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.