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FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.04.29.93*END* - - - - - -This etext was prepared by Scott Arndt. - - - - -PERICLES PRINCE OF TYRE - -by William Shakespeare - - - - -DRAMATIS PERSONAE - -ANTIOCHUS, king of Antioch. -PERICLES, prince of Tyre. -HELICANUS, ESCANES, two lords of Tyre. -SIMONIDES, kIng of Pentapolis. -CLEON, governor of Tarsus. -LYSIMACHUS, governor of Mytilene. -CERIMON, a lord of Ephesus. -THALIARD, a lord of Antioch. -PFIILEMON, servant to Cerimon. -LEONINE, servant to Dionyza. -Marshal. -A Pandar. -BOULT, his servant. -The Daughter of Antiochus. -DIONYZA, wife to Cleon. -THAISA, daughter to Simonides. -MARINA, daughter to Pericles and Thaisa. -LYCHORIDA, nurse to Marina. -A Bawd. -Lords, Knights, Gentlemen, Sailors, Pirates, Fishermen, and -Messengers. -DIANA. -GOWER, as Chorus. - - -SCENE: Dispersedly in various countries. - -ACT I. - -[Enter GOWER.] - -[Before the palace of Antioch.] - -To sing a song that old was sung, -From ashes ancient Gower is come; -Assuming man's infirmities, -To glad your ear, and please your eyes. -It hath been sung at festivals, -On ember-eves and holy-ales; -And lords and ladies in their lives -Have read it for restoratives: -The purchase is to make men glorious; -Et bonum quo antiquius, eo melius. -If you, born in these latter times, -When wit's more ripe, accept my rhymes, -And that to hear an old man sing -May to your wishes pleasure bring, -I life would wish, and that I might -Waste it for you, like taper-light. -This Antioch, then, Antiochus the Great -Built up, this city, for his chiefest seat; -The fairest in all Syria, -I tell you what mine authors say: -This king unto him took a fere, -Who died and left a female heir, -So buxom, so blithe, and full of face, -As heaven had lent her all his grace; -With whom the father liking took, -And her to incest did provoke: -Bad child; worse father! to entice his own -To evil should be done by none: -But custom what they did begin -Was with long use account no sin. -The beauty of this sinful dame -Made many princes thither frame, -To seek her as a bed-fellow, -In marriage-pleasures play-fellow: -Which to prevent he made a law, -To keep her still, and men in awe, -That whoso ask'd her for his wife, -His riddle told not, lost his life: -So for her many a wight did die, -As yon grim looks do testify. -What now ensues, to the judgement your eye -I give, my cause who lest can justify. - -[Exit.] - - -SCENE I. Antioch. A room in the palace. - -[Enter ANTIOCHUS, PRINCE PERICLES, and followers.] - -ANTIOCHUS. -Young prince of Tyre, you have at large received -The danger of the task you undertake. - -PERICLES. -I have, Antiochus, and, with a soul -Embolden'd with the glory of her praise, -Think death no hazard in this enterprise. - -ANTIOCHUS. -Bring in our daughter, clothed like a bride, -For the embracements even of Jove himself; -At whose conception, till Lucina reign'd, -Nature this dowry gave, to glad her presence, -The senate-house of planets all did sit, -To knit in her their best perfections. - -[Music. Enter the Daughter of Antiochus.] - -PERICLES -See where she comes, apparell'd like the spring, -Graces her subjects, and her thoughts the king -Of every virtue gives renown to men! -Her face the book of praises, where is read -Nothing but curious pleasures, as from thence -Sorrow were ever razed, and testy wrath -Could never be her mild companion. -You gods that made me man, and sway in love, -That have inflamed desire in my breast -To taste the fruit of yon celestal tree, -Or die in the adventure, be my helps, -As I am son and servant to your will, -To compass such a boundless happiness! - -ANTIOCHUS. -Prince Pericles, -- - -PERICLES. -That would be son to great Antiochus. - -ANTIOCHUS. -Before thee stands this fair Hesperides, -With golden fruit, but dangerous to be touch'd; -For death-like dragons here affright thee hard: -Her face, like heaven, enticeth thee to view -Her countless glory, which desert must gain; -And which, without desert, because thine eye -Presumes to reach, all thy whole heap must die. -Yon sometimes famous princes, like thyself, -Drawn by report, adventurous by desire, -Tell thee, with speechless tongues and semblance pale, -That without covering, save yon field of stars, -Here they stand Martyrs, slain in Cupid's wars; -And with dead cheeks advise thee to desist -For going on death's net, whom none resist. - -PERICLES. -Antiochus, I thank thee, who hath taught -My frail mortality to know itself, -And by those fearful objects to prepare -This body, like to them, to what I must; -For death remember'd should be like a mirror, -Who tells us life 's but breath, to trust it error. -I'll make my will then, and, as sick men do -Who know the world, see heaven, but, feeling woe, -Gripe not at earthly joys as erst they did; -So I bequeath a happy peace to you -And all good men, as every prince should do; -My riches to the earth from whence they came; -But my unspotted fire of love to you. - -[To the daughter of Antiochus.] - -Thus ready for the way of life or death, -I wait the sharpest blow, Antiochus. - -ANTIOCHUS. -Scorning advice, read the conclusion, then: -Which read and not expounded, 'tis decreed, -As these before thee thou thyself shalt bleed. - -DAUGHTER. -Of all say'd yet, mayst thou prove prosperous! -Of all say'd yet, I wish thee happiness! - -PERICLES -Like a bold champion, I assume THe lists, -Nor ask advice of any other thought -But faithfulness and courage. - -[He reads the riddle.] - -I am no viper, yet I feed -On mother's flesh which did me breed. -I sought a husband, in which labour -I found that kindness in a father: -He's father, son, and husband mild; -I mother, wife, and yet his child. -How they may be, and yet in two, -As you will live, resolve it you. -Sharp physic is the last: but, O you powers -That give heaven countless eyes to view men's acts, -Why cloud they not their sights perpetually, -If this be true, which makes me pale to read it? -Fair glass of light, I loved you, and could still, - -[Takes hold of the hand of the Princess.] - -Were not this glorious casket stored with ill: -But I must tell you, now my thoughts revolt; -For he's no man on whom perfections wait -That, knowing sin within, will touch the gate, -You are a fair viol, and your sense the strings; -Who, finger'd to make man his lawful music, -Would draw heaven down, and all the gods to hearken; -But being play'd upon before your time, -Hell only danceth at so harsh a chime. -Good sooth, I care not for you. - -ANTIOCHUS. -Prince Pericles, touch not, upon thy life, -For that's an article within our law, -As dangerous as the rest. Tour time's expired: -Either expound now, or receive your sentence. - -PERICLES. -Great king, -Few love to hear the sins they love to act; -'Twould braid yourself too near for me to tell it. -Who has a book of all that monarchs do, -He's more secure to keep it shut than shown: -For vice repeated is like the wandering wind, -Blows dust in others' eyes, to spread itself; -And yet the end of all is bought thus dear, -The breath is gone, and the sore eyes see clear -To stop the air would hurt them. The blind mole casts -Copp'd hills towards heaven, to tell the earth is throng'd -By man's oppression; and the poor worm doth die for't. -Kind are earth's gods; in vice their law's their will; -And if Jove stray, who dares say Jove doth ill? -It is enough you know; and it is fit, -What being more known grows worse, to smother it. -All love the womb that their first bred, -Then give my tongue like leave to love my head. - -ANTIOCHUS.