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Henry VIII - Prologue
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Last updated: Fri, Jul 31, 2015
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Henry VIII - ProloguePrologue
⌜Enter Prologue.⌝
PROLOGUE
0001 I come no more to make you laugh. Things now
0002 That bear a weighty and a serious brow,
0003 Sad, high, and working, full of state and woe,
0004 Such noble scenes as draw the eye to flow,
0005 5 We now present. Those that can pity here
0006 May, if they think it well, let fall a tear;
0007 The subject will deserve it. Such as give
0008 Their money out of hope they may believe
0009 May here find truth too. Those that come to see
0010 10 Only a show or two, and so agree
0011 The play may pass, if they be still and willing,
0012 I’ll undertake may see away their shilling
0013 Richly in two short hours. Only they
0014 That come to hear a merry, bawdy play,
0015 15 A noise of targets, or to see a fellow
0016 In a long motley coat guarded with yellow,
0017 Will be deceived. For, gentle hearers, know
0018 To rank our chosen truth with such a show
0019 As fool and fight is, besides forfeiting
0020 20 Our own brains and the opinion that we bring
0021 To make that only true we now intend,
0022 Will leave us never an understanding friend.
0023 Therefore, for goodness’ sake, and as you are known
0024 The first and happiest hearers of the town,
0025 25 Be sad, as we would make you. Think you see
0026 The very persons of our noble story
0027 As they were living. Think you see them great,
0028 And followed with the general throng and sweat
0029 Of thousand friends. Then, in a moment, see
0030 30 How soon this mightiness meets misery.
0031 And if you can be merry then, I’ll say
0032 A man may weep upon his wedding day.
⌜He exits.⌝
PROLOGUE
0001 I come no more to make you laugh. Things now
0002 That bear a weighty and a serious brow,
0003 Sad, high, and working, full of state and woe,
0004 Such noble scenes as draw the eye to flow,
0005 5 We now present. Those that can pity here
0006 May, if they think it well, let fall a tear;
0007 The subject will deserve it. Such as give
0008 Their money out of hope they may believe
0009 May here find truth too. Those that come to see
0010 10 Only a show or two, and so agree
0011 The play may pass, if they be still and willing,
0012 I’ll undertake may see away their shilling
0013 Richly in two short hours. Only they
0014 That come to hear a merry, bawdy play,
0015 15 A noise of targets, or to see a fellow
0016 In a long motley coat guarded with yellow,
0017 Will be deceived. For, gentle hearers, know
0018 To rank our chosen truth with such a show
0019 As fool and fight is, besides forfeiting
0020 20 Our own brains and the opinion that we bring
0021 To make that only true we now intend,
0022 Will leave us never an understanding friend.
0023 Therefore, for goodness’ sake, and as you are known
0024 The first and happiest hearers of the town,
0025 25 Be sad, as we would make you. Think you see
0026 The very persons of our noble story
0027 As they were living. Think you see them great,
0028 And followed with the general throng and sweat
0029 Of thousand friends. Then, in a moment, see
0030 30 How soon this mightiness meets misery.
0031 And if you can be merry then, I’ll say
0032 A man may weep upon his wedding day.
⌜He exits.⌝