Hamlet

It was against your highness: whereat grieved

That so his sickness, age and impotence69

Was falsely borne in hand, sends out arrests70

On Fortinbras, which he, in brief, obeys,

Receives rebuke from Norway, and in fine72

Makes vow before his uncle never more

To give th'assay of arms74 against your majesty.

Whereon old Norway, overcome with joy,

Gives him three thousand crowns76 in annual fee

And his commission77 to employ those soldiers,

So levied as before, against the Polack,

With an entreaty, herein further shown,

Gives a paper

That it might please you to give quiet pass80

Through your dominions for his enterprise

On such regards of safety and allowance82

As therein are set down.

KING It likes84 us well,

And at our more considered time85 we'll read,

Answer and think upon this business.

Meantime we thank you for your well-took labour.

Go to your rest: at night we'll feast together.

Most welcome home!

Exeunt Ambassadors

POLONIUS This business is very well ended.

My liege, and madam, to expostulate91

What majesty should be, what duty is,

Why day is day, night night, and time is time,

Were nothing but to waste night, day and time.

Therefore, since brevity is the soul of wit95,