Queen. Did you assay him[1014][1015]
To any pastime?[1014][1016] 15
Ros. Madam, it so fell out that certain players[1017]
We o'er-raught on the way: of these we told him,[1018]
And there did seem in him a kind of joy
To hear of it: they are about the court,[1019]
And, as I think, they have already order 20
This night to play before him.
Pol. 'Tis most true:
And he beseech'd me to entreat your majesties
To hear and see the matter.
King. With all my heart; and it doth much content me[1020]
To hear him so inclined.[1020] 25
Good gentlemen, give him a further edge,[1020]
And drive his purpose on to these delights.[1020][1021]
Ros. We shall, my lord.
[Exeunt Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
King. Sweet Gertrude, leave us too;[1022]
For we have closely sent for Hamlet hither,[1023]
That he, as 'twere by accident, may here[1024][1025] 30
Affront Ophelia:[1024][1026]
Her father and myself, lawful espials,[1026][1027]
Will so bestow ourselves that, seeing unseen,[1028]
We may of their encounter frankly judge,[1029]
And gather by him, as he is behaved, 35
If't be the affliction of his love or no[1030]
That thus he suffers for.
Queen. I shall obey you:
And for your part, Ophelia, I do wish[1031]
That your good beauties be the happy cause[1032]
Of Hamlet's wildness: so shall I hope your virtues[1032][1033] 40
Will bring him to his wonted way again,[1034]
To both your honours.
Oph. Madam, I wish it may. [Exit Queen.
Pol. Ophelia, walk you here. Gracious, so please you,[1035]
We will bestow ourselves. [To Ophelia] Read on this book;[1036]
That show of such an exercise may colour 45
Your loneliness. We are oft to blame in this,—[1037]
'Tis too much proved—that with devotion's visage
And pious action we do sugar o'er[1038]
The devil himself.