[Aside] -Heaven, that I had thy head! he has found the meaning: -But I will gloze with him. -- Young prince of Tyre. -Though by the tenour of our strict edict, -Your exposition misinterpreting, -We might proceed to cancel of your days; -Yet hope, succeeding from so fair a tree -As your fair self, doth tune us otherwise: -Forty days longer we do respite you; -If by which time our secret be undone, -This mercy shows we'll joy in such a son: -And until then your entertain shall be -As doth befit our honour and your worth. - -[Exeunt all but Pericles.] - -PERACLES. -How courtesy would seem to cover sin, -When what is done is like an hypocrite, -The which is good in nothing but in sight! -If it be true that I interpret false, -Then were it certain you were not so bad -As with foul incest to abuse your soul; -Where now you're both a father and a son, -By your untimely claspings with your child, -Which pleasure fits an husband, not a father; -And she an eater of her mother's flesh, -By the defiling of her parent's bed; -And both like serpents are, who though they feed -On sweetest flowers, yet they poison breed. -Antioch, farewell! for wisdom sees, those men -Blush not in actions blacker than the night, -Will shun no course to keep them from the light. -One sin, I know, another doth provoke; -Murder's as near to lust as flame to smoke: -Poison and treason are the hands of sin, -Ay, and the targets, to put off the shame: -Then, lest my life be cropp'd to keep you clear, -By flight I 'II shun the danger which I fear. - -[Exit.] - -[Re-enter Antiochus.] - -ANTIOCHUS. -He gath found the meaning, for which we mean -To have his head. -He must not live to trumpet forth my infamy, -Nor tell the world Antiochus doth sin -In such a loathed manner; -And therefore instantly this prince must die; -For by his fall my honour must keep high. -Who attends us there? - -[Enter Thaliard.] - -THALIARD. -Doth your highness call? - -ANTIOCHUS. -Thaliard, -You are of our chamber, and our mind partakes -Her private actions to your secrecy; -And for your faithfulness we will advance you. -Thaliard, behold, here's poison, and here's gold; -We hate the prince of Tyre, and thou must kill him: -It fits thee not to ask the reason why, -Because we Bid it. Say, is it done? - -THALIARD. -My lord, -Tis done. - -ANTIOCHUS. -Enough. - -[Enter a Messenger.] - -Let your breath cool yourself, telling your haste. - -MESSENGER. -My lord, prlnce Pericles is fled. - -[Exit.] - -ANTIOCHUS. -As thou -Wilt live, fly after: and like an arrow shot -From a well-experienced archer hits the mark -His eye doth level at, so thou ne'er return -Unless thou say 'Prince Pericles is dead.' - -THALIARD. -My lord, -If I can get him within my pistol's length, -I'll make him sure enough: so, farewell to your highness. - -ANTIOCHUS. -Thaliard! adieu! - -[Exit Thaliard.] - -Till -Pericles be dead, -My heart can lend no succour to my head. - -[Exit.] - - -SCENE II. Tyre. A room in the palace. - -[Enter Pericles.] - -PERICLES. [To Lords without.] -Let none disturb us. -- Why should this change of thoughts, -The sad companion, dull-eyed melancholy, -Be my so used a guest as not an hour, -In the day's glorious walk, or peaceful night, -The tomb where grief should sleep, can breed me quiet? -Here pleasures court mine eyes, and mine eyes shun them, -And danger, which I fear'd, is at Antioch, -Whose arm seems far too short to hit me here: -Yet neither pleasure's art can joy my spirits, -Nor yet the other's distance comfort me. -Then it is thus: the passions of the mind, -That have their first conception by mis-dread -Have after-nourishment and life by care; -And what was first but fear what might he done, -Grows elder now and cares it be not done. -And so with me: the great Antiochus, -'Gainst whom I am too little to contend, -Since he 's so great can make his will his act, -Will think me speaking, though I swear to silence; -Nor boots it me to say I honour him. -If he suspect I may dishonour him: -And what may make him blush in being known, -He'll stop the course by which it might be known; -With hostile forces he'11 o'erspread the land, -And with the ostent of war will look so huge, -Amazement shall drive courage from the state; -Our men be vanquish'd ere they do resist, -And subjects punish'd that ne'er thought offence: -Which care of them, not pity of myself, -Who am no more but as the tops of trees, -Which fence the roots they grow by and defend them, -Makes both my body pine and soul to languish, -And punish that before that he would punish. - -[Enter Helicanus, with other Lords.] - -FIRST LORD. -Joy and all comfort in your sacred breast! - -SECOND LORD. -And keep your mind, till you return to us, -Peaceful and comfortable! - -HELICANUS. -Peace, peace, and give experience tongue. -They do abuse the king that flatter him: -For flattery is the bellows blows up sin; -The thing the which is flatter'd, but a spark, -To which that blast gives heat and stronger glowing: -Whereas reproof, obedient and in order, -Fits kings, as they are men, for they may err. -When Signior Sooth here does proclaim a peace, -He flatters you, makes war upon your life. -Prince, pardon me, or strike me, if you please; -I cannot be much lower than my knees. - -PERICLES. -All leave us else; but let your cares o'erlook -What shipping and what lading is in our haven, -And then return to us. - -[Exeunt Lords.] - -Helicanus, thou -Hast moved us: what seest thou in our looks? - -HELICANUS. -An angry brow, dread lord. - -PERICLES. -If there be such a dart in princes' frowns, -How durst thy tongue move anger to our face? - -HELICANUS. -How dare the plants look up to heaven, from whence -They have their nourishment? - -PERICLES. -Thou know'st I have power -To take thy life from thee. - -HELICANUS. [Kneeling.] -I have ground the axe myself; -Do you but strike the blow. - -PERICLES. -Rise, prithee, rise. -Sit down: thou art no flatterer: -I thank thee for it; and heaven forbid -That kings should let their ears hear their faults hid! -Fit counsellor and servant for a prince, -Who by thy wisdom makest a prince thy servant, -What wouldst thou have me do? - -HELICANUS. -To bear with patience -Such griefs as you yourself do lay upon yourself. - -PERICLES. -Thou speak'st like a physician, Helicanus, -That minister'st a potion unto me -That thou wouldst tremble to receive thyself. -Attend me, then: I went to Antioch, -And there as thou know'st, against the face of death, -I sought the purchase of a glorious beauty, -From whence an issue I might propagate, -Are arms to princes, and bring joys to subjects. -Her face was to mine eye beyond all wonder; -The rest -- hark in thine ear -- as black as incest: -Which by my knowledge found, the sinful father -Seem'd not to strike, but smooth: but thou know'st this, -'Tis time to fear when tyrants seem to kiss. -Which fear so grew in me, I hither fled, -Under the covering of a careful night, -Who seem'd my good protector; and, being here, -Bethought me what was past, what might succeed. -I knew him tyrannous; and tyrants' fears -Decrease not, but grow faster than the years: -And should he doubt it, as no doubt he doth, -That I should open to the listening air -How many worthy princes' bloods were shed, -To keep his bed of blackness unlaid ope, -To lop that doubt, he'll fill this land with arms, -And make pretence of wrong that I have done him; -When all, for mine, if I may call offence, -Must feel war's blow, who spares not innocence: -Which love to all, of which thyself art one, -Who now reprovest me for it, -- - -HELICANUS. -Alas, sir! - -PERICLES. -Drew sleep out of mine eyes, blood from my cheeks, -Musings into my mind, with thousand doubts -How I might stop this tempest ere it came; -And finding little comfort to relieve them, -I thought it princely charity to grieve them. - -HELICANUS. -Well, my lord, since you have given me leave to speak, -Freely will I speak. Antiochus you fear, -And justly too, I think, you fear the tyrant, -Who either by public war or private treason -Will take away your life. -Therefore, my lord, go travel for a while, -Till that his rage and anger be forgot, -Or till the Destinies do cut his thread of life. -Your rule direct to any; if to me, -Day serves not light more faithful than I'll be. - -PERICLES. -I do not doubt thy faith; -But should he wrong my liberties in my absence? - -HELCANUS. -We'll mingle our bloods together in the earth, -From whence we had our being and our birth. - -PERICLES. -Tyre, I now look from thee then, and to Tarsus -Intend my travel, where I'll hear from thee; -And by whose letters I'll dispose myself. -The care I had and have of subjects' good -On thee I lay, whose wisdom's strength can bear it. -I'll take thy word for faith, not ask thine oath: -Who shuns not to break one will sure crack both: -But in our orbs we'll live so round and safe, -That time of both this truth shall ne'er convince, -Thou show'dst a subject's shine, I a true prince. - -[Exeunt.] - -SCENE III. Tyre. An ante-chamber in the Palace. - -[Enter Thaliard.] - -THALIARD. -So, this is Tyre, and this the court. Here must I Kill King -Pericles; and if I do it not, I am sure to be hanged at home: -'tis dangerous. Well, I perceive he was a wise fellow, and -had good discretion, that, being bid to ask what he would of -the king, desired he might know none of his secrets: now do I -see he had some reason for 't; for if a king bid a man be a -villain, he's bound by the indenture of his oath to be one. -Hush! here come the lords of Tyre. - -[Enter Helicanus and Escanes, with other Lords of Tyre.] - -HELICANUS. -You shall not need, my fellow peers of Tyre, -Further to question me of your king's departure: -His seal'd commission, left in trust with me, -Doth speak sufficiently he 's gone to travel. - -THALIARD. [Aside.] -How! the king gone! - -HELICANUS. -If further yet you will be satisfied, -Why, as it were unlicensed of your loves, -He would depart, I 'II give some light unto you. -Being at Antioch -- - -THALIARD. [Aside.] -What from Antioch? - -HELICANUS. -Royal Antiochus -- on what cause I know not -Took some displeasure at him; at least he judged so: -And doubting lest that he had err'd or sinn'd, -To show his sorrow, he 'ld correct himself; -So puts himself unto the shipman's toil, -With whom each minute threatens life or death. - -THALIARD. [Aside.] -Well, I perceive -I shall not be hang'd now, although I would; -But since he 's gone, the king's seas must please -He 'scaped the land, to perish at the sea. -I 'll present myself. Peace to the lords of Tyre! - -HELICANUS. -Lord Thaliard from Antiochus is welcome. - -THALIARD. -From him I come -With message unto princely Pericles; -But since my landing I have understood -Your lord has betook himself to unknown travels, -My message must return from whence it came. - -HELICANUS. -We have no reason to desire it, -Commended to our master, not to us: -Yet, ere you shall depart, this we desire, -As friends to Antioch, we may feast in Tyre. - -[Exeunt.] - - -SCENE IV. Tarsus. A room in the Governor's house. - -[Enter Cleon, the governor of Tarsus, with Dionyza, and others.] - -CLEON. -My Dionyza, shall we rest us here, -And by relating tales of others' griefs, -See if 'twill teach us to forqet our own? - -DIONYZA. -That were to blow at fire in hope to quench it; -For who digs hills because they do aspire -Throws down one mountain to cast up a higher. -O my distressed lord, even such our griefs are; -Here they're but felt, and seen with mischief's eyes, -But like to groves, being topp'd, they higher rise. - -CLEON. -O Dionyza, -Who wanteth food, and will not say he wants it, -Or can conceal his hunger till he famish? -Our tongues and sorrows do sound deep -Our woes into the air; our eyes do weep, -Till tongues fetch breath that may proclaim them louder; -That, if heaven slumber while their creatures want, -They may awake their helps to comfort them. -I'll then discourse our woes, felt several years, -And wanting breath to speak help me with tears. - -DIONYZA. -I'll do my best, sir. - -CLEON. -This Tarsus, o'er which I have the government, -A city on whom plenty held full hand, -For riches strew'd herself even in the streets; -Whose towers bore heads so high they kiss'd the clouds, -And strangers ne'er beheld but wonder'd at; -Whose men and dames so jetted and adorn'd, -Like one another's glass to trim them by: -Their tables were stored full, to glad the sight, -And not so much to feed on as delight; -All poverty was scorn'd, and pride so great, -The name of help grew odious to repeat. - -DIONYZA. -O, 'tis too true. - -CLEON. -But see what heaven can do! By this our change, -These mouths, who but of late, earth, sea, and air, -Were all too little to content and please, -Although they gave their creatures in abundance, -As houses are defiled for want of use, -They are now starved for want of exercise: -Those palates who, not yet two sumMers younger, -Must have inventions to delight the taste, -Would now be glad of bread, and beg for it: -Those mothers who, to nousle up their babes, -Thought nought too curious, are ready now -To eat those little darlings whom they loved. -So sharp are hunger's teeth, that man and wife -Draw lots who first shall die to lengthen life: -Here stands a lord, and there a lady weeping; -Here many sink, yet those which see them fall -Have scarce strength left to give them burial. -Is not this true? - -DIONYZA. -Our cheeks and hollow eyes do witness it. - -CLEON. -O, let those cities that of plenty's cup -And her prosperities so largely taste, -With their superflous riots, hear these tears! -The misery of Tarsus may be theirs. - -[Enter a Lord.] - -LORD. -Where's the lord governor? - -CLEON. -Here. -Speak out thy sorrows which thou bring'st in haste, -For comfort is too far for us to expect. - -LORD. -We have descried, upon our neighbouring shore, -A portly sail of ships make hitherward. - -CLEON. -I thought as much. -One sorrow never comes but brings an heir, -That may succeed as his inheritor; -And so in ours: some neighbouring nation, -Taking advantage of our misery, -Math stuff'd these hollow vessels with their power, -To beat us down, the which are down already; -And make a conquest of unhappy me, -Whereas no glory's got to overcome. - -LORD. -That's the least fear; for, by the semblance -Of their white flags display'd, they bring us peace, -And come to us as