King.
Welcome, dear Rosincrantz, and Guildenstern!
Moreover that we much did long to see you,
The need, we have to use you did provoke
Our hasty sending. Something you have heard
Of Hamlet's transformation; so I call it,
Since not th' exterior nor the inward man
Resembles that it was. What it should be
More than his father's death, that thus hath put him
So much from th'understanding of himself,
I cannot dream of. I entreat you both,
That being of so young days brought up with him,
And since so neighbour'd to his youth and humour,
That you vouchsafe your Rest here in our Court
Some little time; so by your companies
To draw him on to pleasures, and to gather,

So much as from occasions you may glean,
If aught, to us unknown, afflicts him thus,
That open'd lies within our remedy.

Queen.
Good gentlemen, he hath much talk'd of you;
And, sure I am, two men there are not living,
To whom he more adheres. If it will please you
^{1 note}To shew us so much gentry and good-will,
As to expend your time with us a while,
^{2 note}For the supply and profit of our hope,
Your visitation shall receive such thanks,
As fits a King's remembrance.

Ros.
Both your majesties
Might, by the sov'reign pow'r you have of us,
Put your dread pleasures more into command
Than to entreaty.

Guil.
But we both obey,
And here give up ourselves, ^{3 note}in the full bent,
To lay our service freely at your feet.

King.
Thanks, Rosincrantz, and gentle Guildenstern.

Queen.
Thanks, Guildenstern, and gentle Rosincrantz.
And, I beseech you, instantly to visit
My too much changed son. Go, some of ye,
And bring these gentlemen where Hamlet is.

Guil.
Heav'ns make our presence and our practices
Pleasant and helpful to him! [Exeunt Ros. and Guil.

Queen.
Amen. Enter Polonius.

Pol.
Th' ambassadors from Norway, my good Lord,
Are joyfully return'd.

King.
Thou still hast been the father of good news.

Pol.
Have I, my Lord? assure you, my good Liege,
I hold my duty, as I hold my soul,
Both to my God, and to my gracious King;
And I do think, or else this brain of mine
Hunts not ^{4 note}the trail of policy so sure
As I have us'd to do, that I have found
The very cause of Hamlet's lunacy.

King.
Oh, speak of that, that I do long to hear.

Pol.
Give first admittance to th'ambassadors.
My news shall be ^{5 note}the fruit of that great feast.

King.
Thyself do grace to them, and bring them in. [Exit Pol.
He tells me, my sweet Queen, that he hath found
The head and source of all your son's distemper.

Queen.
I doubt, it is no other but the main,
His father's death, and our o'er-hasty marriage.

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