OpEdNews - Page 2 of Article: Hamlet 4:6 & 4:7

                                   (Sailors and Servant exit.)

                                   HORATIO
            Not two days out at sea, pirates gave chase and caught the
            ship of Prince Hamlet. They engaged in battle, and when
            grappled together the prince boarded them. In the next
            instant they were clear, and the prince cast away as their
            prisoner.

                                   (Reads from letter.)

                                   HORATIO (CONT'D)
            "They have dealt with me like thieves of mercy, and I am to
            do a turn for them. Repair to me as fast as you would flee
            death. I have things to tell that will strike you dumb.
            Rosencrantz and Guildenstern hold their course for England,
            and there is much to say about them as well. Hamlet."

                                   (Horatio exits.)

            ACT 4, SCENE 7

                                   (Claudius and Laertes enter.)

                                   CLAUDIUS
            So then, you know now that your conscience may aquit my
            sincerity. The man who killed your father sought my life as
            well.

                                   LAERTES
            But why no action? With Prince Hamlet's crimes so capital-
            if not action out of wisdom, then why not act simply out of
            safety for your majesty?

                                   CLAUDIUS
            For two reasons Laertes; of which they may seem weak in
            reason, yet to myself, they are strong. The Queen is the
            mother of the prince, she almost lives by his looks. And
            whether it's to my virtue or misfortune, she is the star
            about which my soul revolves. Thus, the circumstance is
            delicate. Besides this, there is the love the people have
            for Prince Hamlet. In their eyes he can do no wrong; they
            paint his faults into virtues, convert his gyves to graces.
            Our arrows, too slight against so loud a wind, would have
            been blown back against us.

                                   LAERTES
            And thus I've lost my father; and a sister, whose worth stood
            challenger atop a mount for the ages, has gone mad. But my
            revenge will come.

                                   CLAUDIUS
            Do not doubt otherwise for a moment. But Laertes, you must
            not think I'm so dull and flat to take threats as jokes. I
            loved your father too, and that, I hope, will have you
            imagine--. (Notices Servant.) Come.

                                   (Servant enters with LETTERS.)

                                   SERVANT
            These letters are to your majesty and the queen.

                                   (Claudius examines seal.)

                                   CLAUDIUS
            From Hamlet! Who brought them?

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