(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?
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."
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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