Page 226 - Shakespeare - Vol. 3

Farewell.
Exit.

POLONIUS
What is’t, Ophelia, he hath said to you?

OPHELIA
So please you, something touching the Lord Hamlet.

POLONIUS
Marry, well bethought. [90]
’Tis told me he hath very oft of late

Given private time to you, and you yourself
Have of your audience been most free and bounteous.
If it be so − as so ’tis put on me,

And that in way of caution − I must tell you [95]
You do not understand yourself so clearly
As it behoves my daughter and your honour.
What is between you? Give me up the truth.

OPHELIA
He hath, my lord, of late made many tenders

Of his affection to me. [100]

POLONIUS
Affection? Pooh, you speak like a green girl,
Unsifted in such perilous circumstance.
Do you believe his tenders, as you call them?

OPHELIA
I do not know, my lord, what I should think.

POLONIUS

Marry, I will teach you. Think yourself a baby [105]
That you have ta’en these tenders for true pay
Which are not sterling. Tender yourself more dearly
Or − not to crack the wind of the poor phrase,