ACT II. SCENE I-A Room in Polonius's House. Enter POLONIUS and REYNALDO. Polonius. IVE him this money, and these notes, Rey. I will, my lord. Pol. You shall do marvellous wisely, good Reynaldo, Before you visit him, to make inquiry Of his behaviour. Rey. My lord, I did intend it. Pol. Marry, well said: very well said. Look you, sir, Inquire me first what Danskers are in Paris; And how, and who, what means, and where they keep, What company, at what expense; and finding, By this encompassment and drift of question, That they do know my son, come you more nearer Than your particular demands will touch it : Take you, as 'twere, some distant knowledge of him; As thus,-Í know his father, and his friends, And, in part, him,-do you mark this, Reynaldo ? Rey. Ay, very well, my lord. Pol. And, in part, him ;-but, you may say, not well: But if't be he I mean, he's very wild; Addicted-so and so ;-and there put on him What forgeries you please; marry, none so rank Rey. As gaming, my lord. Pol. Ay, or drinking, fencing, swearing, quarrelling, Drabbing :—you may go so far. Rey. My lord, that would dishonour him. You must not put another scandal on him, That's not my meaning: but breathe his faults so quaintly, That they may seem the taints of liberty: A savageness in unreclaimed blood, Of general assault. Rey. Pol. Wherefore should you do this? 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 doesWhat was I about to say? I was about to say something :—where did I leave? Rey. At closes in the consequence. At friend, or so, and gentleman. Pol. At, closes in the consequence,―ay, marry; He closes with you thus :-I know the gentle man; I saw him yesterday, or t'other day, Or then, or then; with such, and such; and, as you say, There was he gaming; there o'ertook in his rouse; See you now; Your bait of falsehood takes this carp of truth: With windlaces, and with assays of bias, 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. How now, Ophelia ? what's the matter? Oph. Alas, my lord, I have been so affrighted! Pol. With what, in the name of heaven? Lord Hamlet,—with his doublet all unbraced; And with a look so piteous in purport, To speak of horrors, -he comes before me. My lord, I do not know; What said he? Oph. He took me by the wrist, and held me hard; Then goes he to the length of all his arm; As he would draw it. Long stay'd he so ; Pol. Go with me; I will go seek the king. 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. 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, 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. [Exeunt. SCENE II.-A Room in the Castle. Enter KING, QUEEN, ROSENCRantz, Guildenstern, and Attendants. King. Welcome, dear Rosencrantz, and Moreover that we much did long to see you, him So much from the understanding of himself, |