Oph. So please you, something touching the Lord Hamlet.[323]
Pol. Marry, well bethought: 90
'Tis told me, he hath very oft of late
Given private time to you, and you yourself
Have of your audience been most free and bounteous:
If it be so—as so 'tis put on me,
And that in way of caution—I must tell you, 95
You do not understand yourself so clearly
As it behoves my daughter and your honour.
What is between you? give me up the truth.[324]
Oph. He hath, my lord, of late made many tenders
Of his affection to me. 100
Pol. Affection! pooh! you speak like a green girl,[325]
Unsifted in such perilous circumstance.[326]
Do you believe his tenders, as you call them?
Oph. I do not know, my lord, what I should think.
Pol. Marry, I'll teach you: think yourself a baby,[327] 105
That you have ta'en these tenders for true pay,[328]
Which are not sterling. Tender yourself more dearly;[329]
Or—not to crack the wind of the poor phrase,
Running it thus—you'll tender me a fool.[330]
Oph. My lord, he hath importuned me with love 110
In honourable fashion.
Pol. Ay, fashion you may call it; go to, go to.[331]
Oph. And hath given countenance to his speech, my lord,[332][333]
With almost all the holy vows of heaven.[332][334]
Pol. Ay, springes to catch woodcocks. I do know,[335] 115
When the blood burns, how prodigal the soul[336]
Lends the tongue vows: these blazes, daughter,[337]
Giving more light than heat, extinct in both,[338]
Even in their promise, as it is a-making,[339]
You must not take for fire. From this time[340] 120
Be something scanter of your maiden presence;[341]
Set your entreatments at a higher rate[342]
Than a command to parley. For Lord Hamlet,[343]
Believe so much in him, that he is young,
And with a larger tether may he walk[344] 125
Than may be given you: in few, Ophelia,
Do not believe his vows; for they are brokers,
Not of that dye which their investments show,[345]
But mere implorators of unholy suits,[346]
Breathing like sanctified and pious bawds,[347] 130
The better to beguile. This is for all:[348]
I would not, in plain terms, from this time forth,
Have you so slander any moment leisure,[349]
As to give words or talk with the Lord Hamlet.
Look to't, I charge you: come your ways.[350] 135