Hor.
What are they that would speak with me?

Ser.
Sailors, Sir, they say they have letters for you.

Hor.
Let them come in.
I do not know from what part of the world
I should be greeted, if not from lord Hamlet. Enter Sailors.

Sail.

God bless you, Sir.

Hor.

Let him bless thee too.

Sail.

He 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.

Hor. 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 chace. Finding our selves 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 wouldest fly death. I have words to speak in thy ear, will make thee dumb, yet are they much too light for the matter. These good fellows will bring thee where I am. Rosincrosse and Guildenstern hold their course for England. Of them I have much to tell thee, farewel.

[He that thou knowest thine, Hamlet.