Hamlet, Act 4, Scene 6

What are they that would speak with me?

Who are these people who want to speak with me?

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

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

Let them come in.

Let them come in.

I do not know from what part of the world I should be greeted, if not from Lord Hamlet.

I can't think what part of the world I'd be greeted from, unless it's from Lord Hamlet.

God bless you, sir.

God bless you, sir.

Let him bless thee too.

May he bless you too.

He shall, sir, and’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.

He will, sir, if it pleases him. There's a letter for you, sir. It comes from the ambassador who was on his way to England — if your name is Horatio, as I've been told it is.

[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.’

[Reads.] 'Horatio, when you have read this through, get these men some way of reaching the King. They have letters for him. Before we were two days out at sea, a pirate ship very heavily armed for battle chased us. Finding our own ship too slow, we were forced into being brave, and when the ships were locked together I boarded theirs. At that instant they got clear of our ship, so I alone became their prisoner. They have treated me like merciful thieves. But they knew what they were doing; I'm to do them a good turn in return. Make sure the King gets the letters I have sent, and come to me as fast as you would run from death. I have words to speak in your ear that will strike you dumb; and even they are far too small a shot for the size of the gun. These good fellows will bring you to where I am. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are still sailing on towards England: I have much to tell you about them. Goodbye. He whom you know to be yours, 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.

Come, I'll find you a way through with these letters of yours, and do it all the quicker so that you can take me to the man you brought them from.