Hamlet

That spirit upon whose weal15 depends and rests

The lives of many. The cease16 of majesty

Dies not alone, but like a gulf17 doth draw

What's near it with it: it is a massy18 wheel

Fixed on the summit of the highest mount,

To whose huge spokes ten thousand lesser things

Are mortised21 and adjoined, which, when it falls,

Each small annexment, petty consequence22,

Attends the boist'rous23 ruin. Never alone

Did the king sigh, but with a general groan.

KING Arm you25, I pray you, to this speedy voyage,

For we will fetters put upon this fear,

Which now goes too free-footed.

BOTH We will haste us.

Exeunt Gentlemen [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 home31,

And, as you said, and wisely was it said,

'Tis meet33 that some more audience than a mother,

Since nature makes them partial, should o'erhear

The speech, of vantage35. 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.--

[Exit Polonius]

O, my offence is rank39, it smells to heaven:

It hath the primal eldest curse40 upon't,

A brother's murder. Pray can I not,