The Bodleian First Folio

Reference: gg3r (+/-) - Tragedies, p. [p1]

Left Column

The Prologue. IN Troy there lyes the Scene; From Iles of Greece The Princes Origillous, their high blood chaf'd Haue to the port of Athens sent their shippes Fraught with the ministers and instruments

[5]

Of cruell Warre: Sixty and nine that wore Their Crownets Regall, from th'Athenian bay Put forth toward Phrygia, and their vow is made To ransacke Troy, within whose strong emures The rauish'd Helen, Menelaus Queene,

[10]

With wanton Paris Sleepes, and that's the Quarrell. To Tenedos they come, And the deepe‑drawing Barke do there disgorge Their warlike frautage: now on Dardan Plaines The fresh and yet vnbruised Greekes do pitch

[15]

Their braue Pauillions. Priams six‑gated City, Dardan and Timbria, Helias, Chetas, Troien, And Antenonidus with massie Staples And corresponsiue and fulfilling Bolts Stirre vp the Sonnes of Troy.

[20]

Now Expectaton tickling skittish spirits, On one and other side, Troian and Greeke, Sets all on hazard. And hither am I come, A Prologue arm'd, but not in confidence Of Authors pen, or Actors voyce; but suited

[25]

In like conditions, as our Argument; To tell you (faire Beholders) that our Play Leapes ore the vaunt and firstlings of those broyles, Beginning in the middle. Starting thence away, To What may be digested in a Play:

[30]

Like or finde fault, do as your pleasures are, Now good, or bad, 'tis but the chance of Warre.

The Bodleian First Folio

A digital facsimile of the First Folio of Shakespeare's plays, Bodleian Arch. G c.7.

Text and Image

Reference: gg3r (+/-) - Tragedies, p. [p1]