Page 12 of Hamlet

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Or thinking by our late dear brother's death

Our state to be disjoint and out of frame,

Colleagued with the dream of his advantage21,

He hath not failed to pester us with message

Importing23 the surrender of those lands

Lost by his father, with all bonds of law,

To our most valiant brother. So much for him.

Enter Voltemand and Cornelius

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 bedrid29, scarcely hears

Of this his nephew's purpose -- to suppress

His further gait herein, in that the levies31,

The lists and full proportions, are all made

Out of his subject. And we here dispatch

You, good Cornelius, and you, Voltemand,

For bearing of this greeting to old Norway,

Giving to you no further personal power

To37 business with the king, more than the scope

Of these dilated articles38 allow.

Gives a paper

Farewell, and let your haste commend your duty39.

VOLTEMAND In that, and all things, will we show our duty.

KING We doubt it nothing41: heartily farewell.--

Exeunt Voltemand and Cornelius

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

You told us of some suit43: what is't, Laertes?

You cannot speak of reason to the Dane44

And lose your voice45: what wouldst thou beg, Laertes,

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