy, “Ham.

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And with the incorporeal air do hold discourse 2

Forth at your eyes your spirits wildly peep ; And as the sleeping soldiers in the alarm, Your bedded hair, like life in excrements,

Starts up, and stands on end.

O gentle son,

Upon the heat and flame of thy distemper

Sprinkle cool patience.” “Queen. This is the very coinage of your brain : This bodiless creation ecstasy Is very cunning in. Ham. Ecstasy

My pulse, as yours, doth temperately keep time, And makes as healthful music: It is not madness, That I have utter'd : bring me to the test, And I the matter will re-word ; which madness

Would gambol from.

Mother, for love of grace,

Lay not that flattering unction to your soul,

That not your trespass, but my madness, speaks: It will but skin and film the ulcerous place,

While rank corruption, mining all within, Infects unseen.”

It is in this agony of awe that he calls upon the heavenly guards to save and protect him, that his eyes wildly indicate alarm, that his bedded hairs stand on end, that the heat and

flame of his distemper appears to lack all patience.

It is in