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Shakespeare's First Folio By: William Shakespeare (1564-1616) |
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This Figure, that thou here feest put,
It was for gentle Shakespeare cut:
Wherein the Grauer had a strife
with Naure, to out doo the life:
O, could he but haue dravvne his vvit
As vvell in frasse, as he hath hit
Hisface; the Print vvould then surpasse
All, that vvas euer in frasse.
But, since he cannot, Reader, looke
Not on his picture, but his Booke. B.I. MR. William
SHAKESPEARES
Comedies,
Histories &
Tragedies,
Published according to the True Original Copies
London
Printed by Ifaac Iaggard, and Ed, Bount. 1623 TO THE MOST NOBLE
AND
INCOMPARABLE PAIRE
OF BRETHREN WILLIAM
Earle of Pembroke,&c;. Lord Chamberlaine to the
Kings most Excellent Majesty. A N D PHILIP
Earle of Montgomery,&c;. Gentleman of his Majesties
Bed Chamber. Both Knights of the most Noble Order
of the Garter, and our singular good
L O R D S Right Honourable, Whilst we studie to be thankful in our particular, for the many
favors we have received from your L.L. we are falne upon the ill
fortune, to mingle two the most diverse things that can bee, feare,
and rashnesse; rashnesse in the enterprize, and feare of the
successe. For, when we valew the places your H.H. sustaine, we
cannot but know their dignity greater, then to descend to the
reading of these trifles: and, while we name them trifles, we have
depriv'd our selves of the defence of our Dedication. But since
your L.L. have beene pleas'd to thinke these trifles some thing,
heeretofore; and have prosequuted both them, and their Authour
living, with so much favour: we hope, that (they out living him,
and he not having the fate, common with some, to be exequutor to
his owne writings) you will use the like indulgence toward them,
you have done unto their parent. There is a great difference,
whether any Booke choose his Patrones, or finde them: This hath
done both. For, so much were your L.L. likings of the severall
parts, when they were acted, as before they were published, the
Volume ask'd to be yours. We have but collected them, and done
an office to the dead, to procure his Orphanes, Guardians; without
ambition either of selfe profit, or fame: onely to keepe the memory
of so worthy a Friend, & Fellow alive, as was our S H A K E S
P E A R E , by humble offer of his playes, to your most noble
patronage. Wherein, as we have justly observed, no man to come
neere your L.L. but with a kind of religious addresse; it hath bin
the height of our care, who are the Presenters, to make the present
worthy of your H.H. by the perfection. But, there we must also
crave our abilities to be considerd, my Lords. We cannot go
beyond our owne powers. Country hands reach foorth milke,
creame, fruites, or what they have : and many Nations (we have
heard) that had not gummes & incense, obtained their requests
with a leavened Cake. It was no fault to approach their Gods, by
what meanes they could: And the most, though meanest, of thins
are made more precious, when they are dedicated to Temples. In
that name therefore, we most humbly consecrate to your H.H.
these remaines of your servant Shakespeare; that what delight is in
them, may be ever your L.L. the reputation his, & the faults ours, if
any be committed, by a payre so carefull to shew their gratitude
both to the living, and the dead, as is. Your Lordshippes most bounden, JOHN HEMINGE.
HENRY CONDELL. To the great Variety of Readers. From the most able, to him that can but spell : There you are
number'd. We had rather you were weighd. Especially, when the
fate of all Bookes depends upon your capacities : and not of your
heads alone, but of your purses. Well ! It is now publique, & you
wil stand for your priviledges wee know : to read, and censure... Continue reading book >>
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