To cast beyond ourselves in our opinions, It seems, it is as proper to our age As it is common for the younger sort To lack discretion. Come, go we to the king: This must be known; which, being kept close, might move Come. SCENE II-A Room in the Castle. [Exeunt. Enter KING, QUEEN, ROSENCRANTZ, GUILDENSTERN, and Attendants. King. Welcome, dear Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern! Moreover that we much did long to see you, The need, we have to use you, did provoke Our hasty sending. Something have you heard More than his father's death, that thus hath put him I cannot dream of: I entreat you both, That,-being of so young days brought up with him; To draw him on to pleasures; and to gather, Whether aught, to us unknown, afflicts him thus Queen. Good gentlemen, he hath much talk'd of you; And, sure I am, two men there are not living, To whom he more adheres. If it will please you To show us so much gentry,* and good-will, As to expend your time with us a while, For the supply and profit of our hope, Ros. Both your majesties Might, by the sovereign power you have of us, Guil. But we both obey; And here give up ourselves, in the full bent,t To be commanded. King. Thanks, Rosencrantz, and gentle Guildenstern. And I beseech you instantly to visit My too much changed son.-Go, some of you, And bring these gentlemen where Hamlet is. * Complaisance. + Utmost exertion, Guil. Heavens make our presence, and our practices, Pleasant and helpful to him! Queen. Ay, amen! [Exeunt ROSENCRANTZ, GUILDENSTERN, and some attendants. Enter POLONIUS. Pol. The embassadors from Norway, my good lord, Are joyfully return'd. King. Thou still hast been the father of good news. Both to my God, and to my gracious king: King. O, speak of that; that I do long to hear. He tells me, my dear Gertrude, he hath found Re-enter POLONIUS, with VOLTIMAND and CORNELIUS. King. Well, we shall sift him.-Welcome, my good friends! Say, Voltimand, what from our brother Norway? Volt. Most fair return of greetings and desires. Upon our first, he sent out to suppress His nephew's levies; which to him appear'd It was against your highness: Whereat grieved,— [Gives a paper. + Imposed on. And, at our more consider'd time, we'll read, Answer, and think upon this business. Meantime we thank you for your well-took labour; Go to your rest; at night we'll feast together: Most welcome home! [Exeunt VOLTIMAND and CORNELIUS. Pol. This business is well ended. My liege and madam, to expostulate* What majesty should be, what duty is, Why day is day, night night, and time is time, Were nothing but to waste night, day, and time. And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes,— Queen. More matter, with less art. Pol. Madam, I swear I use no art at all. Mad let us grant him then and now remains, I have a daughter; have, while she is mine; Hath given me this: Now gather and surmise. -To the celestial, and my soul'sidol, the most beautified Ophelia,That's an ill phrase, a vile phrase; beautified is a vile phrase; but you shall hear,-Thus: In her excellent white bosom, these, &c. Queen. Came this from Hamlet to her? Pol. Good Madam, stay awhile; I will be faithful. Doubt thou, the stars are fire; Doubt, that the sun doth move: Doubt truth to be a liar; But never doubt, I love. [reads. O dear Ophelia, I am ill at these numbers: I have not art to reckon my groans; but that I love thee best, O most best, believe it. Adieu. Thine evermore, most dear lady, whilst this machine is to him, Hamlet. This in obedience, hath my daughter shown me: And more abovet hath his solicitings, As they fell out by time, by means, and place, King. But how hath she Received his love? Pol. What do you think of me? King. As of a man faithful and honourable. Pol. I would fain prove so. But what might you think, When I had seen this hot love on the wing, (As I perceived it, I must tell you that, Before my daughter told me), what might you, Or given my heart a working, mute and dumb; What might you think? no, I went round* to work, And all we mourn for. King. Do you think, 'tis this? Queen. It may be, very likely. Pol. Hath there been such a time (I'd fain know that), That I have positively said, 'Tis so, When it proved otherwise? King. Not that I know. Pol. Take this from this, if this be otherwise: [Pointing to his head and shoulder. If circumstances lead me, I will find Where truth is hid, though it were hid indeed Within the centre. King. How may we try it further? Pol. You know, sometimes he walks for hours together, Here in the lobby. Queen. So he does, indeed. Pol. At such a time I'll loose my daughter to him: Be you and I behind an arras then; Mark the encounter: if he love her not, And be not from his reason fallen thereon, Let me be no assistant for a state, But keep a farm, and carters. King. We will try it. Enter HAMLET, reading. Queen. But, look, where sadly the poor wretch comes reading. Pol. Away, I do beseech you, both away; I'll board+ him presently:-O give me leave. Exeunt KING, QUEEN, and Attendants. How does my good lord Hamlet? Ham. Well, god-'a-mercy. Pol. Do you know me, my lord? Ham. Excellent well; you are a fishmonger. Pol. Not I, my lord. Ham. Then I would you were so honest a man. Pol. Honest, my lord? Ham. Ay, Sir; to be honest, as this world goes, is to be one man picked out of ten thousand. Pol. That's very true, my lord. Ham. For if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog, being a god, kissing carrion,- -Have you a daughter? Pol. I have, my lord. Ham. Let her not walk i' the sun: conception is a blessing; but as your daughter may conceive,†-friend, look to't. Pol. How say you by that? [aside]. Still harping on my daughter:-yet he knew me not at first; he said, I was a fishmonger: He is far gone, far gone: and, truly in my youth I suffered much extremity for love; very near this. I'll speak to him again.-What do you read, my lord? Ham. Words, words, words! Pol. What is the matter, my lord? Ham. Between who? Pol. I mean, the matter that you read, my lord. Ham. Slanders, Sir: for the satirical rogue says here, that old men have grey beards; that their faces are wrinkled; their eyes purging thick amber, and plum-tree gum; and that they have a plentiful lack of wit, together with most weak hams: All of which, Sir, though I most powerfully and potently believe, yet I hold it not honesty to have it thus set down; for yourself, Sir, shall be old as I am, if, like a crab, you could go backward. Pol. Though this be madness, yet there's method in it [aside], Will you walk out of the air, my lord? Ham. Into my grave? Pol. Indeed, that is out 'o' the air. - How pregnant‡ sometimes his replies are! a happiness that often madness hits on, which reason and sanity § could not so prosperously be delivered of. I will leave him, and suddenly contrive the means of meeting between him and my daughter.-My honourable lord, I will most humbly take my leave of you. Ham. You cannot, Sir, take from me anything that I will more willingly part withal; except my life, except my life, except my life. Pol. Fare you well, my lord. Ham. These tedious old fools! Enter ROSENCRANTZ and GUILDENSTERN. Pol. You go to seek the lord Hamlet; there he is. Ross. God save you, Sir! Guil. My honour'd lord!- * Understanding. [To POLONIUS. Exit POLONIUS. + Be pregnant. Soundness of mind. |