Original
Modern English
What are they that would speak with me?
Who are the people that want to speak to 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 don’t know from which part of the world I should be hearing from, if not from Lord Hamlet.
.
.
God bless you, sir.
God bless you, sir.
Let him bless thee too.
Let him 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 he wishes. There’s a letter for you, sir. It comes from the ambassador who was heading to England, if your name is Horatio, as I’ve been told it is.
[
]‘Horatio, when you’ve looked this over, give these men some way to the King. They have letters for him. Before we were two days at sea, a pirate ship, well-armed, chased us. Finding ourselves too slow, we pretended to be brave, and I boarded their ship in the fight. The moment they got clear of our ship, I became their prisoner. They’ve treated me like thieves who show mercy. But they knew what they were doing; I have to repay them a favor. Let the King have the letters I’ve sent, and come to me as quickly as you can, as if you were running from death. I have things to tell you that will shock you into silence; though, they’re not nearly heavy enough for the seriousness of the matter. These good men will bring you to where I am. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are on their way to England: I have a lot to tell you about them. Goodbye. He who you know as your own, HAMLET.’
]‘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.’
]‘Horatio, when you’ve looked this over, give these men some way to the King. They have letters for him. Before we were two days at sea, a pirate ship, well-armed, chased us. Finding ourselves too slow, we pretended to be brave, and I boarded their ship in the fight. The moment they got clear of our ship, I became their prisoner. They’ve treated me like thieves who show mercy. But they knew what they were doing; I have to repay them a favor. Let the King have the letters I’ve sent, and come to me as quickly as you can, as if you were running from death. I have things to tell you that will shock you into silence; though, they’re not nearly heavy enough for the seriousness of the matter. These good men will bring you to where I am. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are on their way to England: I have a lot to tell you about them. Goodbye. He who you know as your own, 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 give you way for these letters, And do it quickly, so you can lead me To the one who sent them to you.