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118
The Tragedy of Hamlet,

Hor. Let him bless thee too.

Sail. He shall, sir, an 't please him. There's
a letter for you, sir;—it comes from the am-
bassador that was bound for England;—if
your name be Horatio, as I am let to know
it is. 12

Reads the letter.

Hor. "Horatio, when thou shalt have over-
looked 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 war-like
appointment gave us chase. Finding ourselves
too slow of sail, we put on a compelled valour;
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, 32
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.


13 overlooked: perused
17 appointment: equipment
24 repair: come
28 bore: literally, calibre, hence importance
34 way: passage