The consternation produced by their resentment was a mere prelude to the horrid tragedy that succeeded.

But it turns out that those moves were a mere prelude to a much wider purge.

But that was a mere prelude.

It was a headline achievement at the time, but ultimately has proved to be a mere prelude to history.

Most important, Sunny and Laurenz viewed today's sale of six paintings as a mere prelude to the Big One.

It is mere prelude, Anthony.

But this is a mere prelude to the more highly stressed, vehement song of love that follows on the same yearning motive.

All that I am and have ought to be, might be, a mere prelude, an earnest and a preparation for something better beyond.

To us, instead of being a mere prelude to more serious matters, or the last resort of a feeble intellect, it was the all-engrossing theme.

A MERE prelude before Ulster storm Thomond Park in nine days time in the Heineken Cup.

But all those combats were mere preludes to the great battle which must decide the fortune of the war.

" Mere prelude, my friend," chuckled Dickens.