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? His access to me. Pol. That hath made him mad. I'm 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 More grief to hide than hate to utter love. Come. [Exeunt. SCENE II. The same. A room in the castle. Enter King, Queen, ROSENCRANTZ, GUILDENSTERN, Attendants. and 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 Since nor th' exterior nor the inward man Resembles that it was. What it should be, 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, 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 To whom he more adheres. If it will please you To show us so much gentry and good will Both your majesties Ros. Guil. But we both obey, And here give up ourselves, in the full bent, 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 Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, and some Attendants. Enter POLONIUS. Pol. Th' ambassadors 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: And I do think or else this brain of mine Hunts not the trail of policy so sure As it hath us'd to do -- that I have found The very cause of Hamlet's lunacy. King. O, speak of that; that do I long to hear. He tells me, my dear Gertrude, he hath found Queen. I doubt it is no other but the main, Re-enter POLONIUS, with VOLTIMAND and CORNELIUS. Say, Voltimand, what from our brother Norway? Volt. Most fair return of greetings and desires. 3 Whereon old Norway, overcome with joy, As therein are set down. King. It likes us well; And at our more consider'd time we'll read, [Gives a paper. Meantime we thank you for your well-took labour: Go to your rest; at night we'll feast together: Pol. [Exeunt Voltimand and Cornelius. This business is well ended. My liege, and madam, - to expostulate Why day is day, night night, and time is time, And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes, Queen. More matter, with less art. Pol. Madam, I swear I use no art at all. I have a daughter, have whilst she is mine, Hath given me this: now gather, and surmise. - [Reads. "To the celestial and my soul's idol, the most beautified Ophelia," — That's an ill phrase, a vile phrase, phrase: but you shall hear. Thus: "beautified" is a vile [Reads. "In her excellent-white bosom, these," &c. Pol. Good madam, stay awhile; I will be faithful. [Reads. "Doubt thou the stars are fire; Doubt that the sun doth move; Doubt truth to be a liar; But never doubt I love. "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 above, hath his solicitings, As they fell out by time, by means, and place, 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, As I perceiv'd it, I must tell you that, Before my daughter told me, what might you, Or my dear majesty your queen here, think, If I had play'd the desk or table-book; Or given my heart a winking, mute and dumb; What might you think? No, I went round to work, |