favourers, not as foes. - -CLEON. -Thou speak'st like him's untutor'd to repeat: -Who makes the fairest show means most deceit. -But bring they what they will and what they can, -What need we fear? -The ground's the lowest, and we are half way there. -Go tell their general we attend him here, -To know for what he comes, and whence he comes, -And what he craves. - -LORD. -I go, my lord. - -[Exit.] - -CLEON. -Welcome is peace, if he on peace consist; -If wars, we are unable to resist. - -[Enter Pericles with Attendants.] - -PERICLES. -Lord governor, for so we hear you are, -Let not our ships and number of our men -Be like a beacon fired to amaze your eyes. -We have heard your miseries as far as Tyre, -And seen the desolation of your streets: -Nor come we to add sorrow to your tears, -But to relieve them of their heavy load; -And these our ships, you happily may think -Are like the Trojan horse was stuff'd within -With bloody veins, expecting overthrow, -Are stored with corn to make your needy bread, -And give them life whom hunger starved half dead. - -ALL. -The gods of Greece protect you! -And we'll pray for you. - -PERICLES. -Arise, I pray you, rise: -We do not look for reverence, but for love, -And harbourage for ourself, our ships, and men. - -CLEON. -The which when any shall not gratify, -Or pay you with unthankfulness in thought, -Be it our wives, our children, or ourselves, -The curse of heaven and men succeed their evils! -Till when, -- the which I hope shall ne'er be seen, -- -Your grace is welcome to our town and us. - -PERICLES. -Which welcome we'll accept; feast here awhile, -Until our stars that frown lend us a smile. - -[Exeunt.] - - -ACT II. - -[Enter Gower.] - -GOWER. -Mere have you seen a mighty king -His child, I wis, to incest bring; -A better prince and benign lord, -That will prove awful both in deed word. -Be quiet then as men should be, -Till he hath pass'd necessity. -I'll show you those in troubles reign, -Losing a mite, a mountain gain. -The good in conversation, -To whom I give my benison, -Is still at Tarsus, where each man -Thinks all is writ he speken can; -And, to remember what he does, -Build his statue to make him glorious: -But tidings to the contrary -Are brought your eyes; what need speak I? - -DUMB SHOW. - -[Enter at one door Pericles talking with Cleon 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; gives the Messenger a reward, and knights -him. Exit Pericles at one door, and Cleon at another.] - -Good Helicane, that stay'd at home. -Not to eat honey like a drone -From others' labours; for though he strive -To killen bad, keep good alive; -And to fulfil his prince' desire, -Sends word of all that haps in Tyre: -How Thaliard came full bent with sin -And had intent to murder him; -And that in Tarsus was not best -Longer for him to make his rest. -He, doing so, put forth to seas, -Where when men been, there's seldom ease; -For now the wind begins to blow; -Thunder above and deeps below -Make such unquiet, that the ship -Should house him safe is wreck'd and split; -And he, good prince, having all lost, -By waves from coast to coast is tost: -All perishen of man, of pelf, -Ne aught escapen but himself; -Till fortune, tired with doing bad, -Threw him ashore, to give him glad: -And here he comes. What shall be next, -Pardon old Gower, -- this longs the text. - -[Exit.] - -SCENE I. Pentapolis. An open place by the sea-side. - -[Enter Pericles, wet.] - -PERICLES. -Yet cease your ire, you angry stars of heaven! -Wind, rain, and thunder, remember, earthly man -Is but a substance that must yield to you; -And I, as fits my nature, do obey you: -Alas, the sea hath cast me on the rocks, -Wash'd me from shore to shore, and left me breath -Nothing to think on but ensuing death: -Let it suffice the greatness of your powers -To have bereft a prince of all his fortunes; -And having thrown him from your watery grave, -Here to have death in peace is all he'll crave. - -[Enter three Fishermen.] - -FIRST FISHERMAN. -What, ho, Pilch! - -SECOND FISHERMAN. -Ha, come and bring away the nets! - -FIRST FISHERMAN. -What, Patch-breech, I say! - -THIRD FISHERMAN. -What say you, master? - -FIRST FISHERMAN. -Look how thou stirrest now! come away, or I'll fetch thee with a -wanion. - -THIRD FISHERMAN. -'Faith, master, I am thinking of the poor men that were cast away -before us even now. - -FIRST FISHERMAN. -Alas, poor souls, it grieved my heart to hear what pitiful cries -they made to us to help them, when, well-a-day, we could scarce -help ourselves. - -THIRD FISHERMAN. -Nay, master, said not I as much when I saw the porpus how he -bounced and tumbled? they say they're half fish, half flesh: -a plague on them, they ne'er come but I look to be washed. -Master, I marvel how the fishes live in the sea. - -FIRST FISHERMAN. -Why, as men do a-land; the great ones eat up the little ones: I -can compare our rich misers to nothing so fitly as to a whale; -a' plays and tumbles, driving the poor fry before him, and at -last devours them all at a mouthful. such whales have I heard -on o' the land, who never leave gaping till they they've -swallowed the whole parish, church, steeple, bells, and all. - -PERICLES. [Aside.] -A pretty moral. - -THIRD FISHERMAN. -But, master, if I had been the sexton, I would have been that day -in the belfry. - -SECOND FISHERMAN. -Why, man? - -THIRD FISHERMAN. -Because he should have swallowed me too; and when I had been in -his belly, I would have kept such a jangling of the bells, that -he should never have left, till he cast bells, steeple, church, -and parish, up again. But if the good King Simonides were of -my mind, -- - -PERICLES. [Aside.] -Simonides! - -THIRD FISHERMAN. -We would purge the land of these drones, that rob the bee of her -honey. - -PERICLES. [Aside.] -How from the finny subjec of the sea -These fishers tell the infirmities of men; -And from their watery empire recollect -All that may men approve or men detect! -Peace be at your labour, honest fishermen. - -SECOND FISHERMAN. -Honest! good fellow, what's that; If it be a day fits you, search -out of the calendar, and nobody look after it. - -PERICLES. -May see the sea hath cast upon your coast. - -SECOND FISHERMAN. -What a drunken knave was the sea to cast thee in our way! - -PERICLES. -A man whom both the waters and the wind, -In that vast tennis-court, have made the ball -For them to play upon, entreats you pity him; -He asks of you, that never used to beg. - -FIRST FISHERMAN. -No, friend, cannot you beg? Here's them in our country of Greece -gets more with begging than we can do with working. - -SECOND FISHERMAN. -Canst thou catch any fishes, then? - -PERICLES. -I never practised it. - -SECOND FISHERMAN. -Nay, then thou wilt starve, sure; for here's nothing to be got -now-a-days, unless thou canst fish for 't. - -PERICLES. -What I have been I have forgot to know; -But what I am, want teaches me to think on: -A man throng'd up with cold: my veins are chill, -And have no more of life than may suffice -To give my tongue that heat to ask your help; -Which if you shall refuse, when I am dead, -For that I am a man, pray see me buried. - -FIRST FISHERMAN. -Die quoth-a? Now gods forbid! I have a gown here; come, put it -on; keep thee warm. Now, afore me, a handsome fellow! Come, -thou shalt go home, and we'll have flesh for holidays, fish