Hamlet, Prince of Denmark
then, sir, does he this,— He does—What was I about to say? By the mass, I was about to say something. Where did I leave? 

 REYNALDO. At ‘closes in the consequence.’ At ‘friend or so,’ and ‘gentleman.’ 

 POLONIUS. At ‘closes in the consequence’ ay, marry! He closes with you thus: ‘I know the gentleman, I saw him yesterday, or t’other day, Or then, or then, with such and such; and, as you say, There was he gaming, there o’ertook in’s rouse, There falling out at tennis’: or perchance, ‘I saw him enter such a house of sale’— Videlicet, a brothel, or so forth. See you now; Your bait of falsehood takes this carp of truth; And thus do we of wisdom and of reach, With windlasses, and with assays of bias, By indirections find directions out. So by my former lecture and advice Shall you my son. You have me, have you not? 

 REYNALDO. My lord, I have. 

 POLONIUS. God b’ wi’ you, fare you well. 

 REYNALDO. Good my lord. 

 POLONIUS. Observe his inclination in yourself. 

 REYNALDO. I shall, my lord. 

 POLONIUS. And let him ply his music. 

 REYNALDO. Well, my lord. 

 POLONIUS. Farewell. 

 [Exit Reynaldo.] 

Reynaldo

 Enter Ophelia. 

Ophelia

 How now, Ophelia, what’s the matter? 

 OPHELIA. Alas, my lord, I have been so affrighted. 


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