Hamlet to his present desperation. Too late he regrets that, from lack of observation and of judgment, he had mistaken fatherly fears for facts. Blaming his jealousy and confessing to Ophelia his want of discretion, he excuses it on the plea that old men are too often overmatched by excessive prudence, as youth are by want of foresight and reflection.

This salve applied to his conscience in easement of his rash and dishonorable judgment, he hurries off with his daughter to the King, rejoicing in the characteristic astuteness, which had enabled him to discover before all others the secret for which the king and his court were eagerly searching the cause of Hamlet's madness. The concealment of the Prince's secret love for his daughter, might bring evil on himself, while its revealment, though rousing the displeasure of Hamlet, will surely merit the favor of the King. The latter is to him far weightier in the scales than the former.

SCENE SECOND

THE SUMMONS OF HAMLET'S YOUNG FRIENDS

In the meanwhile Hamlet, having by his antic disposition i impressed on all the apparent truth of his unbalanced mind, was now the one topic at the royal court. His madness was the sole question which every one discussed. However much they differed as to the cause of his sudden malady, all agreed on the fact-all save the King. A guilty conscience made him more alert and a still keener observer. His suspicion was excited by Hamlet's change as manifested, not so much by his external "transformation", as by his conduct towards himself. In the belief that his crime was known to himself and to God alone, Claudius had hitherto thought himself immune from danger; but his restless conscience, now stirred anew, urged him to ascertain the cause of the Prince's changed behavior. It might perhaps be Hamlet's disappointed ambition of the throne; it might be a thing he greatly feared-that he had obtained some information concerning the murder. In either case he might plot or conspire in the guise of a madman, and become a menace to himself and the realm. Hence, there arose at once a conflict between Claudius and the Prince, in which the former set to work the machinery of the state in an endeavor to penetrate the heart of Hamlet's secret, and the latter to defend it securely behind an impenetrable mask.

To aid him in his purpose, the King hastily summons two young courtiers, Rosencrantz and Guildernstern. He greets them warmly and explains the reason for their call. Young Hamlet, their friend, having undergone a transforma

tion, is neither the same "exterior nor inward man" that he was. Though his surprising malady is commonly ascribed to excessive grief over his father's death, there is reason to suspect some other and secret cause. Hence, he desires them, as intimates of the same age and humor with the Prince, to dwell for a time in the royal palace, where, in daily association with him, they may distract him from his grief, draw him on to pleasures and amusements, and, from their frequent conversations, learn if there be anything beyond his father's death to account for his exterior and especially for his "inward transformation," which is most noted in his changed conduct towards himself.

The secret purpose of Claudius, which lay concealed beneath his business-like and formal speech, was of course unsuspected by the Queen. She in turn, impelled alone by motherly solicitude, addresses the young courtiers in more impassioned and urgent terms. She knew them better than her consort did, knew them intimately and felt for them a motherly affection, for from childhood they had been brought up with her son, had probably served in boyhood as pages in the court of the elder Hamlet, and later had been his schoolmates. Her son, she assures them, still entertains for them the strongest friendship, and has often made them the subject of conversation with her. Appealing, therefore, not only to their good will as loyal courtiers, but more to the memory of the strong love which bound them so long in friendship, she earnestly requests them under promises of her royal favor to tax their ingenuity in efforts to discover the secret trouble of her "too much changed son.'

She had at first attributed his melancholy solely to an overmastering grief over his father's death; but his present conduct, which, all unknown to her, results from his secret knowledge of the crime of Claudius, and from his dark and

gruesome suspicion concerning her own greater or less complicity therein, makes the supposition seem inadequate to explain his changed action towards the King, and even more towards herself. In reply, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern with to G true courtly style bow their acknowledgment of the royal favor, and, protesting that their sovereigns' pleasure is always a command, place themselves in obedient service at their feet. The Queen in eagerness at once commands an attendant to lead them to her son, and Guildenstern departing invokes the aid of Heaven to make their sojourn and service most agreeable and salutary for the Prince.

POLONIUS INTRODUCES THE AMBASSADORS

When last seen, Polonius was hurrying away to court to announce his great discovery. On reflection he perceived that if the cause of Hamlet's dementia should reach the King from other sources than himself, his silence might result in serious consequences. The King might reasonably suspect that from a spirit of ambition he had encouraged the courtship of the Prince, and only now revealed it when it was no longer in his power to conceal it. Under these circumstances, Polonius was glad to meet the ambassadors who had just returned from Norway, and were awaiting an audience with the King. Fortunately, their mission was highly suc cessful; and their joyous news would surely put his majesty in the best of humor. The moment seemed, accordingly, the most opportune for Polonius, and, detaining the ambassadors without, he hastens to the royal presence to be the first to announce the glad tidings.

Graciously received by Claudius and congratulated as "the father of good news," he further ingratiates himself by the strong affirmation that he holds his duty as he does his soul, both to God and his "gracious King." This loyal

protestation is in the whole drama the sole disclosure of the minister's acquaintance with Christian principles. His words affirming a dual allegiance on the part of man, the one due to God and the other to the King, voice a truth which is a fundamental principle of the Christian religion. It was first proclaimed by the Savior in the world-famous dictum: "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's."

Considering the portrayal of Polonius' character, we may readily believe that, as a time-serving courtier who would serve his King better than his God, we need not suppose that, while he admitted the existence of the dual power of Church and State, he was much concerned with the interests of the former, but merely invoked the principle, in order to gain by a courtly compliment the good will of his sovereign.

On learning of the purpose of his minister's visit, the King is no less anxious to hear the secret than Polonius is to disclose it. The latter delays in the hope that his news shall be as a dessert "to the great feast" which the ambassadors will serve in the letter from Norway's King. Desirous of making the most of his great discovery, the minister insists on awaiting the more opportune moment when Claudius in the best of humor shall be more inclined to grant him a lengthy private audience. The Queen, however, seems little concerned with Polonius' boasted discovery; because, she still clings to the opinion that her son's malady is due to great grief and to her overhasty marriage.

Following the exit of Polonius, the ambassadors Voltimand and Cornelius enter, and are warmly greeted by Claudius. He had sent them on a special embassy to the King of Norway with letters of protest against the military preparations of his nephew, the young Fortinbras. The latter was