As oft as any passion under heaven, That does afflict our natures. I am sorry, What! have you given him any hard words of late? 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, 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 SCENE II. A Room in the Castle. 65 [Exeunt. 66 Flourish. Enter King, Queen, ROSENCRANTZ, GUILDENSTERN, Attendants. King. Welcome, dear Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern: Moreover, that we much did long to see you, 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 and 67 68 69 To show us so much gentry, and good will, Ros. Both your majesties 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, Queen. Ay, amen! [Exeunt ROSENCRANTZ, GUILDENSTERN, and some Attendants. Enter POLONIUS. Pol. Th' ambassadors from Norway, my good lord, King. Thou still hast been the father of good news. | 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 The very cause of Hamlet's lunacy. 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 dear Gertrude, he hath found Re-enter POLONIUS, with VOLTIMAND and CORNELIUS. King. Well, we shall sift him. Welcome, my good friends. Say, Voltimand, what from our brother Norway? Volt. Most fair return of greetings, and desires. Upon our first, he sent out to suppress To give th' assay of arms against your majesty. | And, at our more consider'd time, we'll read, Answer, and think upon this business: [Giving a Paper. Mean time, we thank you for your well-took labour. Most welcome home. Pol. 70 71 [Exeunt Ambassadors. | This business is well ended. 72 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, Mad call I it; for, to define true madness, Pol. Madam, I swear, I use no art at all. That he is mad, 't is true: 't is true 't is pity, And pity t' is 't is true: a foolish figure; But farewell it, for I will use no art. | 73 Mad let us grant him, then; and now remains, I have a daughter; have, while 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 Queen. Pol. 74 75 Came this from Hamlet to her? Good Madam, stay awhile; I will be faithful. | 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 machine is to him, Hamlet." This in obedience hath my daughter shown me; And more above, hath his solicitings, King. Receiv'd his love? and place, But how hath she 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, 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, King. Do you think 't is this? Queen. It may be, very likely. Pol. Hath there been such a time, I'd fain know that, That I have positively said, ""T is so," When it prov'd otherwise? King. Pol. Take this from this, if this be otherwise. Not that I know. [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 farther? 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. Queen. But, look, where sadly the poor wretch comes reading. 76 77 |