THE FIRST PROLOGUE.
Prologue
HECYRA1 is the name of this Play; when it
was represented for the first time, an unusual disaster and
calamity2 interrupted it, so that it could not be witnessed
throughout or estimated; so much had the populace, carried away with
admiration, devoted their attention to some rope-dancing. It is now
offered as though entirely a new Play; and he who wrote it did not wish
to bring it forward then a second time, on purpose that he might be able
again to sell it.3 Other Plays of his4 you have seen
represented; I beg you now to give your attention to this.