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 : 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.- Mad let us grant him then: and now remains, Hath given me this: Now gather, and surmise. 220 230 240 To the celestial, and my soul's idol, the most beautified Ophelia That's an ill phrase, a vile phrase; beautify'd Is a vile phrase; but you shall hear :- Pol. Good madam, stay a while; I will be faithful.. 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 shewn me': As they fell out by time, by means, and place, 260 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, Eij But what might you When When I had seen this hot love on the wing Before my daughter told me), what might you, 270 Or given my heart a working, mute and dumb; And all we mourn for. King. Do you think, 'tis this? Queen. It may be, very likely. 279 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: 290 Pointing to his head and shoulder. If circumstances lead me, I will find Where Where truth is hid, though it were hid indeed 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. 300 Pol. At such a time I'll loose my daughter to him: and I behind an arras then; you 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.- 310! [Exeunt King, and Queen. How does my good lord Hamlet? Ham. Well, god-a'-mercy. Ham. Excellent well; You are a fishmonger. Pol. Not I, my lord. Ham. Then I would you were so honest a man. Ham. Ay, sir; to be honest as this world goes, Is to be one man pick'd out of ten thousand. Pol. That's very true, my lord. 320 Ham. For if the sun breeds 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 not 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 suffer'd much extremity for love; very near this, I'll speak to him again.— What do you read, my lord? Ham. Words, words, words! Pol. What is the matter, my lord? Ham. Between who? 333 Pol. I mean, the matter that you read, my lord. Ham. Slanders, sir: for the satirical rogue says here, that old men have grey beards; that their faces are wrinkled; their eyes purging thick amber, and plum-tree gum; and that they have a plentiful lack of wit, together with most weak hams: All which, sir, though I most powerfully and potently believe, yet I hold it not honesty to have it thus set down; for yourself, sir, shall be as old as I am, if, like a crab, you could go backward. 346 Pol. Though this be madness, yet there's method in't. Will you walk out of the air, my lord? [Aside. Ham. |