Pericles - Entire Play
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Pericles - Entire PlaySynopsis:
The nautical tale of a wandering prince, Pericles is narrated by John Gower, a poet from the English past. Gower explains that Pericles, Prince of Tyre, hopes to win the hand of a princess in Antioch. When Pericles learns that she and the king, her father, are lovers, he flees for his life.
Pericles brings grain to Tarsus during a famine, but loses his ships and men in a storm. In Pentapolis, Pericles wins a tournament and marries the king’s daughter, Thaisa. With Thaisa pregnant, she and Pericles sail for Tyre. Thaisa bears a daughter, Marina, at sea, but apparently dies. Her coffin drifts ashore at Ephesus, where she is revived and becomes a priestess of Diana.
Pericles leaves the baby Marina with the king and queen of Tarsus. Fourteen years later, Marina, kidnapped by pirates, is sold to a brothel, but her eloquence protects her. Told that she has died, a grief-stricken Pericles rediscovers her. Guided by a vision from the goddess Diana, Pericles and Marina reunite with Thaisa.
⌜GOWER⌝
0001 To sing a song that old was sung,
0002 From ashes ancient Gower is come,
0003 Assuming man’s infirmities
0004 To glad your ear and please your eyes.
0005 5 It hath been sung at festivals,
0006 On ember eves and holy days,
0007 And lords and ladies in their lives
0008 Have read it for restoratives.
0009 The purchase is to make men glorious,
0010 10 Et bonum quo antiquius, eo melius.
0011 If you, born in ⌜these⌝ latter times
0012 When wit’s more ripe, accept my rhymes,
0013 And that to hear an old man sing
0014 May to your wishes pleasure bring,
0015 15 I life would wish, and that I might
0016 Waste it for you like taper light.
0017 This Antioch, then: Antiochus the Great
0018 Built up this city for his chiefest seat,
0019 The fairest in all Syria.
0020 20 I tell you what mine authors say.
0021 This king unto him took a peer,
0022 Who died and left a female heir
0024 As heaven had lent her all his grace;
0025 25 With whom the father liking took
0026 And her to incest did provoke.
0027 Bad child, worse father! To entice his own
0028 To evil should be done by none.
0029 But custom what they did begin
0030 30 Was with long use accounted no sin.
0031 The beauty of this sinful dame
0032 Made many princes thither frame
0033 To seek her as a bedfellow,
0034 In marriage pleasures playfellow;
0035 35 Which to prevent he made a law
0036 To keep her still, and men in awe,
0037 That whoso asked her for his wife,
0038 His riddle told not, lost his life.
0039 So for her many ⌜a⌝ wight did die,
0040 40 As yon grim looks do testify.
⌜He indicates heads above the stage.⌝
0041 What now ensues, to the judgment of your eye
0042 I give my cause, who best can justify.
He exits.
ANTIOCHUS
0043 Young Prince of Tyre, you have at large received
0044 The danger of the task you undertake.
PERICLES
0045 I have, Antiochus, and with a soul
0046 Emboldened with the glory of her praise
0047 5 Think death no hazard in this enterprise.
0048 Music!⌜Music sounds offstage.⌝
0049 Bring in our daughter, clothèd like a bride
0050 For embracements even of Jove himself,
0051 At whose conception, till Lucina reigned,
0052 10 Nature this dowry gave: to glad her presence,
0053 The senate house of planets all did sit
0054 To knit in her their best perfections.
Enter Antiochus’ daughter.
PERICLES
0055 See where she comes, appareled like the spring,
0056 Graces her subjects, and her thoughts the king
0057 15 Of every virtue gives renown to men!
0058 Her face the book of praises, where is read
0059 Nothing but curious pleasures, as from thence
0060 Sorrow were ever ⌜razed,⌝ and testy wrath
0061 Could never be her mild companion.
0062 20 You gods that made me man, and sway in love,
0063 That have inflamed desire in my breast
0064 To taste the fruit of yon celestial tree
0065 Or die in th’ adventure, be my helps,
0066 As I am son and servant to your will,
0067 25 To compass such a boundless happiness.
ANTIOCHUS
0068 Prince Pericles—
PERICLES
0069 That would be son to great Antiochus.
ANTIOCHUS
0070 Before thee stands this fair Hesperides,
0071 With golden fruit, but dangerous to be touched;
0072 30 For deathlike dragons here affright thee hard.
0073 Her face, like heaven, enticeth thee to view
0074 Her countless glory, which desert must gain;
0075 And which without desert, because thine eye
0076 Presumes to reach, all the whole heap must die.
0077 35 Yon sometimes famous princes, like thyself,
0078 Drawn by report, advent’rous by desire,
0079 Tell thee with speechless tongues and semblance pale
0080 That, without covering save yon field of stars,
0081 Here they stand martyrs slain in Cupid’s wars,
0082 40 And with dead cheeks advise thee to desist
0083 For going on death’s net, whom none resist.
PERICLES
0084 Antiochus, I thank thee, who hath taught
0085 My frail mortality to know itself,
0086 And by those fearful objects to prepare
0087 45 This body, like to them, to what I must.
0088 For death remembered should be like a mirror
0089 Who tells us life’s but breath, to trust it error.
0090 I’ll make my will, then, and as sick men do
0091 Who know the world, see heaven but, feeling woe,
0092 50 Gripe not at earthly joys as erst they did;
0093 So I bequeath a happy peace to you
0094 And all good men, as every prince should do;
0095 My riches to the earth from whence they came,
0096 ⌜To the Daughter.⌝ But my unspotted fire of love to
0097 55 you.—
0098 Thus ready for the way of life or death,
0099 I wait the sharpest blow.
ANTIOCHUS
0100 Scorning advice, read the conclusion, then:
0101 Which read and not expounded, ’tis decreed,
0102 60 As these before thee, thou thyself shalt bleed.
DAUGHTER
0103 Of all ’sayed yet, mayst thou prove prosperous;
0104 Of all ’sayed yet, I wish thee happiness.
PERICLES
0105 Like a bold champion I assume the lists,
0106 Nor ask advice of any other thought
0107 65 But faithfulness and courage.
0108 I am no viper, yet I feed
0109 On mother’s flesh which did me breed.
0110 I sought a husband, in which labor
0111 I found that kindness in a father.
0112 70 He’s father, son, and husband mild;
0113 I mother, wife, and yet his child.
0114 How they may be, and yet in two,
0115 As you will live resolve it you.
0116 ⌜Aside.⌝ Sharp physic is the last! But, O you powers
0117 75 That gives heaven countless eyes to view men’s acts,
0118 Why cloud they not their sights perpetually
0119 If this be true which makes me pale to read it?
0120 Fair glass of light, I loved you, and could still
0121 Were not this glorious casket stored with ill.
0122 80 But I must tell you now my thoughts revolt;
0123 For he’s no man on whom perfections wait
0124 That, knowing sin within, will touch the gate.
0125 You are a fair viol, and your sense the strings
0126 Who, fingered to make man his lawful music,
0127 85 Would draw heaven down and all the gods to
0128 hearken;
0129 But, being played upon before your time,
0130 Hell only danceth at so harsh a chime.
0131 Good sooth, I care not for you.
ANTIOCHUS
0132 90 Prince Pericles, touch not, upon thy life,
0133 For that’s an article within our law
0134 As dangerous as the rest. Your time’s expired.
0135 Either expound now or receive your sentence.
PERICLES 0136 Great king,
0137 95 Few love to hear the sins they love to act.
0138 ’Twould braid yourself too near for me to tell it.
0139 Who has a book of all that monarchs do,
0140 He’s more secure to keep it shut than shown.
0141 For vice repeated is like the wand’ring wind,
0142 100 Blows dust in others’ eyes to spread itself;
0144 The breath is gone, and the sore eyes see clear
0145 To stop the air would hurt them. The blind mole casts
0146 Copped hills towards heaven, to tell the Earth is
0147 105 thronged
0148 By man’s oppression, and the poor worm doth die
0149 for ’t.
0150 Kings are Earth’s gods; in vice their law’s their will;
0151 And if Jove stray, who dares say Jove doth ill?
0152 110 It is enough you know; and it is fit,
0153 What being more known grows worse, to smother it.
0154 All love the womb that their first being bred;
0155 Then give my tongue like leave to love my head.
ANTIOCHUS, ⌜aside⌝
0156 Heaven, that I had thy head! He has found the
0157 115 meaning.
0158 But I will gloze with him.—Young Prince of Tyre,
0159 Though by the tenor of ⌜our⌝ strict edict,
0160 Your exposition misinterpreting,
0161 We might proceed to ⌜cancel⌝ of your days,
0162 120 Yet hope, succeeding from so fair a tree
0163 As your fair self, doth tune us otherwise.
0164 Forty days longer we do respite you,
0165 If by which time our secret be undone,
0166 This mercy shows we’ll joy in such a son.
0167 125 And until then, your entertain shall be
0168 As doth befit our honor and your worth.
All except Pericles exit.
PERICLES
0169 How courtesy would seem to cover sin
0170 When what is done is like an hypocrite,
0171 The which is good in nothing but in sight.
0172 130 If it be true that I interpret false,
0173 Then were it certain you were not so bad
0174 As with foul incest to abuse your soul;
0175 Where now ⌜you’re⌝ both a father and a son
0177 135 Which pleasures fits a husband, not a father,
0178 And she an eater of her mother’s flesh
0179 By the defiling of her parents’ bed;
0180 And both like serpents are, who, though they feed
0181 On sweetest flowers, yet they poison breed.
0182 140 Antioch, farewell, for wisdom sees those men
0183 Blush not in actions blacker than the night
0184 Will ⌜’schew⌝ no course to keep them from the light.
0185 One sin, I know, another doth provoke;
0186 Murder’s as near to lust as flame to smoke.
0187 145 Poison and treason are the hands of sin,
0188 Ay, and the targets to put off the shame.
0189 Then, lest my life be cropped to keep you clear,
0190 By flight I’ll shun the danger which I fear.He exits.
Enter Antiochus.
ANTIOCHUS 0191 He hath found the meaning,
0192 150 For which we mean to have his head.
0193 He must not live to trumpet forth my infamy,
0194 Nor tell the world Antiochus doth sin
0195 In such a loathèd manner.
0196 And therefore instantly this prince must die,
0197 155 For by his fall my honor must keep high.—
0198 Who attends us there?
Enter Thaliard.
THALIARD 0199 Doth your Highness call?
ANTIOCHUS
0200 Thaliard, you are of our chamber, Thaliard,
0201 And our mind partakes her private actions
0202 160 To your secrecy; and for your faithfulness
0203 We will advance you, Thaliard. Behold,
0204 Here’s poison, and here’s gold. ⌜He gives poison and
money.⌝ 0205 We hate the Prince
0206 Of Tyre, and thou must kill him. It fits thee not
0208 Say, is it done?
THALIARD 0209 My lord, ’tis done.
ANTIOCHUS 0210 Enough.
Enter a Messenger.
0211 Let your breath cool yourself, telling your haste.
MESSENGER 0212 170My lord, Prince Pericles is fled.⌜He exits.⌝
ANTIOCHUS, ⌜to Thaliard⌝ 0213 As thou wilt live, fly after,
0214 and like an arrow shot from a well-experienced
0215 archer hits the mark his eye doth level at, so thou
0216 never return unless thou say Prince Pericles is
0217 175 dead.
THALIARD 0218 My lord, if I can get him within my pistol’s
0219 length, I’ll make him sure enough. So, farewell to
0220 your Highness.
⌜ANTIOCHUS⌝
0221 Thaliard, adieu. Till Pericles be dead,
0222 180 My heart can lend no succor to my head.
⌜They exit.⌝
PERICLES
0223 Let none disturb us. (⌜Attendant exits.⌝) Why should
0224 this change of thoughts,
0225 The sad companion dull-eyed Melancholy,
0226 ⌜Be my⌝ so used a guest as not an hour
0227 5 In the day’s glorious walk or peaceful night,
0228 The tomb where grief should sleep, can breed me
0229 quiet?
0230 Here pleasures court mine eyes, and mine eyes shun
0231 them;
0232 10 And danger, which I feared, is at Antioch,
0234 Yet neither pleasure’s art can joy my spirits,
0235 Nor yet the other’s distance comfort me.
0236 Then it is thus: the passions of the mind
0237 15 That have their first conception by misdread
0238 Have after-nourishment and life by care;
0239 And what was first but fear what might be done
0240 Grows elder now, and cares it be not done.
0241 And so with me. The great Antiochus,
0242 20 ’Gainst whom I am too little to contend,
0243 Since he’s so great can make his will his act,
0244 Will think me speaking though I swear to silence;
0245 Nor boots it me to say I honor ⌜him⌝
0246 If he suspect I may dishonor him.
0247 25 And what may make him blush in being known,
0248 He’ll stop the course by which it might be known.
0249 With hostile forces he’ll o’er-spread the land,
0250 And with ⌜th’ ostent⌝ of war will look so huge
0251 Amazement shall drive courage from the state,
0252 30 Our men be vanquished ere they do resist,
0253 And subjects punished that ne’er thought offense;
0254 Which care of them, not pity of myself,
0255 Who ⌜am⌝ no more but as the tops of trees
0256 Which fence the roots they grow by and defend them,
0257 35 Makes both my body pine and soul to languish
0258 And punish that before that he would punish.
Enter ⌜Helicanus and⌝ all the Lords to Pericles.
FIRST LORD
0259 Joy and all comfort in your sacred breast.
SECOND LORD
0260 And keep your mind till you return to us
0261 Peaceful and comfortable.
HELICANUS
0262 40 Peace, peace, and give experience tongue.
0263 They do abuse the King that flatter him,
0265 The thing the which is flattered, but a spark
0266 To which that ⌜wind⌝ gives heat and stronger glowing;
0267 45 Whereas reproof, obedient and in order,
0268 Fits kings as they are men, for they may err.
0269 When Signior Sooth here does proclaim peace,
0270 He flatters you, makes war upon your life.
⌜He kneels.⌝
0271 Prince, pardon me, or strike me, if you please.
0272 50 I cannot be much lower than my knees.
PERICLES
0273 All leave us else; but let your cares o’erlook
0274 What shipping and what lading’s in our haven,
0275 And then return to us.⌜The Lords exit.⌝
0276 Helicanus,
0277 55 Thou hast moved us. What seest thou in our looks?
HELICANUS 0278 An angry brow, dread lord.
PERICLES
0279 If there be such a dart in princes’ frowns,
0280 How durst thy tongue move anger to our face?
HELICANUS
0281 How dares the plants look up to heaven,
0282 60 From whence they have their nourishment?
PERICLES
0283 Thou knowest I have power to take thy life from thee.
HELICANUS 0284 I have ground the ax myself;
0285 Do but you strike the blow.
PERICLES
0286 Rise, prithee rise.⌜Helicanus rises.⌝
0287 65 Sit down. Thou art no flatterer.
0288 I thank thee for ’t; and heaven forbid
0289 That kings should let their ears hear their faults hid.
0290 Fit counselor and servant for a prince,
0291 Who by thy wisdom makes a prince thy servant,
0292 70 What wouldst thou have me do?
HELICANUS 0293 To bear with patience such griefs
0294 As you yourself do lay upon yourself.
0295 Thou speak’st like a physician, Helicanus,
0296 That ministers a potion unto me
0297 75 That thou wouldst tremble to receive thyself.
0298 Attend me, then: I went to Antioch,
0299 Where, as thou know’st, against the face of death
0300 I sought the purchase of a glorious beauty
0301 From whence an issue I might propagate,
0302 80 Are arms to princes and bring joys to subjects.
0303 Her face was to mine eye beyond all wonder,
0304 The rest—hark in thine ear—as black as incest,
0305 Which by my knowledge found, the sinful father
0306 Seemed not to strike, but smooth. But thou know’st
0307 85 this:
0308 ’Tis time to fear when tyrants seems to kiss;
0309 Which fear so grew in me I hither fled
0310 Under the covering of a careful night,
0311 Who seemed my good protector; and, being here,
0312 90 Bethought ⌜me⌝ what was past, what might succeed.
