That they may seem the taints of liberty : Pol. Wherefore should you do this? Rey. Rey. I would know that. Pol. But, my good lord, Ay, my lord, Marry, sir, here's my drift; Your party in converse, him you would sound, Rey. Very good, my lord. Pol. And then, sir, does he this,-He does. What was I about to say? By the mass, I was about to say some 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; there o'ertook in his rouse : There falling out at tennis; or, perchance, I saw him enter such a house of sale, 4 A savageness-] Savageness, for wildness. Of general assault.] i. e. such as youth in general is liable to. prenominate crimes,] i. e. crimes already named. VOL. IX. (Videlicet, a brothel,) or so forth. See you now; Your bait of falsehood takes this carp of truth: With windlaces, and with assays of bias, So, by former lecture and advice, Shall you my son: You have me, have you not? Pol. God be wi' you; fare you well. 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! Pol. With what, in the name of heaven? Oph. My lord, as I was sewing in my closet, Lord Hamlet,with his doublet all unbrac'd; No hat upon his head; his stockings foul'd, Ungarter'd, and down-gyved to his ancle; Pale as his shirt; his knees knocking each other; And with a look so piteous in purport, As if he had been loosed out of hell, To speak of horrors, he comes before me. in yourself.] In your own person, not by spies. 8 Ungarter'd, and down gyved to his ancle ;] Down-gyved means, hanging down like the loose cincture which confines the fetters round the ancles. Oph. Pol. But, truly, I do fear it. 1 My lord, I do not know What said he? Oph. He took me by the wrist, and held me hard; As he would draw it. Long stay'd he so; And thrice his head thus waving up and down,- Pol. Come, go with me; I will go seek the king. This is the very ecstasy 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. I am sorry, That hath made him mad. 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 I all his bulk,] i. e. all his body. foredoes itself,] To foredo is to destroy. * I had not quoted him:] i. e. observed him. To cast beyond ourselves in our opinions, 3 To lack discretion. 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, So much from the understanding of himself, you both, 3 it is as proper to our age, &c.] 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 them selves, 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. ♦ This must be known; which, being kept close, might move More grief to hide, than hate to utter love.] i. e. 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. That,-being of so young days brought up with him: And, since, so neighbour'd to his youth and hu mour, That you vouchsafe your rest here in our court Queen. Good gentlemen, he hath much talk'd of you; 5 And, sure I am, two men there are not living, Ros. Both your majesties Might, by the sovereign power you have of us, Put your dread pleasures more into command Than to entreaty. 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 Ro sencrantz : And I beseech you instantly to visit To show us so much gentry,] Gentry, for complaisance. For the supply, &c.] That the hope which your arrival has raised may be completed by the desired effect. JOHNSON. 7 in the full bent,] The full bent, is the utmost extremity of exertion. The allusion is to a bow bent as far as it will go. |