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Act III, Scene 3
At the UN. Colonius is addressing the other delegates.
COLONIUS: I weigh'd the danger which my realm stood in,
And that gave to me many a groaning throe.
Thus I did steer toward this remedy,
Whereupon we are now present here together.
Join thou us in this endeavour,
And when 'tis accomplisht,
Every man shall eat in safety, under his own vine,
What he plants, and sing
The merry songs of peace to all his neighbors.
Go, take a trumpet: Ride thou unto the horsemen on yond hill.
If they will fight with us, bid them come down.
FRANCE: Think'st thou that duty shall have dread to speak?
Reverse thy doom, and in thy best consideration,
Check this hideous rashness.
COLONIUS: You ever have wisht the sleeping of this business.
But I must go, and meet with danger there,
Or it will seek me in another place,
And find me worse provided. England:
We are impressed and engaged to fight.
Forthwith a power of English shall we levy:
Whose arms were moulded in their mothers' womb
To chase these pagans in their holy fields.
It grieves my soul, that I must draw,
This metal from my side to be a widow-maker!
But such is the infection of the time.
FRANCE: To willful men the injuries they themselves
Procure, must be their schoolmasters.
I'ld have it come to question:
Call th'ambassadors.
Let them have their answers,
Every one.
COLONIUS: Nay, my lords: this resolution do I withdraw.
Rather shall my King proceed,
Together with such as share his mind and means,
In despite of your weary negligence.
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