Chapter 6

Scene VI.
Elsinore. Another room in the Castle.

Enter Horatio with an Attendant.

Hor. What are they that would speak with me?

Servant. Seafaring men, sir. They say they have letters for

you.

Hor. Let them come in.

[Exit Attendant.]

I do not know from what part of the world

I should be greeted, if not from Lord Hamlet.

Enter Sailors.

Sailor. God bless you, sir.

Hor. Let him bless thee too.

Sailor. ’A shall, sir, an’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.

Hor. (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 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 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.