Page 294 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

The Queen your mother, in most great affliction of spirit, hath sent me to
you.

HAMLET
You are welcome. [305]

GUILDENSTERN
Nay, good my lord, this courtesy is not of the right breed. If it shall please
you to make me a wholesome answer, I will do your mother’s commandment;

if not, your pardon and my return shall be the end of my business. [310]

HAMLET
Sir, I cannot.

ROSENCRANTZ
What, my lord?

HAMLET
Make you a wholesome answer. My wit’s diseased. But sir, such answer as I
can make, you shall command − or rather, as you say, my mother. [315]

Therefore no more, but to the matter. My mother, you say −

ROSENCRANTZ

Then thus she says: your behaviour hath struck her into amazement and
admiration.

HAMLET
O wonderful son, that can so stonish a mother! But is there no sequel at the
heels of this [320] mother’s admiration? Impart.

ROSENCRANTZ
She desires to speak with you in her closet ere you go to bed.

HAMLET
We shall obey, were she ten times our mother. Have you any further trade

with us? [325]