King. Arm you, I pray you, to this speedy voyage; 24
For we will fetters put upon this fear,
Which now goes too free-footed.
Gent. We will haste us.
Exeunt [Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.]
Enter Polonius.
Pol. My lord, he's going to his mother's closet:
Behind the arras I'll convey myself 28
To hear the process; I'll warrant she'll tax him home;
And, as you said, and wisely was it said,
'Tis meet that some more audience than a mother,
Since nature makes them partial, should o'erhear 32
The speech, of vantage. Fare you well, my liege:
I'll call upon you ere you go to bed
And tell you what I know.
King. Thanks, dear my lord.
Exit [Polonius.]
O! my offence is rank, it smells to heaven; 36
It hath the primal eldest curse upon 't;
A brother's murder! Pray can I not,
Though inclination be as sharp as will:
My stronger guilt defeats my strong intent; 40
And, like a man to double business bound,
I stand in pause where I shall first begin,
And both neglect. What if this cursed hand
Were thicker than itself with brother's blood, 44
Is there not rain enough in the sweet heavens
To wash it white as snow? Whereto serves mercy
But to confront the visage of offence?
24 Arm: prepare
29 process: interview
tax . . . home: censure effectually
33 of vantage: from a favorable position, or, in addition
37 primal: primeval; cf. n.
44 thicker than itself: made over double its normal thickness
47 confront: oppose directly
