This must be known; which, being kept close, might move More grief to hide, than hate to utter love. Come. SCENE II. [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, More than his father's death, that thus hath put him That,-being of so young days brought up with him: mour, That you vouchsafe your rest here in our court 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 a while, 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,8 To be commanded. 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. Heavens make our presence, and our prac Pol. The embassadors from Norway, my good lord, Are joyfully return'd. 7 Complaisance. 8 Utmost exertion. 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. in. Queen. I doubt, it is no other but the main; His father's death, and our o'erhasty marriage. Re-enter POLONIUS, with VOLTIMAND and COR NELIUS. 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 But, better look'd into, he truly found It was against your highness: Whereat griev'd,— Was falsely borne in hand,3-sends out arrests 9 Scent. I Desert. 2 Poland. 3 Imposed on. On Fortinbras; which he, in brief, obeys; To give the assay of arms against your majesty. [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: Most welcome home! Pol. [Exeunt VOLTIMAND and CORNELIUS. 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, Mad call I it for, to define true madness, What is't, but to be nothing else but mad: But let that go. 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, 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, while she is mine; Who, in her duty and obedience, mark, 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 shall hear. Thus : you 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, Thine evermore, most dear lady, whilst this machine is to him, Hamlet. |