for -fasting-days, and moreo'er puddings and flap-jacks, and thou -shalt be welcome. - -PERICLES. -I thank you, sir. - -SECOND FISHERMAN. -Hark you, my friend; you said you could not beg. - -PERICLES. -I did but crave. - -SECOND FISHERMAN. -But crave! Then I'll turn craver too, and so I shall 'scape -whipping. - -PERICLES. -Why, are your beggars whipped, then? - -SECOND FISHERMAN. -O, not all, my friend, not all; for if all your beggars were -whipped, I would wish no better office than to be beadle. -But, master, I'll go draw up the net. - -[Exit with Third Fisherman.] - -PERICLES. [Aside.] -How well this honest mirth becomes their 1abour! - -FIRST FISHERMAN. -Hark you, sir, do you know where ye are? - -PERICLES. -Not well. - -FIRST FISHERMAN. -Why, I'll tell you: this is called Pentapolis, and our king the -good Simonides. - -PERICLES. -The good King Simonides, do you call him? - -FIRST FISHERMAN. -Ay, sir; and he deserves so to be called for his peaceable reign -and good government. - -PERICLES. -He is a happy king, since he gains from his subjects the name of -good government. How far is his court distant from this shore? - -FIRST FISHERMAN. -Marry sir, half a day's journey: and I'll tell you, he hath a -fair daughter, and to-morrow is her birth-day; and there are -princes and knights come from all parts of the world to just and -tourney for her love. - -PERICLES. -Were my fortunes equal to my desires, I could wish to make one -there. - -FIRST FISHERMAN. -O, sir, things must be as they may; and what a man cannot get, he -may lawfully deal for -- his wife' soul. - -[Re-enter Second and Third Fishermen, drawing up a net.] - -SECOND FISHERMAN. -Help, master, help! here's a fish hangs in the net, like a poor -man's right in the law; 'twill hardly come out. Ha! bots on't, -'tis come at last, and 'tis turned to a rusty armour. - -PERICLES. -An armour, friends! I pray you, let me see it. -Thanks, fortune, yet, that, after all my crosses, -Thou givest me somewhat to repair myself, -And though it was mine own, part of my heritage, -Which my dead father did bequeath to me, -With this strict charge, even as he left his life. -'Keep it, my Pericles; it hath been a shield -'Twixt me and death;' -- and pointed to this brace; -- -For that it saved me, keep it; in like necessity -- -The which the gods protect thee from! -- may defend thee.' -It kept where I kept, I so dearly loved it; -Till the rough seas, that spare not any man, -Took it in rage, though calm'd have given't again: -I thank thee for 't: my shipwreck now's no ill, -Since I have here my father's gift in's will. - -FIRST FISHERMAN. -What mean you' sir? - -PERICLES. -To beg of you, kind friends, this coat of worth, -For it was sometime target to a king; -I know it by this mark. He loved me dearly, -And for his sake I wish the having of it; -And that you'ld guide me to your sovereign court, -Where with it I may appear a gentleman; -And if that ever my fortune's better, -I'll pay your bounties; till then rest your debtor. - -FIRST FISHERMAN. -Why, wilt thou tourney for the lady? - -PERICLES. -I'll show the virtue I have borne in arms. - -FIRST FISHERMAN. -Why, do'e take it, and the gods give thee good on 't! - -SECOND FISHERMAN. -Ay, but hark you, my friend; 'twas we that made up this garment -through the rough seams of the waters: there are certain -condolements, certain vails. I hope, sir, if you thrive, you'll -remember from whence you had it. - -PERICLES. -Believe't I will. -By your furtherance I am clothed in steel; -And, spite of all the rapture of the sea, -This jewel holds his building on my arm: -Unto thy value I will mount myself -Upon a courser, whose delightful steps -Shall make the gazer joy to see him tread. -Only, my friend, I yet am unprovided -Of a pair of bases. - -SECOND FISHERMAN. -We'll sure provide: thou shalt have my best gown to make thee a -pair; and I'll bring thee to the court myself. - -PERICLES. -Then honour be but a goal to my will, -This day I'll rise, or else add ill to ill. - -[Exeunt.] - -SCENE II. The same. A public way, or platform leading to the -lists. A pavilion by the side of it for the reception of the -King, Princess, Lords, etc. - -[Enter Simonides, Lords and Attendants.] - -SIMONIDES. -Are the knights ready to begin the triumph? - -FIRST LORD. -They are, my liege; -And stay your coming to present themselves. - -SIMONIDES. -Return them, we are ready; and our daughter, -In honour of whose birth these triumphs are, -Sits here, like beauty's child, whom nature gat -For men to see, and seeing wonder at. - -[Exit a Lord.] - -THALIARD. -It pleaseth you1 my royal father, to express -My commendations great, whose merit's less. - -SIMONIDES. -It's fit it should be so; for princes are -A model, which heaven makes like to itself: -As jewels lose their glory if neglected, -So princes their renowns if not respected. -'Tis now your honour, daughter, to explain -The labour of each knight in his device. - -THALIARD. -Which, to preserve mine honour, I'll perform. - -[Enter a Knight; he passes over, and his Squire presents his -shield to the Princess.] - -SIMONIDES. -Who is the first that doth prefer himself? - -THALIARD. -A knight of Sparta, my renowned father; -And the device he bears upon his shield -Is a black Ethiope reaching at the sun: -The word, 'Lux tua vita mihi.' - -SIMONIDES. -He loves you well that holds his life of you. - -[The Second Knight passes over.] - -Who is the second that presents himself? - -THALIARD. -A prince of Macedon, my royal father; -And the device he bears upon his shield -Is an arm'd knight that's conquer'd by a lady; -The motto thus, in Spanish, 'Piu por dulzura que por fuerza.' - -[The Third Knight passes over.] - -SIMONIDES. -And what's the third? - -THALIARD. -The third of Antioch; -And his device, a wreath of chivalry; -The word, 'Me pompae provexit apex.' - -[The Fourth Knight passes over.] - -SIMONIDES. -What is the fourth? - -THALIARD. -A burning torch that's turned upside down; -The word, 'Quod me alit, me extinguit.' - -SIMONIDES. -Which shows that beauty hath his power and will, -Which can as well inflame as it can kill. - -[The Fifth Knight passes over.] - -THALIARD. -The fifth, an hand environed with clouds, -Holding out gold that's by the touchstone tried; -The motto thus, 'Sic spectanda fides.' - -[The Sixith Knight, Pericles, passes over.] - -SIMONIDES. -And what's -The sixth and last, the which the knight himself -With such a graceful courtesy deliver'd? - -THALIARD. -He seems to be a stranger; but his present is -A wither'd branch, that's only green at top; -The motto, 'In hac spe vivo.' - -SIMONIDES. -A pretty moral; -From the dejected state wherein he is, -He hopes by you his fortunes yet may flourish. - -FIRST LORD. -He had need mean better than his outward show -Can any way speak in his just commend; -For by his rusty outside he appears -To have practised more the whipstock than the lance. - -SECOND LORD. -He well may be a stranger, for he comes -To an honour'd triumph strangely furnished. - -THIRD LORD. -And on set purpose let his armour rust -Until this day, to scour it in the dust. - -SIMONIDES. -Opinion's but a fool, that makes us scan -The outward habit by the inward man. -But stay, the knights are coming: we will withdraw -Into the gallery. - -[Exeunt.] - -[Great shouts within, and all cry 'The mean