Hamlet: Act 4, Scene 6 Translation

Enter Horatio and others.

HORATIO What are they that would speak with me?

GENTLEMAN Seafaring men, sir. They say they have
letters for you.

HORATIO Let them come in. Gentleman exits. I do not
know from what part of the world I should be 5
greeted, if not from Lord Hamlet.

Enter Sailors.

SAILOR God bless you, sir.

HORATIO Let Him bless thee too.

SAILOR He shall, sir, an ’t please Him. There’s a letter
for you, sir. It came from th’ ambassador that was 10
bound for England—if your name be Horatio, as I
am let to know it is. He hands Horatio a letter.

HORATIO reads the letter

"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 15
old at sea, a pirate of very warlike appointment gave
us chase. Finding ourselves too slow of sail, we put on
a compelled valor, 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 20
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 25
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, 30
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.

They exit.