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_ ACT IV SCENE VI
Elsinore. Another room in the Castle.
[Enter Horatio with an Attendant.]
HORATIO.
What are they that would speak with me?
SERVANT.
Seafaring men, sir. They say they have letters for you.
HORATIO.
Let them come in.
[Exit Attendant.]
I do not know from what part of the world
I should be greeted, if not from Lord Hamlet.
[Enter Sailors.]
SAILOR.
God bless you, sir.
HORATIO.
Let him bless thee too.
SAILOR.
'A shall, sir, an'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.
[reads the letter]
'Horatio, when thou shalt have overlook'd
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 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.] _
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