Our state to be disjoint and out of frame, 20
Colleagued with the dream of his advantage.
He hath not fail'd to pester us with message.
Importing the surrender of those lands
Lost by his father, with all bands of law, 24
To our most valiant brother. So much for him.
Enter Voltimand and Cornelius.
Now for ourself and for this time of meeting.
Thus much the business is: we have here writ
To Norway, uncle of young Fortinbras, 28
Who, impotent and bed-rid, scarcely hears
Of this his nephew's purpose, to suppress
His further gait herein; in that the levies.
The lists and full proportions, are all made 32
Out of his subject; and we here dispatch
You, good Cornelius, and you, Voltimand,
For bearers of this greeting to old Norway,
Giving to you no further personal power 36
To business with the king more than the scope
Of these delated articles allow.
Farewell and let your haste commend your duty.
| [Cor.] | In that and all things will we show our 40duty. | |
| Vol. |
King. We doubt it nothing: heartily farewell.
Exeunt Voltimand and Cornelius.
And now, Laertes, what's the news with you?
You told us of some suit; what is't, Laertes?
You cannot speak of reason to the Dane, 44
And lose your voice; what wouldst thou beg, Laertes,
That shall not be my offer, not thy asking?
20 disjoint: at loose ends
frame: order
21 Colleagued: allied
dream of his advantage: imaginary superiority
23 Importing: bearing as its purport
24 bands: agreements
31 gait: proceeding
32 proportions: supplies, forces
38 delated: expressly stated
44 the Dane: the king of Denmark
45 lose your voice: speak to no purpose
