Horatio receives a letter from Hamlet, which tells him that the prince is headed home to Denmark. He asks Horatio to deliver some letters to the king, and Horatio makes plans to seek out Hamlet.
Horatio
Who wishes to speak with me?
Servingman
Sailors, sir. They say that they have letters for you.
Horatio
Let them come in.
Sailor
God bless you, sir.
Horatio
Let him bless you also.
Sailor
He shall, sir, if it pleases him. Here’s a letter from our ambassador who was traveling to England. It’s for you, sir, if your name’s Horatio – as I’ve been led to believe.
Horatio
“Horatio, after you have read this letter, allow these fellows access to the King; they have letters for him also. When we were just two days at sea, a menacing looking pirate ship began to chase us. Because we were slower, we had no choice but to put up a fight. When the two ships came side by side, I boarded the pirate ship. But the ships soon separated, and I, alone, became their prisoner. They showed mercy on me – which was smart, because, in return, I’ll compensate them well. Give the other letters to the king, and then come to me as quickly as if your life depended on it. What I have to tell you will leave you dumbstruck, but words can’t convey the seriousness of the situation we face. These fellows will bring you to me. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are continuing on to England – more on them later. Goodbye.
Your lasting friend,
Hamlet”
[To Sailor] Come with me. I’ll take you to the court to deliver the other letters. The faster, the better, so you can take me to the person who gave you these letters.
