University of Virginia Library

The prologue.

First helth and successe with many agoode newe yeare,
Wissed vnto all this moste noble presence heare.
I have more tentreate youe of gentle Sufferaunce,
That this our matier may have quyet vtteraunce.
we that are thactours have ourselves dedicate
with some Christmas devise your spirites to recreate
And our poete trusteth the thinge we shall recyte
maye withowte offence the hearers myndes delyte.
In dede no man speaketh wordes so well fore pondred
But the same by some meanes maye be misconstred,
Nor nothinge so well ment, but that by somme pretence
ytt maie be wronge interpreted from the auctors sence.
But let this be taken no wurse then yt ys mente
And I hope nor we nor owre poete shalbe shente.
But nowe of thargumente to towch a worde or twayne
the Name of our playe ys Respublica certaine
oure meaninge ys (I saie not, as by plaine storye,
but as yt were in figure by an allegorye)
To shewe that all Commen weales Ruin and decaye
from tyme to tyme hath been, ys, and shalbe alwaie,
whan Insolence, Flaterie, Opression,
and Avarice have the Rewle in theire possession.
But thoughe these vices bycloked collusyon
And by counterfaicte Names, hidden theire abusion
Do Reigne for a while to comon weales preiudice
pervertinge all right and all ordre of true Iustice
yet tyme trieth all and tyme bringeth truth to lyght
that wronge maye not ever still reigne in place of right.
for whan pleaseth god suche comon weales to restore
To theire welthe and honoure wherin thei were afore
he sendeth downe his mooste tendre Compassion
to cause truth goe abowte in visitation.
veritee the daughter of sage old Father Tyme
Shewith all as yt ys bee ytt vertue or Cryme.
than dooeth Iustice all suche as Common Weale oppresse
Tempered with mercye endevoure to suppresse.
with whome anone is lynked tranquillitee and peace/
to Common weales Ioye and perpetuall encreace.
But shall boyes (saith some nowe) of suche highe mattiers plaie?
No not as disscussers, but yet the booke dothe saie
Ex ore infantium perfecisti Laudem,
for whan Criste came rydinge into Hieresalem,
The yong babes with tholde folke cryed owte all and some,
blessed bee the man that in the Lordes name dothe come.
Soo for goode Englande sake this presente howre and daie
In hope of hir restoring from hir late decaye,
we children to youe olde folke, bothe with harte and voyce
maie Ioyne all togither to thanke god and Reioyce
That he hath sent Marye our Soveraigne and Quene
to reforme thabuses which hithertoo hath been,
And that yls whiche long tyme have reigned vncorrecte
shall nowe foreuer bee redressed with effecte.
She is oure most wise/ and most worthie Nemesis
Of whome our plaie meneth tamende that is amysse.
Whiche to bring to passe that she maye have tyme and space
Leat vs booth yong and olde to godde commend her grace/
Nowe yf yowe so please, I wyll goe, and hither send,
That shall make youe laughe well yf ye abide thend.