Page 299 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

KING

Arm you, I pray you, to this speedy voyage,
For we will fetters put about this fear [25]
Which now goes too free-footed.

ROSENCRANTZ
We will haste us.

Exeunt Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.

Enter Polonius.

POLONIUS
My lord, he’s going to his mother’s closet.
Behind the arras I’ll convey myself
To hear the process. I’ll warrant she’ll tax him home,

And as you said − and wisely was it said − [30]
’Tis meet that some more audience than a mother,
Since nature makes them partial, should o’erhear
The speech of vantage. Fare you well, my liege.

I’ll call upon you ere you go to bed,
And tell you what I know.

KING
Thanks, dear my lord. [35]
Exit Polonius.

O, my offence is rank, it smells to heaven;
It hath the primal eldest curse upon’t −
A brother’s murder. Pray can I not,
Though inclination be as sharp as will,
My stronger guilt defeats my strong intent, [40]

And, like a man to double business bound,
I stand in pause where I shall first begin,
And both neglect. What if this cursed hand

Were thicker than itself with brother’s blood,
Is there not rain enough in the sweet heavens [45]
To wash it white as snow? Whereto serves mercy
But to confront the visage of offence?
And what’s in prayer but this twofold force,