0313 I knew him tyrannous, and tyrants’ ⌜fears⌝
0314 Decrease not but grow faster than the years;
0315 And should he ⌜doubt,⌝ as no doubt he doth,
0316 That I should open to the list’ning air
0317 95 How many worthy princes’ bloods were shed
0318 To keep his bed of blackness unlaid ope,
0319 To lop that doubt he’ll fill this land with arms,
0320 And make pretense of wrong that I have done him;
0321 When all, for mine—if I may ⌜call ’t⌝—offense,
0322 100 Must feel war’s blow, who spares not innocence;
0323 Which love to all—of which thyself art one,
0324 Who now reproved’st me for ’t—
HELICANUS 0325 Alas, sir!
PERICLES
0326 Drew sleep out of mine eyes, blood from my cheeks,
0327 105 Musings into my mind, with thousand doubts
0328 How I might stop this tempest ere it came;
0329 And finding little comfort to relieve them,
HELICANUS
0331 Well, my lord, since you have given me leave to speak,
0332 110 Freely will I speak. Antiochus you fear,
0333 And justly too, I think, you fear the tyrant,
0334 Who either by public war or private treason
0335 Will take away your life.
0336 Therefore, my lord, go travel for a while,
0337 115 Till that his rage and anger be forgot,
0338 Or till the Destinies do cut his thread of life.
0339 Your rule direct to any. If to me,
0340 Day serves not light more faithful than I’ll be.
PERICLES 0341 I do not doubt thy faith.
0342 120 But should he wrong my liberties in my absence?
HELICANUS
0343 We’ll mingle our bloods together in the earth,
0344 From whence we had our being and our birth.
PERICLES
0345 Tyre, I now look from thee, then, and to Tarsus
0346 Intend my travel, where I’ll hear from thee,
0347 125 And by whose letters I’ll dispose myself.
0348 The care I had and have of subjects’ good
0349 On thee I lay, whose wisdom’s strength can bear it.
0350 I’ll take thy word for faith, not ask thine oath.
0351 Who shuns not to break one will crack both.
0352 130 But in our orbs ⌜we’ll⌝ live so round and safe
0353 That time of both this truth shall ne’er convince.
0354 Thou showed’st a subject’s shine, I a true prince.
⌜They⌝ exit.
⌜THALIARD⌝ 0355 So this is Tyre, and this the court. Here
0356 must I kill King Pericles; and if I do it not, I am
0358 perceive he was a wise fellow and had good discretion
0359 5 that, being bid to ask what he would of the
0360 king, desired he might know none of his secrets.
0361 Now do I see he had some reason for ’t, for if a
0362 king bid a man be a villain, he’s bound by the
0363 indenture of his oath to be one. Husht! Here
0364 10 comes the lords of Tyre.⌜He steps aside.⌝
Enter Helicanus ⌜and⌝ Escanes, with other Lords.
HELICANUS
0365 You shall not need, my fellow peers of Tyre,
0366 Further to question me of your king’s departure.
0367 His sealed commission left in trust with me
0368 Does speak sufficiently he’s gone to travel.
THALIARD, ⌜aside⌝ 0369 15How? The King gone?
HELICANUS
0370 If further yet you will be satisfied
0371 Why, as it were, unlicensed of your loves
0372 He would depart, I’ll give some light unto you.
0373 Being at Antioch—
THALIARD, ⌜aside⌝ 0374 20What from Antioch?
HELICANUS
0375 Royal Antiochus, on what cause I know not,
0376 Took some displeasure at him—at least he judged so;
0377 And doubting lest he had erred or sinned,
0378 To show his sorrow, he’d correct himself;
0379 25 So puts himself unto the shipman’s toil,
0380 With whom each minute threatens life or death.
THALIARD, ⌜aside⌝ 0381 Well, I perceive I shall not be hanged
0382 now, although I would; but since he’s gone, the
0383 King’s ⌜ears it⌝ must please. He ’scaped the land to
0384 30 perish at the sea. I’ll present myself.—Peace to the
0385 lords of Tyre!
⌜HELICANUS⌝
0386 Lord Thaliard from Antiochus is welcome.
0388 Pericles, but since my landing I have understood
0389 35 your lord has ⌜betook⌝ himself to unknown travels.
0390 Now message must return from whence it came.
HELICANUS 0391 We have no reason to desire it,
0392 Commended to our master, not to us.
0393 Yet ere you shall depart, this we desire:
0394 40 As friends to Antioch, we may feast in Tyre.
⌜They⌝ exit.
⌜Dionyza⌝ and others.
CLEON
0395 My Dionyza, shall we rest us here
0396 And, by relating tales of others’ griefs,
0397 See if ’twill teach us to forget our own?
DIONYZA
0398 That were to blow at fire in hope to quench it;
0399 5 For who digs hills because they do aspire
0400 Throws down one mountain to cast up a higher.
0401 O, my distressèd lord, even such our griefs are.
0402 Here they are but felt, and seen with mischief’s eyes,
0403 But like to groves, being topped, they higher rise.
CLEON 0404 10O Dionyza,
0405 Who wanteth food, and will not say he wants it,
0406 Or can conceal his hunger till he famish?
0407 Our tongues and sorrows ⌜do⌝ sound deep our woes
0408 Into the air, our eyes ⌜do⌝ weep till ⌜lungs⌝
0409 15 Fetch breath that may proclaim them louder, that
0410 If heaven slumber while their creatures want,
0411 They may awake their helpers to comfort them.
0412 I’ll then discourse our woes, felt several years,
0413 And, wanting breath to speak, help me with tears.
CLEON
0415 This Tarsus, o’er which I have the government,
0416 A city on whom Plenty held full hand,
0417 For Riches strewed herself even in her streets;
0418 Whose towers bore heads so high they kissed the
0419 25 clouds,
0420 And strangers ne’er beheld but wondered at;
0421 Whose men and dames so jetted and adorned,
0422 Like one another’s glass to trim them by;
0423 Their tables were stored full to glad the sight,
0424 30 And not so much to feed on as delight;
0425 All poverty was scorned, and pride so great,
0426 The name of help grew odious to repeat.
DIONYZA 0427 O, ’tis too true.
CLEON
0428 But see what heaven can do by this our change:
0429 35 These mouths who but of late earth, sea, and air
0430 Were all too little to content and please,
0431 Although ⌜they⌝ gave their creatures in abundance,
0432 As houses are defiled for want of use,
0433 They are now starved for want of exercise.
0434 40 Those palates who not yet two savors younger
0435 Must have inventions to delight the taste,
0436 Would now be glad of bread and beg for it.
0437 Those mothers who, to nuzzle up their babes,
0438 Thought naught too curious, are ready now
0439 45 To eat those little darlings whom they loved.
0440 So sharp are hunger’s teeth that man and wife
0441 Draw lots who first shall die to lengthen life.
0442 Here stands a lord and there a lady weeping;
0443 Here many sink, yet those which see them fall
0444 50 Have scarce strength left to give them burial.
0445 Is not this true?
DIONYZA
0446 Our cheeks and hollow eyes do witness it.
0447 O, let those cities that of Plenty’s cup
0448 And her prosperities so largely taste,
0449 55 With their superfluous riots, hear these tears.
0450 The misery of Tarsus may be theirs.
Enter a Lord.
LORD 0451 Where’s the Lord Governor?
CLEON 0452 Here.
0453 Speak out thy sorrows, which thee bring’st in haste,
0454 60 For comfort is too far for us to expect.
LORD
0455 We have descried upon our neighboring shore
0456 A portly sail of ships make hitherward.
CLEON 0457 I thought as much.
0458 One sorrow never comes but brings an heir
0459 65 That may succeed as his inheritor;
0460 And so in ours. Some neighboring nation,
0461 Taking advantage of our misery,
0462 ⌜Hath⌝ stuffed the hollow vessels with their power
0463 To beat us down, the which are down already,
0464 70 And make a conquest of unhappy ⌜men,⌝
0465 Whereas no glory’s got to overcome.
LORD
0466 That’s the least fear, for, by the semblance
0467 Of their white flags displayed, they bring us peace
0468 And come to us as favorers, not as foes.
CLEON
0469 75 Thou speak’st like him’s untutored to repeat
0470 “Who makes the fairest show means most deceit.”
0471 But bring they what they will and what they can,
0472 What need we ⌜fear?⌝
0473 ⌜The⌝ ground’s the lowest, and we are halfway there.
0474 80 Go tell their general we attend him here,
0475 To know for what he comes and whence he comes
0476 And what he craves.
CLEON
0478 Welcome is peace, if he on peace consist;
0479 85 If wars, we are unable to resist.
Enter Pericles with Attendants.
PERICLES
0480 Lord Governor, for so we hear you are,
0481 Let not our ships and number of our men
0482 Be like a beacon fired t’ amaze your eyes.
0483 We have heard your miseries as far as Tyre
0484 90 And seen the desolation of your streets;
0485 Nor come we to add sorrow to your tears,
0486 But to relieve them of their heavy load;
0487 And these our ships, you happily may think
0488 Are like the Trojan horse was stuffed within
0489 95 With bloody veins expecting overthrow,
0490 Are stored with corn to make your needy bread
0491 And give them life whom hunger starved half dead.
ALL, ⌜kneeling⌝
0492 The gods of Greece protect you, and we’ll pray for
0493 you.
PERICLES 0494 100Arise, I pray you, rise.
0495 We do not look for reverence, but for love,
0496 And harborage for ourself, our ships, and men.
CLEON, ⌜rising, with the others⌝
0497 The which when any shall not gratify
0498 Or pay you with unthankfulness in thought,
0499 105 Be it our wives, our children, or ourselves,
0500 The curse of heaven and men succeed their evils!
0501 Till when—the which I hope shall ne’er be seen—
0502 Your Grace is welcome to our town and us.
PERICLES
0503 Which welcome we’ll accept, feast here awhile,
0504 110 Until our stars that frown lend us a smile.
They exit.
⌜GOWER⌝
0505 Here have you seen a mighty king
0506 His child, iwis, to incest bring;
0507 A better prince and benign lord
0508 That will prove awful both in deed and word.
0509 5 Be quiet, then, as men should be,
0510 Till he hath passed necessity.
0511 I’ll show you those in troubles reign,
0512 Losing a mite, a mountain gain.
0513 The good in conversation,
0514 10 To whom I give my benison,
0515 Is still at Tarsus, where each man
0516 Thinks all is Writ he speken can,
0517 And, to remember what he does,
0518 Build his statue to make him glorious.
0519 15 But tidings to the contrary
0520 Are brought your eyes. What need speak I?
Enter at one door Pericles talking with Cleon, all the
train with them. Enter at another door a Gentleman,
with a letter to Pericles. Pericles shows the letter to
Cleon. Pericles gives the Messenger a reward and knights
him. Pericles exits at one door, and Cleon at another.
0522 Not to eat honey like a drone
0523 From others’ labors, for though he strive
0524 20 To killen bad, keep good alive,
0525 And to fulfill his prince’ desire—
0526 ⌜Sends word⌝ of all that haps in Tyre:
0527 How Thaliard came full bent with sin,
0528 And had intent to murder him;
0529 25 And that in Tarsus was not best
0530 Longer for him to make his rest.
0531 He, doing so, put forth to seas,
0532 Where when men been there’s seldom ease;
0533 For now the wind begins to blow;
0534 30 Thunder above and deeps below
0535 Makes such unquiet that the ship
0536 Should house him safe is wracked and split,
0537 And he, good prince, having all lost,
0538 By waves from coast to coast is tossed.
0539 35 All perishen of man, of pelf,
0540 Ne aught escapend but himself;
0541 Till Fortune, tired with doing bad,
0542 Threw him ashore to give him glad.
0543 And here he comes. What shall be next,
0544 40 Pardon old Gower—this ’longs the text.
⌜He exits.⌝
PERICLES
0545 Yet cease your ire, you angry stars of heaven!
0546 Wind, rain, and thunder, remember earthly man
0547 Is but a substance that must yield to you,
0548 And I, as fits my nature, do obey you.
0549 5 Alas, the seas hath cast me on the rocks,
0551 Nothing to think on but ensuing death.
0552 Let it suffice the greatness of your powers
0553 To have bereft a prince of all his fortunes;
0554 10 And, having thrown him from your wat’ry grave,
0555 Here to have death in peace is all he’ll crave.
Enter three Fishermen.
FIRST FISHERMAN 0556 What ⌜ho,⌝ Pilch!
SECOND FISHERMAN 0557 Ha, come and bring away the nets!
FIRST FISHERMAN 0558 What, Patchbreech, I say!
THIRD FISHERMAN 0559 15What say you, master?
FIRST FISHERMAN 0560 Look how thou stirr’st now! Come
0561 away, or I’ll fetch thee with a wanion.
THIRD FISHERMAN 0562 Faith, master, I am thinking of the
0563 poor men that were cast away before us even now.
FIRST FISHERMAN 0564 20Alas, poor souls, it grieved my heart
0565 to hear what pitiful cries they made to us to help
0566 them, when, welladay, we could scarce help
0567 ourselves!
THIRD FISHERMAN 0568 Nay, master, said not I as much
0569 25 when I saw the porpoise how he bounced and tumbled?
0570 They say they’re half fish, half flesh. A plague
0571 on them! They ne’er come but I look to be washed.
0572 Master, I marvel how the fishes live in the sea.
FIRST FISHERMAN 0573 Why, as men do a-land: the great
0574 30 ones eat up the little ones. I can compare our rich
0575 misers to nothing so fitly as to a whale: he plays
0576 and tumbles, driving the poor fry before him and
0577 at last ⌜devours⌝ them all at a mouthful. Such
0578 whales have I heard on a’ the land, who never leave
0579 35 gaping till they swallowed the whole parish—
0580 church, steeple, bells and all.
PERICLES, ⌜aside⌝ 0581 A pretty moral.
THIRD FISHERMAN 0582 But, master, if I had been the sexton,
0583 I would have been that day in the belfry.
⌜THIRD⌝ FISHERMAN 0585 Because he should have swallowed
0586 me too. And when I had been in his belly, I would
0587 have kept such a jangling of the bells that he should
0588 never have left till he cast bells, steeple, church, and
0589 45 parish up again. But if the good King Simonides
0590 were of my mind—
PERICLES, ⌜aside⌝ 0591 Simonides?
THIRD FISHERMAN 0592 We would purge the land of these
0593 drones that rob the bee of her honey.
PERICLES, ⌜aside⌝
0594 50 How from the ⌜finny⌝ subject of the sea
0595 These fishers tell the infirmities of men,
0596 And from their wat’ry empire recollect
0597 All that may men approve or men detect!—
0598 Peace be at your labor, honest fishermen.
SECOND FISHERMAN 0599 55Honest good fellow, what’s that? If
0600 it be a day fits you, search out of the calendar, and
0601 nobody look after it!
PERICLES
0602 May see the sea hath cast upon your coast—
SECOND FISHERMAN 0603 What a drunken knave was the sea
0604 60 to cast thee in our way!
PERICLES
0605 A man whom both the waters and the wind
0606 In that vast tennis court hath made the ball
0607 For them to play upon entreats you pity him.
0608 He asks of you that never used to beg.
FIRST FISHERMAN 0609 65No, friend, cannot you beg? Here’s
0610 them in our country of Greece gets more with begging
0611 than we can do with working.
SECOND FISHERMAN, ⌜to Pericles⌝ 0612 Canst thou catch any
0613 fishes, then?
PERICLES 0614 70I never practiced it.
SECOND FISHERMAN 0615 Nay, then, thou wilt starve sure,
0616 for here’s nothing to be got nowadays unless thou
0617 canst fish for ’t.
