To be Filled

Act One: Scene Two
[Setting: Horatio’s Chamber; Hamlet‘s portrait is within the room]

Horatio

Horatio:
Once more I lay in my own dear sanctum,
A single man no more alone than Death.
Nay, Death convoys with men who have parted,
Even he is more surrounded than I.
A bless’d specter Death, to guard those gone,
Mayhaps if that ghostly sentry was me,
Hamlet once again would roam beside me.
Yet with that unknown love doom may follow,
As did with fallen Lady Ophelia.
A tender heart fallen into ardor,
A tender shell fallen into a stream.
Despite the ruin that became her figure,
Envy consumes me, you filled her fore’re.
Her vessel was fillèd by your being.
Alas Fate, may that vessel be mine own.
What is love? To be filled is to be loved.
Ev’ry morn letters of tenders were sent,
With zenith’s rise came ‘n went sweet passion.
Devil’s slave I’d be to receive that love,
From the arms of a forsaken prince.

[A pound is heard; Enter servant]

Servant:
Holla! Fortinbras calls for your ‘ttendance.
Will you appease your prince, Horatio?

Horatio: (aside)
Fortinbras is not the prince held within.
Hamlet told me to abide in his death,
So I shall abide in Prince Hamlet’s name.
(to servant)
Lead me to our new prince my honest man.

[Exit Horatio, Exit Servant]