Thence to a watch152, thence into a weakness,
Thence to a lightness, and, by this declension153
Into the madness whereon now he raves,
And all we wail for.
To Gertrude
KING Do you think 'tis this?
GERTRUDE It may be, very likely.
POLONIUS Hath there been such a time -- I'd fain know that --
That I have positively said ' 'Tis so'
When it proved otherwise?
KING Not that I know.
POLONIUS Take this from this, if this be otherwise:
Points to his head and shoulders?
If circumstances163 lead me, I will find
Where truth is hid, though it were hid indeed
Within the centre165.
KING How may we try166 it further?
POLONIUS You know sometimes he walks four hours together
Here in the lobby.
GERTRUDE So he does indeed.
POLONIUS At such a time I'll loose170 my daughter to him:
To the King
Be you and I behind an arras171 then:
Mark the encounter: if he love her not
And be not from his reason fall'n thereon173,
Let me be no assistant for a state174,
But keep a farm and carters175.
KING We will try it.
Enter Hamlet reading on a book
GERTRUDE But look where sadly177 the poor wretch comes