Rey. My lord, that would dishonour him. Pol. 'Faith no; but breathe his faults so quaintly, That they may seem the taints of liberty: The flash and outbreak of a fiery mind; A savageness in unreclaimed blood, Of general assault.' Pol. Wherefore should you do this? Rey. But, my good lord, Ay, my lord, Marry, sir, here's my drift; Rey. I would know that. Pol. And, I believe, it is a fetch of warrant: You laying these slight sullies on my son, He closes with you in this consequence; Rey. Very good, my lord. Pol. And then, sir, does he this,-He doesWhat was I about to say?-By the mass, I was about to say something :-Where did I leave? Rey. At, closes in the consequence. Pol. At, closes in the consequence,—Ay, marry ; He closes with you thus: I know the gentleman; I saw him yesterday, or t'other day, Or then, or then; with such, or such; and, as you say, There was he gaming.— See you now; Your bait of falsehood takes this carp of truth: And thus do we of wisdom and of reach, With windlaces, and with assays of bias, So, by former lecture and advice, Shall you, my son: You have me, have you not? Such as youth in general is liable to. God be wi' you; fare you well. Rey. My lord, I have. Rey. Good my lord, Pol. Observe his inclination in yourself. Rey. I shall, my lord. Pol. And let him ply his musick. Rey. Well, my lord. [Exit. Enter OPHELIA. Pol. Farewell!-How now, Ophelia? what's the matter? Oph. O, my lord, my lord, I have been so affrighted! 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. 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 staid 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,' And end his being: That done, he lets me go: And with his head over his shoulder turn'd, Pol. Come, go with me; I will go seek the king. This is the very ecstacy 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 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 judgement, 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 More grief to hide, than hate to utter love. Come. SCENE II.-A room in the castle. [move [Exeunt. Enter King, Queen, ROSENCRANTZ, GUILDENstern, and Attendants. [stern! King. Welcome, dear Rosencrantz, and GuildenMoreover 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 I call it, 1 destroys. 2 marked, observed. Since not the exterior nor the inward man I cannot dream of: I entreat you both, That,-being of so young days brought up with him, Queen. Good gentlemen, he hath much talked of Both your majesties Ros. Than to entreaty. 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. [stern. King. Thanks, Rosencrantz, and gentle GuildenQueen. Thanks, Guildenstern, and gentle RosenAnd I beseech you instantly to visit [crantz : My too much changed son.-Go, some of you, 1 courtesy. 2 Utmost extremity of exertion. The allusion is to a bow bent as far as it will go. Guil. Heavens make our presence, and our pracPleasant and helpful to him! Queen. [tices, Ay, amen! [Exeunt ROSENCRANTZ, GUILDENSTERN, and some Attendants. Enter POLONIUS. Pol. Th'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: 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. Re-enter POLONIUS, with VOLTIMAND and CORNELIUS. King. Well, we shall sift him.-Welcome, my good friends! Say, Voltimand, what from our brother Norway? His nephew's levies; which to him appear'd 2 The trail is the course of an animal pursued by the scent. |