Act IV, Scene vi:
Another room in the Castle.

[Enter Horatio and a Servant.]

Hor.:

What are they that would speak with me?

Servant.:

Sailors, sir: they say they have letters for you.

Hor.:

Let them come in.

[Exit Servant.]

I do not know from what part of the world

I should be greeted, if not from Lord Hamlet.

[Enter Sailors.]

I Sailor.

God bless you, sir.

Hor.:

Let him bless thee too.

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.

Hor.:

[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 haste 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.]