Time.
I that please some, try all, both Joy and Terror
Of good and bad, that make and unfold Error:
Now take upon me, in the Name of Time,
To use my Wings. Impute it not a Crime
To me, or my swift Passage, that I slide
O'er sixteen Years, and leave the growth untry'd
Of that wide gap; since it is in my power
To o'erthrow Law, and in one self-born hour
To plant, and o'er-whelm Custom. Let me pass
The same I am, e'er ancient'st Order was,
Or what is now receiv'd. I witness to
The times that brought them in, so shall I do
To the freshest things now reigning, and make stale
Th' glistering of this present, as my Tale
Now seems to it: Your Patience this allowing,
I turn my Glass, and give my Scene such growing
As you had slept between. Leontes leaving
Th' Effects of his fond Jealousies, so grieving
That he shuts up himself; imagine me,
Gentle Spectators, that I now may be

In fair Bohemia, and remember well,
I mention here a Son o'th' King's, which Florizel
I now name to you, and with speed so pace
To speak of Perdita, now grown in grace
Equal with wondring. What of her ensues,
I list not Prophesie: But let Time's News
Be known when 'tis brought forth. A Shepherd's Daughter,
And what to her adheres, which follows after,
Is th'Argument of Time; of this allow,
If ever you have spent Time worse, e'er now:
If never, yet that Time himself doth say,
He wishes earnestly, you never may. [Exit.

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