men have grey beards, that their faces are wrinkled, their
eyes purging thick amber or plum-tree gum207 and that they
have a plentiful lack of wit, together with weak hams208: all
which, sir, though I most powerfully and potently believe, yet
I hold it not honesty210 to have it thus set down, for you
yourself, sir, should be old211 as I am, if like a crab you could go
backward.
Aside
POLONIUS Though this be madness, yet there is
method in't.-- Will you walk out of the air, my lord?
HAMLET Into my grave?
Aside
POLONIUS Indeed, that is out o'th'air.--
How pregnant sometimes his replies are! A happiness217 that
often madness hits on, which reason and sanity could not so
prosperously be delivered of. I will leave him and suddenly219
contrive the means of meeting between him and my
daughter.-- My honourable lord, I will most humbly take my
leave of you.
HAMLET You cannot, sir, take from me anything that I will
more willingly part withal224: except my life, my life.
POLONIUS Fare you well, my lord.
HAMLET These tedious old fools.
Enter Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
POLONIUS You go to seek my lord Hamlet; there he is.
ROSENCRANTZ God save you, sir!
To Polonius
GUILDENSTERN Mine honoured lord!
[Exit Polonius]
ROSENCRANTZ My most dear lord!