That ever I was born to set it right. Nay, come; let's go together. ACT II. SCENE I. A Room in POLONIUS'S House. Enter POLONIUS and REYNALDO. [Exeunt. Pol. Give him this money, and these notes, Reynaldo. Pol. You shall do marvellous wisely, good Reynaldo, Of his behaviour. Rey. My lord, I did intend it. Pol. Marry, well said: very well said. Look you, Sir, Inquire me first what Danskers are in Paris; And how, and who, what means, and where they keep, Take you, as 't were, some distant knowledge of him; And, in part, him:" Rey. Ay, very well, my lord. Pol. "And, in part, him; but," you may say, "not well: But if 't be he I mean, he's very wild, Addicted so and so;" and there put on him What forgeries you please; marry, none so rank To youth and liberty. Rey. As gaming, my lord. Pol. Ay, or drinking, fencing, swearing, quarrelling, Drabbing: - you may go so far. Rey. My lord, that would dishonour him. Pol. 'Faith, no; as you may season it in the charge. You must not put another scandal on him, That he is open to incontinency: That's not my meaning; but breathe his faults so quaintly, That they may seem the taints of liberty; The flash and out-break of a fiery mind; Of general assault. Pol. Ay, my lord, Marry, Sir, here's my drift; And, I believe, it is a fetch of warrant. As 't were a thing a little soil'd i' the working, Your party in converse, him you would sound, Rey. 66 'gentleman," he does Very good, my lord. About to say something: :- where did I leave? Rey. At closes in the consequence, As "friend or so," and " gentleman." I saw him yesterday, or t'other day, ay, marry; Or then, or then: with such, or such; and, as you say, There was he gaming; there o'ertook in 's rouse ; There falling out at tennis: or perchance, I saw him enter such a house of sale, Videlicet, a brothel" or so forth. See you now; Your bait of falsehood takes this carp of truth: You have me, have you not? Shall you my son. Rey. Good my lord. God be wi' you; fare you well. Pol. Observe his inclination in yourself. Rey. I shall, my lord. Pol. And let him ply his music. Rey. Well, my lord. [Exit. Enter OPHELIA. Pol. Farewell! - How now, Ophelia? what's the matter? Oph. Alas, my lord! I have been so affrighted! Pol. With what, in the name of God? Oph. My lord, as I was sewing in my chamber, Lord Hamlet, with his doublet all unbrac'd; No hat upon his head; his stockings foul'd, Ungarter'd, and down-gyved to his ancle; As if he had been loosed out of hell, To speak of horrors, he comes before me. Oph. But, truly, I do fear it. Pol. My lord, I do not know; What said he? Oph. He took me by the wrist, and held me hard; Then goes he to the length of all his arm, And, with his other hand thus o'er his brow, He falls to such perusal of my face, As he would draw it. Long stay'd he so : At last, a little shaking of mine arm, And thrice his head thus waving up and down, And end his being. That done, he lets me go, Pol. Come, go with me: I will go seek the king. Whose violent property fordoes itself, And leads the will to desperate undertakings, That does afflict our natures. I am sorry, What! have you given him any hard words of late? Oph. No, my good lord; but, as you did command, I did repel his letters, and denied His access to me. Pol. That hath made him mad. I am sorry that with better heed and judgment I had not quoted him: I fear'd, he did but trifle, And meant to wreck thee; but, beshrew my jealousy! To cast beyond ourselves in our opinions, 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 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 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, Ros. Both your majesties Might, by the sovereign power you have of us, And here give up ourselves, in the full bent, To lay our service freely at your feet, To be commanded. King. Thanks, Rosencrantz, and gentle Guildenstern. Queen. Thanks, Guildenstern, and gentle Rosencrantz: And I beseech you instantly to visit My too much changed son. Go, some of you, And bring these gentlemen where Hamlet is. |