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Prince of Denmark, II. ii

With an entreaty, herein further shown,

That it might please you to give quiet pass

Through your dominions for this enterprise,

On such regards of safety and allowance

As therein are set down.

King. It likes us well;

And at our more consider'd time we'll read,

Answer, and think upon this business:

Meantime we thank you for your well-took labour.

Go to your rest; at night we'll feast together:

Most welcome home.

Exeunt Ambassadors.

Pol. This business is well ended.

My liege, and madam, to expostulate

What majesty should be, what duty is,

Why day is day, night night, and time is time,

Were nothing but to waste night, day, and time.

Therefore, since brevity is the soul of wit,

And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes,

I will be brief. Your noble son is mad:

Mad call I it; for, to define true madness,

What is 't but to be nothing else but mad?

But let that go.

Queen. More matter, with less art.

Pol. Madam, I swear I use no art at all.

That he is mad, 'tis true; 'tis true 'tis pity;

And pity 'tis 'tis true: a foolish figure;

But farewell it, for I will use no art.

Mad let us grant him, then; and now remains

That we find out the cause of this effect,

Or rather say, the cause of this defect,

 79 regards allowance; cf. n.

81 consider'd: fit for considering

86 expostulate: set forth one's views

90 wit: judgment, understanding

91 flourishes: embellishments

98 figure: figure of speech

