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Prince of Denmark, I. ii

Our state to be disjoint and out of frame,

Colleagued with the dream of his advantage,

He hath not fail'd to pester us with message,

Importing the surrender of those lands

Lost by his father, with all bands of law,

To our most valiant brother. So much for him.

Now for ourself and for this time of meeting.

Thus much the business is: we have here writ

To Norway, uncle of young Fortinbras,

Who, impotent and bed-rid, scarcely hears

Of this his nephew's purpose, to suppress

His further gait herein; in that the levies,

The lists and full proportions, are all made

Out of his subject; and we here dispatch

You, good Cornelius, and you, Voltimand,

For bearers of this greeting to old Norway,

Giving to you no further personal power

To business with the king more than the scope

Of these delated articles allow.

Farewell and let your haste commend your duty.

King. We doubt it nothing: heartily farewell.

And now, Laertes, what's the news with you?

You told us of some suit; what is't, Laertes?

You cannot speak of reason to the Dane,

And lose your voice; what wouldst thou beg, Laertes,

That shall not be my offer, not thy asking?

 20 disjoint: at loose ends

frame: order

21 Colleagued: allied

dream of his advantage: imaginary superiority

23 Importing: bearing as its purport

24 bands: agreements

31 gait: proceeding

32 proportions: supplies, forces

38 delated: expressly stated

44 the Dane: the king of Denmark

45 lose your voice: speak to no purpose

