What does 'it' refer to in "come you more nearer than your particular demands will touch it"?

Apologies for the long title; I was led to understand it is better to be as specific as possible in titles, even if it makes them a little long. I'll edit it if people agree otherwise.

In Shakespeare's Hamlet, Act II, scene I, Polonius says the following to Reynaldo:

Marry, well said; very well said. Look you, sir,
Inquire 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?

I am not sure I understand to what the 'it' refers in "Than your particular demands will touch it". My guess would be "them knowing my son" (i.e. "the fact they know my son"), but I am not sure if this is proper English. (Of course, even if it isn't, this could be explained by either it having been back then or Polonius speaking oddly, as he is wont to do).

Am I correct? Is it correct in formal English for an 'it' to refer to a verb in this way? (I believe it is not non-standard, but it sounds a little bit informal to me (again - if this is the case, this could be explained, either by the change in English since Shakespeare's times or by the fact Polonius is not always the most eloquent speaker)).

Solution 1:

From my days of Shakespeare study (quite long ago, I admit), I don't have a firm answer. Polonius is giving the instruction that to be circumspect will get closer to the truth about his son Laertes -- this could be as, you suggest, the "It." However, I think it can also be parsed that "it" is what circumspection is meant to hide -- the fact that Reynaldo knows the son very well, and is specifically on a mission to find out about his behavior in Paris.

Shakespeare sounds so beautiful often, even if the meaning isn't crystal clear. It helps so much to have seasoned actors perform the words to experience how the language has both music and meaning.

Solution 2:

Polonius' previous line is:

You shall do marvelously wisely,
good Reynaldo,
Before you visit him, to make
inquire
Of his behavior.

"It" refers to his son's behavior. Polonius is asking Reynaldo to ask around about Danish people in Paris, being vague about who in particular he wants to know about or how he knows of him. In doing so, Polonius hopes Reynaldo will form a better picture of Polonius' son.