HORATIO
What are they that would speak with me?
SERVANT
Sailors, sir. They say they have letters for you.
HORATIO
Let them come in.
HORATIO
I do not know from what part of the world
I should be greeted, if not from Lord Hamlet.
FIRST SAILOR
God bless you, sir.
HORATIO
Let him bless 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
‘Horatio, when have overlooked this, give these fellows some means to the King. They have letters for him. 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 to me with as much haste as fly death. I have words to speak in ear will make dumb; yet are they much too light for the bore of the matter. These good fellows will bring where I am. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern hold their course for England: of them I have much to tell . Farewell.
He that knowest ,
HAMLET.’
HORATIO
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.