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. It was against your highness: Whereat griev'd,- To give the assay of arms against your majesty. With an entreaty, herein further shown, [Gives a paper. As therein are set down. 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! [Exeunt VOLTIMAND and CORnelius. Pol. This business is well ended. My liege, and madam, to expostulate Why day is day, night, night, and time is time, Queen. More matter, with less art. Pol Madam, I swear, I use no art at all. 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 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 ma- 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. think, But what might you 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, If I had play'd the desk, or table-book; Or given my heart a working, mute and dumb; What might you think? no, I went round to work, And my young mistress thus did I bespeak; King. Do you think, 'tis this? Queen. It may be, very likely. Pol. Hath there been such a time, (I'd fain know that,) That I have positively said, 'Tis so, 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. Be Queen. So he does, indeed. Pol. At such a time I'll loose my daughter to him: you and I behind an arras then; Mark the encounter: if he love her not, And be not from his reason fallen thereon, But keep a farm, and carters. King. We will try it. Enter HAMLET, reading. Queen. But, look, where sadly the poor wretch comes reading. Pol. Away, I do beseech you, both away; I'll board him presently :-O, give me leave.— [Exeunt King, Queen, and attendants. How does my good lord Hamlet? Ham. Well, god-'a-mercy. Pol. Do you know me, my lord? Ham. Excellent well; you are a fishmonger. Pol. Not I, my lord. Ham. Then I would you were so honest a man. Pol. Honest, my lord? Ham. Ay, sir; to be honest, as this world goes, is to be one man picked out of ten thousand. Pol. That's very true, my lord. Ham. For if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog, being a god, kissing carrion,-Have you a daughter? Pol. I have, my lord. Ham. Let her not walk i'the sun: conception is a blessing; but as your daughter may conceive,--friend, look to't. Pol. How say you by that? [Aside.] Still harping on my daughter yet he knew me not at first; he said I was a fishmonger: He is far gone, far gone and truly in my youth I suffered much extremity for love; |