The Winter’s Tale

1 Enter Time, the Chorus.
2 TIME.
3 I that please some, try all: both joy and terror
4 Of good and bad, that makes and unfolds error,
5 Now take upon me, in the name of Time,
6 To use my wings. Impute it not a crime
7 To me or my swift passage, that I slide
8 O’er sixteen years, and leave the growth untried
9 Of that wide gap, since it is in my power
10 To o’erthrow law, and in one self-born hour
11 To plant and o’erwhelm custom. Let me pass
12 The same I am, ere ancient’st order was
13 Or what is now received. I witness to
14 The times that brought them in; so shall I do
15 To th’ freshest things now reigning, and make stale
16 The glistering of this present, as my tale
17 Now seems to it. Your patience this allowing,
18 I turn my glass, and give my scene such growing
19 As you had slept between. Leontes leaving
20 Th’ effects of his fond jealousies, so grieving
21 That he shuts up himself, imagine me,
22 Gentle spectators, that I now may be
23 In fair Bohemia, and remember well,
24 I mentioned a son o’ th’ king’s, which Florizel
25 I now name to you; and with speed so pace
26 To speak of Perdita, now grown in grace
27 Equal with wondering. What of her ensues
28 I list not prophesy; but let Time’s news
29 Be known when ’tis brought forth. A shepherd’s daughter,
30 And what to her adheres, which follows after,
31 Is th’ argument of Time. Of this allow,
32 If ever you have spent time worse ere now;
33 If never, yet that Time himself doth say
34 He wishes earnestly you never may.
35 [_Exit._]