0618 What I have been I have forgot to know,
0619 75 But what I am want teaches me to think on:
0620 A man thronged up with cold. My veins are chill
0621 And have no more of life than may suffice
0622 To give my tongue that heat to ask your help—
0623 Which, if you shall refuse, when I am dead,
0624 80 For that I am a man, pray you see me buried.
FIRST FISHERMAN 0625 Die, quotha? Now gods forbid ’t, an I
0626 have a gown. Here, come, put it on; keep thee
0627 warm. ⌜Pericles puts on the garment.⌝ Now, afore
0628 me, a handsome fellow! Come, thou shalt go home,
0629 85 and we’ll have flesh for ⌜holidays,⌝ fish for fasting
0630 days, and, ⌜moreo’er,⌝ puddings and flapjacks, and
0631 thou shalt be welcome.
PERICLES 0632 I thank you, sir.
SECOND FISHERMAN 0633 Hark you, my friend. You said you
0634 90 could not beg?
PERICLES 0635 I did but crave.
SECOND FISHERMAN 0636 But crave? Then I’ll turn craver
0637 too, and so I shall ’scape whipping.
PERICLES 0638 Why, are ⌜your⌝ beggars whipped, then?
SECOND FISHERMAN 0639 95O, not all, my friend, not all; for if
0640 all your beggars were whipped, I would wish no
0641 better office than to be beadle.—But, master, I’ll go
0642 draw up the net.⌜He exits with Third Fisherman.⌝
PERICLES, ⌜aside⌝
0643 How well this honest mirth becomes their labor!
FIRST FISHERMAN 0644 100Hark you, sir, do you know where
0645 you are?
PERICLES 0646 Not well.
FIRST FISHERMAN 0647 Why, I’ll tell you. This ⌜is⌝ called Pentapolis,
0648 and our king the good Simonides.
PERICLES 0649 105“The good Simonides” do you call him?
FIRST FISHERMAN 0650 Ay, sir, and he deserves so to be called
0651 for his peaceable reign and good government.
0653 subjects the name of “good” by his government.
0654 110 How far is his court distant from this shore?
FIRST FISHERMAN 0655 Marry, sir, half a day’s journey. And
0656 I’ll tell you, he hath a fair daughter, and tomorrow
0657 is her birthday; and there are princes and knights
0658 come from all parts of the world to joust and tourney
0659 115 for her love.
PERICLES 0660 Were my fortunes equal to my desires, I
0661 could wish to make one there.
FIRST FISHERMAN 0662 O, sir, things must be as they may;
0663 and what a man cannot get he may lawfully deal
0664 120 for his wife’s soul.
Enter the two ⌜other⌝ Fishermen, drawing up a net.
SECOND FISHERMAN 0665 Help, master, help! Here’s a fish
0666 hangs in the net like a poor man’s right in the law:
0667 ’twill hardly come out. Ha! Bots on ’t, ’tis come at
0668 last, and ’tis turned to a rusty armor.
PERICLES
0669 125 An armor, friends? I pray you let me see it.
⌜They pull out the armor.⌝
0670 Thanks, Fortune, yet, that after all ⌜thy⌝ crosses
0671 Thou givest me somewhat to repair myself;
0672 And though it was mine own, part of my heritage
0673 Which my dead father did bequeath to me
0674 130 With this strict charge even as he left his life,
0675 “Keep it, my Pericles; it hath been a shield
0676 ’Twixt me and death,” and pointed to this brace,
0677 “For that it saved me, keep it. In like necessity—
0678 The which the gods protect thee ⌜from⌝—⌜may ’t⌝
0679 135 defend thee.”
0680 It kept where I kept, I so dearly loved it,
0681 Till the rough seas, that spares not any man,
0682 Took it in rage, though calmed have given ’t again.
0683 I thank thee for ’t; my shipwrack now’s no ill
0684 140 Since I have here my father gave in his will.
PERICLES
0686 To beg of you, kind friends, this coat of worth,
0687 For it was sometime target to a king;
0688 I know it by this mark. He loved me dearly,
0689 145 And for his sake I wish the having of it,
0690 And that you’d guide me to your sovereign’s court,
0691 Where with it I may appear a gentleman.
0692 And if that ever my low fortune’s better,
0693 I’ll pay your bounties; till then, rest your debtor.
FIRST FISHERMAN 0694 150Why, wilt thou tourney for the lady?
PERICLES
0695 I’ll show the virtue I have borne in arms.
FIRST FISHERMAN 0696 Why, do ’ee take it, and the gods give
0697 thee good on ’t.
SECOND FISHERMAN 0698 Ay, but hark you, my friend, ’twas
0699 155 we that made up this garment through the rough
0700 seams of the waters. There are certain condolements,
0701 certain vails. I hope, sir, if you thrive, you’ll
0702 remember from whence you had them.
PERICLES 0703 Believe ’t, I will.⌜He puts on the armor.⌝
0704 160 By your furtherance I am clothed in steel,
0705 And spite of all the rupture of the sea,
0706 This jewel holds his ⌜biding⌝ on my arm.
0707 Unto thy value I will mount myself
0708 Upon a courser, whose ⌜delightful⌝ steps
0709 165 Shall make the gazer joy to see him tread.
0710 Only, my friend, I yet am unprovided
0711 Of a pair of bases.
SECOND FISHERMAN 0712 We’ll sure provide. Thou shalt have
0713 my best gown to make thee a pair; and I’ll bring
0714 170 thee to the court myself.
PERICLES
0715 Then honor be but a goal to my will;
0716 This day I’ll rise or else add ill to ill.
⌜They exit.⌝
and Thaisa.
SIMONIDES
0717 Are the knights ready to begin the triumph?
FIRST LORD 0718 They are, my liege,
0719 And stay your coming to present themselves.
SIMONIDES
0720 Return them we are ready, and our daughter here,
0721 5 In honor of whose birth these triumphs are,
0722 Sits here like Beauty’s child, whom Nature gat
0723 For men to see and, seeing, wonder at.
⌜An Attendant exits.⌝
THAISA
0724 It pleaseth you, my royal father, to express
0725 My commendations great, whose merit’s less.
SIMONIDES
0726 10 It’s fit it should be so, for princes are
0727 A model which heaven makes like to itself.
0728 As jewels lose their glory if neglected,
0729 So princes their renowns if not respected.
0730 ’Tis now your honor, daughter, to entertain
0731 15 The labor of each knight in his device.
THAISA
0732 Which to preserve mine honor, I’ll perform.
The first Knight passes by. ⌜His Squire presents a shield
to Thaisa.⌝
SIMONIDES
0733 Who is the first that doth prefer himself?
THAISA
0734 A knight of Sparta, my renownèd father,
0735 And the device he bears upon his shield
0736 20 Is a black Ethiop reaching at the sun;
0737 The word: Lux tua vita mihi.
0738 He loves you well that holds his life of you.
The second Knight ⌜passes by. His Squire presents a
shield to Thaisa.⌝
0739 Who is the second that presents himself?
THAISA
0740 A prince of Macedon, my royal father,
0741 25 And the device he bears upon his shield
0742 Is an armed knight that’s conquered by a lady.
0743 The motto thus, in Spanish: Pue per doleera kee per
0744 forsa.
The third Knight ⌜passes by. His Squire presents a shield
to Thaisa.⌝
SIMONIDES
0745 And ⌜what’s⌝ the third?
THAISA 0746 30 The third, of Antioch;
0747 And his device a wreath of chivalry;
0748 The word: Me pompae provexit apex.
The fourth Knight ⌜passes by. His Squire presents a
shield to Thaisa.⌝
SIMONIDES 0749 What is the fourth?
THAISA
0750 A burning torch that’s turnèd upside down;
0751 35 The word: Qui me alit me extinguit.
SIMONIDES
0752 Which shows that beauty hath his power and will,
0753 Which can as well inflame as it can kill.
The fifth Knight ⌜passes by. His Squire presents a shield
to Thaisa.⌝
THAISA
0754 The fifth, an hand environèd with clouds,
0755 Holding out gold that’s by the touchstone tried;
0756 40 The motto thus: Sic spectanda fides.
shield to Thaisa.⌝
SIMONIDES
0757 And what’s the sixth and last, the which the knight
0758 himself
0759 With such a graceful courtesy delivered?
THAISA
0760 He seems to be a stranger; but his present is
0761 45 A withered branch that’s only green at top,
0762 The motto: In hac spe vivo.
SIMONIDES 0763 A pretty moral.
0764 From the dejected state wherein he is,
0765 He hopes by you his fortunes yet may flourish.
FIRST LORD
0766 50 He had need mean better than his outward show
0767 Can any way speak in his just commend,
0768 For by his rusty outside he appears
0769 To have practiced more the whipstock than the lance.
SECOND LORD
0770 He well may be a stranger, for he comes
0771 55 To an honored triumph strangely furnishèd.
THIRD LORD
0772 And on set purpose let his armor rust
0773 Until this day, to scour it in the dust.
SIMONIDES
0774 Opinion’s but a fool that makes us scan
0775 The outward habit by the inward man.
0776 60 But stay, the knights are coming.
0777 We will withdraw into the gallery.
⌜They exit.⌝
Great shouts ⌜offstage,⌝ and all cry, “The mean knight.”
Lords, Attendants,⌝ and Knights ⌜in armor,⌝ from tilting.
SIMONIDES 0778 Knights,
0779 To say you’re welcome were superfluous.
0780 ⌜To⌝ place upon the volume of your deeds,
0781 As in a title page, your worth in arms
0782 5 Were more than you expect or more than ’s fit,
0783 Since every worth in show commends itself.
0784 Prepare for mirth, for mirth becomes a feast.
0785 You are princes and my guests.
THAISA, ⌜to Pericles⌝ 0786 But you my knight and guest,
0787 10 To whom this wreath of victory I give
0788 And crown you king of this day’s happiness.
⌜She places a wreath on Pericles’ head.⌝
PERICLES
0789 ’Tis more by fortune, lady, than my merit.
SIMONIDES
0790 Call it by what you will, the day is ⌜yours,⌝
0791 And here, I hope, is none that envies it.
0792 15 In framing an artist, Art hath thus decreed,
0793 To make some good but others to exceed,
0794 And you are her labored scholar.—Come, queen o’
0795 the feast,
0796 For, daughter, so you are; here, take your place.—
0797 20 Marshal, the rest as they deserve their grace.
KNIGHTS
0798 We are honored much by good Simonides.
SIMONIDES
0799 Your presence glads our days. Honor we love,
0800 For who hates honor hates the gods above.
MARSHAL, ⌜to Pericles⌝ 0801 Sir, yonder is your place.
PERICLES 0802 25Some other is more fit.
FIRST KNIGHT
0803 Contend not, sir, for we are gentlemen
0805 Envies the great, nor shall the low despise.
PERICLES
0806 You are right courteous knights.
SIMONIDES 0807 30 Sit, sir, sit.⌜They sit.⌝
0808 ⌜Aside.⌝ By Jove I wonder, that is king of thoughts,
0809 These cates resist me, he not thought upon.
THAISA, ⌜aside⌝
0810 By Juno, that is queen of marriage,
0811 All viands that I eat do seem unsavory,
0812 35 Wishing him my meat.—Sure, he’s a gallant
0813 gentleman.
SIMONIDES
0814 He’s but a country gentleman;
0815 Has done no more than other knights have done;
0816 Has broken a staff or so. So let it pass.
THAISA, ⌜aside⌝
0817 40 To me he seems like diamond to glass.
PERICLES, ⌜aside⌝
0818 ⌜Yon⌝ king’s to me like to my father’s picture,
0819 Which tells in that glory once he was—
0820 Had princes sit like stars about his throne,
0821 And he the sun for them to reverence.
0822 45 None that beheld him but like lesser lights
0823 Did vail their crowns to his supremacy;
0824 Where now his ⌜son’s⌝ like a glowworm in the night,
0825 The which hath fire in darkness, none in light;
0826 Whereby I see that Time’s the king of men.
0827 50 He’s both their parent, and he is their grave,
0828 And gives them what he will, not what they crave.
SIMONIDES 0829 What, are you merry, knights?
KNIGHTS
0830 Who can be other in this royal presence?
SIMONIDES
0831 Here, with a cup that’s ⌜stored⌝ unto the brim,
0832 55 As do you love, fill to your mistress’ lips.
KNIGHTS 0834 We thank your Grace.
SIMONIDES
0835 Yet pause awhile. Yon knight doth sit too melancholy,
0836 As if the entertainment in our court
0837 60 Had not a show might countervail his worth.—
0838 Note it not you, Thaisa?
THAISA 0839 What is ’t to me, my father?
SIMONIDES
0840 O, attend, my daughter. Princes in this
0841 Should live like gods above, who freely give
0842 65 To everyone that come to honor them.
0843 And princes not doing so are like to gnats,
0844 Which make a sound but, killed, are wondered at.
0845 Therefore, to make his entrance more sweet,
0846 Here, say we drink this standing-bowl of wine to him.
⌜He drinks.⌝
THAISA
0847 70 Alas, my father, it befits not me
0848 Unto a stranger knight to be so bold.
0849 He may my proffer take for an offense,
0850 Since men take women’s gifts for impudence.
SIMONIDES 0851 How?
0852 75 Do as I bid you, or you’ll move me else.
THAISA, ⌜aside⌝
0853 Now, by the gods, he could not please me better.
SIMONIDES
0854 And furthermore tell him we desire to know of him
0855 Of whence he is, his name and parentage.
THAISA, ⌜going to Pericles⌝
0856 The King, my father, sir, has drunk to you.
PERICLES 0857 80I thank him.
THAISA
0858 Wishing it so much blood unto your life.
PERICLES
0859 I thank both him and you, and pledge him freely.
⌜He drinks to Simonides.⌝
0860 And further, he desires to know of you
0861 Of whence you are, your name and parentage.
PERICLES
0862 85 A gentleman of Tyre, my name Pericles.
0863 My education been in arts and arms,
0864 Who, looking for adventures in the world,
0865 Was by the rough seas reft of ships and men,
0866 And after shipwrack driven upon this shore.
THAISA, ⌜returning to her place⌝
0867 90 He thanks your Grace; names himself Pericles,
0868 A gentleman of Tyre,
0869 Who only by misfortune of the seas,
0870 Bereft of ships and men, cast on this shore.
SIMONIDES
0871 Now, by the gods, I pity his misfortune,
0872 95 And will awake him from his melancholy.—
0873 Come, gentlemen, we sit too long on trifles
0874 And waste the time which looks for other revels.
0875 Even in your armors, as you are addressed,
0876 Will well become a soldiers’ dance.
0877 100 I will not have excuse with saying this:
0878 “Loud music is too harsh for ladies’ heads,”
0879 Since they love men in arms as well as beds.
They dance.
0880 So, this was well asked, ’twas so well performed.
0881 Come, sir.⌜He presents Pericles to Thaisa.⌝
0882 105 Here’s a lady that wants breathing too,
0883 And I have heard you knights of Tyre
0884 Are excellent in making ladies trip,
0885 And that their measures are as excellent.
PERICLES
0886 In those that practice them they are, my lord.
SIMONIDES
0887 110 O, that’s as much as you would be denied
0888 Of your fair courtesy.They dance.
0889 Unclasp, unclasp!
0891 ⌜To Pericles.⌝ But you the best.—Pages and lights, to
0892 115 conduct
0893 These knights unto their several lodgings. ⌜To
Pericles.⌝ 0894 Yours, sir,
0895 We have given order be next our own.
PERICLES 0896 I am at your Grace’s pleasure.
