Pol. And let him ply his music. Rey. Well, my lord. Enter OPHELIA. [Exit. Pol. Farewell!-How now, Ophelia? what's the matter? 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. My lord, I do not know; But, truly, I do fear it. Pol. 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 ; seek the king. Pol. Come, go with me; I will go 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. [1] Down-gyved means, hanging down like the loose cincture which confines the Fetters round the ancles. STEEVENS. 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, And meant to wreck thee; but, beshrew my jealousy! It seems, 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.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 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, 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, To whom he more adheres. If it will please you [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 show us so much gentry, and good will, 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 Guildensteri. 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. The trail is the course of an animal pursued by the scent 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? Vol. Most fair return of greetings, and desires. It was against your highness: Whereat griev'd,-- 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, Mean time, we thank you for your well-took labour. Most welcome home! [Exeunt VOLT. and Cor. Pol. This business is well ended. My liege, and madam, to expostulate® The king's intemperance is never suffered to be forgotten. JOHNSON, 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 machine is to him, Hamlet. This, in obedience, hath my daughter shown me : And more above, hath his solicitings, As they fell out by time, by means, and place, All given to mine ear. 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, |