The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 8 of 9] — John Shaqi
The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 8 of 9]Shakespeare, William
General
The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 8 of 9]
Shakespeare, William
English drama
_Pol._ With what, i' the name of God?[613]
_Oph._ My lord, as I was sewing in my closet,[614]
Lord Hamlet, with his doublet all unbraced,[615]
No hat upon his head, his stockings foul'd,[616]
Ungarter'd and down-gyved to his ancle;[617] 80
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.[618]
_Pol._ Mad for thy love?
_Oph._ My lord, I do not know,[619] 85
But truly I do fear it.[619]
_Pol._ What said he?
_Oph._ He took me by the wrist and held me hard;[620]
Then goes he to the length of all his arm,
And with his other hand thus o'er his brow,
He falls to such perusal of my face 90
As he would draw it. Long stay'd he so;[621]
At last, a little shaking of mine arm,[622]
And thrice his head thus waving up and down,
He raised a sigh so piteous and profound[623]
As it did seem to shatter all his bulk[624] 95
And end his being: that done, he lets me go:[625]
And with his head over his shoulder turn'd,[626]
He seem'd to find his way without his eyes;
For out o' doors he went without their helps,[627]
And to the last bended their light on me. 100
_Pol._ Come, go with me: I will go seek the king.[628]
This is the very ecstasy of love;
Whose violent property fordoes itself[629]
And leads the will to desperate undertakings
As oft as any passion under heaven[630] 105
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. 110
I am sorry that with better heed and judgement[631]
I had not quoted him: I fear'd he did but trifle[632]
And meant to wreck thee; but beshrew my jealousy![633]
By heaven, it is as proper to our age[634]
To cast beyond ourselves in our opinions 115
As it is common for the younger sort
To lack discretion. Come, go we to the king:[635]
This must be known; which, being kept close, might move[636]
More grief to hide than hate to utter love.[637]
Come. [_Exeunt._[638] 120
SCENE II. _A room in the castle._
_Flourish. Enter_ KING, QUEEN, ROSENCRANTZ, GUILDENSTERN,
_and_ Attendants.[639]
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