knight!'] - -SCENE III. The same. A hall of state: a banquet prepared. - -[Enter Simonides, Thaisa, Lords, Attendants, and Knights, from -tilting.] - -SIMONIDES. -Knights, -To say you're welcome were superfluous. -To place upon the volume of your deeds, -As in a title-page, your worth in arms, -Were more than you expect, or more than's fit, -Since every worth in show commends itself. -Prepare for mirth, for mirth becomes a feast: -You are princes and my guests. - -THAISA. -But you, my knight and guest; -To whom this wreath of victory I give, -And crown you king of this day's happiness. - -PERICLES. -'Tis more by fortune, lady, than by merit. - -SIMONIDES. -Call it by what you will, the day is yours; -And here, I hope, is none that envies it. -In framing an artist, art hath thus decreed, -To make some good, but others to exceed; -And you are her labour'd scholar. Come queen of the feast, -- -For, daughter, so you are, -- here take your place: -Marshal the rest, as they deserve their grace. - -KNIGHTS. -We are honour'd much by good Simonides. - -SIMONIDES. -Your presence glads our days; honour we love; -For who hates honour hates the gods above. - -MARSHALL. -Sir, yonder is your place. - -PERICLES. -Some other is more fit. - -FIRST KNIGHT. -Contend not, sir; for we are gentlemen -That neither in our hearts nor outward eyes -Envy the great nor do the low despise. - -PERICLES. -You are right courteous knights. - -SIMONIDES. -Sit, sir, sit. - -PERICLES. -By Jove, I wonder, that is king of thoughts, -These cates resist me, she but thought upon. - -THAISA. -By Juno, that is queen of marriage, -All viands that I eat do seem unsavoury, -Wishing him my meat. Sure, he's a gallant gentleman. - -SIMONIDES. -He's but a country gentleman; -Has done no more than other knights have done; -Has broken a staff or so; so let it pass. - -THAISA. -To me he seems like diamond to glass. - -PERICLES. -Yon king's to me like to my father's picture, -Which tells me in that glory once he was; -Had princes sit, like stars, about his throne, -And he the sun, for them to reverence; -None that beheld him, but, like lesser lights, -Did vail their crowns to his supremacy: -Where now his son's like a glow-worm in the night, -The which hath fire in darkness, none in light: -Whereby I see that Time's the king of men, -He's both their parent, and he is their grave, -And gives them what he will, not what they crave. - -SIMONIDES. -What, are you merry, knights? - -KNIGHTS. -Who can be other in this royal presence? - -SIMONIDES. -Here, with a cup that's stored unto the brim, -- -As you do love, fill to your mistress' lips, -- -We drink this health to you. - -KNIGHTS. -We thank your grace. - -SIMONIDES. -Yet pause awhile: -Yon knight doth sit too melancholy, -As if the entertainment in our court -Had not a show might countervail his worth. -Note it not you, Thaisa? - -THAISA. -What is it -To me, my father? - -SIMONIDES. -O attend, my daughter: -Princes in this should live like god's above, -Who freely give to every one that comes -To honour them: -And princes not doing so are like to gnats, -Which make a sound, but kill'd are wonder'd at. -Therefore to make his entrance more sweet, -Here, say we drink this standing-bowl of wine to him. - -THAISA. -Alas, my father, it befits not me -Unto a stranger knight to be so bold: -He may my proffer take for an offence, -Since men take women's gifts for impudence. - -SIMONIDES. -How! -Do as I bid you, or you'll move me else. - -THAISA. [Aside] -Now, by the gods, he could not please me better. - -SIMONIDES. -And furthermore tell him, we desire to know of him, -Of whence he is, his name and parentage. - -THAISA. -The king my father, sir, has drunk to you. - -PERICLES. -I thank him. - -THAISA. -Wishing it so much blood unto your life. - -PERICLES. -I thank both him and you, and pledge him freely. - -THAISA. -And further he desires to know of you, -Of whence you are, your name and parentage. - -PERICLES. -A gentleman of Tyre; my name, Pericles; -My education been in arts and arms; -Who, looking for adventures in the world, -Was by the rough seas reft of ships and men, -And after shipwreck driven upon this shore. - -THAISA. -He thanks your grace; names himself Pericles, -A gentleman of Tyre, -Who only by misfortune of the seas -Bereft of ships and men, cast on this shore. - -SIMONIDES. -Now, by the gods, I pity his misfortune, -And will awake him from his melancholy. -Come, gentlemen, we sit too long on trifles, -And waste the time, which looks for other revels. -Even in your armours, as you are address'd, -Will very well become a soldier's dance. -I will not have excuse, with saying this, -Loud music is too harsh for ladies' heads -Since they love men in arms as well as beds. - -[The Knights dance.] - -So, this was well ask'd, 'twas so well perform'd. -Come, sir; -Here is a lady which wants breathing too: -And I have heard you nights of Tyre -Are excellent in making ladies trip; -And that their measures are as exceltent. - -PERICLES. -In those that practise them they are, my lord. - -SIMONIDES. -O, that's as much as you would be denied -Of your fair courtesy. - -[The Knights and Ladies dance.] - -Unclasp, unclasp: -Thanks gentlemen, to all; all have done well. - -[To Pericles.] - -But you the you the best. Pages and lights to conduct -These knights unto their several lodging. - -[To Pericles.] - -Yours, sir, -We have given order to be next our own. - -PERICLES. -I am at your grace's pleasure. - -SIMONIDES. -Princes, it is too late to talk of love; -And that's the mark I know you level at: -Therefore each one betake him to his rest; -To-morrow all for speeding do their best. - -[Exeunt.] - - -SCENE IV. Tyre. A room in the Govenor's house. - -[Enter Helicanus and Escanes.] - -HELICANUS. -No, Escanes, know this of me, -Antiochus from incest lived not free: -For which, the most high gods not minding longer -To withhold the vengeance that they had in store -Due to this heinous capital offence, -Even in the height and pride of all his glory, -When he was seated in a chariot -Of an inestimable value, and his daughter with him, -A fire from heavn came and shrivell'd up -Their bodies, even to loathing; for they so stunk, -That all those eyes adored them ere their fall -Scorn now their hand should give them burial. - -ESCANES. -'Twas very strange - -HELICANUS. -And yet but justice; for though -This king were great; his greatness was no guard. -To bar heaven's shaft, but sin had his reward. - -ESCANES. -'Tis very true. - -[Enter two or three Lords.] - -FIRST LORD. -See, not a man in private conference -Or council has respect with him but he. - -SECOND LORD. -It shall no longer grieve with out reproof. - -THIRD LORD. -And cursed be he that will not second it. - -FIRST LORD. -Follow me, then. Lord Helicane, a word. - -HELICANE. -With me? and welcome: happy day, my lords. - -FIRST LORD. -Know that our griefs are risen to the top, -And now at length they overflow their banks. - -HELICANE. -Your griefs! for what? wrong not your prince your love. - -FIRST LORD. -Wrong not yourself, then, noble Helicane; -But if the prince do live, let us salute him. -Or know what ground's made happy by his breath. -If in the world he live, we'll seek him there; -And be resolved he lives to govern us, -Or dead, give's cause to mourn his funeral, -And leave us to our free