Act IV, scene vi

Scene VI. Another room in the Castle.



[Enter Horatio and a Servant.]



Horatio: What are they that would speak with me?



Servant: Sailors, sir: they say they have letters for you.



Horatio: Let them come in.



[Exit Servant.]



I do not know from what part of the world
I should be greeted, if not from Lord Hamlet.



[Enter Sailors.]



1 Sailor.
God bless you, sir.



Horatio: Let him bless thee too.



Sailor.
He shall, sir, an't please him. There's a letter for you,
sir,—it comes from the ambassador that was bound for England; if
your name be Horatio, as I am let to know it is.



Horatio: [Reads.] 'Horatio, when thou shalt have overlooked
this, give these fellows some means to the king: they have
letters for him. Ere we were two days old at sea, a pirate of
very warlike appointment gave us chase. Finding ourselves too
slow of sail, we put on a compelled valour, and in the grapple I
boarded them: on the instant they got clear of our ship; so I
alone became their prisoner. They have dealt with me like thieves
of mercy: but they knew what they did; I am to do a good turn for
them. Let the king have the letters I have sent; and repair thou
to me with as much haste as thou wouldst fly death. I have words
to speak in thine ear will make thee dumb; yet are they much too
light for the bore of the matter. These good fellows will bring
thee where I am. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern hold their course
for England: of them I have much to tell thee. Farewell.
He that thou knowest thine, HAMLET.'



Come, I will give you way for these your letters;
And do't the speedier, that you may direct me
To him from whom you brought them.



[Exeunt.]