Montano, here, these letters to my son,

6.2650And this same money with my blessing to him,

6.3966651And bid him ply his learning, good Montano.

I will, my lord.

You shall do very well, Montano, to say thus:

6.6905654"I knew the gentleman," or "know his father,"

6.7898655To inquire the manner of his life,

6.8898.1656As thus; being amongst his acquaintance,

6.9906657You may say, you saw him at such a time, mark you me,

6.10916658At game, or drinking, swearing, or drabbing,

6.11918659You may go so far.

My lord, that will impeach his reputation.

I'faith, not a whit, no, not a whit.

6.14937662Now happily he closeth with you in the consequence,

6.15663As you may bridle it, not disparage him a jot.

6.16943664What was I about to say?

He closeth with him in the consequence.

Ay, you say right, he closeth with him thus,

6.19944667This will he say--let me see what he will say--

6.20949668Marry, this: "I saw him yesterday," or "t'other day,"

6.21950669Or "then," or "at such time," "a-dicing,"

6.22952670Or "at tennis," ay, or "drinking drunk," or "ent'ring

6.23953671Of a house of lightness," viz. brothel.

6.24956672Thus, sir, do we that know the world, being men of reach,

6.25958673By indirections find directions forth,

6.26959674And so shall you my son. You ha' me, ha' you not?

I have, my lord.

Well, fare you well. Commend me to him.

I will, my lord.

And bid him ply his music.

My lord, I will.

Farewell.--How now, Ofelia, what's the news with you?

O my dear father, such a change in nature,

6.34971.1683So great an alteration in a prince,

6.35978684So pitiful to him, fearful to me,

6.36978.1685A maiden's eye ne'er lookèd on!

Why, what's the matter, my Ofelia?

Oh, young Prince Hamlet, the only flower of Denmark,

6.39974.1688He is bereft of all the wealth he had!

6.40974.2689The jewel that adorned his feature most

6.41974.3690Is filched and stol'n away: his wit's bereft him.

6.42973691He found me walking in the gallery all alone.

6.43692There comes he to me, with a distracted look,

6.44976693His garters lagging down, his shoes untied,

6.45987694And fixed his eyes so steadfast on my face

6.46987.1695As if they had vowed this is their latest object.

6.47984696Small while he stood, but grips me by the wrist,

6.48984.1697And there he holds my pulse till, with a sigh,

6.49993698He doth unclasp his hold and parts away

6.50993.1699Silent as is the mid time of the night.

6.51997700And as he went, his eye was still on me,

6.52994701For thus his head over his shoulder looked.

6.53995702He seemed to find the way without his eyes,

6.54996703For out of doors he went without their help,

6.55996.1704And so did leave me.

Mad for thy love.

6.571004706What, have you given him any cross words of late?

I did repel his letters, deny his gifts,

6.591005708As you did charge me.

Why, that hath made him mad.

6.611012710By heav'n, 'tis as proper for our age to cast

6.621013711Beyond ourselves as 'tis for the younger sort

6.631009712To leave their wantonness. Well, I am sorry

6.64713That I was so rash. But what remedy?

6.651015714Let's to the King. This madness may prove,

6.661017715Though wild awhile, yet more true to thy love.