election. - -SECOND LORD. -Whose death indeed 's the strongest in our censure: -And knowing this kingdom is without a head, -- -Like goodly buildings left without a roof -Soon fall to ruin, -- your noble self, -That best know how to rulle and how to reign, -We thus submit unto, -- our sovereign. - -ALL. -Live, noble Helicane! - -HELICANUS. -For honour's cause, forbear your suffrages: -If that you love Prince Pericles, forbear. -Take I your wish, I leap into the seas, -Where's hourly trouble for a minute's ease. -A twelve month longer, let me entreat you to -Forbear the absence of your king; -If in which time expired, he not return, -I shall with aged patience bear your yoke. -But if I cannot win you to this love, -Go search like nobles, like noble subjects, -And in your search spend your adventurous worth; -Whom if you find, and win unto return, -You shall like diamonds sit about his crown. - -FIRST LORD. -To wisdom he's a fool that will not yield; -And since Lord Helicane enjoineth us, -We with our travels will endeavour us. - -HELICANUS. -Then you love us, we you, and we'll clasp hands: -When peers thus knit, a kingdom ever stands. - -[Exeunt.] - - -SCENE V. Pentapolis. A room in the palace. - -Enter Simonides, reading a letter at one door: the Knights meet -him.] - -FIRST KNIGHT.] -Good morrow to the good Simonides. - -SIMONIDES. -Knights, from my daughter this I let you know, -That for this twelvemonth she'll not undertake -A married life. -Her reason to herself is only known, -Which yet from her by no means can I get. - -SECOND KNIGHT. -May we not get access to her, my lord? - -SIMONIDES. -'Faith, by no means; she hath so strictly tied -Her to her chamber, that 'tis impossible. -One twelve moons more she'll wear Diana's livery; -This by the eye of Cynthia hath she vow'd, -And on her virgin honour will not break it. - -THIRD KNIGHT. -Loath to bid farewell, we take our leaves. - -[Exeunt Knights.] - -SIMONIDES. -So, -They are well dispatch'd; now to my daughter's letter: -She tells me here, she'll wed the stranger knight. -Or never more to view nor day nor light. -'Tis well, mistress; your choice agrees with mine; -I like that well: nay, how absolute she's in it, -Not minding whether I dislike or no! -Well, I do commend her choice; -And will no longer have it delay'd. -Soft! here he comes: I must dissemble it. - -[Enter Pericles.] - -PERICLES. -All fortune to the good Simonides! - -SIMONIDES. -To you as much, sir! I am beholding to you -For your sweet music this last night: I do -Protest my ears were never better fed -With such delightful pleasing harmony. - -PERICLES. -It is your grace's pleasure to commend; -Not my desert. - -SIMONIDES. -Sir, you are music's master. - -PERICLES. -The worst of all her scholars, my good lord. - -SIMONIDES. -Let me ask you one thing: -What do you think of my daughter, sir? - -PERICLES. -A most virtuous princess. - -SIMONIDES. -And she is fair too, is she not? - -PERICLES. -As a fair day in summer, wondrous fair. - -SIMONIDES. -Sir, my daughter thinks very well of you; -Ay, so well, that you must be her master, -And she will be your scholar: therefore look to it. - -PERICLES. -I am unworthy for her schoolmaster. - -SIMONIDES. -She thinks not so; peruse this writing else. - -PERICLES. [Aside.] -A letter, that she loves the knight of Tyre! -'Tis the king's subtilty to have my life. -O, seek not to entrap me, gracious lord, -A stranger and distressed gentleman, -That never aim'd so high to love your daughter, -But bent all offices to honour her. - -SIMONIDES. -Thou hast bewitch'd my daughter, and thou art -A villain. - -PERICLES. -By the gods, I have not: -Never did thought of mine levy offence; -Nor never did my actions yet commence -A deed might gain her love or your displeasure. - -SIMONIDES. -Traitor, thou liest. - -PERICLES. -Traitor! - -SIMONIDES. -Ay, traitor; - -PERICLES. -Even in his throat -- unless it be the king -- -That calls me traitor, I return the lie. - -SIMONIDES. [Aside.] -Now, by the gods, I do applaud his courage. - -PERICLES. -My actions are as noble as my thoughts, -That never relish'd of a base descent. -I came unto your court for honour's cause, -And not to be a rebel to her state; -And he that otherwise accounts of me, -This sword shall prove he's honour's enemy. - -SIMONIDES. -No? -Here comes my daughter, she can witness it. - -[Enter Thaisa.] - -PERICLES. -Then, as you are as virtuous as fair, -Resolve your angry father, if my tongue -Did e'er solicit, or my hand subscribe -To any syllable that made love to you. - -THAISA. -Why, sir, say if you had, -Who takes offence at that would make me glad? - -SIMONIDES. -Yea, mistress, are you so peremptory? -[Aside.] -I am glad on't with all my heart. -- -I'll tame you; I'll bring you in subjection. -Will you, not having my consent, -Bestow your love and your affections -Upon a stranger? -[Aside.] -who, for aught I know, -May be, nor can I think the contrary, -As great in blood as I myself. -- -Therefore hear you, mistress; either frame -Your will to mine, -- and you, sir, hear you, -Either be ruled by me, or I will make you -- -Man and wife: -Nay, come, your hands and lips must seal it too: -And being join'd, I'll thus your hopes destroy; -And for a further grief, -- God give you joy! -- -What, are you both pleased? - -THAISA. -Yes, if you love me, sir. - -PERICLES. -Even as my life my blood that fosters it. - -SIMONIDES. -What, are you both agreed? - -BOTH. -Yes, if it please your majesty. - -SIMONIDES. -It pleaseth me so well, that I will see you wed; -And then with what haste you can get you to bed. - -[Exeunt.] - - -ACT III. - -[Enter Gower.] - -GOWER. -Now sleep yslaked hath the rout; -No din but snores the house about, -Made louder by the o'er-fed breast -Of this most pompous marriage-feast. -The cat, with eyne of burning coal, -Now couches fore the mouse's hole; -And crickets sing at the oven's mouth, -E'er the blither for their drouth. -Hymen hath brought the bride to bed, -Where, by the loss of maidenhead, -A babe is moulded. Be attent, -And time that is so briefly spent -With your fine fancies quaintly eche: -What's dumb in show I'll plain with speech. - -[Dumb Show.] - -[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 exeunt Simonides and the rest.] - -By many a dern and painful perch -Of Pericles the careful search, -By the four opposing coigns -Which the world together joins, -Is made with all due diligence -That horse and sail and high expense -Can stead the quest. At last from Tyre, -Fame answering the most strange inquire, -To the court of King Simonides -Are letters brought, the tenour these: -Antiochus and his daughter dead; -The men of Tyrus on the head -Of Helicanus would set on -The crown of Tyre, but he will none: -The mutiny he there hastes t' oppress; -Says to 'em, if King Pericles -Come not home in twice six moons, -He, obedient to their dooms, -Will take the crown. The sum of this, -Brought hither to Pentapolis -Y-ravished the regions round, -And every one with claps can sound, -'Our heir-apparent is a king! -Who dream'd, who thought of such a thing?' -Brief, he must hence depart to Tyre: -His queen with child makes her desire -- -Which who shall cross? -- along to go: -Omit we all their dole and woe: -Lychorida, her nurse, she takes, -And so to sea. Their vessel shakes -On Neptune's billow; half the