No Fear Shakespeare: Hamlet: Act 2, scene ii

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	ROSENCRANTZ
	Both your majesties
	Might, by the sovereign power you have of us,
	Put your dread pleasures more into command
	Than to entreaty.

ROSENCRANTZ

Both you and the king might have ordered us to execute your command, instead of asking us so politely.

	GUILDENSTERN
	But we both obey
30	And here give up ourselves, in the full bent,
	To lay our service freely at your feet
	To be commanded.

GUILDENSTERN

But we'll obey. Our services are entirely at your command.

	CLAUDIUS
	Thanks, Rosencrantz and gentle Guildenstern.

CLAUDIUS

Thanks, Rosencrantz and worthy Guildenstern.

	GERTRUDE
	Thanks, Guildenstern and gentle Rosencrantz.
35	And I beseech you instantly to visit
	My too much changèd son. Go, some of you,
	And bring these gentlemen where Hamlet is.

GERTRUDE

Thanks, Guildenstern and worthy Rosencrantz.

I beg you to pay a visit right away to my son, who's changed too much. Servants, take these gentlemen to see Hamlet.

	GUILDENSTERN
	Heavens make our presence and our practices
	Pleasant and helpful to him!

GUILDENSTERN

I hope to God we can make him happy and do him some good!

	GERTRUDE
	Ay, amen!

GERTRUDE

Amen to that!

Exeunt ROSENCRANTZ and GUILDENSTERN, escorted by attendants

ROSENCRANTZ and GUILDENSTERN exit, escorted by attendants.

Enter POLONIUS

POLONIUS enters.

	POLONIUS
40	Th' ambassadors from Norway, my good lord,
	Are joyfully returned.

POLONIUS

The ambassadors are back from Norway, sir.

	CLAUDIUS
	Thou still hast been the father of good news.

CLAUDIUS

Once again you bring good news.

	POLONIUS
	Have I, my lord? I assure my good liege,
	I hold my duty as I hold my soul,
45	Both to my God and to my gracious king.
	And I do think—or else this brain of mine
	Hunts not the trail of policy so sure

POLONIUS

Do I, sir? I assure your majesty I'm only doing my duty both to my God and my good king. And I believe—unless this brain of mine is not so politically cunning


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