KING HENRY IV. FIRST PART.

KING HENRY IV. SECOND PART.

To the Quarto Edition of this Play, 1609.

A never writer, to an ever reader. Newes.

Eternall reader, you have heere a new play, never ftal'd with the stage, never clapper-claw'd with the palmes of the vulger, and yet paffing full of the palme comicall; for it is a birth of your braine, that never under-tooke any thing commicall, vainely: and were but the vaine names of commedies changde for the titles of commodities, or of playes for pleas; you should fee all those grand cenfors, that now ftile them fuch vanities, flock to them for the maine grace of their gravities: especially this authors commedies, that are so fram'd to the life, that they serve for the most common commentaries of all the actions or our lives, fhewing such a dexteritie and power of witte, that the most displeased with playes, are pleasd with his commedies. And all fuch dull and heavy witted worldlings, as were never capable of the witte of a commedie, comming by report of them to his representations, have found that witte there, that they never found in them-felves, and have parted better-witted than they came: feeling an edge of witte set upon them, more then ever they dreamd they had braine to grind it on. So much and fuch favored falt of witte is in his commedies, that they feeme (for their height of pleasure) to be borne in that fea 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 fo much as will make you think your testerne well bestowd) but for so much worth, as even poore I know to be stuft in it. It deferves such a labour, as well as the beft commedy in Terence or Plautus. And beleeve this, that when hee is gone, and his commedies out of fale, you will scramble for them, and set up a new English inquifition. Take this for a warning, and at the peril of your pleasures loffe, and judgements, refuse not, nor like this the leffe, for not being fullied with the smoaky breath of the multitude; but thanke fortune for the scape it hath made amongst you. Since by the grand poffeffors wills I believe you fhould have prayd for them rather then beene prayd. And fo I leave all fuch to bee prayd for (for the states of their wits healths) that will not praise it. Vale.

PROLOGUE.