The Prologue Spoken at Court
Gracious and great, that we so boldly dare(‘Mongst other plays that now in fashion are)To present this, writ many years agone,And in that age thought second unto none,We humbly crave your pardon. We pursueThe story of a rich and famous JewWho liv’d in Malta: you shall find him still,In all his projects, a sound Machiavill;And that’s his character. He that hath pastSo many censures 3 is now come at lastTo have your princely ears: grace you him; thenYou crown the action, and renown the pen.