As it hath us'd to do—that I have found 48
The very cause of Hamlet's lunacy.
King. O! speak of that; that do I long to hear.
Pol. Give first admittance to the ambassadors;
My news shall be the fruit to that great feast. 52
King. Thyself do grace to them, and bring them in.
[Exit Polonius.]
He tells me, my sweet queen, that he hath found
The head and source of all your son's distemper.
Queen. I doubt it is no other but the main;
His father's death, and our o'erhasty marriage.
King. Well, we shall sift him.
Enter Polonius, Voltimand, and Cornelius.
Welcome, my good friends!
Say, Voltimand, what from our brother Norway?
Volt. Most fair return of greetings, and desires. 60
Upon our first, he sent out to suppress
His nephew's levies, which to him appear'd
To be a preparation 'gainst the Polack;
But, better look'd into, he truly found 64
It was against your highness: whereat griev'd,
That so his sickness, age, and impotence
Was falsely borne in hand, sends out arrests
On Fortinbras; which he, in brief, obeys, 68
Receives rebuke from Norway, and, in fine,
Makes vow before his uncle never more
To give the assay of arms against your majesty.
Whereon old Norway, overcome with joy, 72
Gives him three thousand crowns in annual fee,
And his commission to employ those soldiers,
So levied as before, against the Polack;
52 fruit: dessert
56 main: the chief point
67 borne in hand: deluded
69 in fine: in conclusion
71 assay: trial
73 fee: payment
