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Enter PROLOGUE.
Enter PROLOGUE.
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,
5
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
10
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,
15
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, besides forfeiting
20
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, and as you are known
The first and happiest hearers of the town,
25
Be sad, as we would make you. Think you 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
30
How soon this mightiness meets misery.
And if you can be merry then, I’ll say
A man may weep upon his wedding day.
PROLOGUE
I’m no longer here to make you laugh. Now we’re going to show you serious things—sad, grand, touching, full of dignity and grief—the kinds of great scenes that make eyes tear up. Those of you who are sympathetic might cry if the scene moves you. And those who pay for admission to see something realistic might find it. As for those who come to casually watch a show or two, I’ll bet that if they’re patient and open to it, they might think their money was well spent after just a couple of hours. The only ones who will be disappointed are those who come to see a funny, crude play, battles full of clanging shields, or some man in a jester’s coat. I want you to know, ladies and gentlemen, that if we placed our chosen subject in a play full of jesters and battles, we would have to sacrifice the truth and you would feel less sympathy for the characters. So, for goodness’ sake, since I know you’re the best audience in town, feel that sadness that we want you to feel. When you see the characters in our impressive tale, think of them as real and alive. Consider their power and how they are surrounded by thousands of friends. Then, in a moment, watch how their mightiness turns to misery. If you don’t feel sad about that, then you might as well cry on your wedding day.
He exits.
He exits.

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Original Text

Modern Text

Enter PROLOGUE.
Enter PROLOGUE.
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,
5
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
10
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,
15
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, besides forfeiting
20
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, and as you are known
The first and happiest hearers of the town,
25
Be sad, as we would make you. Think you 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
30
How soon this mightiness meets misery.
And if you can be merry then, I’ll say
A man may weep upon his wedding day.
PROLOGUE
I’m no longer here to make you laugh. Now we’re going to show you serious things—sad, grand, touching, full of dignity and grief—the kinds of great scenes that make eyes tear up. Those of you who are sympathetic might cry if the scene moves you. And those who pay for admission to see something realistic might find it. As for those who come to casually watch a show or two, I’ll bet that if they’re patient and open to it, they might think their money was well spent after just a couple of hours. The only ones who will be disappointed are those who come to see a funny, crude play, battles full of clanging shields, or some man in a jester’s coat. I want you to know, ladies and gentlemen, that if we placed our chosen subject in a play full of jesters and battles, we would have to sacrifice the truth and you would feel less sympathy for the characters. So, for goodness’ sake, since I know you’re the best audience in town, feel that sadness that we want you to feel. When you see the characters in our impressive tale, think of them as real and alive. Consider their power and how they are surrounded by thousands of friends. Then, in a moment, watch how their mightiness turns to misery. If you don’t feel sad about that, then you might as well cry on your wedding day.
He exits.
He exits.

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