Page 256 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

POLONIUS

I have, my lord.

HAMLET
Let her not walk i’th’ sun. Conception is a blessing, but as your daughter may
conceive − friend, [185] look to’t.

POLONIUS
[aside] How say you by that? Still harping on my daughter. Yet he knew me

not at first; a said I was a fishmonger. A is far gone. And truly in my youth I
suffered much extremity for love, very near [190] this. I’ll speak to him again.
− What do you read, my lord?

HAMLET
Words, words, words.

POLONIUS
What is the matter, my lord?

HAMLET
Between who?

POLONIUS
I mean the matter that you read, my lord. [195]

HAMLET

Slanders, sir. For the satirical rogue says here that old men have gray beards,
that their faces are wrinkled, their eyes purging thick amber and plumtree
gum, and that they have a plentiful lack of wit, together with most weak
hams − all which, sir, [200] though I most powerfully and potently believe,

yet I hold it not honesty to have it thus set down. For yourself, sir, shall grow
old as I am − if like a crab you could go backward.

POLONIUS
[aside] Though this be madness, yet there is [205] method in’t. − Will you
walk out of the air, my lord?