[Footnote II.16: _O most best_,] An ancient mode of expression.]
[Footnote II.17: _Whilst this machine is to him_,] Belongs to, obey his impulse; so long as he is "a sensible warm motion," the similar expression to "While my wits are my own."]
[Footnote II.18: _And more above_,] _i.e._, moreover, besides.]
[Footnote II.19: _His solicitings_,] _i.e._, his love-making, his tender expressions.]
[Footnote II.20: _If I had played the desk, or table book_;] This line may either mean _if I had conveyed intelligence between them_, or, _known of their love, if I had locked up his secret in my own breast, as closely as it were confined in a desk or table book._]
[Footnote II.21: _Or given my heart a winking, mute and dumb_;] _i.e._, connived at it.]
[Footnote II.22: _With idle sight_;] _i.e._, with indifference.]
[Footnote II.23: _Round to work_,] _i.e._, roundly, without reserve.]
[Footnote II.24: _Which done, she took the fruits of my advice_;] She took the _fruits_ of advice when she obeyed advice, the advice was then made _fruitful._--JOHNSON.]
[Footnote II.25: _I'll board him presently._] Accost, address him.]
[Footnote II.26: _You are a fishmonger._] This was an expression better understood in Shakespeare's time than at present, and no doubt was relished by the audience of the Globe Theatre as applicable to the Papists, who in Queen Elizabeth's time were esteemed enemies to the Government. Hence the proverbial phrase of _He's an honest man and eats no fish_; to signify he's a friend to the Government and a Protestant.]
[Footnote II.27: _For if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog, being a god, kissing carrion,----Have you a daughter?_] _i.e._, Hamlet having just remarked that honesty is very rare in the world, adds, that since there is so little virtue, since corruption abounds everywhere, and maggots are _bred_ by the sun, which is a god, even in a dead dog, Polonius ought to take care to prevent his daughter from walking in the sun, lest she should prove _"a breeder of sinners;"_ for though _conception_ (understanding) in general be a blessing, yet as Ophelia might chance to _conceive_ (to be pregnant), it might be a calamity. Hamlet's abrupt question, _"Have you a daughter?"_ is evidently intended to impress Polonius with the belief of the Prince's madness.--MALONE.]