It was against your highness: whereat grieved
That so his sickness, age and impotence69
Was falsely borne in hand, sends out arrests70
On Fortinbras, which he, in brief, obeys,
Receives rebuke from Norway, and in fine72
Makes vow before his uncle never more
To give th'assay of arms74 against your majesty.
Whereon old Norway, overcome with joy,
Gives him three thousand crowns76 in annual fee
And his commission77 to employ those soldiers,
So levied as before, against the Polack,
With an entreaty, herein further shown,
Gives a paper
That it might please you to give quiet pass80
Through your dominions for his enterprise
On such regards of safety and allowance82
As therein are set down.
KING It likes84 us well,
And at our more considered time85 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
POLONIUS This business is very well ended.
My liege, and madam, to expostulate91
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 wit95,