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The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark

by William Shakespeare

ACT IV

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.]

FIRST SAILOR.

God bless you, sir.

HORATIO.

Let him bless thee too.

FIRST SAILOR.

He shall, sir, and’t please him. There’s a letter for you, sir. It comes from th’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.]

→ Scene VII