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64

Ros. Most like a gentleman.

Guil. But with much forcing of his disposition.

Ros. Niggard of question, but of our demands

Most free in his reply.

Queen. Did you assay him

To any pastime?

Ros. Madam, it so fell out that certain players

We o'er-raught on the way; of these we told him,

And there did seem in him a kind of joy

To hear of it: they are about the court,

And, as I think, they have already order

This night to play before him.

Pol. 'Tis most true;

And he beseech'd me to entreat your majesties

To hear and see the matter.

King. With all my heart; and it doth much content me

To hear him so inclin'd.

Good gentlemen, give him a further edge,

And drive his purpose on to these delights.

Ros. We shall, my lord.

Exeunt [Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.]

King. Sweet Gertrude, leave us too;

For we have closely sent for Hamlet hither,

That he, as 'twere by accident, may here

Affront Ophelia.

Her father and myself, lawful espials,

Will so bestow ourselves, that, seeing, unseen,

We may of their encounter frankly judge,

And gather by him, as he is behav'd,

 12 forcing of his disposition: with apparent unwillingness

13 niggard of question: sparing of conversation

14 assay: challenge

17 o'er-raught: overtook

26 edge: incitement

29 closely: privately

31 Affront: meet

32 espials: spies

34 frankly: freely

