Ser. Saylors sir, they say they haue Letters [Gent. Sea-faring men sir,] for you.
Hor. Let them come in,[4] I do not know from what part of the world I should be greeted, if not from Lord Hamlet.
Enter Saylor. [Sidenote: Saylers.]
Say. God blesse you Sir.
Hor. Let him blesse thee too.
Say. Hee shall Sir, and't[5] please him. There's [Sidenote: A shall sir and please] a Letter for you Sir: It comes from th'Ambassadours [Sidenote: it came frõ th' Embassador] that was bound for England, if your name be Horatio, as I am let to know[6] it is.
Reads the Letter[7]
Horatio, When thou shalt haue ouerlook'd this, [Sidenote: Hor. Horatio when] giue these Fellowes some meanes to the King: They haue Letters for him. Ere we were two dayes[8] old at Sea, a Pyrate of very Warlicke appointment gaue vs Chace. Finding our selues too slow of Saile, we put on a compelled Valour. In the Grapple, I boarded [Sidenote: valour, and in the] them: On the instant they got cleare of our Shippe, so I alone became their Prisoner.[9] They haue dealt with mee, like Theeues of Mercy, but they knew what they did. I am to doe a good turne for them. Let [Sidenote: a turne] the King have the Letters I haue sent, and repaire thou to me with as much hast as thou wouldest flye [Sidenote: much speede as] death[10] I haue words to speake in your eare, will [Sidenote: in thine eare]
[Footnote 1: 'formal ostentation'—show or publication of honour according to form or rule.]
[Footnote 2: 'so that I must call in question'—institute inquiry; or '—that (these things) I must call in question.']