Note 1082 — Chapter I
Reading edition
It is in the prologue to Act v, 11. 30-34. I affirm without hesitation that the prologues to all five Acts are non-Shakespearean, and plainly by one other hand. Compare the chorus prologues to Dekker's Old Fortunatus, which are in exactly the same style. In the latest biography, however (Lee's, p. 174), there is no recognition of any such possibility. It is surprising that Steevens and Ritson, who pronounced the prologue to Troilus and Cressida non-Shakespearean, should not have suspected those to Henry V, which are so signally similar in style. Dekker's connection with Troilus and Cressida is indicated by Henslowe's Diary. The style is a nearly decisive clue to his authorship of the Henry V prologues.