![The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [Vol. 6 of 9] cover](/books/content/49007/OEBPS/2426121633032840791_cover.jpg)
THE 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,[1]
Such noble scenes as draw the eye to flow,
We now present. Those that can pity, here[2] 5
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[3] 10
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 bawdy play,
A noise of targets, or to see a fellow 15
In a long motley coat guarded with yellow,
Will be deceived; for, gentle hearers, know,
To rank our chosen truth with such a show
As fool and fight is, beside forfeiting[4]
Our own brains and the opinion that we bring 20
To make that only true we now intend,[5]
Will leave us never an understanding friend.[6]
Therefore, for goodness' sake, and as you are known[7]
The first and happiest hearers of the town,
Be sad, as we would make ye: think ye see[8] 25
The very persons of our noble story[9]
As they were living; think you see them great
And follow'd with the general throng and sweat
Of thousand friends; then, in a moment, see
How soon this mightiness meets misery: 30
And if you can be merry then, I'll say
A man may weep upon his wedding-day.
That bear a weighty and a serious brow,
Sad, high and working, full of state and woe,[1]
Such noble scenes as draw the eye to flow,
We now present. Those that can pity, here[2] 5
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[3] 10
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 bawdy play,
A noise of targets, or to see a fellow 15
In a long motley coat guarded with yellow,
Will be deceived; for, gentle hearers, know,
To rank our chosen truth with such a show
As fool and fight is, beside forfeiting[4]
Our own brains and the opinion that we bring 20
To make that only true we now intend,[5]
Will leave us never an understanding friend.[6]
Therefore, for goodness' sake, and as you are known[7]
The first and happiest hearers of the town,
Be sad, as we would make ye: think ye see[8] 25
The very persons of our noble story[9]
As they were living; think you see them great
And follow'd with the general throng and sweat
Of thousand friends; then, in a moment, see
How soon this mightiness meets misery: 30
And if you can be merry then, I'll say
A man may weep upon his wedding-day.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] high and working] and high-working Staunton.
full] F1 F4. fall F2 F3.
[2] now] shall Pope.
[3] agree] Pope, a gree, F1. agree, F2F3F4.
[4] beside] besides Pope (ed. 2).
[5] To make] That make Rowe. To make ... intend] Or make; that only truth we now intend Johnson conj. That only true to make we now intend Tyrwhitt conj.
[6] never] ne'er S. Walker conj.
[7] and as] as Pope.
[8] ye see] before ye Theobald. you see Delius.
[9] noble story] history Capell (Heath conj.)