[Elsinore.]

Enter Horatio and others.

HORATIO:

What are they that would speak with me?

SERVANT:

Seafaring men, 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.(5)

Enter Sailors.

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.(10)

HORATIO:

[Reads the letter]

'Horatio, when thou shalt have overlook'd
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(15)
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 speed as thou wouldst fly death. I
have words to speak in thine ear will make thee dumb; yet are they(20)
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,(25)
And do't the speedier that you may direct me
To him from whom you brought them.

Exeunt.