Internet Shakespeare Editions

About this text

  • Title: Galathea (Modern)
  • Editor: David Bevington

  • Copyright David Bevington. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: John Lyly
    Editor: David Bevington
    Peer Reviewed

    Galathea (Modern)

    1THE Prologue
    Prologue
    Ios and Smyrna were two sweet cities, the first named of the violet, the latter of the myrrh. Homer was born in the one and buried in the other. Your Majesty's 5judgment and favor are our sun and shadow, the one coming of your deep wisdom, the other of your wonted grace. We in all humility desire that by the former receiving our first breath, we may, in the latter, take our last rest.
    Augustus Caesar had such piercing eyes that whoso looked on him was constrained to wink. Your Highness hath so perfect a judgment that, whatsoever we offer, we are enforced to blush. 10Yet as the Athenians were most curious that the lawn wherewith Minerva was covered should be without spot or wrinkle, so have we endeavored with all care that what we present Your Highness should neither offend in scene nor syllable -- knowing that as in the ground where gold groweth nothing will prosper but gold, so in Your Majesty's mind, where nothing doth harbor but virtue, nothing can enter but virtue.