Hamlet

And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes,

I will be brief: your noble son is mad:

Mad call I it, for, to define true madness98,

What is't but to be nothing else but mad?

But let that go--

GERTRUDE More matter, with less art.

POLONIUS Madam, I swear I use no art at all.

That he is mad, 'tis true: 'tis true 'tis pity,

And pity it is true: a foolish figure104,

But farewell it, for I will use no art.

Mad let us grant him, then, and now remains

That we find out the cause of this effect,

Or rather say, the cause of this defect,

For this effect defective comes by cause109.

Thus it remains, and the remainder thus. Perpend110:

I have a daughter -- have whilst she is mine --

Who, in her duty and obedience, mark,

Hath given me this: now gather, and surmise113.

Shows a letter

The letter

Reads

'To the celestial and my soul's idol, the most beautified

Ophelia'-- That's an ill phrase, a vile phrase:

'beautified' is a vile phrase. But you shall hear these, 'in her

excellent white bosom', these117--

GERTRUDE Came this from Hamlet to her?

POLONIUS Good madam, stay awhile: I will be faithful119.

Reads

'Doubt thou the stars are fire,

Doubt that the sun doth move,