Pol. What said he? Oph. He took me by the wrist, and held me Then goes he to the length of all his arm; As he would draw it. Long stay'd he so; And end his being: That done, he let's me go: Pol. Come, go with me; I will go seek the king. This is the very ecstasy of love; Whose violent property foredoes itself, 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 com mand, 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! It seems, it is as proper to our age To cast beyond ourselves in our opinions, To lack discretion. Come, go we to the king: This must be known; which, being kept close, might move More grief to hide, than hate to utter love. [Exeunt. SCENE II. A Room in the Castle. Enter King, Queen, ROSENCRANTZ, GUILDENSTERN, and Attendants. King. Welcome, dear Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern! Moreover that we much did long to see you, So much from the understanding of himself, And, since, so neighbour'd to his youth and hu mour, That you vouchsafe your rest here in our court Some little time: so by your companies To draw him on to pleasures; and to gather,. So much as from occasion you may glean, Whether aught, to us unknown, afflicts him thus, That, open'd, lies within our remedy. Queen. Good gentlemen, he hath much talk'd of you; And, sure I am, two men there are not living, Ros. Guil. But we both obey; 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. Guil. Heavens make our presence, and our practices, Pleasant and helpful to him! Queen, Ay, amen! [Exeunt Ros. GUIL, 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. Pol. Have I, my lord? Assure you, my good liege, I hold my duty, as I hold my soul, Both to my God, and to my gracious king; King. O, speak of that; that do I long to hear. Pol. Give first admittance to the embassadors; My news shall be the fruit to that great feast. King. Thyself do grace to them, and bring [Exit POLONIUS. He tells me, my dear Gertrude, he hath found The head and source of all your son's distemper, them in. Queen. I doubt, it is no other but the main; His father's death, and our o'erhasty marriage. Re-enter POLONIUS, with VOLTIMAND and CORNELIUS. King. Well, we shall sift him.-Welcome my good friends! Sayol. Most fair returu of greetings and desires, Voltimand, what from our brother Norway? Upon our first, he sent out to suppress Was falsely borne in hand,-sends out arrests King. Mean time, we thank you for your well-took labour: Go to your rest; at night we'll feast together: Most welcome home! Pol. [Exeunt VOLTIMAND and CORNELIUS. 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, I will be brief: Your noble son is mad: Queen. More matter, with less art, Mad let us grant him then: and now remains, VOL. VIII. Q I have a daughter; have, while she is mine; That's an ill phrase, a vile phrase; beautified is Queen. Came this from Hamlet to her? 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 daughtershown me: And more above, hath his solicitings, As they fell out by time, by means, and place, All given to mine ear. King. Receiv'd his love? Pol. But how hath she 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 Before my daughter told me), what might you, And my young mistress thus did I bespeak; This must not be: and then I precepts gave her, |