Page 212 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

You, good Cornelius, and you, Voltemand,
For bearers of this greeting to old Norway, [35]
Giving to you no further personal power
To business with the King more than the scope

Of these dilated articles allow.
Farewell, and let your haste commend your duty.

CORNELIUS AND VOLTEMAND
In that, and all things, will we show our duty. [40]

KING
We doubt it nothing. Heartily farewell.
Exeunt Voltemand 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
And lose your voice. What wouldst thou beg, Laertes, [45]

That shall not be my offer, not thy asking?
The head is not more native to the heart,
The hand more instrumental to the mouth,
Than is the throne of Denmark to thy father.

What wouldst thou have, Laertes?

LAERTES
My dread lord, [50]
Your leave and favour to return to France,
From whence though willingly I came to Denmark
To show my duty in your coronation,

Yet now I must confess, that duty done,
My thoughts and wishes bend again toward France [55]
And bow them to your gracious leave and pardon.

KING
Have you your father’s leave? What says Polonius?

POLONIUS

He hath, my lord, wrung from me my slow leave