⌜SIMONIDES⌝
0897 120 Princes, it is too late to talk of love,
0898 And that’s the mark I know you level at.
0899 Therefore each one betake him to his rest,
0900 Tomorrow all for speeding do their best.
⌜They exit.⌝
HELICANUS
0901 No, Escanes, know this of me:
0902 Antiochus from incest lived not free,
0903 For which the most high gods not minding longer
0904 To withhold the vengeance that they had in store
0905 5 Due to this heinous capital offense,
0906 Even in the height and pride of all his glory,
0907 When he was seated in a chariot of
0908 An inestimable value, and his daughter with him,
0909 A fire from heaven came and shriveled up
0910 10 Those bodies even to loathing, for they so stunk
0911 That all those eyes adored them, ere their fall,
0912 Scorn now their hand should give them burial.
ESCANES 0913 ’Twas very strange.
HELICANUS
0914 And yet but justice; for though this king were great,
0915 15 His greatness was no guard to bar heaven’s shaft,
0916 But sin had his reward.
Enter two or three Lords.
FIRST LORD
0918 See, not a man in private conference
0919 Or counsel has respect with him but he.
SECOND LORD
0920 20 It shall no longer grieve without reproof.
THIRD LORD
0921 And cursed be he that will not second it.
FIRST LORD
0922 Follow me, then.—Lord Helicane, a word.
HELICANUS
0923 With me? And welcome. Happy day, my lords.
FIRST LORD
0924 Know that our griefs are risen to the top,
0925 25 And now at length they overflow their banks.
HELICANUS
0926 Your griefs? For what? Wrong not your prince you
0927 love.
FIRST LORD
0928 Wrong not yourself, then, noble Helicane.
0929 But if the Prince do live, let us salute him,
0930 30 Or know what ground’s made happy by his breath.
0931 If in the world he live, we’ll seek him out;
0932 If in his grave he rest, we’ll find him there,
0933 And be resolved he lives to govern us,
0934 Or dead, give ’s cause to mourn his funeral
0935 35 And leave us to our free election.
SECOND LORD
0936 Whose ⌜death’s⌝ indeed the strongest in our censure;
0937 And knowing this kingdom is without a head—
0938 Like goodly buildings left without a roof
0939 Soon fall to ruin—your noble self,
0940 40 That best know how to rule and how to reign,
0941 We thus submit unto, our sovereign.
HELICANUS
0943 Try honor’s cause; forbear your suffrages.
0944 If that you love Prince Pericles, forbear.
0945 45 Take I your wish, I leap into the seas,
0946 Where’s hourly trouble for a minute’s ease.
0947 A twelve-month longer let me entreat you
0948 To forbear the absence of your king;
0949 If in which time expired, he not return,
0950 50 I shall with agèd patience bear your yoke.
0951 But if I cannot win you to this love,
0952 Go search like nobles, like noble subjects,
0953 And in your search spend your adventurous worth,
0954 Whom if you find and win unto return,
0955 55 You shall like diamonds sit about his crown.
FIRST LORD
0956 To wisdom he’s a fool that will not yield.
0957 And since Lord Helicane enjoineth us,
0958 We with our travels will endeavor.
HELICANUS
0959 Then you love us, we you, and we’ll clasp hands.
0960 60 When peers thus knit, a kingdom ever stands.
⌜They exit.⌝
door; the Knights meet him.
FIRST KNIGHT
0961 Good morrow to the good Simonides.
SIMONIDES
0962 Knights, from my daughter this I let you know,
0963 That for this twelvemonth she’ll not undertake
0964 A married life. Her reason to herself is only known,
0965 5 Which from her by no means can I get.
0966 May we not get access to her, my lord?
SIMONIDES
0967 Faith, by no means; she hath so strictly tied her
0968 To her chamber that ’tis impossible.
0969 One twelve moons more she’ll wear Diana’s livery.
0970 10 This by the eye of Cynthia hath she vowed,
0971 And on her virgin honor will not break it.
THIRD KNIGHT
0972 Loath to bid farewell, we take our leaves.
⌜The Knights exit.⌝
SIMONIDES 0973 So,
0974 They are well dispatched. Now to my daughter’s letter.
0975 15 She tells me here she’ll wed the stranger knight
0976 Or never more to view nor day nor light.
0977 ’Tis well, mistress, your choice agrees with mine.
0978 I like that well. Nay, how absolute she’s in ’t,
0979 Not minding whether I dislike or no!
0980 20 Well, I do commend her choice, and will no longer
0981 Have it be delayed. Soft, here he comes.
0982 I must dissemble it.
Enter Pericles.
PERICLES
0983 All fortune to the good Simonides.
SIMONIDES
0984 To you as much. Sir, I am beholding to you
0985 25 For your sweet music this last night. I do
0986 Protest, my ears were never better fed
0987 With such delightful pleasing harmony.
PERICLES
0988 It is your Grace’s pleasure to commend,
0989 Not my desert.
SIMONIDES 0990 30 Sir, you are music’s master.
PERICLES
0991 The worst of all her scholars, my good lord.
0993 What do you think of my daughter, sir?
PERICLES 0994 A most virtuous princess.
SIMONIDES 0995 35And she is fair too, is she not?
PERICLES
0996 As a fair day in summer, wondrous fair.
SIMONIDES
0997 Sir, my daughter thinks very well of you,
0998 Ay, so well that you must be her master,
0999 And she will be your scholar. Therefore, look to it.
PERICLES
1000 40 I am unworthy for her schoolmaster.
SIMONIDES
1001 She thinks not so. Peruse this writing else.
PERICLES, ⌜aside⌝ 1002 What’s here?
1003 A letter that she loves the knight of Tyre?
1004 ’Tis the King’s subtlety to have my life.—
1005 45 O, seek not to entrap me, gracious lord,
1006 A stranger and distressèd gentleman
1007 That never aimed so high to love your daughter,
1008 But bent all offices to honor her.
SIMONIDES
1009 Thou hast bewitched my daughter, and thou art
1010 50 A villain.
PERICLES 1011 By the gods, I have not!
1012 Never did thought of mine levy offense;
1013 Nor never did my actions yet commence
1014 A deed might gain her love or your displeasure.
SIMONIDES
1015 55 Traitor, thou liest!
PERICLES 1016 Traitor?
SIMONIDES 1017 Ay, traitor.
PERICLES
1018 Even in his throat, unless it be the King
1019 That calls me traitor, I return the lie.
1020 60 Now, by the gods, I do applaud his courage.
PERICLES
1021 My actions are as noble as my thoughts,
1022 That never relished of a base descent.
1023 I came unto your court for honor’s cause,
1024 And not to be a rebel to her state,
1025 65 And he that otherwise accounts of me,
1026 This sword shall prove he’s honor’s enemy.
SIMONIDES 1027 No?
1028 Here comes my daughter. She can witness it.
Enter Thaisa.
PERICLES
1029 Then as you are as virtuous as fair,
1030 70 Resolve your angry father if my tongue
1031 Did e’er solicit or my hand subscribe
1032 To any syllable that made love to you.
THAISA
1033 Why, sir, say if you had, who takes offense
1034 At that would make me glad?
SIMONIDES
1035 75 Yea, mistress, are you so peremptory?
1036 (Aside.) I am glad on ’t with all my heart.—
1037 I’ll tame you! I’ll bring you in subjection.
1038 Will you, not having my consent,
1039 Bestow your love and your affections
1040 80 Upon a stranger? (Aside.) Who, for aught I know,
1041 May be—nor can I think the contrary—
1042 As great in blood as I myself.—
1043 Therefore, hear you, mistress: either frame
1044 Your will to mine—and you, sir, hear you:
1045 85 Either be ruled by me—or I’ll make you
1046 Man and wife.
1047 Nay, come, your hands and lips must seal it too.
1048 And being joined, I’ll thus your hopes destroy.
1050 90 What, are you both pleased?
THAISA 1051 Yes, (⌜to Pericles⌝) if you love me, sir.
PERICLES
1052 Even as my life my blood that fosters it.
SIMONIDES 1053 What, are you both agreed?
BOTH 1054 Yes, if ’t please your Majesty.
SIMONIDES
1055 95 It pleaseth me so well that I will see you wed,
1056 And then with what haste you can, get you to bed.
They exit.
⌜GOWER⌝
1057 Now sleep yslackèd hath the rout;
1058 No din but snores about the house,
1059 Made louder by the o’erfed breast
1060 Of this most pompous marriage feast.
1061 5 The cat with eyne of burning coal
1062 Now couches from the mouse’s hole,
1063 And ⌜crickets⌝ sing at the oven’s mouth
1064 Are the blither for their drouth.
1065 Hymen hath brought the bride to bed,
1066 10 Where, by the loss of maidenhead,
1067 A babe is molded. Be attent,
1068 And time that is so briefly spent
1069 With your fine fancies quaintly eche.
1070 What’s dumb in show I’ll plain with speech.
Enter Pericles and Simonides at one door with
Attendants. A Messenger meets them, kneels, and gives
Pericles a letter. Pericles shows it Simonides. The Lords
kneel to him; then enter Thaisa with child, with
Lychorida, a nurse. The King shows her the letter. She
rejoices. She and Pericles take leave of her father, and
depart ⌜with Lychorida and their Attendants. Then
Simonides and the others exit.⌝
1072 Of Pericles the careful search,
1073 By the four opposing coigns
1074 Which the world together joins,
1075 Is made with all due diligence
1076 20 That horse and sail and high expense
1077 Can stead the quest. At last from Tyre,
1078 Fame answering the most strange enquire,
1079 To th’ court of King Simonides
1080 Are letters brought, the tenor these:
1081 25 Antiochus and his daughter dead,
1082 The men of Tyrus on the head
1083 Of Helicanus would set on
1084 The crown of Tyre, but he will none.
1085 The mutiny he there hastes t’ oppress,
1086 30 Says to ’em, if King Pericles
1087 Come not home in twice six moons,
1088 He, obedient to their dooms,
1089 Will take the crown. The sum of this,
1090 Brought hither to Pentapolis,
1091 35 Y-ravishèd the regions round,
1092 And everyone with claps can sound,
1093 “Our heir apparent is a king!
1094 Who dreamt, who thought of such a thing?”
1095 Brief, he must hence depart to Tyre.
1096 40 His queen, with child, makes her desire—
1097 Which who shall cross?—along to go.
1098 Omit we all their dole and woe.
1099 Lychorida, her nurse, she takes,
1100 And so to sea. Their vessel shakes
1101 45 On Neptune’s billow. Half the flood
1102 Hath their keel cut. But Fortune, moved,
1103 Varies again. The grizzled North
1104 Disgorges such a tempest forth
1105 That, as a duck for life that dives,
1106 50 So up and down the poor ship drives.
1108 Does fall in travail with her fear.
1109 And what ensues in this fell storm
1110 Shall for itself itself perform.
1111 55 I nill relate; action may
1112 Conveniently the rest convey,
1113 Which might not what by me is told.
1114 In your imagination hold
1115 This stage the ship upon whose deck
1116 60 The ⌜sea-tossed⌝ Pericles appears to speak.
⌜He exits.⌝
PERICLES
1117 The god of this great vast, rebuke these surges,
1118 Which wash both heaven and hell! And thou that hast
1119 Upon the winds command, bind them in brass,
1120 Having called them from the deep! O, still
1121 5 Thy deaf’ning dreadful thunders, gently quench
1122 Thy nimble sulfurous flashes.—O, how, Lychorida,
1123 How does my queen?—Then, storm, venomously
1124 Wilt thou spit all thyself? The seaman’s whistle
1125 Is as a whisper in the ears of death,
1126 10 Unheard.—Lychorida!—Lucina, O
1127 Divinest patroness and ⌜midwife⌝ gentle
1128 To those that cry by night, convey thy deity
1129 Aboard our dancing boat, make swift the pangs
1130 Of my queen’s travails!—Now, Lychorida!
Enter Lychorida, ⌜carrying an infant.⌝
LYCHORIDA
1131 15 Here is a thing too young for such a place,
1132 Who, if it had conceit, would die, as I
1134 Of your dead queen.
PERICLES 1135 How? How, Lychorida?
LYCHORIDA
1136 20 Patience, good sir. Do not assist the storm.
1137 Here’s all that is left living of your queen,
1138 A little daughter. For the sake of it,
1139 Be manly and take comfort.
PERICLES 1140 O you gods!
1141 25 Why do you make us love your goodly gifts
1142 And snatch them straight away? We here below
1143 Recall not what we give, and therein may
1144 Use honor with you.
LYCHORIDA 1145 Patience, good sir,
1146 30 Even for this charge.⌜She hands him the infant.⌝
PERICLES, ⌜to the infant⌝ 1147 Now mild may be thy life,
1148 For a more blusterous birth had never babe.
1149 Quiet and gentle thy conditions, for
1150 Thou art the rudeliest welcome to this world
1151 35 That ever was prince’s child. Happy what follows!
1152 Thou hast as chiding a nativity
1153 As fire, air, water, earth, and heaven can make
1154 To herald thee from the womb.
1155 Even at the first, thy loss is more than can
1156 40 Thy portage quit, with all thou canst find here.
1157 Now the good gods throw their best eyes upon ’t.
Enter two Sailors.
FIRST SAILOR 1158 What courage, sir? God save you.
PERICLES
1159 Courage enough. I do not fear the flaw.
1160 It hath done to me the worst. Yet for the love
1161 45 Of this poor infant, this fresh new seafarer,
1162 I would it would be quiet.
FIRST SAILOR 1163 Slack the bowlines there!—Thou wilt not,
1164 wilt thou? Blow, and split thyself!
1166 50 billow kiss the moon, I care not.
FIRST SAILOR 1167 Sir, your queen must overboard. The sea
1168 works high, the wind is loud, and will not lie till
1169 the ship be cleared of the dead.
PERICLES 1170 That’s your superstition.
FIRST SAILOR 1171 55Pardon us, sir; with us at sea it hath been
1172 still observed, and we are strong in ⌜custom.⌝
1173 Therefore briefly yield ’er, ⌜for she must overboard
1174 straight.⌝
PERICLES 1175 As you think meet.—Most wretched queen!
LYCHORIDA 1176 60Here she lies, sir.
PERICLES
1177 A terrible childbed hast thou had, my dear,
1178 No light, no fire. Th’ unfriendly elements
1179 Forgot thee utterly. Nor have I time
1180 To give thee hallowed to thy grave, but straight
1181 65 Must cast thee, scarcely coffined, in ⌜the ooze,⌝
1182 Where, for a monument upon thy bones
1183 ⌜And e’er-remaining⌝ lamps, the belching whale
1184 And humming water must o’erwhelm thy corpse,
1185 Lying with simple shells.—O, Lychorida,
1186 70 Bid Nestor bring me spices, ink, and ⌜paper,⌝
1187 My casket and my jewels; and bid Nicander
1188 Bring me the satin coffin. Lay the babe
1189 Upon the pillow. Hie thee, whiles I say
1190 A priestly farewell to her. Suddenly, woman!
⌜Lychorida exits.⌝
SECOND SAILOR 1191 75Sir, we have a chest beneath the hatches,
1192 caulked and bitumed ready.
PERICLES
1193 I thank thee, mariner. Say, what coast is this?
SECOND SAILOR 1194 We are near Tarsus.
PERICLES 1195 Thither, gentle mariner.
1196 80 Alter thy course for Tyre. When canst thou reach it?
SECOND SAILOR 1197 By break of day if the wind cease.
1199 There will I visit Cleon, for the babe
1200 Cannot hold out to Tyrus. There I’ll leave it
1201 85 At careful nursing. Go thy ways, good mariner.
1202 I’ll bring the body presently.
⌜They⌝ exit.
CERIMON 1203 Philemon, ho!
Enter Philemon.
PHILEMON 1204 Doth my lord call?
CERIMON 1205 Get fire and meat for these poor men.
1206 ’T has been a turbulent and stormy night.
⌜Philemon exits.⌝
⌜FIRST SUPPLIANT⌝
1207 5 I have been in many; but such a night as this,
1208 Till now, I ne’er endured.
CERIMON
1209 Your master will be dead ere you return.
1210 There’s nothing can be ministered to nature
1211 That can recover him. ⌜To Second Suppliant.⌝ Give
1212 10 this to the ’pothecary,
1213 And tell me how it works.⌜Suppliants exit.⌝
Enter two Gentlemen.
