PROLOGUE

I come no more to make you laugh; things now,

That bear a weighty and a serious brow,

Sad, high, and working, full of state and woe,

Such noble scenes as draw the eye to flow,

We now present. Those that can pity, here

May, if they think it well, let fall a tear;

The subject will deserve it. Such as give

Their money out of hope they may believe,

May here find truth too. Those, that come to see

Only a show or two, and so agree,

The play may pass; if they be still and willing,

I'll undertake, may see away their shilling

Richly in two short hours. Only they,

That come to hear a merry, wanton play,

A noise of targets; or to see a fellow

In a long motley coat, guarded with yellow,

Will be deceiv'd; for, gentle hearers, know,

To rank our chosen truth with such a show

As fool and fight is, beside forfeiting

Our own brains, and the opinion that we bring,

(To make that only true we now intend,)

Will leave us never an understanding friend.