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. the Tragical History of . H A M L E T . Prince of Denmark .
(In the original language with modernized spelling)
- Scene 17 [~ Thieves of Mercy ~] (Act 4 scene 6)
Setting: Inside the Castle;- The Lobby;
Daytime, immediately following the previous Scene.
(Horatio enters;- a Gentleman enters)
Horatio: What are they that would speak with me?- Gentleman: Seafaring men sir; they say they have letters for you.
- Hora: Let them come in.
- I do not know from what part of the world
I should be greeted. If not from Lord Hamlet.
(the Gentleman fades)
(two Sailors enter)
1st Sailor: God bless you, sir.- Horatio: Let him bless thee, too.
- 2nd Sailor: He shall, sir, and please him; there's a letter for you sir; it came
- from the Ambassador that was bound for England, if your name be
Horatio, as I am let to know it is.
- Horatio (reads the letter):
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 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 thieves of mercy, but they knew what they did; I am to
do a turn for them;
let the King have the letters I have sent, and
repair thou to me with as much speed as thou wouldest fly death;
I have words to speak in thine ear will make thee dumb, yet are
they much too light for the bord 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.
- So that thou knowest thine,
- Hamlet.
Hora: Come, I will you way for these your letters,- And do it the speedier, that you may direct me
To him from whom you brought them.
(all exit)
End of Scene 17
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. The Tragedy of . H A M L E T . Prince of Denmark .
(In simplified modern English translation)
- Scene 17 [~ Thieves of Mercy ~] (Act 4 scene 6)
Setting: Inside the Castle;- The Lobby;
Daytime, immediately following the previous Scene.
(Horatio enters;- a Gentleman enters)
Horatio: What are they, who wish to speak to me?- Gentleman: They're seafaring men, sir, and they say they have letters for you.
- Hora: Let them come in.
- I don't know from where in the world
I'd get a letter, except from Lord Hamlet.
(the Gentleman fades)
(two Sailors enter)
1st Sailor: God bless you, sir.- Horatio: May He bless you two.
- 2nd Sailor: I know He shall, sir, if it pleases Him. Here's a letter for you, sir. It came
- from the ambassador who was bound for England - if your name is
Horatio, as I'm told it is.
- Horatio (reads the letter):
Dear Horatio,- After you have read this letter, assist these
fellows to see the King. They have letters for him.
Before we
had been at sea for two days, a pirate ship very well equipped for
battle pursued us. Our sails wouldn't move us fast enough to escape, so we had
to fight. During the fighting, I jumped aboard the pirate ship. At that moment, the
ships separated, and I became their prisoner, by myself. They've treated me
well, but they knew they had a high-ranking person as hostage. They've
demanded I do them a favor in exchange for sparing my life.
Let the King have the letters I've sent him, and
then hurry to me with as much speed as you'd run from death itself.
I have things to tell you that will leave you speechless, but even so,
the words won't tell the whole story.
These good fellows, the sailors who have brought you this letter,
will lead you to where I am. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are still
sailing for England, and I have much to tell you about them. Farewell,
- So that you'll know it's me,
- Hamlet.
Horatio: Come, I will make your way to the King to deliver his letters.- And do it quickly, so that you can lead me at once
To the man from whom you brought them.
(all exit)
End of Scene 17
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(Regained)