Enter OPHELIA. How now, Ophelia! what's the matter? Oph. O, my lord, my lord, I have been so affrighted! Pol. With what, i' the name of God? Oph. My lord, as I was sewing in my closet, 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? 80 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, As it did seem to shatter all his bulk 90 100 Pol. Come, go with me: I will go seek the king. This is the very ecstasy of love, 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, 110 And meant to wreck thee; but, beshrew my jeal ousy! By heaven, it is as proper to our age 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. [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, The need we have to use you did provoke Our hasty sending. Something have you heard Of Hamlet's transformation; so call it, Resembles that it was. What it should be, More than his father's death, that thus hath put him So much from the understanding of himself, I cannot dream of: I entreat you both, 10 That, being of so young days brought up with him, That you vouchsafe your rest here in our court 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 As to expend your time with us awhile, Ros. And here give up ourselves, in the full bent To be commanded. 20 30 King. Thanks, Rosencrantz and gentle Guilden stern. Queen. Thanks, Guildenstern and gentle Rosen crantz: And I beseech you instantly to visit My too much changed son. Go, some of you, Guil. Heaven make our presence and our prac King. Thou still hast been the father of good news. Pol. Have I, my lord? I assure my good liege, I hold my duty, as I hold my soul, Both to my God and to my gracious king: As it hath used to do, that I have found The very cause of Hamlet's lunacy. King. O, speak of that; that do I long to hear. 50 Pol. Give first admittance to the ambassadors; My news shall be the fruit to that great feast. King. Thyself do grace to them, and bring them [Exit Polonius. in. He tells me, my dear Gertrude, he hath found Re-enter POLONIUS, with VOLTIMAND and CORNE LIUS. Welcome, my good friends! Say, Voltimand, what from our brother Norway? It was against your highness: whereat grieved, To give the assay of arms against your majesty. 61 70 [Giving a paper. That it might please you to give quiet pass |