FIRST GENTLEMAN 1214 Good morrow.
SECOND GENTLEMAN 1215 Good morrow to your Lordship.
CERIMON
1216 Gentlemen, why do you stir so early?
FIRST GENTLEMAN 1217 15 Sir,
1218 Our lodgings, standing bleak upon the sea,
1219 Shook as the earth did quake.
1221 And all to topple. Pure surprise and fear
1222 20 Made me to quit the house.
SECOND GENTLEMAN
1223 That is the cause we trouble you so early.
1224 ’Tis not our husbandry.
CERIMON 1225 O, you say well.
FIRST GENTLEMAN
1226 But I much marvel that your Lordship, having
1227 25 Rich tire about you, should at these early hours
1228 Shake off the golden slumber of repose.
1229 ’Tis most strange
1230 Nature should be so conversant with pain,
1231 Being thereto not compelled.
CERIMON 1232 30 I hold it ever
1233 Virtue and cunning were endowments greater
1234 Than nobleness and riches. Careless heirs
1235 May the two latter darken and expend,
1236 But immortality attends the former,
1237 35 Making a man a god. ’Tis known I ever
1238 Have studied physic, through which secret art,
1239 By turning o’er authorities, I have,
1240 Together with my practice, made familiar
1241 To me and to my aid the blessed infusions
1242 40 That dwells in vegetives, in metals, stones;
1243 And can speak of the disturbances
1244 That Nature works, and of her cures; which doth
1245 give me
1246 A more content in course of true delight
1247 45 Than to be thirsty after tottering honor,
1248 Or tie my pleasure up in silken bags
1249 To please the fool and death.
SECOND GENTLEMAN
1250 Your Honor has through Ephesus poured forth
1251 Your charity, and hundreds call themselves
1252 50 Your creatures, who by you have been restored;
1254 Your purse, still open, hath built Lord Cerimon
1255 Such strong renown, as time shall never—
Enter two or three ⌜Servants⌝ with a chest.
SERVANT
1256 So, lift there.
CERIMON 1257 55 What’s that?
SERVANT 1258 Sir, even now
1259 Did the sea toss up upon our shore this chest.
1260 ’Tis of some wrack.
CERIMON 1261 Set ’t down. Let’s look upon ’t.
SECOND GENTLEMAN
1262 60 ’Tis like a coffin, sir.
CERIMON 1263 What e’er it be,
1264 ’Tis wondrous heavy. Wrench it open straight.
1265 If the sea’s stomach be o’ercharged with gold,
1266 ’Tis a good constraint of Fortune it belches upon us.
SECOND GENTLEMAN
1267 65 ’Tis so, my lord.
CERIMON 1268 How close ’tis caulked and ⌜bitumed!⌝
1269 Did the sea cast it up?
SERVANT
1270 I never saw so huge a billow, sir,
1271 As tossed it upon shore.
CERIMON 1272 70 Wrench it open.
1273 Soft! It smells most sweetly in my sense.
SECOND GENTLEMAN 1274 A delicate odor.
CERIMON
1275 As ever hit my nostril. So, up with it.
⌜They open the chest.⌝
1276 O, you most potent gods! What’s here? A corse?
SECOND GENTLEMAN 1277 75Most strange!
CERIMON
1278 Shrouded in cloth of state, balmed and entreasured
1279 With full bags of spices. A passport too!
⌜He reads.⌝
1281 Here I give to understand,
1282 80 If e’er this coffin drives aland,
1283 I, King Pericles, have lost
1284 This queen, worth all our mundane cost.
1285 Who finds her, give her burying.
1286 She was the daughter of a king.
1287 85 Besides this treasure for a fee,
1288 The gods requite his charity.
1289 If thou livest, Pericles, thou hast a heart
1290 That ever cracks for woe. This chanced tonight.
SECOND GENTLEMAN
1291 Most likely, sir.
CERIMON 1292 90 Nay, certainly tonight,
1293 For look how fresh she looks. They were too rough
1294 That threw her in the sea.—Make a fire within;
1295 Fetch hither all my boxes in my closet.
⌜A servant exits.⌝
1296 Death may usurp on nature many hours,
1297 95 And yet the fire of life kindle again
1298 The o’erpressed spirits. I heard of an Egyptian
1299 That had nine hours lain dead,
1300 Who was by good appliance recoverèd.
Enter one with ⌜boxes,⌝ napkins, and fire.
1301 Well said, well said! The fire and cloths.
1302 100 The rough and woeful music that we have,
1303 Cause it to sound, beseech you. ⌜Music sounds.⌝ The
1304 viol once more!
1305 How thou stirr’st, thou block! The music there.
⌜Music sounds.⌝
1306 I pray you, give her air. Gentlemen,
1307 105 This queen will live. Nature awakes a ⌜warm⌝ breath
1308 Out of her. She hath not been entranced
1310 Into life’s flower again.
FIRST GENTLEMAN 1311 The heavens, through you,
1312 110 Increase our wonder, and sets up your fame
1313 Forever.
CERIMON 1314 She is alive. Behold her eyelids—
1315 Cases to those heavenly jewels which Pericles hath
1316 lost—
1317 115 Begin to part their fringes of bright gold.
1318 The diamonds of a most praised water doth
1319 Appear to make the world twice rich.—Live,
1320 And make us weep to hear your fate, fair creature,
1321 Rare as you seem to be.
She moves.
THAISA 1322 120 O dear Diana,
1323 Where am I? Where’s my lord? What world is this?
SECOND GENTLEMAN 1324 Is not this strange?
FIRST GENTLEMAN 1325 Most rare!
CERIMON 1326 Hush, my gentle neighbors!
1327 125 Lend me your hands. To the next chamber bear her.
1328 Get linen. Now this matter must be looked to,
1329 For her relapse is mortal. Come, come;
1330 And Aesculapius guide us.
They carry her away ⌜as⌝ they all exit.
Lychorida with the child.⌝
PERICLES
1331 Most honored Cleon, I must needs be gone.
1332 My twelve months are expired, and Tyrus stands
1333 In a litigious peace. You and your lady
1334 Take from my heart all thankfulness. The gods
1335 5 Make up the rest upon you.
1336 Your shakes of fortune, though they haunt you
1337 mortally,
1338 Yet glance full wond’ringly on us.
DIONYZA
1339 O, your sweet queen! That the strict Fates had pleased
1340 10 You had brought her hither to have blessed mine
1341 eyes with her!
PERICLES
1342 We cannot but obey the powers above us.
1343 Could I rage and roar as doth the sea
1344 She lies in, yet the end must be as ’tis.
1345 15 My gentle babe Marina,
1346 Whom, for she was born at sea, I have named so,
1347 Here I charge your charity withal,
1348 Leaving her the infant of your care,
1349 Beseeching you to give her princely training,
1350 20 That she may be mannered as she is born.
CLEON 1351 Fear not, my lord, but think
1352 Your Grace, that fed my country with your corn,
1353 For which the people’s prayers still fall upon you,
1354 Must in your child be thought on. If neglection
1355 25 Should therein make me vile, the common body,
1356 By you relieved, would force me to my duty.
1357 But if to that my nature need a spur,
1358 The gods revenge it upon me and mine,
1359 To the end of generation!
PERICLES 1360 30 I believe you.
1361 Your honor and your goodness teach me to ’t
1362 Without your vows.—Till she be married, madam,
1363 By bright Diana, whom we honor, all
1364 ⌜Unscissored⌝ shall this hair of mine remain,
1365 35 Though I show ⌜ill⌝ in ’t. So I take my leave.
1366 Good madam, make me blessèd in your care
1367 In bringing up my child.
1369 Who shall not be more dear to my respect
1370 40 Than yours, my lord.
PERICLES 1371 Madam, my thanks and prayers.
CLEON
1372 We’ll bring your Grace e’en to the edge o’ th’ shore,
1373 Then give you up to the maskèd Neptune
1374 And the gentlest winds of heaven.
PERICLES
1375 45 I will embrace your offer.—Come, dearest madam.—
1376 O, no tears, Lychorida, no tears!
1377 Look to your little mistress, on whose grace
1378 You may depend hereafter.—Come, my lord.
⌜They exit.⌝
CERIMON
1379 Madam, this letter and some certain jewels
1380 Lay with you in your coffer, which are
1381 At your command. Know you the character?
⌜He shows her the letter.⌝
THAISA
1382 It is my lord’s. That I was shipped at sea
1383 5 I well remember, even on my ⌜bearing⌝ time,
1384 But whether there delivered, by the holy gods
1385 I cannot rightly say. But since King Pericles,
1386 My wedded lord, I ne’er shall see again,
1387 A vestal livery will I take me to,
1388 10 And never more have joy.
CERIMON 1389 Madam, if this
1390 You purpose as you speak, Diana’s temple
1391 Is not distant far, where you may abide
1393 15 Please, a niece of mine shall there attend you.
THAISA
1394 My recompense is thanks, that’s all;
1395 Yet my good will is great, though the gift small.
⌜They⌝ exit.
⌜GOWER⌝
1396 Imagine Pericles arrived at Tyre,
1397 Welcomed and settled to his own desire.
1398 His woeful queen we leave at Ephesus,
1399 Unto Diana there ’s a votaress.
1400 5 Now to Marina bend your mind,
1401 Whom our fast-growing scene must find
1402 At Tarsus, and by Cleon trained
1403 In ⌜music,⌝ letters; who hath gained
1404 Of education all the grace
1405 10 Which makes high both the art and place
1406 Of general wonder. But, alack,
1407 That monster envy, oft the wrack
1408 Of earnèd praise, Marina’s life
1409 ⌜Seeks⌝ to take off by treason’s knife.
1410 15 And in this kind our Cleon hath
1411 One daughter and a full grown wench,
1412 Even ⌜ripe⌝ for marriage ⌜rite.⌝ This maid
1413 Hight Philoten, and it is said
1414 For certain in our story she
1415 20 Would ever with Marina be.
1416 Be ’t when they weaved the sleided silk
1417 With fingers long, small, white as milk;
1418 Or when she would with sharp needle wound
1419 The cambric, which she made more sound
1421 She sung, and made the night ⌜bird⌝ mute,
1422 That still records with moan; or when
1423 She would with rich and constant pen
1424 Vail to her mistress Dian, still
1425 30 This Philoten contends in skill
1426 With absolute Marina. So
1427 ⌜With⌝ the dove of Paphos might the crow
1428 Vie feathers white. Marina gets
1429 All praises, which are paid as debts
1430 35 And not as given. This so darks
1431 In Philoten all graceful marks
1432 That Cleon’s wife, with envy rare,
1433 A present murderer does prepare
1434 For good Marina, that her daughter
1435 40 Might stand peerless by this slaughter.
1436 The sooner her vile thoughts to stead,
1437 Lychorida, our nurse, is dead,
1438 And cursèd Dionyza hath
1439 The pregnant instrument of wrath
1440 45 Prest for this blow. The unborn event
1441 I do commend to your content.
1442 Only I ⌜carry⌝ wingèd Time
1443 Post on the lame feet of my rhyme,
1444 Which never could I so convey
1445 50 Unless your thoughts went on my way.
1446 Dionyza does appear,
1447 With Leonine, a murderer.
He exits.
DIONYZA
1448 Thy oath remember. Thou hast sworn to do ’t.
1449 ’Tis but a blow which never shall be known.
1451 To yield thee so much profit. Let not conscience,
1452 5 Which is but cold in flaming, thy bosom inflame
1453 Too nicely. Nor let pity, which even women
1454 Have cast off, melt thee; but be a soldier
1455 To thy purpose.
LEONINE 1456 I will do ’t; but yet
1457 10 She is a goodly creature.
DIONYZA 1458 The fitter, then,
1459 The gods should have her. Here she comes weeping
1460 For her only mistress’ death. Thou art resolved?
LEONINE 1461 I am resolved.
Enter Marina with a basket of flowers.
MARINA
1462 15 No, I will rob Tellus of her weed
1463 To strew thy green with flowers. The yellows, blues,
1464 The purple violets and marigolds
1465 Shall as a carpet hang upon thy grave
1466 While summer days doth last. Ay me, poor maid,
1467 20 Born in a tempest when my mother died,
1468 This world to me is ⌜as⌝ a lasting storm,
1469 Whirring me from my friends.
DIONYZA
1470 How now, Marina? Why do you keep alone?
1471 How chance my daughter is not with you?
1472 25 Do not consume your blood with sorrowing.
1473 Have you a nurse of me! Lord, how your favor ’s
1474 Changed with this unprofitable woe.
1475 Come, give me your flowers. ⌜O’er the sea marge⌝
1476 Walk with Leonine. The air is quick there,
1477 30 And it pierces and sharpens the stomach.—Come,
1478 Leonine,
1479 Take her by the arm. Walk with her.
MARINA 1480 No,
1481 I pray you, I’ll not bereave you of your servant.
1483 I love the king your father and yourself
1484 With more than foreign heart. We every day
1485 Expect him here. When he shall come and find
1486 Our paragon to all reports thus blasted,
1487 40 He will repent the breadth of his great voyage,
1488 Blame both my lord and me that we have taken
1489 No care to your best courses. Go, I pray you,
1490 Walk, and be cheerful once again. Reserve
1491 That excellent complexion, which did steal
1492 45 The eyes of young and old. Care not for me.
1493 I can go home alone.
MARINA 1494 Well, I will go,
1495 But yet I have no desire to it.
DIONYZA 1496 Come, come,
1497 50 I know ’tis good for you.—Walk half an hour,
1498 Leonine, at the least. Remember
1499 What I have said.
LEONINE 1500 I warrant you, madam.
DIONYZA
1501 I’ll leave you, my sweet lady, for a while.
1502 55 Pray walk softly; do not heat your blood.
1503 What, I must have care of you.
MARINA 1504 My thanks, sweet madam.⌜Dionyza exits.⌝
1505 Is this wind westerly that blows?
LEONINE 1506 Southwest.
MARINA
1507 60 When I was born, the wind was north.
LEONINE 1508 Was ’t so?
MARINA
1509 My father, as nurse says, did never fear,
1510 But cried “Good seamen!” to the sailors,
1511 Galling his kingly hands haling ropes,
1512 65 And, clasping to the mast, endured a sea
1513 That almost burst the deck.
LEONINE 1514 When was this?
1516 Never was waves nor wind more violent,
1517 70 And from the ladder-tackle washes off
1518 A canvas-climber. “Ha!” says one, “Wolt out?”
1519 And with a dropping industry they skip
1520 From stern to stern. The Boatswain whistles, and
1521 The Master calls and trebles their confusion.
LEONINE 1522 75Come, say your prayers.
⌜He draws his sword.⌝
MARINA 1523 What mean you?
LEONINE
1524 If you require a little space for prayer,
1525 I grant it. Pray, but be not tedious, for
1526 The gods are quick of ear, and I am sworn
1527 80 To do my work with haste.
MARINA 1528 Why will you kill me?
LEONINE 1529 To satisfy my lady.
MARINA 1530 Why would she have me killed?
1531 Now, as I can remember, by my troth,
1532 85 I never did her hurt in all my life.
1533 I never spake bad word, nor did ill turn
1534 To any living creature. Believe me, la,
1535 I never killed a mouse, nor hurt a fly.
1536 I trod upon a worm against my will,
1537 90 But I wept for ’t. How have I offended
1538 Wherein my death might yield her any profit
1539 Or my life imply her any danger?
LEONINE 1540 My commission
1541 Is not to reason of the deed, but do ’t.
MARINA
1542 95 You will not do ’t for all the world, I hope.
1543 You are well-favored, and your looks foreshow
1544 You have a gentle heart. I saw you lately
1545 When you caught hurt in parting two that fought.
1546 Good sooth, it showed well in you. Do so now.
1548 And save poor me, the weaker.
LEONINE 1549 I am sworn
1550 And will dispatch.⌜He seizes her.⌝
Enter Pirates.
