Before you visit him, to make inquiry Of his behaviour. Rey. My lord, I did intend it. Pol. Marry, well said: very well said. sir, Look you, 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, him; as 'twere, some distant knowledge of As thus, 'I know his father, and his friends, 6 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 Rey. As gaming, my lord. Pol. Ay, or drinking, fencing, swearing, quar relling, Drabbing: you may go so far. Rey. My lord, that would dishonour him. Pol. 'Faith, no; as you may season it in the charge. You must not put another scandal on him, That he is open to incontinency: That's not my meaning; but breathe his faults so quaintly, That they may seem the taints of liberty; The flash and out-break of a fiery mind; A savageness in unreclaimed blood, Of general assault. And, I believe, it is a fetch of warrant. You laying these slight sullies on my son, 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 something: where did I leave? Rey. At "closes in the consequence," As "friend or so," and "gentleman." 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's rouse ; There falling out at tennis:' or perchance, "I saw him enter such a house of sale,' Videlicet, a brothel, or so forth. See you now; Your bait of falsehood takes this carp of truth: And thus do we of wisdom and of reach, With windlaces, and with assays of bias, So, by my former lecture and advice, Shall you my son. You have me, have you not? Pol. Rey. Good my lord. Pol. God b' wi' you; fare you well. Observe his inclination in yourself. Rey. I shall, my lord. Pol. And let him ply his music. Rey. Well, my lord. [Exit. Enter OPHELIA. Pol. Farewell! How now, Ophelia? what's the matter? Oph. Alas, my lord! I have been so affrighted. Pol. With what, in the name of God? Oph. My lord, as I was sewing in my chamber, 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. Pol. Mad for thy love? But, truly, I do fear it. Pol. 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, And, with his other hand thus o'er his brow, As he would draw it. Long stay'd he so: That it did seem to shatter all his bulk, And end his being. That done, he lets me go, This is the very ecstasy of love; Whose violent property fordoes itself, And leads the will to desperate undertakings, As oft as any passion under heaven, 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 com mand, I did repel his letters, and deni'd 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 wrack thee; but, beshrew my jealousy! By Heaven, 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 Guilden stern: Moreover, that we much did long to see you, him So much from th' understanding of himself, I cannot dream of: I entreat you both, That, being of so young days brought up with him, [Whether aught, to us unknown, afflicts him thus,] That, open'd, lies within our remedy. Queen. Good gentlemen, he hath much talk'd of you; And, sure I am, two men there are not living, |