_Ham._ Ecstasy![1524] My pulse, as yours, doth temperately keep time, 140 And makes as healthful music: it is not madness That I have utter'd: bring me to the test,[1525] And I the matter will re-word, which madness[1526] Would gambol from. Mother, for love of grace,[1527] Lay not that flattering unction to your soul,[1528] 145 That not your trespass but my madness speaks: It will but skin and film the ulcerous place, Whiles rank corruption, mining all within,[1529] Infects unseen. Confess yourself to heaven; Repent what's past, avoid what is to come,[1530] 150 And do not spread the compost on the weeds,[1531] To make them ranker. Forgive me this my virtue,[1532][1533][1534] For in the fatness of these pursy times[1533][1535] Virtue itself of vice must pardon beg,[1533] Yea, curb and woo for leave to do him good.[1533][1536] 155 _Queen._ O Hamlet, thou hast cleft my heart in twain.[1537] _Ham._ O, throw away the worser part of it,[1538] And live the purer with the other half.[1539] Good night: but go not to my uncle's bed;[1540] Assume a virtue, if you have it not. 160 That monster, custom, who all sense doth eat,[1541][1542] Of habits devil, is angel yet in this,[1541][1542] That to the use of actions fair and good[1541] He likewise gives a frock or livery,[1541] That aptly is put on. Refrain to-night,[1541][1543] 165 And that shall lend a kind of easiness To the next abstinence; the next more easy;[1544] For use almost can change the stamp of nature,[1544][1545] And either ... the devil, or throw him out[1544][1546] With wondrous potency. Once more, good night:[1544] 170 And when you are desirous to be blest, I'll blessing beg of you. For this same lord, [_Pointing to Polonius._[1547] I do repent: but heaven hath pleased it so,[1548] To punish me with this, and this with me,[1549] That I must be their scourge and minister. 175 I will bestow him, and will answer well The death I gave him. So, again, good night. I must be cruel, only to be kind:[1550] Thus bad begins, and worse remains behind.[1550][1551] One word more, good lady.[1552] _Queen._ What shall I do? 180