ACT IV · SCENE VIAnother room in the Castle

[Enter Horatio and a Servant.]

Hor. What are they that would speak with me?

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

Hor. 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.]

I Sailor. God bless you, sir.

Hor. 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.

Hor. [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.]