Act 4 — Scene VI. Another room in the castle.
Reading edition
Enter Horatio and a Servant.[1815]
Hor. What are they that would speak with me?[1816] Serv. Sea-faring men, sir: they say they have letters for you.[1816][1817] Hor. Let them come in. [Exit Servant.[1816][1818] I do not know from what part of the world I should be greeted, if not from Lord Hamlet.[1819] 5
Enter Sailors.[1820]
First Sail. God bless you, sir.[1821][1822] Hor. Let him bless thee too. First Sail. He shall, sir, an't please him. There's a[1821][1823] letter for you, sir; it comes from the ambassador that was[1824] bound for England; if your name be Horatio, as I am let 10 to know it is. Hor. [Reads] 'Horatio, when thou shalt have over-looked[1825] 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. 15 Finding ourselves too slow of sail, we put on a compelled valour: and in the grapple I boarded them: on the instant[1826] 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[1827] 20 for them. Let the king have the letters I have sent; and repair thou to me with as much speed as thou wouldest[1828] fly death. I have words to speak in thine ear will make[1829] thee dumb; yet are they much too light for the bore of[1830] the matter. These good fellows will bring thee where I[1830] 25 am. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern hold their course for England: of them I have much to tell thee. Farewell.[1831] 'He that thou knowest thine, Hamlet.'[1832] Come, I will make you way for these your letters;[1833] And do't the speedier, that you may direct me 30 To him from whom you brought them. [Exeunt.[1834]