The Winter's Tale (Folio 1, 1623)
Peer Reviewed
¶
Actus Quartus. Scena Prima.
¶
Enter Time, the Chorus.
1580Time. I that please some, try all: both ioy and terror
¶Of good, and bad: that makes, and vnfolds error,
¶Now take vpon me (in the name of Time)
¶To vse my wings: Impute it not a crime
1585Ore sixteene yeeres, and leaue the growth vntride
¶Of that wide gap, since it is in my powre
¶To orethrow Law, and in one selfe-borne howre
¶Now seemes to it: your patience this allowing,
¶As you had slept betweene: Leontes leauing
¶(Gentle Spectators) that I now may be
1600In faire Bohemia, and remember well,
¶I mentioned a sonne o'th' Kings, which Florizell
¶To speake of Perdita, now growne in grace
¶Equall with wond'ring. What of her insues
¶And what to her adheres, which followes after,
¶Is th' argument of Time: of this allow,
Exit.
