The Famous History of the Life of King Henry the Eight.
I come no more to make you laugh. Things now
23That bear a weighty and a serious brow;
34Sad, high, and working, full of state and woe.
45Such noble scenes as draw the eye to flow,
56We now present. Those that can pity here
67May, if they think it well, let fall a tear:
78The subject will deserve it. Such as give
89Their money out of hope they may believe,
910May here find truth, too. Those that come to see
1011Only a show or two, and so agree
1112The play may pass, if they be still and willing,
1213I'll undertake may see away their shilling
1314Richly in two short hours. Only they
1415That come to hear a merry, bawdy play,
1516A noise of targets, or to see a fellow
1617In a long motley coat guarded with yellow,
1718Will be deceived. For, gentle hearers, know
1819To rank our chosen truth with such a show
1920As fool and fight is, beside forfeiting
2021Our own brains and the opinion that we bring
2122To make that only true we now intend,
2223Will leave us never an understanding friend.
2324Therefore, for goodness' sake, and as you are known
2425The first and happiest hearers of the town,
2526Be sad, as we would make ye. Think ye see
2627The very persons of our noble story
2728As they were living; think you see them great,
2829And followed with the general throng and sweat
2930Of thousand friends; then, in a moment, see
3031How soon this mightiness meets misery;
3132And if you can be merry then, I'll say
3233A man may weep upon his wedding day.