Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: William Godshalk
Peer Reviewed

Troilus and Cressida (Quarto 1, 1609)

THE EPISTLE.
much as will make you thinke your testerne well be-
stowd) but for so much worth, as euen poore I know to be
stuft in it. It deserues such a labour, as well as the best
Commedy in Terence or Plautus. And beleeue this,
0.60that when hee is gone, and his Commedies out of sale,
you will scramble for them, and set vp a new English
Inquisition. Take this for a warning, and at the perrill
of your pleasures losse, and Iudgements, refuse not, nor
like this the lesse, for not being sullied, with the smoaky
0.65breath of the multitude; but thanke fortune for the
scape it hath made amongst you. Since by the grand
possessors wills I beleeue you should haue prayd for them
rather then beene prayd. And so I leaue all such to bee
prayd for (for the states of their wits healths)
0.70that will not praise it.
Vale.