Act I
Scene I
Elsinore. A platform before the castle.
Francisco at his post. Enter to him Bernardo.
Bernardo
Who’s there?
Francisco
Nay, answer me: stand, and unfold yourself.
Bernardo
Long live the king!
Francisco
Bernardo?
Bernardo
Francisco
You come most carefully upon your hour.
Bernardo
’Tis now struck twelve; get thee to bed, Francisco.
Francisco
For this relief much thanks: ’tis bitter cold,And I am sick at heart.
Bernardo
Have you had quiet guard?
Francisco
Not a mouse stirring.
Bernardo
Well, good night.If you do meet Horatio and Marcellus,The rivals of my watch, bid them make haste.
Francisco
I think I hear them. Stand, ho! Who’s there?
Enter Horatio and Marcellus.
Horatio
Friends to this ground.
Marcellus
And liegemen to the Dane.
Francisco
Give you good night.
Marcellus
O, farewell, honest soldier:Who hath relieved you?
Francisco
Bernardo has my place.Give you good night. Exit.
Marcellus
Holla! Bernardo!
Bernardo
Say,What, is Horatio there?
Horatio
A piece of him.
Bernardo
Welcome, Horatio: welcome, good Marcellus.
Marcellus
What, has this thing appear’d again to-night?
Bernardo
I have seen nothing.
Marcellus
Horatio says ’tis but our fantasy,And will not let belief take hold of himTouching this dreaded sight, twice seen of us:Therefore I have entreated him alongWith us to watch the minutes of this night;That if again this apparition come,He may approve our eyes and speak to it.
Horatio
Tush, tush, ’twill not appear.
Bernardo
Sit down awhile;And let us once again assail your ears,That are so fortified against our storyWhat we have two nights seen.

Macbeth
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Romeo and Juliet
The Tempest
She Stoops to Conquer
The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus
The School for Scandal
The Playboy of the Western World
An Ideal Husband
The Importance of Being Earnest