1    O for a Muse of fire, that would ascend
2    The brightest heaven of invention,
3    A kingdom for a stage, princes to act
4    And monarchs to behold the swelling scene!
5    Then should the warlike Harry, like himself,
6    Assume the port of Mars; and at his heels,
7    Leash'd in like hounds, should famine, sword and fire
8    Crouch for employment. But pardon, and gentles all,
9    The flat unraised spirits that have dared
10   On this unworthy scaffold to bring forth
11   So great an object: can this cockpit hold
12   The vasty fields of France? or may we cram
13   Within this wooden O the very casques
14   That did affright the air at Agincourt?
15   O, pardon! since a crooked figure may
16   Attest in little place a million;
17   And let us, ciphers to this great accompt,
18   On your imaginary forces work.
19   Suppose within the girdle of these walls
20   Are now confined two mighty monarchies,
21   Whose high upreared and abutting fronts
22   The perilous narrow ocean parts asunder:
23   Piece out our imperfections with your thoughts;
24   Into a thousand parts divide on man,
25   And make imaginary puissance;
26   Think when we talk of horses, that you see them
27   Printing their proud hoofs i' the receiving earth;
28   For 'tis your thoughts that now must deck our kings,
29   Carry them here and there; jumping o'er times,
30   Turning the accomplishment of many years
31   Into an hour-glass: for the which supply,
32   Admit me Chorus to this history;
33   Who prologue-like your humble patience pray,
34   Gently to hear, kindly to judge, our play.