FIRST PIRATE 1551 Hold, villain!⌜Leonine runs offstage.⌝
SECOND PIRATE 1552 105A prize, a prize!⌜He seizes Marina.⌝
THIRD PIRATE 1553 Half-part, mates, half-part. Come, let’s
1554 have her aboard suddenly.
⌜They⌝ exit, ⌜carrying Marina.⌝
Enter Leonine.
LEONINE
1555 These roguing thieves serve the great pirate Valdes,
1556 And they have seized Marina. Let her go.
1557 110 There’s no hope she will return. I’ll swear she’s dead,
1558 And thrown into the sea. But I’ll see further.
1559 Perhaps they will but please themselves upon her,
1560 Not carry her aboard. If she remain,
1561 Whom they have ravished must by me be slain.
He exits.
PANDER 1562 Bolt!
BOLT 1563 Sir?
PANDER 1564 Search the market narrowly. Mytilene is full
1565 of gallants. We lost too much money this mart by
1566 5 being too wenchless.
BAWD 1567 We were never so much out of creatures. We
1568 have but poor three, and they can do no more than
1569 they can do; and they with continual action are
1570 even as good as rotten.
1572 pay for them. If there be not a conscience to be
1573 used in every trade, we shall never prosper.
BAWD 1574 Thou sayst true. ’Tis not our bringing up of poor
1575 bastards—as I think I have brought up some
1576 15 eleven—
BOLT 1577 Ay, to eleven, and brought them down again. But
1578 shall I search the market?
BAWD 1579 What else, man? The stuff we have, a strong
1580 wind will blow it to pieces, they are so pitifully
1581 20 sodden.
PANDER 1582 Thou sayst true. There’s two unwholesome, a’
1583 conscience. The poor Transylvanian is dead that
1584 lay with the little baggage.
BOLT 1585 Ay, she quickly pooped him. She made him
1586 25 roast-meat for worms. But I’ll go search the
1587 market.He exits.
PANDER 1588 Three or four thousand chequins were as
1589 pretty a proportion to live quietly, and so give over.
BAWD 1590 Why to give over, I pray you? Is it a shame to get
1591 30 when we are old?
PANDER 1592 O, our credit comes not in like the commodity,
1593 nor the commodity wages not with the danger.
1594 Therefore, if in our youths we could pick up some
1595 pretty estate, ’twere not amiss to keep our door
1596 35 hatched. Besides, the sore terms we stand upon
1597 with the gods will be strong with us for giving o’er.
BAWD 1598 Come, other sorts offend as well as we.
PANDER 1599 As well as we? Ay, and better too; we offend
1600 worse. Neither is our profession any trade; it’s no
1601 40 calling. But here comes Bolt.
Enter Bolt with the Pirates and Marina.
BOLT 1602 Come your ways, my masters. You say she’s a
1603 virgin?
⌜PIRATE⌝ 1604 O, sir, we doubt it not.
1606 45 see. If you like her, so; if not, I have lost my
1607 earnest.
BAWD 1608 Bolt, has she any qualities?
BOLT 1609 She has a good face, speaks well, and has excellent
1610 good clothes. There’s no farther necessity of
1611 50 qualities can make her be refused.
BAWD 1612 What’s her price, Bolt?
BOLT 1613 I cannot be bated one doit of a thousand pieces.
PANDER 1614 Well, follow me, my masters; you shall have
1615 your money presently.—Wife, take her in. Instruct
1616 55 her what she has to do, that she may not be raw in
1617 her entertainment.⌜He exits with Pirates.⌝
BAWD 1618 Bolt, take you the marks of her: the color of her
1619 hair, complexion, height, her age, with warrant of
1620 her virginity, and cry “He that will give most shall
1621 60 have her first.” Such a maidenhead were no cheap
1622 thing, if men were as they have been. Get this done
1623 as I command you.
BOLT 1624 Performance shall follow.He exits.
MARINA
1625 Alack that Leonine was so slack, so slow!
1626 65 He should have struck, not spoke. Or that these
1627 pirates,
1628 Not enough barbarous, had ⌜but⌝ o’erboard thrown me
1629 For to seek my mother.
BAWD 1630 Why lament you, pretty one?
MARINA 1631 70That I am pretty.
BAWD 1632 Come, the gods have done their part in you.
MARINA 1633 I accuse them not.
BAWD 1634 You are light into my hands, where you are like
1635 to live.
MARINA 1636 75The more my fault, to ’scape his hands where
1637 I was to die.
BAWD 1638 Ay, and you shall live in pleasure.
MARINA 1639 No.
1641 80 fashions. You shall fare well; you shall have the
1642 difference of all complexions. What, do you stop
1643 your ears?
MARINA 1644 Are you a woman?
BAWD 1645 What would you have me be, an I be not a
1646 85 woman?
MARINA 1647 An honest woman, or not a woman.
BAWD 1648 Marry, whip the gosling! I think I shall have
1649 something to do with you. Come, you’re a young
1650 foolish sapling, and must be bowed as I would
1651 90 have you.
MARINA 1652 The gods defend me!
BAWD 1653 If it please the gods to defend you by men, then
1654 men must comfort you, men must feed you, men
1655 stir you up. Bolt’s returned.
⌜Enter Bolt.⌝
1656 95 Now, sir, hast thou cried her through the market?
BOLT 1657 I have cried her almost to the number of her
1658 hairs. I have drawn her picture with my voice.
BAWD 1659 And I prithee tell me, how dost thou find the inclination
1660 of the people, especially of the younger
1661 100 sort?
BOLT 1662 Faith, they listened to me as they would have
1663 hearkened to their father’s testament. There was a
1664 Spaniard’s mouth watered an he went to bed to her
1665 very description.
BAWD 1666 105We shall have him here tomorrow with his best
1667 ruff on.
BOLT 1668 Tonight, tonight! But, mistress, do you know the
1669 French knight that cowers i’ the hams?
BAWD 1670 Who? Monsieur Verolles?
BOLT 1671 110Ay, he. He offered to cut a caper at the proclamation,
1672 but he made a groan at it and swore he would
1673 see her tomorrow.
1675 hither; here he does but repair it. I know he will
1676 115 come in our shadow, to scatter his crowns in the
1677 sun.
BOLT 1678 Well, if we had of every nation a traveler, we
1679 should lodge them with this sign.
BAWD, ⌜to Marina⌝ 1680 Pray you, come hither awhile. You
1681 120 have fortunes coming upon you. Mark me: you
1682 must seem to do that fearfully which you commit
1683 willingly, despise profit where you have most gain.
1684 To weep that you live as you do makes pity in your
1685 lovers. Seldom but that pity begets you a good
1686 125 opinion, and that opinion a mere profit.
MARINA 1687 I understand you not.
BOLT 1688 O, take her home, mistress, take her home!
1689 These blushes of hers must be quenched with
1690 some present practice.
⌜BAWD⌝ 1691 130Thou sayst true, i’ faith, so they must, for your
1692 bride goes to that with shame which is her way to
1693 go with warrant.
BOLT 1694 Faith, some do and some do not. But, mistress,
1695 if I have bargained for the joint—
BAWD 1696 135Thou mayst cut a morsel off the spit.
BOLT 1697 I may so.
BAWD 1698 Who should deny it? Come, young one, I like
1699 the manner of your garments well.
BOLT 1700 Ay, by my faith, they shall not be changed yet.
BAWD 1701 140Bolt, spend thou that in the town. (⌜She gives him
money.⌝) 1702 Report what a sojourner we have. You’ll
1703 lose nothing by custom. When Nature framed this
1704 piece, she meant thee a good turn. Therefore say
1705 what a paragon she is, and thou hast the harvest
1706 145 out of thine own report.
BOLT 1707 I warrant you, mistress, thunder shall not so
1708 awake the beds of eels as my giving out her beauty
1709 stirs up the lewdly inclined. I’ll bring home some
1710 tonight.
MARINA
1712 If fires be hot, knives sharp, or waters deep,
1713 Untied I still my virgin knot will keep.
1714 Diana aid my purpose!
BAWD 1715 What have we to do with Diana, pray you? Will
1716 155 you go with us?
⌜They⌝ exit.
DIONYZA
1717 Why, ⌜are⌝ you foolish? Can it be undone?
CLEON
1718 O Dionyza, such a piece of slaughter
1719 The sun and moon ne’er looked upon!
DIONYZA 1720 I think you’ll turn a child again.
CLEON
1721 5 Were I chief lord of all this spacious world,
1722 I’d give it to undo the deed. ⌜A⌝ lady
1723 Much less in blood than virtue, yet a princess
1724 To equal any single crown o’ th’ Earth
1725 I’ the justice of compare. O villain Leonine,
1726 10 Whom thou hast poisoned too!
1727 If thou hadst drunk to him, ’t had been a kindness
1728 Becoming well thy face. What canst thou say
1729 When noble Pericles shall demand his child?
DIONYZA
1730 That she is dead. Nurses are not the Fates.
1731 15 To foster ⌜is⌝ not ever to preserve.
1732 She died at night; I’ll say so. Who can cross it
1733 Unless you play the impious innocent
1734 And, for an honest attribute, cry out
1735 “She died by foul play!”
1737 Of all the faults beneath the heavens, the gods
1738 Do like this worst.
DIONYZA 1739 Be one of those that thinks
1740 The petty wrens of Tarsus will fly hence
1741 25 And open this to Pericles. I do shame
1742 To think of what a noble strain you are,
1743 And of how coward a spirit.
CLEON 1744 To such proceeding
1745 Whoever but his approbation added,
1746 30 Though not his ⌜prime⌝ consent, he did not flow
1747 From honorable courses.
DIONYZA 1748 Be it so, then.
1749 Yet none does know but you how she came dead,
1750 Nor none can know, Leonine being gone.
1751 35 She did ⌜distain⌝ my child and stood between
1752 Her and her fortunes. None would look on her,
1753 But cast their gazes on Marina’s face,
1754 Whilst ours was blurted at and held a malkin
1755 Not worth the time of day. It pierced me through,
1756 40 And though you call my course unnatural,
1757 You not your child well loving, yet I find
1758 It greets me as an enterprise of kindness
1759 Performed to your sole daughter.
CLEON 1760 Heavens forgive it.
DIONYZA 1761 45And as for Pericles,
1762 What should he say? We wept after her hearse,
1763 And yet we mourn. Her monument is
1764 Almost finished, and her epitaphs
1765 In glitt’ring golden characters express
1766 50 A general praise to her, and care in us
1767 At whose expense ’tis done.
CLEON 1768 Thou art like the Harpy,
1769 Which, to betray, dost with thine angel’s face
1770 Seize with thine eagle’s talons.
1771 55 You’re like one that superstitiously
1772 Do swear to the gods that winter kills the flies.
1773 But yet I know you’ll do as I advise.
⌜They exit.⌝
GOWER
1774 Thus time we waste, and long leagues make short,
1775 Sail seas in cockles, have and wish but for ’t,
1776 Making to take our imagination
1777 From bourn to bourn, region to region.
1778 5 By you being pardoned, we commit no crime
1779 To use one language in each several clime
1780 Where our scenes seems to live. I do beseech you
1781 To learn of me, who stand ⌜in the⌝ gaps to teach you
1782 The stages of our story. Pericles
1783 10 Is now again thwarting ⌜the⌝ wayward seas,
1784 Attended on by many a lord and knight,
1785 To see his daughter, all his life’s delight.
1786 Old Helicanus goes along. Behind
1787 Is left to govern it, you bear in mind,
1788 15 Old Escanes, whom Helicanus late
1789 Advanced in time to great and high estate.
1790 Well-sailing ships and bounteous winds have brought
1791 This king to Tarsus—think ⌜his⌝ pilot thought;
1792 So with his steerage shall your thoughts ⌜go on⌝—
1793 20 To fetch his daughter home, who first is gone.
1794 Like motes and shadows see them move awhile;
1795 Your ears unto your eyes I’ll reconcile.
Enter Pericles at one door, with all his train, Cleon and
Dionyza at the other. Cleon shows Pericles the tomb,
and in a mighty passion departs. ⌜Cleon and Dionyza exit.⌝
1796 See how belief may suffer by foul show!
1797 This borrowed passion stands for true old woe.
1798 25 And Pericles, in sorrow all devoured,
1799 With sighs shot through and biggest tears
1800 o’ershowered,
1801 Leaves Tarsus and again embarks. He swears
1802 Never to wash his face nor cut his hairs.
1803 30 He ⌜puts⌝ on sackcloth, and to sea. He bears
1804 A tempest which his mortal vessel tears,
1805 And yet he rides it out. Now please you wit
1806 The epitaph is for Marina writ
1807 By wicked Dionyza:
1808 35 The fairest, sweetest, and best lies here,
1809 Who withered in her spring of year.
1810 She was of Tyrus, the King’s daughter,
1811 On whom foul death hath made this slaughter.
1812 Marina was she called, and at her birth,
1813 40 Thetis, being proud, swallowed some part o’ th’ earth.
1814 Therefore the Earth, fearing to be o’erflowed,
1815 Hath Thetis’ birth-child on the heavens bestowed.
1816 Wherefore she does—and swears she’ll never stint—
1817 Make raging battery upon shores of flint.
1818 45 No visor does become black villainy
1819 So well as soft and tender flattery.
1820 Let Pericles believe his daughter’s dead,
1821 And bear his courses to be orderèd
1822 By Lady Fortune, while our ⌜scene⌝ must play
1823 50 His daughter’s woe and heavy welladay
1824 In her unholy service. Patience, then,
1825 And think you now are all in Mytilene.He exits.
FIRST GENTLEMAN 1826 Did you ever hear the like?
SECOND GENTLEMAN 1827 No, nor never shall do in such a
1828 place as this, she being once gone.
FIRST GENTLEMAN 1829 But to have divinity preached there!
1830 5 Did you ever dream of such a thing?
SECOND GENTLEMAN 1831 No, no. Come, I am for no more
1832 bawdy houses. Shall ’s go hear the vestals sing?
FIRST GENTLEMAN 1833 I’ll do anything now that is virtuous,
1834 but I am out of the road of rutting forever.
⌜They⌝ exit.
PANDER 1835 Well, I had rather than twice the worth of her
1836 she had ne’er come here.
BAWD 1837 Fie, fie upon her! She’s able to freeze the god
1838 Priapus and undo a whole generation. We must
1839 5 either get her ravished or be rid of her. When she
1840 should do for clients her fitment and do me the
1841 kindness of our profession, she has me her quirks,
1842 her reasons, her master reasons, her prayers, her
1843 knees, that she would make a puritan of the devil if
1844 10 he should cheapen a kiss of her.
BOLT 1845 Faith, I must ravish her, or she’ll disfurnish us of
1846 all our cavalleria, and make our swearers priests.
PANDER 1847 Now the pox upon her greensickness for me!
BAWD 1848 Faith, there’s no way to be rid on ’t but by the
1849 15 way to the pox.
Enter Lysimachus.
1850 Here comes the Lord Lysimachus disguised.
1852 baggage would but give way to customers.
LYSIMACHUS, ⌜removing his disguise⌝ 1853 How now! How a
1854 20 dozen of virginities?
BAWD 1855 Now the gods to-bless your Honor!
BOLT 1856 I am glad to see your Honor in good health.
LYSIMACHUS 1857 You may so. ’Tis the better for you that
1858 your resorters stand upon sound legs. How now?
1859 25 Wholesome iniquity have you that a man may deal
1860 withal and defy the surgeon?
BAWD 1861 We have here one, sir, if she would—but there
1862 never came her like in Mytilene.
LYSIMACHUS 1863 If she’d do the deeds of darkness, thou
1864 30 wouldst say?
BAWD 1865 Your Honor knows what ’tis to say, well enough.
