Vortigern Studies Index

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Chorus 1.

Enter Raynulph, a monk, the presenter.

RAYNULPH
What Raynulph monk of Chester can
Raise from his Polychronicon,
That raises him as works do men
To see light so long parted with again,
That best may please this round, fair ring [1]
With sparkling judgments [circled] in
I shall produce; if all my powers
Can win the grace of two poor hours,[2]
Well a-paid I go to rest.
Ancient stories have been best. [3]
Fashions that are now call'd new
Have been worn by more than you;
Elder times have us'd the same,
Though these new ones get the name:
So in story what's now told
That takes not part with days of old?
Then to prove time's mutual glory
Join new time's love to old time's story.

Exit.

NOTES

[1] round, fair ring: Even though the quarto title page states that Hengist was performed at the Blackfriars Theatre, this reference suggests a public theater, and the King's Men, who owned the play, performed at both Blackfriars and the Globe.
[2] two poor hours: Michaelmas Term, Romeo and Juliet, Henry VIII, and The Alchemist also mention a running time of two hours.
[3] Ancient stories have been best: Cf. Gower's choric comment about the story of Pericles, "Et bonum quo antiquius, eo melius [The older a good thing is, the better]."

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