Pol. That hath made him mad. I am sorry, that with better heed and judgment, I had not quoted him.2 I fear'd, he did but trifle, To cast beyond ourselves in our opinions, As it is common for the younger sort To lack discretion.3 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.4 Come. [Exeunt. 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 I call it, Since not the exterior nor the inward man 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, 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, Queen. Good gentlemen, he hath much talk'd of you; And, sure I am, two men there are not living, [2] To quote, is I believe, to reckon, to take an account of, to take the quotient or result of a computation. JOHNSON. [3] This is not the remark of a weak man. The vice of age is too much suspicion. Men long accustomed to the wiles of life cast commonly beyond themselves, let their cunning go farther than reason can attend it. This is always the fault of a little mind, made artful by long commerce with the world. JOHNSON. [4] This must be made known to the king, for (being kept secret) the hiding Hamlet's love might occasion more mischief to us from him and the queen, than the uttering or revealing of it will occasion hate and resentment from Hamlet. JOHNSON. To whom he more adheres. If it will please you Ros. Both your majesties Might, by the sovereign power you have of us, 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, 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: And I do think, (or else this brain of mine King, O, speak of that; that do I long to hear. [5] The trail is the course of an animal pursued by the scent. JOHNSON. The fruit, the desert after the meat. JOHNSON. 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 It was against your highness: Whereat griev'd,— [Gives a paper. That it might please you to give quiet pass King. It likes us well; And, at our more consider'd time, we'll read, Answer, and think upon this business. Mean time, we thank you for your well-took labour : Go to your rest; at night we'll feast together :7 Most welcome home! [Exeunt VOLT. and CoR. Pol. 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, And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes,- [7] The king's intemperance is never suffered to be forgotten. JOHNSON [8] To expostulate for to inquire or discuss. WARBURTON. Queen. More matter, with less art. Pol. Madam, I swear, I use no art at all. Mad let us grant him then and now remains, I have a daughter; have, whilst she is mine; Hath given me this: Now gather, and surmise. -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 : In her excellent white bosom, these, &c. Queen. Came this from Hamlet to her? Pol. Good madam, stay awhile; I will be faithful 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, in obedience, hath my daughter shown me : As they fell out by time, by means, and place, King. But how hath she Receiv'd his love? Pol. 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, What might you think? no, I went round to work, Thence to a watch; thence into a weakness; And all we mourn for.4 King. Do you think, 'tis this? Queen. It may be, very likely. 2 Pol. Hath there been such a time, (I'd fain know that,) That I have positively said, 'Tis 80, When it prov'd otherwise? King. Not that I know. Pol. Take this from this, if this be otherwise : [Pointing to his head and shoulder. If circumstances lead me, I will find Where truth is hid, though it were hid indeed Within the centre. King. How may we try it further? Pol. You know, sometimes he walks four hours together, Here in the lobby. Queen. So he does, indeed. Pol. At such a time I'll loose my daughter to him: Be you and I behind an arras then ; Mark the encounter: if he love her not, And be not from his reason fallen thereon, Let me be no assistant for a state, But keep a farm, and carters. King. We will try it. [1] If I had locked up this secret in my own breast, as closely as it were confined in a desk or table-book. MALONE. [2] Roundly, without reserve. So Polonius, in the third act, be round with him." 99 STEEVENS. [3] She took the fruits of advice when she obeyed advice, the advice was then made fruitful. JOHNSON. [4] See Illustrations, Vol. IX. |