Pol. What do you think of me?
King. As of a man faithful and honourable.
Pol. I would fain prove so. But what might you think,[705] 130
When I had seen this hot love on the wing,—[706]
As I perceived it, I must tell you that,
Before my daughter told me,—what might you,
Or my dear majesty your queen here, think,[707]
If I had play'd the desk or table-book,[708] 135
Or given my heart a winking, mute and dumb,[709]
Or look'd upon this love with idle sight;
What might you think? No, I went round to work,
And my young mistress thus I did bespeak:[710]
'Lord Hamlet is a prince, out of thy star;[711] 140
This must not be:' and then I prescripts gave her,[712]
That she should lock herself from his resort,[713]
Admit no messengers, receive no tokens.
Which done, she took the fruits of my advice;[714]
And he repulsed, a short tale to make,[714][715] 145
Fell into a sadness, then into a fast,[716]
Thence to a watch, thence into a weakness,[717][718]
Thence to a lightness, and by this declension[718][719]
Into the madness wherein now he raves[720]
And all we mourn for.[721] 150
King. Do you think this?
Queen. It may be, very like.[722]
Pol. Hath there been such a time, I'ld fain know that,[723]
That I have positively said ''tis so,'
When it proved otherwise?
Pol. [Pointing to his head and shoulder] Take this from this, if this be otherwise:[724]155
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?[725]
Pol. You know, sometimes he walks four hours together[726][727]
Here in the lobby.[726]