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Act I, Scene 1
Rumour enters, dressed in a jester's cap and a colorful
gown, covered with a hundred tongues. She bows to the audience, an elaborate,
sweeping bow, with a mocking quality in it.
Rumour:
I come no more to make you laugh: things now,
That bear a weighty and a serious brow,
Sad, high and working, full of state and woe,
Such noble scenes as draw the eye to flow,
We now present. Those that can pity, here
May, if they think it well, let fall a tear;
The subject will deserve it. Such as give
Their money out of hope they may believe,
May here find truth too. Those that come to see
Only a show or two, and so agree
The play may pass, if they be still and willing,
I'll undertake may see away their shilling
Richly in two short hours.
Be sad, as we would make ye: think ye see
The very persons in our noble story
As if they were living; think you see them great,
And follow'd with the general throng and sweat
Of thousand friends; then in a moment see
How soon this mightiness meets misery:
And, if you can be merry then,
I'll say A man may weep upon his wedding day.
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