thrice his head thus waving up and down,
He rais'd a sigh so piteous and profound,
As it did seem to shatter all his bulk,[2]
And end his being: That done, he lets me go:
And, with his head over his shoulder turn'd,
He seem'd to find his way without his eyes;
For out o'doors he went without their helps,
And, to the last, bended their light on me.

_Pol._ Come, go with me; I will go seek the king.
This is the very ecstacy of love;[3]
What, have you given him any hard words of late?

_Oph._ No, my good lord; but, as you did command,
I did repel his letters, and denied
His access to me.

_Pol._ That hath made him mad.
Come, go we to the king:
This must be known; which, being kept close, might move
More grief to hide than hate to utter love.[4]
Come.
[_Exeunt_ L.H.]

SCENE II.--A ROOM IN THE CASTLE.

_Enter_ KING, QUEEN, ROSENCRANTZ, GUILDENSTERN, _and_
Attendants (R.H.)

_King._ (C.) Welcome, dear Rosencrantz and Guildenstern!
Moreover that we much did long to see you,
The need we have to use you did provoke
Our hasty sending. Something have you heard
Of Hamlet's transformation. What it should be,
More than his father's death, that thus hath put him
So much from the understanding of himself,[5]
I cannot dream of: I entreat you both,
That you vouchsafe your rest[6] here in our court
Some little time: so by your companies
To draw him on to pleasures, and to gather,
Whether aught, to us unknown, afflicts him thus,
That, open'd, lies within our remedy.

_Queen._ (R.C.) Good gentlemen, he hath much talk'd of you;
And sure I am two men there are not living
To whom he more adheres. If it will please you
So to expend your time with us a while,
Your visitation shall receive such thanks
As fits a king's remembrance.

_Ros._ (R.) Both your majesties
Might, by the sovereign power you have of us,[7]
Put your dread pleasures more into command
Than to entreaty.

_Guil._ (R.) But we both obey,
And here give up ourselves, in the full bent,[8]
To lay our service freely at your feet.

_King._ Thanks, Rosencrantz and gentle Guildenstern.

_Queen._ I do beseech you instantly to visit
My too much changed son. Go, some of you,
And bring these gentlemen where Hamlet is.
[_Exeunt_ ROSENCRANTZ, GUILDENSTERN, _and_
Attendants, R.H.]

_Enter_ POLONIUS (L.H.)

_Pol._ Now do