LYSIMACHUS 1866 Well, call forth, call forth.⌜Pander exits.⌝
BOLT 1867 For flesh and blood, sir, white and red, you shall
1868 see a rose; and she were a rose indeed, if she had
1869 35 but—
LYSIMACHUS 1870 What, prithee?
BOLT 1871 O, sir, I can be modest.
LYSIMACHUS 1872 That ⌜dignifies⌝ the renown of a bawd no
1873 less than it gives a good report to a number to be
1874 40 chaste.
⌜Enter Pander with Marina.⌝
BAWD 1875 Here comes that which grows to the stalk, never
1876 plucked yet, I can assure you. Is she not a fair
1877 creature?
LYSIMACHUS 1878 Faith, she would serve after a long voyage
1879 45 at sea. Well, there’s for you.⌜He gives money.⌝
1880 Leave us.
BAWD 1881 I beseech your Honor, give me leave a word, and
1882 I’ll have done presently.
LYSIMACHUS 1883 I beseech you, do.⌜He moves aside.⌝
BAWD, ⌜to Marina⌝ 1884 50First, I would have you note this is
1885 an honorable man.
1887 note him.
BAWD 1888 Next, he’s the governor of this country and a
1889 55 man whom I am bound to.
MARINA 1890 If he govern the country, you are bound to him
1891 indeed, but how honorable he is in that I know
1892 not.
BAWD 1893 Pray you, without any more virginal fencing,
1894 60 will you use him kindly? He will line your apron
1895 with gold.
MARINA 1896 What he will do graciously, I will thankfully
1897 receive.
LYSIMACHUS, ⌜coming forward⌝ 1898 Ha’ you done?
BAWD 1899 65My lord, she’s not paced yet. You must take some
1900 pains to work her to your manage.—Come, we will
1901 leave his Honor and her together. Go thy ways.
⌜Bawd, Pander, and Bolt exit.⌝
LYSIMACHUS 1902 Now, pretty one, how long have you been
1903 at this trade?
MARINA 1904 70What trade, sir?
LYSIMACHUS 1905 Why, I cannot ⌜name ’t⌝ but I shall offend.
MARINA 1906 I cannot be offended with my trade. Please
1907 you to name it.
LYSIMACHUS 1908 How long have you been of this profession?
MARINA 1909 75E’er since I can remember.
LYSIMACHUS 1910 Did you go to ’t so young? Were you a
1911 gamester at five or at seven?
MARINA 1912 Earlier too, sir, if now I be one.
LYSIMACHUS 1913 Why, the house you dwell in proclaims
1914 80 you to be a creature of sale.
MARINA 1915 Do you know this house to be a place of such
1916 resort, and will come into ’t? I hear say you’re of
1917 honorable parts and are the governor of this place.
LYSIMACHUS 1918 Why, hath your principal made known
1919 85 unto you who I am?
MARINA 1920 Who is my principal?
1922 seeds and roots of shame and iniquity. O, you have
1923 heard something of my power, and so stand ⌜aloof⌝
1924 90 for more serious wooing. But I protest to thee,
1925 pretty one, my authority shall not see thee, or else
1926 look friendly upon thee. Come, bring me to some
1927 private place. Come, come.
MARINA
1928 If you were born to honor, show it now;
1929 95 If put upon you, make the judgment good
1930 That thought you worthy of it.
LYSIMACHUS
1931 How’s this? How’s this? Some more. Be sage.
MARINA 1932 For me
1933 That am a maid, though most ungentle Fortune
1934 100 Have placed me in this sty, where, since I came,
1935 Diseases have been sold dearer than physic—
1936 That the gods
1937 Would set me free from this unhallowed place,
1938 Though they did change me to the meanest bird
1939 105 That flies i’ the purer air!
LYSIMACHUS 1940 I did not think
1941 Thou couldst have spoke so well, ne’er dreamt thou
1942 couldst.
1943 Had I brought hither a corrupted mind,
1944 110 Thy speech had altered it. Hold, here’s gold for thee.
1945 Persevere in that clear way thou goest
1946 And the gods strengthen thee!⌜He gives her money.⌝
MARINA 1947 The good gods preserve you.
LYSIMACHUS 1948 For me, be you thoughten
1949 115 That I came with no ill intent, for to me
1950 The very doors and windows savor vilely.
1951 Fare thee well. Thou art a piece of virtue,
1952 And I doubt not but thy training hath been noble.
1953 Hold, here’s more gold for thee.⌜He gives her money.⌝
1954 120 A curse upon him, die he like a thief,
1956 Hear from me, it shall be for thy good.
⌜He begins to exit.⌝
BOLT, ⌜at the door⌝ 1957 I beseech your Honor, one piece
1958 for me.
LYSIMACHUS 1959 125Avaunt, thou damnèd doorkeeper!
1960 Your house, but for this virgin that doth prop it,
1961 Would sink and overwhelm you. Away!⌜He exits.⌝
BOLT 1962 How’s this? We must take another course with
1963 you! If your peevish chastity, which is not worth a
1964 130 breakfast in the cheapest country under the cope,
1965 shall undo a whole household, let me be gelded
1966 like a spaniel. Come your ways.
MARINA 1967 Whither would you have me?
BOLT 1968 I must have your maidenhead taken off, or the
1969 135 common hangman shall execute it. Come your
1970 way. We’ll have no more gentlemen driven away.
1971 Come your ways, I say.
Enter ⌜Bawd and Pander.⌝
BAWD 1972 How now, what’s the matter?
BOLT 1973 Worse and worse, mistress. She has here spoken
1974 140 holy words to the Lord Lysimachus!
BAWD 1975 O, abominable!
BOLT 1976 He makes our profession as it were to stink afore
1977 the face of the gods.
BAWD 1978 Marry, hang her up forever.
BOLT 1979 145The nobleman would have dealt with her like a
1980 nobleman, and she sent him away as cold as a
1981 snowball, saying his prayers too.
BAWD 1982 Bolt, take her away, use her at thy pleasure,
1983 crack the glass of her virginity, and make the rest
1984 150 malleable.
BOLT 1985 An if she were a thornier piece of ground than
1986 she is, she shall be plowed.
MARINA 1987 Hark, hark, you gods!
1989 155 never come within my doors.—Marry, hang you!—
1990 She’s born to undo us.—Will you not go the way of
1991 womenkind? Marry come up, my dish of chastity
1992 with rosemary and bays!⌜Bawd and Pander exit.⌝
BOLT 1993 Come, mistress, come your way with me.
MARINA 1994 160Whither wilt thou have me?
BOLT 1995 To take from you the jewel you hold so dear.
MARINA 1996 Prithee, tell me one thing first.
BOLT 1997 Come, now, your one thing.
MARINA
1998 What canst thou wish thine enemy to be?
BOLT 1999 165Why, I could wish him to be my master, or
2000 rather, my mistress.
MARINA
2001 Neither of these are so bad as thou art,
2002 Since they do better thee in their command.
2003 Thou hold’st a place for which the pained’st fiend
2004 170 Of hell would not in reputation change.
2005 Thou art the damnèd doorkeeper to every
2006 Coistrel that comes enquiring for his Tib.
2007 To the choleric fisting of every rogue
2008 Thy ear is liable. Thy food is such
2009 175 As hath been belched on by infected lungs.
BOLT 2010 What would you have me do? Go to the wars,
2011 would you, where a man may serve seven years for
2012 the loss of a leg, and have not money enough in the
2013 end to buy him a wooden one?
MARINA
2014 180 Do anything but this thou dost. Empty
2015 Old receptacles, or common shores, of filth;
2016 Serve by indenture to the common hangman.
2017 Any of these ways are yet better than this.
2018 For what thou professest, a baboon, could he speak,
2019 185 Would own a name too dear. That the gods
2020 Would safely deliver me from this place!
2022 If that thy master would gain by me,
2023 Proclaim that I can sing, weave, sew, and dance,
2024 190 With other virtues which I’ll keep from boast,
2025 And will undertake all these to teach.
2026 I doubt not but this populous city
2027 Will yield many scholars.
BOLT 2028 But can you teach all this you speak of?
MARINA
2029 195 Prove that I cannot, take me home again
2030 And prostitute me to the basest groom
2031 That doth frequent your house.
BOLT 2032 Well, I will see what I can do for thee. If I can
2033 place thee, I will.
MARINA 2034 200But amongst honest ⌜women.⌝
BOLT 2035 Faith, my acquaintance lies little amongst them.
2036 But since my master and mistress hath bought
2037 you, there’s no going but by their consent. Therefore
2038 I will make them acquainted with your
2039 205 purpose, and I doubt not but I shall find them
2040 tractable enough. Come, I’ll do for thee what I can.
2041 Come your ways.
They exit.
Enter Gower.
⌜GOWER⌝
2042 Marina thus the brothel ’scapes, and chances
2043 Into an honest house, our story says.
2044 She sings like one immortal, and she dances
2045 As goddesslike to her admirèd lays.
2046 5 Deep clerks she dumbs, and with her neele composes
2047 Nature’s own shape, of bud, bird, branch, or berry,
2048 That even her art sisters the natural roses.
2049 Her inkle, silk, twin with the rubied cherry,
2050 That pupils lacks she none of noble race,
2051 10 Who pour their bounty on her, and her gain
2052 She gives the cursèd bawd. Here we her place,
2053 And to her father turn our thoughts again,
2054 Where we left him, on the sea. We there him ⌜lost,⌝
2055 Where, driven before the winds, he is arrived
2056 15 Here where his daughter dwells; and on this coast
2057 Suppose him now at anchor. The city strived
2058 God Neptune’s annual feast to keep, from whence
2059 Lysimachus our Tyrian ship espies,
2060 His banners sable, trimmed with rich expense,
2061 20 And to him in his barge with fervor hies.
2062 In your supposing once more put your sight
2063 Of heavy Pericles. Think this his bark,
2064 Where what is done in action—more, if might—
2065 Shall be discovered. Please you sit and hark.
He exits.
Tyrian ship and one from Mytilene.⌝
TYRIAN SAILOR, ⌜(to Sailor from Mytilene)⌝
2066 Where is Lord Helicanus? He can resolve you.
2067 O, here he is.—
2068 Sir, there is a barge put off from Mytilene,
2069 And in it is Lysimachus, the Governor,
2070 5 Who craves to come aboard. What is your will?
HELICANUS
2071 That he have his.⌜Sailor from Mytilene exits.⌝
2072 Call up some gentlemen.
⌜TYRIAN⌝ SAILOR 2073 Ho, gentlemen, my lord calls.
Enter two or three Gentlemen.
GENTLEMAN
2074 Doth your Lordship call?
HELICANUS 2075 10 Gentlemen,
2076 There is some of worth would come aboard.
2077 I pray, greet him fairly.
Enter Lysimachus, ⌜with Lords and Sailor from Mytilene.⌝
SAILOR ⌜FROM MYTILENE, to Lysimachus⌝ 2078 Sir,
2079 This is the man that can, in aught you would,
2080 15 Resolve you.
LYSIMACHUS, ⌜to Helicanus⌝
2081 Hail, reverend sir. The gods preserve you.
HELICANUS 2082 And you, to outlive the age I am,
2083 And die as I would do.
LYSIMACHUS 2084 You wish me well.
2085 20 Being on shore, honoring of Neptune’s triumphs,
2086 Seeing this goodly vessel ride before us,
2087 I made to it to know of whence you are.
HELICANUS 2088 First, what is your place?
LYSIMACHUS
2089 I am the governor of this place you lie before.
2091 Our vessel is of Tyre, in it the King,
2092 A man who for this three months hath not spoken
2093 To anyone, nor taken sustenance
2094 But to prorogue his grief.
LYSIMACHUS
2095 30 Upon what ground is his distemperature?
HELICANUS 2096 ’Twould be too tedious to repeat,
2097 But the main grief springs from the loss
2098 Of a belovèd daughter and a wife.
LYSIMACHUS 2099 May we not see him?
HELICANUS 2100 35You may,
2101 But bootless is your sight. He will not speak
2102 To any.
⌜LYSIMACHUS⌝ 2103 Yet let me obtain my wish.
⌜HELICANUS⌝
2104 Behold him. ⌜Pericles is revealed.⌝ This was a goodly
2105 40 person,
2106 Till the disaster that one mortal ⌜night⌝
2107 Drove him to this.
LYSIMACHUS
2108 Sir king, all hail! The gods preserve you. Hail,
2109 Royal sir!
HELICANUS
2110 45 It is in vain; he will not speak to you.
LORD
2111 Sir, we have a maid in Mytilene,
2112 I durst wager would win some words of him.
LYSIMACHUS 2113 ’Tis well bethought.
2114 She, questionless, with her sweet harmony
2115 50 And other chosen attractions, would allure
2116 And make a batt’ry through his ⌜defended ports,⌝
2117 Which now are midway stopped.
2118 She is all happy as the fairest of all,
2119 And, ⌜with⌝ her fellow ⌜maid, is⌝ now upon
2120 55 The leafy shelter that abuts against
2121 The island’s side.
2122 Sure, all effectless; yet nothing we’ll omit
2123 That bears recovery’s name.
⌜Lysimachus signals to a Lord, who exits.⌝
2124 But since your kindness
2125 60 We have stretched thus far, let us beseech you
2126 That for our gold we may provision have,
2127 Wherein we are not destitute for want,
2128 But weary for the staleness.
LYSIMACHUS 2129 O, sir, a courtesy
2130 65 Which, if we should deny, the most just God
2131 For every graft would send a caterpillar,
2132 And so inflict our province. Yet once more
2133 Let me entreat to know at large the cause
2134 Of your king’s sorrow.
HELICANUS
2135 70 Sit, sir, I will recount it to you. But see,
2136 I am prevented.
⌜Enter Lord with Marina and her companion.⌝
LYSIMACHUS 2137 O, here’s the lady that I sent for.—
2138 Welcome, fair one.—Is ’t not a goodly ⌜presence?⌝
HELICANUS 2139 She’s a gallant lady.
LYSIMACHUS
2140 75 She’s such a one that, were I well assured
2141 Came of a gentle kind and noble stock,
2142 ⌜I’d⌝ wish no better choice, and think me rarely wed.—
2143 Fair one, all goodness that consists in beauty:
2144 Expect even here, where is a kingly patient,
2145 80 If that thy prosperous and artificial ⌜feat⌝
2146 Can draw him but to answer thee in aught,
2147 Thy sacred physic shall receive such pay
2148 As thy desires can wish.
MARINA 2149 Sir, I will use
2150 85 My utmost skill in his recovery, provided
2151 That none but I and my companion maid
2152 Be suffered to come near him.
2154 Leave her, and the gods make her prosperous.
⌜Lysimachus, Helicanus and others move aside.⌝
⌜MARINA sings⌝
The Song.
LYSIMACHUS, ⌜coming forward⌝
2155 90 ⌜Marked⌝ he your music?
MARINA 2156 No, nor looked on us.
LYSIMACHUS, ⌜moving aside⌝
2157 See, she will speak to him.
MARINA, ⌜to Pericles⌝ 2158 Hail, sir! My lord, lend ear.
PERICLES 2159 Hum, ha!⌜He pushes her away.⌝
MARINA 2160 95I am a maid, my lord,
2161 That ne’er before invited eyes, but have
2162 Been gazed on like a comet. She speaks,
2163 My lord, that may be hath endured a grief
2164 Might equal yours, if both were justly weighed.
2165 100 Though wayward Fortune did malign my state,
2166 My derivation was from ancestors
2167 Who stood equivalent with mighty kings.
2168 But time hath rooted out my parentage,
2169 And to the world and awkward casualties
2170 105 Bound me in servitude. ⌜Aside.⌝ I will desist,
2171 But there is something glows upon my cheek,
2172 And whispers in mine ear “Go not till he speak.”
PERICLES
2173 My fortunes—parentage—good parentage,
2174 To equal mine! Was it not thus? What say you?
MARINA
2175 110 I said, my lord, if you did know my parentage,
2176 You would not do me violence.
PERICLES 2177 I do think so.
