2In Troy there lies the scene. From isles of Greece,

23The princes orgulous, their high blood chafed,

34Have to the port of Athens sent their ships

45Fraught with the ministers and instruments

56Of cruel war. Sixty and nine that wore

67Their crownets regal, from th'Athenian bay

78Put forth toward Phrygia, and their vow is made

89To ransack Troy, within whose strong immures

910The ravished Helen, Menelaus' queen,

1011With wanton Paris sleeps, and that's the quarrel.

1112To Tenedos they come,

1213And the deep-drawing barks do there disgorge

1314Their warlike fraughtage. Now on Dardan plains

1415The fresh and yet unbruised Greeks do pitch

1516Their brave pavilions. Priam's six-gated city --

1617Dardan and Timbria, Helias, Chetas, Troien,

1718And Antenonidus -- with massy staples

1819And corresponsive and fulfilling bolts,

1920Stir up the sons of Troy.

2021Now expectation, tickling skittish spirits

2122On one and other side, Trojan and Greek,

2223Sets all on hazard. And hither am I come,

2324A prologue armed, but not in confidence

2425Of author's pen, or actor's voice, but suited

2526In like conditions as our argument,

2627To tell you (fair beholders) that our play

2728Leaps o'er the vaunt and firstlings of those broils,

2829Beginning in the middle, starting thence away

2930To what may be digested in a play.

3031Like, or find fault; do as your pleasures are.

3132Now good or bad, 'tis but the chance of war.