I don't like the way he's acting, and
it's not safe for me to let his insanity get out of
control. So get prepared. I'm sending you to England on
diplomatic business, and Hamlet will go with you. As king, I cannot
risk the danger he represents as he grows crazier by the
hour.
GUILDENSTERN
We will ourselves provide.
Most holy and religious fear it is
To keep those many, many bodies safe
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That live and feed upon your majesty.
GUILDENSTERN
We'll take care of it. It's a sacred duty to
protect the lives of all those who depend on Your Highness.
ROSENCRANTZ
The single and peculiar life is bound
With all the strength and armor of the mind
To keep itself from noyance, but much more
That spirit upon whose weal depend and rest
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The lives of many. The cease of majesty
Dies not alone, but, like a gulf, doth draw
What's near it with it. It is a massy wheel
Fixed on the summit of the highest mount,
To whose huge spokes ten thousand lesser things
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Are mortised and adjoined, which, when it falls,
Each small annexment, petty consequence,
Attends the boisterous ruin. Never alone
Did the king sigh, but with a general groan.
ROSENCRANTZ
Everyone tries to avoid harm, but the public figure demands even
more protection. When a great leader dies he doesn't die
alone but, like a whirlpool, draws others with him. He's
like a huge wheel on the top of the highest mountain whose spokes
touch the rim of ten thousand smaller things—when it
falls down the mountain, every little object goes down with it.
Whenever a king sighs, everyone groans.
CLAUDIUS
Arm you, I pray you, to this speedy voyage.
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For we will fetters put upon this fear,
Which now goes too free-footed.
CLAUDIUS
Prepare yourself, please, for this trip. We'll put a
leash on this danger that's now running wild.
