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, bawdy play, A noise of targets, or to see a fellow 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 Our own brains and the opinion that we bring (To make that only true we now intend), Will leave us never an understanding friend. Therefore, for goodness sake, as you are known The first and happiest hearers of the town. Be sad as we would make ye. Think ye see The very persons of our noble story
As they were living; think you see them great, And followed with the general throng and sweat, Of thousand friends: then, in a moment, see How soon this mightiness meets misery: And if you can be merry then, I'll say A man may weep upon his wedding day.
To one above itself. Each following day Became the next day's master, till the last Made former wonders its. To-day the French, All clinquant, all in gold, like heathen gods, Shone down the English; and to-morrow they Made Britain India: every man that stood Shewed like a mine. Their dwarfish pages were As cherubim, all gilt. Not used to toil, did almost sweat to bear The pride upon them, that their very labour Was to them as a painting. Now this mask Was cried incomparable; and the ensuing night Made it a fool and beggar. The two kings, Equal in lustre, were now best, now worst, As presence did present them; him in eye, Still him in praise: and being present both, 'Twas said they saw but one, and no discerner Durst wag his tongue in censure. When these suns (For so they phrase them) by their heralds challenged
The noble spirits to arms, they did perform Beyond thought's compass; that former fabulous story,
Being now seen possible enough, got credit, That Bevis was believed.
The state takes notice of the private difference Betwixt you and the cardinal. I advise you (And take it from a heart that wishes towards you Honour and plenteous safety) that you read The cardinal's malice and his potency Together to consider further, that What his high hatred would effect, wants not A minister in his power. You know his nature, That he's revengeful; and I know his sword Hath a sharp edge: it's long, and it may be said It reaches far; and where 't will not extend,
Buck. To the King I'll say 't; and make my vouch as strong
As shore of rock. Attend:-This holy fox, Or wolf, or both (for he is equal ravenous As he is subtle, and as prone to mischief As able to perform it; his mind and place Infecting one another, yea reciprocally), Only to shew his pomp as well in France As here at home, suggests the King our master To this last costly treaty, the interview, That swallowed so much treasure, and like a glass Did break i' the rinsing.
Has done this, and 't is well: for worthy Wolsey, Who cannot err, he did it. Now this follows (Which, as I take it, is a kind of puppy To the old dam treason) :-Charles the emperor Under pretence to see the queen his aunt (For 't was indeed his colour, but he came To whisper Wolsey) here makes visitation. His fears were that the interview betwixt England and France might, through their amity, Breed him some prejudice; for from this league Peeped harms that menaced him. He privily Deals with our cardinal; and as I trow,- Which I do well; for I am sure the emperor Paid ere he promised; whereby his suit was granted
Ere it was asked;-but when the way was made, And paved with gold, the emperor thus desired : That he would please to alter the King's course And break the foresaid peace. Let the King know (As soon he shall by me) that thus the cardinal Does buy and sell his honour as he pleases, And for his own advantage.
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