The iron age contayning the rape of Hellen: the siege of Troy: the combate between Hector and Aiax: Hector and Troilus slayne by Achilles: Achilles slaine by Paris: Aiax and Vlisses contend for the armour of Achilles: the death of Aiax, &c. Written by Thomas Heyvvood.

To the Reader.

COurteous Reader: The Gold, Siluer, and Brasse Ages hauing beene many yeares ••ince in the Presse, continuing the History from Iupiters Birth (the sonne of Saturne) to the Death of Hercules. This Iron Age (neuer till now Published,) beginneth where the other left, holding on, a plaine and direct course, from the second Rape of Hellen: (For she was in her minority rauished by Theseus the Friend of Hercules) not onely to the vtter ruine, and deuastation of Tro••; but it, with the second Part, stretcheth to the Deathes of Hellen, and all those Kings of Greece, who were the vndertakers of that Ten yeares Bloody and fatall Seige. I presume the reading there of shall not pr••••ue distastfull vnto any▪ First inregar•• of the Antiquity and Noblenesse of the History: Next because it includeth the most things of especiall remarke, which haue beene ingeniously Com∣mented, and labouriously Recorded, by the Muses Darlings, the Po••ts: And Times learned Remem∣braneers; the Histriographers▪

Lastly, I desire thee to take notice, that these were the Playes often (and not with the least applause,) Publickely Acted by two Companies, vppon one Stage at once, and haue at sundry times thronged three se∣••erall Theaters, with numerous and mighty Auditories, if the grace they had then in the Actings, take not away the expected luster, hoped for in the Reading, I shall then hold thee well pleased, and therein, my selfe fully satisfied; Euer remaining thine as studious▪

Prodesse vt Delectare:

Thomas Heywood.