[Enter Horatio with a servant.]
Horatio
What are they that would speak with me?
Servingman
Sailors, sir. They say they have letters for you.
Horatio
[Exit servant.]
I do not know from what part of the world
I should be greeted, if not from Lord Hamlet.
[Enter Sailor.]
Sailor
Horatio
Sailor
He shall, sir, an't please him. There's a letter came
for you, sir. It comes from th' ambassador that was bound
for England, if your name be Horatio, as I am let to
[He Horatio gives a letter.]
Horatio
[Reading the letter.]
“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 valor.
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 wouldest fly death. I have
words to speak in your ear will make thee dumb, yet they are
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,
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.
[Exit.]
