CLAUDIUS                  But how hath she Received his love? POLONIUS                  What do you think of me? CLAUDIUS      As of a man faithful and honourable. POLONIUS      I would fain prove so. But what might you think When I had seen this hot love on the wing – As I perceived it (I must tell you that) Before my daughter told me – what might you, Or […]

POLONIUS      [Reads.] Doubt thou the stars are fire, Doubt that the sun doth move, Doubt truth to be a liar, But never doubt I love. 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. […]

POLONIUS      Thus it remains, and the remainder thus. Perpend, I have a daughter – have while she is mine – Who in her duty and obedience, mark, Hath given me this. Now gather and surmise. [Reads.] 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 […]

GERTRUDE                More matter with less art. POLONIUS      Madam, I swear I use no art at all. That he is mad, ’tis true, ’tis true ’tis pity, And pity ’tis ’tis true: a foolish figure! But farewell it, for I will use no art. Mad let us grant him then, and now remains That we find out the cause of this effect – Or […]

POLONIUS                  This business is well ended. My liege and madam, to expostulate What majesty should be, what duty is, Why day is day, night night, and time is time, Were nothing but to waste night, day and time; Therefore, since brevity is the soul of wit And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes. I will be brief: your noble son is […]

VOLTEMAND Whereon old Norway, overcome with joy, Gives him threescore thousand crowns in annual fee And his commission to employ those soldiers So levied (as before) against the Polack, With an entreaty herein further shown That it might please you to give quiet pass Through your dominions for this enterprise On such regards of safety and allowance As therein are set down. CLAUDIUS                  It likes us well, […]

Enter Voltemand and Cornelius. CLAUDIUS                  Welcome, my good friends. Say, Voltemand, what from our brother Norway? VOLTEMAND Most fair return of greetings and desires. Upon our first he sent out to suppress His nephew’s levies, which to him appeared To be a preparation ’gainst the Polack; But, better looked into, he truly found It was against your highness; whereat, grieved That so his sickness, age and impotence Was falsely borne […]

CLAUDIUS      O, speak of that, that do I long to hear. POLONIUS      Give first admittance to th’ambassadors. My news shall be the fruit to that great feast. CLAUDIUS      Thyself do grace to them and bring them in. He tells me, my dear Gertrude, he hath found The head and source of all your son’s distemper. GERTRUDE    I doubt it is no other but the main – His father’s death […]

GUILDENSTERN        Heavens make our presence and our practices Pleasant and helpful to him. GERTRUDE                Ay, amen. Exeunt Rosencrantz, Guildenstern [and one or more Courtiers]. Enter Polonius. POLONIUS      Th’ambassadors from Norway, my good lord, Are joyfully returned. CLAUDIUS      Thou still hast been the father of good news. POLONIUS      Have I, my lord? I assure my good liege I hold my duty as I hold my […]

ROSENCRANTZ         Both your majesties Might by the sovereign power you have of us Put your dread pleasures more into command Than to entreaty. GUILDENSTERN        But we both obey And here give up ourselves in the full bent To lay our service freely at your feet To be commanded. CLAUDIUS      Thanks, Rosencrantz, and gentle Guildenstern. GERTRUDE    Thanks, Guildenstern, and gentle Rosencrantz. And I beseech you instantly to […]