Troilus and Cressida 2 of 9

Troilus and Cressida 2 of  9

The Epistle

Let us look at the Epistle, which is most important:

              A never writer, to an ever reader. News.

Eternal reader, you have here a new play, never staled with the Stage,

never clapper-clawed with the palms of the vulgar, and yet passing full of

the palm comical; for it is a birth of your brain, that never undertook

anything comical, vainly: And were but the vain names of comedies                 L4

changed for the titles of commodities, or of Plays for Pleas; you should

see all those grand censors, that now style them such vanities, flock to

them for the main grace of their gravities: especially this author’s comedies,

that are so framed to the life, that they serve for the most common                  L8

Commentaries of all the actions of our lives, showing such a dexterity and

power of wit, that the most displeased with plays are pleased with his

Comedies. And all such dull and heavy-witted worldlings, as were never

capable of the wit of a Comedy, coming by report of them to his representations,    L12

have found that wit there that they never found in themselves,

and have parted better witted than they came: feeling an edge of wit set

upon them, more than ever they dreamed they had brain to grind it on.

So much and such savoured salt of wit is in his Comedies that they seem       L16

(for their height of pleasure) to be born in that sea that brought forth

Venus. Amongst all there is none more witty than this: And had I time I

would comment upon it, though I know it needs not (for so much as will

make you think your testern well bestowed) but for so much worth as            L20

even poor I know to be stuffed in it. It deserves such a labour, as well

as the best comedy in Terence or Plautus. And believe this, that when he

is gone, and his Comedies out of sale, you will scramble for them, and

set up a new English Inquisition. Take this for a warning, and at the peril        L24

of your pleasure’s loss, and judgments, refuse not, nor like this the less,

for not being sullied with the smoky breath of the multitude; but thank

fortune for the scape it hath made amongst you. Since by the grand

possessors’ wills I believe you should have prayed for them rather than          L28

been prayed. And so I leave all such to be prayed for (for the states of

their wits’ healths) that will not praise it. Vale [Farewell].