Hamlet: Act 4, Scene 6
Enter HORATIO and others.
HORATIO
1 What are they that would speak with me?
Gentleman
2 Sea-faring men, sir: they say they have letters
3 for you.
HORATIO
4 Let them come in.
[Exit Gentleman.]
5 I do not know from what part of the world
6 I should be greeted, if not from Lord Hamlet.
Enter SAILORS.
First Sailor
7 God bless you, sir.
HORATIO
8 Let him bless thee too.
First Sailor
9. He shall, sir, an't please him: He shall sir, if it please him. ...more 10-11. the ambassador that was / bound for England: i.e., Hamlet. ...more 11-12. as I am let to know it is: i.e., as I have been told it is.
9 He shall, sir, an't please him. There's a letter for
10 you, sir; it comes from the ambassador that was
11 bound for England; if your name be Horatio, as I am
12 let to know it is.
HORATIO [Reads.]
13-14. overlooked this: i.e., read this letter.
13 "Horatio, when thou shalt have overlooked
14. some means to the king: some means of communicating with the king.
14 this, give these fellows some means to the king:
15 they have letters for him. Ere we were two days old
16. appointment: equipment, appearance.
16 at sea, a pirate of very warlike appointment gave us
17-18. we put on a compelled valour: i.e., because we had no choice, we pretended to be brave. 18. the grapple: the hand-to-hand combat.
17 chase. Finding ourselves too slow of sail, we put on
18 a compelled valour, and in the grapple I boarded
19 them: on the instant they got clear of our ship; so
20 I alone became their prisoner. They have dealt with
21. thieves of mercy: merciful thieves.
21 me like thieves of mercy: but they knew what they
22 did; I am to do a good turn for them. Let the king
23. repair thou to me: come back to me. —The phrase also carries the meaning that Hamlet and Horatio are old friends who find comfort in each others' company. 25. will make thee dumb: i.e., will shock you into silence. 26. bore: i.e., importance. —The larger the bore of a cannon, the heavier the shot it throws, and so the more destructive it is.
23 have the letters I have sent; and repair thou to me
24 with as much speed as thou wouldst fly death. I have
25 words to speak in thine ear will make thee dumb;
26 yet are they much too light for the bore of the matter.
27 These good fellows will bring thee where I am.
28 Rosencrantz and Guildenstern hold their course
29 for England: of them I have much to tell thee. Farewell.
30 He that thou knowest thine,
31 HAMLET."
32. I will make you way for these your letters: i.e., I will clear the way for you to deliver your letters to the king.
32 Come, I will make you way for these your letters;
33 And do't the speedier, that you may direct me
34. him: i.e., Hamlet.
34 To him from whom you brought them.
Exeunt.