Act IV, Scene 6

Elsinore. Another room in the Castle.

Enter Horatio with an Attendant.

• Horatio. What are they that would speak with me? 3100

• 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. 3105

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 3110
  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 3115
  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 3120
  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. 3125
  '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.