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,