Hamlet

GUILDENSTERN But with much forcing of his disposition13.

ROSENCRANTZ Niggard of question, but of our demands14

Most free in his reply.

GERTRUDE Did you assay16 him to any pastime?

ROSENCRANTZ Madam, it so fell out that certain players

We o'erraught18 on the way: of these we told him,

And there did seem in him a kind of joy

To hear of it: they are about the court,

And, as I think, they have already order

This night to play before him.

POLONIUS 'Tis most true:

And he beseeched me to entreat your majesties

To hear and see the matter.

KING With all my heart, and it doth much content me

To hear him so inclined.

Good gentlemen, give him a further edge28

And drive his purpose on to these delights.

ROSENCRANTZ We shall, my lord.

Exeunt [Rosencrantz and Guildenstern]

KING Sweet Gertrude, leave us too.

Exit Lords

For we have closely32 sent for Hamlet hither,

That he, as 'twere by accident, may here

Affront34 Ophelia:

Her father and myself, lawful espials35,

Will so bestow ourselves that, seeing unseen,

We may of their encounter frankly judge,

And gather by him, as he is behaved,

If't be th'affliction of his love or no

That thus he suffers for.