To the Reader.
Courteous
Reader: The Gold, Siluer,
and Brasse Ages hauing beene many
yeares since in the Presse, continuing
the History from Iupiters Birth (the
sonne of Saturne) to the Death of
Hercules. This Iron Age (neuer till now Published,)
beginneth where the other left, holding on, a plaine
and direct course, from the second Rape of Hellen:
(For she was in her minority rauished by Theseus the
Friend of Hercules) not onely to the vtter ruine, and
deuastation of Troy; but it, with the second Part,
stretcheth to the Deathes of Hellen, and all those
Kings of Greece, who were the vndertakers of that
Ten yeares Bloody and fatall Seige. I presume the
reading there of shall not proue distastfull vnto any:
First inregard of the Antiquity and Noblenesse of the
History: Next because it includeth the most things of
especiall remarke, which haue beene ingeniously Commented,
and labouriously Recorded, by the Muses
Darlings, the Poets: And Times learned Remembrancers;
the Histriographers.
Lastly, I desire thee to take notice, that these were
the Playes often (and not with the least applause,)
Publickely Acted by two Companies, vppon one Stage
at once, and haue at sundry times thronged three seuerall
Theaters, with numerous and mighty Auditories,
if the grace they had then in the Actings, take not away
the expected luster, hoped for in the Reading, I shall
then bold thee well pleased, and therein, my selfe fully
satisfied; Euer remaining thine as studious.
Prodesse vt Delectare: Thomas Heywood.
