Shakespeare - First Folio facsimile (1910)/The Winters Tale/Act 4 Scene 1
Actus Quartus. Scena Prima.
Enter Time, the Chorus.
Time. I that please some, try all: both ioy and terrorOf good, and bad: that makes, and vnfolds error,Now take vpon me (in the name of Time)To vse my wings: Impute it not a crimeTo me, or my swift passage, that I slideOre sixteene yeeres, and leaue the growth vntrideOf that wide gap, since it is in my powreTo orethrow Law, and in one selfe-borne howreTo plant, and ore-whelme Custome. Let me passeThe same I am, ere ancient'st Order was,Or what is now receiu'd. I witnesse toThe times that brought them in, so shall I doTo th' freshest things now reigning, and make staleThe glistering of this present, as my TaleNow seemes to it: your patience this allowing,I turne my glasse, and giue my Scene such growingAs you had slept betweene: Leontes leauingTh' effects of his fond iealousies, so greeuingThat he shuts vp himselfe. Imagine me(Gentle Spectators) that I now may beIn faire Bohemia, and remember well,I mentioned a sonne o'th' Kings, which FlorizellI now name to you: and with speed so paceTo speake of Perdita, now growne in graceEquall with wond'ring. What of her insuesI list not prophesie: but let Times newesBe knowne when 'tis brought forth. A shepherds daughterAnd what to her adheres, which followes after,Is th' argument of Time: of this allow,If euer you haue spent time worse, ere now:If neuer, yet that Time himselfe doth say,Exit.He wishes earnestly, you neuer may.