Act 2, Sc. 2, lines 270-297: Explain what Hamlet wants from from Rosencrantz and Guildenstern and why they resist giving him a straight answer.

Hamlet. But in the beaten way of

friendship, what make you at Elsinore?

Rosencrantz. To visit you, my lord, no other occasion.

Hamlet. Beggar that I am, I am even poor in thanks, but I

thank you. And sure, dear friends, my thanks are too dear a

halfpenny. Were you not sent for? Is it your own inclining?

Is it a free visitation? Come, come, deal justly with me.

Come, come. Nay, speak.

Guildenstern. What should we say, my lord?

Hamlet. Why, anything. But to the purpose. You were sent

for, and there is a kind of confession in your looks, which

your modesties have not craft enough to colour. I know the

good King and Queen have sent for you.

Rosencrantz. To what end, my lord?

Hamlet. That, you must teach me. But let me conjure you, by

the rights of our fellowship, by the consonancy of your youth,

by the obligation of our ever-preserved love, and by what

more dear a better proposer can charge you withal, be even

and direct with me whether you were sent for or no.

Rosencrantz. [aside to Guildenstern] What say you?

Hamlet. Nay, then I have an eye of you. If you love me, hold

not off.

Guildenstern. My lord, we were sent for.

Hamlet. I will tell you why; so shall my anticipation prevent

your discovery, and your secrecy to the King and Queen

moult no feather. I have of late, but wherefore I know not,

lost all my mirth, forgone all custom of exercise; and indeed

it goes so heavily with my disposition that this goody frame...