This must be known; which, being kept close, might move [Exeunt. 115 SCENE II.-A Room in the Castle. Enter KING, QUEEN, ROSENCRANTZ, GUILDENSTERN, and King. Welcome, dear Rosencrantz and Guildenstern! 5 More than his father's death, that thus hath put him I cannot dream of: I entreat you both, 10 That, being of so young days brought up with him, And since so neighbour'd to his youth and humour, To draw him on to pleasures, and to gather, 15 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 20 To whom he more adheres. If it will please you Might, by the sovereign power you have of us, And here give up ourselves, in the full bent, To be commanded. King. Thanks, Rosencrantz and gentle Guildenstern. 30 Queen. Thanks, Guildenstern and gentle Rosencrantz : And I beseech you instantly to visit 35 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. The 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 As it hath us'd to do) that I have found King. O, speak of that; that do I long to hear. My news shall be the fruit to that great feast. He tells me, my sweet queen, that he hath found [Exit POLONIUS. 55 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. Upon our first, he sent out to suppress His nephew's levies, which to him appear'd It was against your highness: whereat griev'd- Gives him three thousand crowns in annual fee; [Gives a paper. That it might please you to give quiet pass 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. 80 Pol. This business is well ended. And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes, Queen. 85 90 95 That he is mad, 'tis true: 'tis true 'tis pity; And pity 'tis 'tis true: a foolish figure; But farewell it, for I will use no art. Mad let us grant him then: and now remains, 100 That we find out the cause of this effect Or rather say, the cause of this defect, For this effect defective comes by cause: Thus it remains, and the remainder thus.-Perpend. I have a daughter-have, whilst she is mine- 105 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; 'beautified' is a vile phrase; but you shall hear. Thus : [Reads.]-In her excellent white bosom, these,' &c. Queen. Came this from Hamlet to her? 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. 111 115 '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 shew'd me: And more above, hath his solicitings, As they fell out by time, by means, and place, 125 King. As of a man faithful and honourable. But how hath she What do you think of me? Pol. I would fain prove so. But what might you think, When I had seen this hot love on the wing 130 (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; 135 Or look'd upon this love with idle sight; What might you think? No, I went round to work, And my young mistress thus I did bespeak: 'Lord Hamlet is a prince out of thy star; This must not be :' and then I precepts gave her, 140 Fell into a sadness; then into a fast; 145 Thence to a watch; thence into a weakness; King. Do you think 'tis this? 150 Queen. It may be, very likely. |