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110 |
OPHELIA
My lord, he hath importuned me with love
In honorable fashion.
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OPHELIA
Father, he’s always talked about love in an honorable
fashion—
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POLONIUS
Ay, “fashion” you may call it. Go to, go
to.
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POLONIUS
Yes, “fashion” is just the word—a
passing whim. Go on.
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OPHELIA
And hath given countenance to his speech, my lord,
With almost all the holy vows of heaven.
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OPHELIA
And he’s made the holiest vows to me, to back up what
he says.
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115 120 125 130 135 |
POLONIUS
Ay, springes to catch woodcocks. I do know,
When the blood burns, how prodigal the soul
Lends the tongue vows. These blazes, daughter,
Giving more light than heat, extinct in both
Even in their promise as it is a-making,
You must not take for fire. From this time
Be somewhat scanter of your maiden presence.
Set your entreatments at a higher rate
Than a command to parley. For Lord Hamlet,
Believe so much in him that he is young,
And with a larger tether may he walk
Than may be given you. In few, Ophelia,
Do not believe his vows, for they are brokers
Not of that dye which their investments show,
But mere implorators of unholy suits,
Breathing like sanctified and pious bawds,
The better to beguile. This is for all:
I would not, in plain terms, from this time forth,
Have you so slander any moment leisure,
As to give words or talk with the Lord Hamlet.
Look to ’t, I charge you. Come your ways.
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POLONIUS
These vows are just traps for stupid birds. I know when a man is
on fire, he’ll swear anything. But when a
heart’s on fire, it gives out more light than heat, and
the fire will be out even before he’s done making his
promises. Don’t mistake that for true love. From now on,
spend a little less time with him and talk to him less. Make
yourself a precious commodity. Remember that Hamlet is young and has
a lot more freedom to fool around than you do. In short, Ophelia,
don’t believe his love vows, since they’re
like flashy pimps who wear nice clothes to lead a woman into filthy
acts. To put it plainly, don’t waste your time with
Hamlet. Do as I say.
Now come along.
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OPHELIA
I shall obey, my lord.
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OPHELIA
I’ll do as you say, father.
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Exeunt |
They exit. |
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