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116

Laer. A document in madness, thoughts and

remembrance fitted.

Oph. There's fennel for you, and columbines;

there's rue for you; and here's some for me;

we may call it herb of grace o' Sundays. O! you

must wear your rue with a difference. There's a

daisy; I would give you some violets, but they

withered all when my father died. They say he

made a good end,—

"For bonny sweet Robin is all my joy."

Laer. Thought and affliction, passion, hell itself,

She turns to favour and to prettiness.

Oph. "And will he not come again?

And will he not come again?

No, no, he is dead;

Go to thy death-bed,

He never will come again.

His beard was as white as snow

All flaxen was his poll,

He is gone, he is gone,

And we cast away moan:

God ha' mercy on his soul!"

And of all Christian souls! I pray God. God be

wi' ye!

Laer. Do you see this, O God?

King. Laertes, I must common with your grief,

Or you deny me right. Go but apart,

Make choice of whom your wisest friends you will,

 177 document: lesson

179 fennel: emblem of flattery

columbines: emblems of thanklessness

180 rue: emblem of repentance; cf. n.

182 difference; cf. n.

183 daisy: emblem of dissemblers

violets: emblems of faithfulness

186 For joy; cf. n.

187 passion: suffering

188 favour: charm

189 And again; cf. n.

195 poll: head

197 cast away: shipwrecked

202 common: share

203 right: equitable treatment

