Hamlet Act 4 Scene 6
Another room in the castle.
The Original
Plain Modern English
Enter Horatio and a Servant.
Horatio
What are they that would speak with me?
Horatio
Who is it that wants to speak with me?
Servant
Sailors, sir: they say they have letters for you.
Servant
Sailors, sir. They say they have letters for you.
Horatio
Let them come in.
I do not know from what part of the world
I should be greeted, if not from Lord Hamlet.
Horatio
Let them in.
I can't think of any part of the world
I'd be getting word from, if not from Lord Hamlet.
Enter Sailors.
First Sailor
God bless you, sir.
First Sailor
God bless you, sir.
Horatio
Let him bless thee too.
Horatio
And may he bless you too.
First 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.
First Sailor
He will, sir, if it pleases him. There's a letter for you, sir. It's from the ambassador who was bound for England — if your name is Horatio, as I've been told it is.
Horatio
[Reads] '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 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 make you way for these your letters;
And do't the speedier, that you may direct me
To him from whom you brought them.
Horatio
(reading) 'Horatio, when you've read this, get these men access to the King. They have letters for him. Before we were two days out at sea, a heavily armed pirate ship chased us. Finding ourselves too slow, we were forced into courage, and during the boarding I got onto their ship. They immediately pulled away from ours, so I alone became their prisoner. They've treated me like merciful thieves — but they knew what they were doing; I'm to do them a favour in return. Get the King the letters I've sent, and come to me as fast as you'd run from death. I have things to tell you that will strike you dumb — and even they are far too small for the size of the matter. These good men will bring you to me. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are still sailing for England. I have a great deal to tell you about them. Farewell.
The man you know is yours, HAMLET.'
Come — I'll get you access for these letters of yours,
and do it quickly, so you can take me
to the man who sent them.
Exeunt.