Page 325 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

KING

Pretty Ophelia −

OPHELIA
Indeed, without an oath, I’ll make an end on’t.
By Gis and by Saint Charity,
Alack and fie for shame,

Young men will do’t if they come to’t − [60]
By Cock, they are to blame.
Quoth she, ‘Before you tumbled me,
You promis’d me to wed.’

He answers,
’So would I a done, by yonder sun, [65]
And thou hadst not come to my bed.’

KING
How long hath she been thus?

OPHELIA
I hope all will be well. We must be patient. But I cannot choose but weep to

think they would lay him i’th’ cold ground. My brother shall know of it. [70]
And so I thank you for your good counsel. Come, my coach. Good night,
ladies, good night. Sweet ladies, good night, good night.
Exit.

KING
Follow her close; give her good watch, I pray you.

[Exit Horatio.]
O, this is the poison of deep grief: it springs [75]
All from her father’s death. And now behold −

O Gertrude, Gertrude,
When sorrows come, they come not single spies,
But in battalions. First, her father slain;
Next, your son gone, and he most violent author [80]
Of his own just remove; the people muddied,

Thick and unwholesome in their thoughts and whispers
For good Polonius’ death − and we have done but greenly
In hugger-mugger to inter him; poor Ophelia