2178 Pray you turn your eyes upon me.
2179 ⌜You’re⌝ like something that—What
2180 115 ⌜countrywoman?⌝
2181 Here of these ⌜shores?⌝
2183 Yet I was mortally brought forth, and am
2184 No other than I appear.
PERICLES
2185 120 I am great with woe, and shall deliver weeping.
2186 My dearest wife was like this maid, and such
2187 A one my daughter might have been: my queen’s
2188 Square brows, her stature to an inch;
2189 As wandlike straight, as silver-voiced; her eyes
2190 125 As jewel-like, and cased as richly; in pace
2191 Another Juno; who starves the ears she feeds
2192 And makes them hungry the more she gives them
2193 speech.—
2194 Where do you live?
MARINA 2195 130 Where I am but a stranger.
2196 From the deck you may discern the place.
PERICLES
2197 Where were you bred? And how achieved you these
2198 Endowments which you make more rich to owe?
MARINA
2199 If I should tell my history, it would seem
2200 135 Like lies disdained in the reporting.
PERICLES 2201 Prithee, speak.
2202 Falseness cannot come from thee, for thou lookest
2203 Modest as Justice, and thou seemest a palace
2204 For the crownèd Truth to dwell in. I will believe thee
2205 140 And make ⌜my⌝ senses credit thy relation
2206 To points that seem impossible, for thou lookest
2207 Like one I loved indeed. What were thy friends?
2208 Didst thou not ⌜say,⌝ when I did push thee back—
2209 Which was when I perceived thee—that thou cam’st
2210 145 From good descending?
MARINA 2211 So indeed I did.
PERICLES
2212 Report thy parentage. I think thou said’st
2213 Thou hadst been tossed from wrong to injury,
2215 150 If both were opened.
MARINA 2216 Some such thing I said,
2217 And said no more but what my thoughts
2218 Did warrant me was likely.
PERICLES 2219 Tell thy story.
2220 155 If thine considered prove the thousand part
2221 Of my endurance, thou art a man, and I
2222 Have suffered like a girl. Yet thou dost look
2223 Like Patience gazing on kings’ graves and smiling
2224 Extremity out of act. What were thy friends?
2225 160 How lost thou ⌜them?⌝ Thy name, my most kind
2226 virgin,
2227 Recount, I do beseech thee. Come, sit by me.
⌜She sits.⌝
MARINA
2228 My name is Marina.
PERICLES 2229 O, I am mocked,
2230 165 And thou by some incensèd god sent hither
2231 To make the world to laugh at me!
MARINA 2232 Patience, good sir,
2233 Or here I’ll cease.
PERICLES 2234 Nay, I’ll be patient.
2235 170 Thou little know’st how thou dost startle me
2236 To call thyself Marina.
MARINA 2237 The name
2238 Was given me by one that had some power—
2239 My father, and a king.
PERICLES 2240 175 How, a king’s daughter?
2241 And called Marina?
MARINA 2242 You said you would believe me.
2243 But not to be a troubler of your peace,
2244 I will end here.
PERICLES 2245 180 But are you flesh and blood?
2246 Have you a working pulse, and are no fairy
2247 Motion? Well, speak on. Where were you born?
2248 And wherefore called Marina?
2250 185 For I was born at sea.
PERICLES 2251 At sea? What mother?
MARINA
2252 My mother was the daughter of a king,
2253 Who died the minute I was born,
2254 As my good nurse Lychorida hath oft
2255 190 Delivered weeping.
PERICLES 2256 O, stop there a little!
2257 ⌜Aside.⌝ This is the rarest dream that e’er ⌜dull⌝ sleep
2258 Did mock sad fools withal. This cannot be
2259 My daughter, buried.—Well, where were you bred?
2260 195 I’ll hear you more, to the bottom of your story,
2261 And never interrupt you.
MARINA
2262 You scorn. Believe me, ’twere best I did give o’er.
PERICLES
2263 I will believe you by the syllable
2264 Of what you shall deliver. Yet give me leave:
2265 200 How came you in these parts? Where were you bred?
MARINA
2266 The King my father did in Tarsus leave me,
2267 Till cruel Cleon with his wicked wife
2268 Did seek to murder me; and having wooed a villain
2269 To attempt it, who, having drawn to do ’t,
2270 205 A crew of pirates came and rescued me,
2271 Brought me to Mytilene—But, good sir,
2272 Whither will you have me? Why do you weep?
2273 It may be you think me an impostor.
2274 No, good faith.
2275 210 I am the daughter to King Pericles,
2276 If good King Pericles be.
⌜PERICLES⌝ 2277 Ho, Helicanus!
HELICANUS 2278 Calls my lord?
PERICLES
2279 Thou art a grave and noble counselor,
2281 What this maid is, or what is like to be,
2282 That thus hath made me weep.
HELICANUS 2283 I know not;
2284 But here’s the regent, sir, of Mytilene
2285 220 Speaks nobly of her.
LYSIMACHUS 2286 She never would tell
2287 Her parentage. Being demanded that,
2288 She would sit still and weep.
PERICLES
2289 O, Helicanus! Strike me, honored sir.
2290 225 Give me a gash, put me to present pain,
2291 Lest this great sea of joys rushing upon me
2292 O’erbear the shores of my mortality
2293 And drown me with their sweetness.—O, come hither,
2294 Thou that beget’st him that did thee beget,
2295 230 Thou that wast born at sea, buried at Tarsus,
2296 And found at sea again!—O, Helicanus,
2297 Down on thy knees! Thank the holy gods as loud
2298 As thunder threatens us. This is Marina.—
2299 What was thy mother’s name? Tell me but that,
2300 235 For truth can never be confirmed enough,
2301 Though doubts did ever sleep.
MARINA
2302 First, sir, I pray, what is your title?
PERICLES
2303 I am Pericles of Tyre. But tell me now
2304 My drowned queen’s name, as in the rest you said
2305 240 Thou hast been godlike perfect, the heir of kingdoms,
2306 And another ⌜life⌝ to Pericles thy father.
MARINA
2307 Is it no more to be your daughter than
2308 To say my mother’s name was Thaisa?
2309 Thaisa was my mother, who did end
2310 245 The minute I began.
2311 Now, blessing on thee! Rise. Thou ’rt my child.—
2312 Give me fresh garments.—Mine own Helicanus,
2313 She is not dead at Tarsus, as she should
2314 Have been, by savage Cleon. She shall tell thee all,
2315 250 When thou shalt kneel, and justify in knowledge
2316 She is thy very princess. Who is this?
HELICANUS
2317 Sir, ’tis the Governor of Mytilene,
2318 Who, hearing of your melancholy state,
2319 Did come to see you.
PERICLES, ⌜to Lysimachus⌝ 2320 255 I embrace you.—
2321 Give me my robes.—I am wild in my beholding.
⌜They put fresh garments on him.⌝
2322 O heavens bless my girl! But hark, what music?
2323 Tell Helicanus, my Marina, tell him o’er
2324 Point by point, for yet he seems to ⌜doubt,⌝
2325 260 How sure you are my daughter.—But what music?
HELICANUS 2326 My lord, I hear none.
PERICLES 2327 None?
2328 The music of the spheres!—List, my Marina.
LYSIMACHUS
2329 It is not good to cross him. Give him way.
PERICLES 2330 265Rarest sounds! Do you not hear?
LYSIMACHUS
2331 Music, my lord? I hear—
PERICLES 2332 Most heavenly music.
2333 It nips me unto list’ning, and thick slumber
2334 Hangs upon mine eyes. Let me rest.⌜He sleeps.⌝
LYSIMACHUS
2335 270 A pillow for his head. So, leave him all.
⌜Lysimachus and others begin to exit.⌝
2336 Well, my companion friends, if this but answer
2337 To my just belief, I’ll well remember you.
⌜All but Pericles exit.⌝
DIANA
2338 My temple stands in Ephesus. Hie thee thither
2339 And do upon mine altar sacrifice.
2340 275 There, when my maiden priests are met together,
2341 Before the people all,
2342 Reveal how thou at sea didst lose thy wife.
2343 To mourn thy crosses, with thy daughter’s, call,
2344 And give them repetition to the ⌜life.⌝
2345 280 Or perform my bidding, or thou livest in woe;
2346 Do ’t, and happy, by my silver bow.
2347 Awake, and tell thy dream.⌜She ascends.⌝
PERICLES 2348 Celestial Dian,
2349 Goddess argentine, I will obey thee.—
2350 285 Helicanus!
⌜Enter Helicanus, Lysimachus, Marina, and
Attendants.⌝
HELICANUS 2351 Sir.
PERICLES
2352 My purpose was for Tarsus, there to strike
2353 The inhospitable Cleon, but I am
2354 For other service first. Toward Ephesus
2355 290 Turn our blown sails. Eftsoons I’ll tell thee why.—
2356 Shall we refresh us, sir, upon your shore,
2357 And give you gold for such provision
2358 As our intents will need?
LYSIMACHUS 2359 Sir,
2360 295 With all my heart. And when you come ashore,
2361 I have another ⌜suit.⌝
PERICLES 2362 You shall prevail
2363 Were it to woo my daughter, for it seems
2364 You have been noble towards her.
LYSIMACHUS
2365 300 Sir, lend me your arm.
PERICLES 2366 Come, my Marina.
They exit.
GOWER
2367 Now our sands are almost run,
2368 More a little, and then dumb.
2369 This my last boon give me—
2370 For such kindness must relieve me—
2371 5 That you aptly will suppose
2372 What pageantry, what feats, what shows,
2373 What minstrelsy and pretty din
2374 The regent made in Mytilene
2375 To greet the King. So he thrived
2376 10 That he is promised to be wived
2377 To fair Marina, but in no wise
2378 Till he had done his sacrifice
2379 As Dian bade, whereto being bound,
2380 The interim, pray you, all confound.
2381 15 In feathered briefness sails are filled,
2382 And wishes fall out as they’re willed.
2383 At Ephesus the temple see
2384 Our king and all his company.
2385 That he can hither come so soon
2386 20 Is by your fancies’ thankful doom.
⌜He exits.⌝
Thaisa; at another door enter Pericles, Marina,
Helicanus, Lysimachus, and Attendants.⌝
PERICLES
2387 Hail, Dian! To perform thy just command,
2388 I here confess myself the King of Tyre,
2389 Who, frighted from my country, did wed
2391 5 At sea in childbed died she, but brought forth
2392 A maid child called Marina, whom, O goddess,
2393 Wears yet thy silver livery. She at Tarsus
2394 Was nursed with Cleon, who at fourteen years
2395 He sought to murder. But her better stars
2396 10 Brought her to Mytilene, ’gainst whose shore riding,
2397 Her fortunes brought the maid aboard us, where,
2398 By her own most clear remembrance, she made known
2399 Herself my daughter.
THAISA 2400 Voice and favor!
2401 15 You are, you are—O royal Pericles!
⌜She falls in a faint.⌝
PERICLES
2402 What means the ⌜nun?⌝ She dies! Help, gentlemen!
CERIMON 2403 Noble sir,
2404 If you have told Diana’s altar true,
2405 This is your wife.
PERICLES 2406 20 Reverend appearer, no.
2407 I threw her overboard with these very arms.
CERIMON
2408 Upon this coast, I warrant you.
PERICLES 2409 ’Tis most certain.
CERIMON
2410 Look to the lady. O, she’s but overjoyed.
2411 25 Early ⌜one⌝ blustering morn this lady was
2412 Thrown upon this shore. I oped the coffin,
2413 Found there rich jewels, recovered her, and placed her
2414 Here in Diana’s temple.
PERICLES 2415 May we see them?
CERIMON
2416 30 Great sir, they shall be brought you to my house,
2417 Whither I invite you. Look, Thaisa
2418 Is recoverèd.⌜Thaisa rises.⌝
THAISA 2419 O, let me look!
2420 If he be none of mine, my sanctity
2422 But curb it, spite of seeing.—O, my lord,
2423 Are you not Pericles? Like him you spake,
2424 Like him you are. Did you not name a tempest,
2425 A birth and death?
PERICLES 2426 40 The voice of dead Thaisa!
THAISA
2427 That Thaisa am I, supposèd dead
2428 And drowned.
PERICLES
2429 ⌜Immortal⌝ Dian!
THAISA 2430 Now I know you better.
⌜She points to the ring on his hand.⌝
2431 45 When we with tears parted Pentapolis,
2432 The king my father gave you such a ring.
PERICLES
2433 This, this! No more, you gods! Your present kindness
2434 Makes my past miseries sports. You shall do well
2435 That on the touching of her lips I may
2436 50 Melt and no more be seen.—O, come, be buried
2437 A second time within these arms!⌜They embrace.⌝
MARINA, ⌜kneeling⌝ 2438 My heart
2439 Leaps to be gone into my mother’s bosom.
PERICLES
2440 Look who kneels here, flesh of thy flesh, Thaisa,
2441 55 Thy burden at the sea, and called Marina
2442 For she was yielded there.
THAISA, ⌜embracing Marina⌝ 2443 Blessed, and mine own!
HELICANUS
2444 Hail, madam, and my queen.
THAISA 2445 I know you not.
⌜PERICLES⌝
2446 60 You have heard me say, when I did fly from Tyre
2447 I left behind an ancient substitute.
2448 Can you remember what I called the man?
2449 I have named him oft.
THAISA 2450 ’Twas Helicanus then.
2452 Embrace him, dear Thaisa. This is he.
⌜They embrace.⌝
2453 Now do I long to hear how you were found,
2454 How possibly preserved, and who to thank,
2455 Besides the gods, for this great miracle.
THAISA 2456 70Lord Cerimon, my lord, this man
2457 Through whom the gods have shown their power,
2458 that can
2459 From first to last resolve you.
PERICLES 2460 Reverend sir,
2461 75 The gods can have no mortal officer
2462 More like a god than you. Will you deliver
2463 How this dead queen relives?
CERIMON 2464 I will, my lord.
2465 Beseech you, first go with me to my house,
2466 80 Where shall be shown you all was found with her,
2467 How she came placed here in the temple,
2468 No needful thing omitted.
PERICLES
2469 Pure Dian, ⌜I⌝ bless thee for thy vision, and
2470 Will offer night oblations to thee.—Thaisa,
2471 85 This prince, the fair betrothèd of your daughter,
2472 Shall marry her at Pentapolis.—And now this
2473 ornament
2474 Makes me look dismal will I clip to form,
2475 And what this fourteen years no razor touched,
2476 90 To grace thy marriage day I’ll beautify.
THAISA
2477 Lord Cerimon hath letters of good credit, sir,
2478 My father’s dead.
PERICLES
2479 Heavens make a star of him! Yet there, my queen,
2480 We’ll celebrate their nuptials, and ourselves
2481 95 Will in that kingdom spend our following days.
2482 Our son and daughter shall in Tyrus reign.—
2484 To hear the rest untold. Sir, lead ’s the way.
⌜They exit.⌝
GOWER
2485 In Antiochus and his daughter you have heard
2486 Of monstrous lust the due and just reward.
2487 In Pericles, his queen, and daughter seen,
2488 Although assailed with fortune fierce and keen,
2489 5 Virtue ⌜preserved⌝ from fell destruction’s blast,
2490 Led on by heaven, and crowned with joy at last.
2491 In Helicanus may you well descry
2492 A figure of truth, of faith, of loyalty.
2493 In reverend Cerimon there well appears
2494 10 The worth that learnèd charity aye wears.
2495 For wicked Cleon and his wife, when fame
2496 Had spread his cursèd deed ⌜to⌝ the honored name
2497 Of Pericles, to rage the city turn,
2498 That him and his they in his palace burn.
2499 15 The gods for murder seemèd so content
2500 To punish, although not done, but meant.
2501 So on your patience evermore attending,
2502 New joy wait on you. Here our play has ending.
⌜He exits.⌝