Of his behaviour.
Reynaldo
My lord, I did intend it.
Polonius
Marry, well said; very well said. Look you, sir,
Enquire me first what Danskers are in Paris;
And how, and who, what means, and where
they keep,
What company, at what expense; and finding
By this encompassment and drift of question,
That they do know my son, come you more nearer
Than your particular demands will touch it.
Take you as 'twere some distant knowledge
of him,
As thus, 'I know his father and his friends,
And in part him'-do you mark this, Reynaldo?
Reynaldo
Ay, very well, my lord.
Polonius
'And in part him, but,' you may say, 'not well;
But if't be he I mean, he's very wild;
Addicted so and so;' and there put on him
What forgeries you please; marry, none so rank
As may dishonour him; take heed of that;
But, sir, such wanton, wild, and usual slips
As are companions noted and most known
To youth and liberty.
Reynaldo
As gaming, my lord?
Polonius
Ay, or drinking, fencing, swearing,
Quarrelling, drabbing. You may go so far.
Reynaldo
My lord, that would dishonour him.
Polonius
Faith no, as you may season it in the charge.
You must not put another scandal on him,
That he is open to incontinency;
That's not my meaning: but breathe his faults
so quaintly
That they may seem the taints of liberty;
The flash and outbreak of a fiery mind,
A savageness in unreclaimed blood,
Of general assault.
Reynaldo
But my good lord —
Polonius
Wherefore should you do this?
Reynaldo
Ay, my lord, I would know that.