I thrust open the heavy doors of the Globe Theatre, the creak of wood echoing in the hollow air. With fervor unmatched, I bear this script, my humble craft, writ by mine own hand. Here doth lie my plays and the directions to bring them to life upon the stage. By God’s grace, may these halls witness the birth of mine art.

Hark, my fellows! Gird thee for the labor of thine art, for I have wrought anew a play most wondrous. Let not idleness take thy spirits, but don thy robes, thy masks, thy valor! The stage doth call, and we shall make the boards sing with mirth, with woe, with love, with fury! Pray thee, to thy marks—let this house swell with the breath of our craft, for the world shall remember this day. Away, and set to thy work!