'Lord Hamlet is a prince, out of thy star.
This must not be.' And then I precepts gave her,
That she should lock herself from his resort,
Admit no messengers, receive no tokens.
Which done, she took the fruits of my advice,
And he, repulsed, – a short tale to make —
Fell into a sadness, then into a fast,
Thence to a watch, thence into a weakness,
Thence to a lightness, and, by this declension,
Into the madness wherein now he raves,
And all we wail for.
King
Do you think 'tis this?
Queen
It may be, very likely.
Polonius
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.
Polonius
Take this from this, if this be otherwise.
[Points 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?
Polonius
You know sometimes he walks four hours together
Here in the lobby.
Queen
So he does indeed.
Polonius
At such a time I'll loose my daughter to him.
Be you and I behind an arras then,
Mark the encounter. If he love her not,
And be not from his reason fall'n thereon,
Let me be no assistant for a state,
But keep a farm and carters.
King
We will try it.
[Enter Hamlet, reading]
Queen
But look where sadly the poor wretch comes reading.
Polonius
Away, I do beseech you, both away
I'll board him presently. O, give me leave.
[Exeunt King, Queen and Attendants]