Act 3, Sc. 2, lines 47- 83: Hamlet says that since he was old enough to choose a friend, he has chosen Horatio. What quality does he admire in his friend?

Hamlet. What ho, Horatio!

[Enter Horatio]

Horatio. Here, sweet lord, at your service.

Hamlet. Horatio, thou art e'en as just a man

As e'er my conversation coped withal.

Horatio. O my dear lord!

Hamlet. Nay, do not think I flatter,

For what advancement may I hope from thee

That no revenue hast but thy good spirits

To feed and clothe thee? Why should the poor be flattered?

No, let the candied tongue lick absurd pomp,

And crook the pregnant hinges of the knee

Hath sealed thee for herself; for thou hast been

As one, in suff'ring all, that suffers nothing,

A man that fortune's buffets and rewards

Hast ta'en with equal thanks; and blest are those

Whose blood and judgment are so well co-mingled

That they are not a pipe for Fortune's finger

To sound what stop she please. Give me that man

That is not passion's slave, and I will wear him In my heart's core, ay, in my heart of hearts,

As I do thee. Something too much of this.

There is a play tonight before the King:

One scene of it comes near the circumstance

Which I have told thee of my father's death.

I prithee, when thou seest that act afoot,

Even with the very comment of thy soul

Observe my uncle. If his occulted guilt

Do not itself unkennel in one speech, It is a damned ghost we have seen,

And my imaginations are as foul

As Vulcan's stithy. Give him heedful note;

For I mine eyes will rivet to his face,

And after we will both our judgments join

In censure of his seeming.