flood -Hath their keel cut: but fortune's mood -Varies again; the grisled north -Disgorges such a tempest forth, -That, as a duck for life that dives, -So up and down the poor ship drives: -The lady shrieks, and well-a-near -Does fall in travail with her fear: -And what ensues in this fell storm -Shall for itself itself perform. -I nill relate, action may -Conveniently the rest convey; -Which might not what by me is told. -In your imagination hold -This stage the ship, upon whose deck -The sea-tost Pericles appears to speak. - -[Exit.] - -SCENE I. - -[Enter Pericles, on shipboard.] - -PERICLES. -Thou god of this great vast, rebuke these surges, -Which wash forth both heaven and hell; and thou that hast -Upon the winds command, bind them in brass, -Having call'd them from the deep! O, still -Thy deafening, dreadful thunders; gently quench -Thy nimble, sulphurous flashes! O, how, Lychorida, -How does my queen? Thou stormest venomously; -Wilt thou spit all thyself? The seaman's whistle -Is as a whisper in the ears of death, -Unheard. Lychorida! - Lucina, O -Divinest patroness, and midwife gentle -To those that cry by night, convey thy deity -Aboard our dancing boat; make swift the pangs -Of my queen's travails! - -[Enter Lychorida, with an Infant.] - -Now, Lychorida! - -LYCHORIDA. -Here is a thing too young for such a place, -Who, if it had conceit, would die, as I -Am like to do: take in your aims this piece -Of your dead queen. - -PERICLES. -How, how, Lychorida! - -LYCHORIDA. -Patience, good sir; do not assist the storm. -Here's all that is left living of your queen, -A little daughter: for the sake of it, -Be manly, and take comfort. - -PERICLES. -O you gods! -Why do you make us love your goodly gifts, -And snatch them straight away? We here below -Recall not what we give, and therein may -Use honour with you. - -LYCHORIDA. -Patience, good sir. -Even for this charge. - -PERICLES. -Now, mild may be thy life! -For a more blustrous birth had never babe: -Quiet and gentle thy conditions! for -Thou art the rudliest welcome to this world -That ever was prince's child. Happy what follows! -Thiou hast as chiding a nativity -As fire, air, water, earth, and heaven can make, -To herald thee from the womb: even at the first -Thy loss is more than can thy portage quit, -With all thou canst find here, Now, the good gods -Throw their best eyes upon't! - -{Enter two Sailors.] - -FIRST SAILOR. -What courage, sir? God save you! - -PERICLES. -Courage enough: I do not fear the flaw; -It hath done to me the worst. Yet, for the love -Of ths poor infant, this fresh-new sea-farer, -I would it would be quiet. - -FIRST SAILOR. -Slack the bolins there! Thou wilt not, wilt thou? Blow, and -split thyself. - -SECOND SAILOR. -But sea-room, an the brine and cloudy billow kiss the moon, I -care not. - -FIRST SAILOR. -Sir, your queen must overboard: the sea works high, the wind is -loud and will not lie till the ship be cleared of the dead. - -PERICLES. -That's your superstition. - -FIRST SAILOR. -Pardon us, sir; with us at sea it has been still observed; and we -are strong in custom. Therefore briefly yield her; for she must -overboard straight. - -PERICLES. -As you think meet. Most wretched queen! - -LYCHORIDA. -Here she lies, sir. - -PERICLES. -A terrible childben hast thou had, my dear; -No light, no fire: the unfriendly elements -Forgot thee utterly; nor have I time -To give thee hallow'd to thy grave, but straight -Must cast thee, scarcely coffin'd, in the ooze; -Where, for a monument upon thy bones, -And e'er-remaining lamps, the belching whale -And humming water must o'erwhelm thy corpse, -Lying with simple shells. O Lychorida. -Bid Nestor bring me spices, ink and paper, -My casket and my jewels; and bid Nicander -Bring me the satin coffer: lay the babe -Upon the pillow: hie thee, whiles I say -A priestly farewell to her: suddenly, woman. - -[Exit Lychorida.] - -SECOND SAILOR. -Sir, we have a chest beneath the hatches, caulked and bitumed -ready. - -PERICLES. -I thank thee. Mariner, say what coast is this? - -SECOND SAILOR. -We are near Tarsus. - -PERICLES. -Thither, gentle mariner, -Alter thy course for Tyre. When, canst thou reach it? - -SECOND SAILOR. -By break of day, if the wind cease. - -PERICLES. -O, make for Tarsus! -There will I visit Cleon, for the babe -Cannot hold out to Tyrus there I'll leave it -At careful nursing. Go thy ways, good mariner: -I'll bring the body presently. - -[Exeunt.] - - -SCENE II. Ephesus. A room in Cerimon's house. - -[Enter Cerimon, with a Servant, and some Persons who have been -shipwrecked.] - -CERIMON. -Philemon, ho! - -[Enter Philemon.] - -PHILEMON. -Doth my lord call? - -CERIMON. -Get fire and meat for these poor men: -'T has been a turbulent and stormy night. - -SERVANT. -I have been in many; but such a night as this, -Till now, I ne'er endured. - -CERIMON. -Your master will be dead ere you return; -There's nothing can be minister'd to nature -That can recover him. - -[To Philemon.] -Give this to the 'pothecary, -And tell me how it works. - -[Exeunt all but Cerimon.] - -[Enter two Gentlemen.] - -FIRST GENTLEMAN. -Good morrow. - -SECOND GENTLEMAN. -Good morrow to your lordship. - -CERIMON. -Gentlemen, -Why do you stir so early? - -FIRST GENTLEMAN. -Sir, -Our lodgings, standing bleak upon the sea, -Shook as the earth did quake; -The very principals did seem to rend, -And all-to topple: pure surprise and fear -Made me to quit the house. - -SECOND GENTLEMAN. -That is the cause we trouble you so early; -'Tis not our husbandry. - -CERIMON. -O, you say well. - -FIRST GENTLEMAN. -But I much marvel that your lordship, having -Rich tire about you, should at these early hours -Shake off the golden slumber of repose. -'Tis most strange, -Nature should be so conversant with pain. -Being thereto not compell'd. - -CERIMON. -I hold it ever, -Virtue and cunning were endowments greater -Than nobleness and riches: careless heirs -May the two latter darken and expend; -But immortality attends the former, -Making a man a god. 'Tis known, I ever -Have studied physic, through which secret art, -By turning o'er authorities, I have, -Together with my practice, made familiar -To me and to my aid the blest infusions -That dwell in vegetives, in metals, stones; -And I can speak of the disturbances -That nature works, and of her cures; which doth give me -A more content in course of true delight -Than to be thirsty after tottering honour, -Or tie my treasure up in silken bags, -To please the fool and death. - -SECOND GENTLEMAN. -Your honour has through Ephesus pour'd forth -Your charity, and hundreds call themselves -Your creatures, who by you have been restored: -And not your knowledge, your personal pain, but even -Your purse, still open, hath built Lord Cerimon -Such strong renown as time shall ne'er decay. - -[Enter two or three Servants with a chest.] - -FIRST SERVANT. -So; lift there. - -CERIMON. -What is that? - -FIRST SERVANT. -Sir, even now -Did the sea toss upon our shore this chest: -'Tis of some wreck. - -CERIMON. -Set 't down, let's look upon 't. - -SECOND GENTLEMAN. -'Tis like a coffin, sir. - -CERIMON. -Whate'er it be, -'Tis wondrous heavy. Wrench it open straight: -If the sea's stomach be o'ercharged with gold, -'Tis a good constraint of fortune it belches upon us. - -SECOND GENTLEMAN. -'Tis so, my lord. - -CERIMON. -How close 'tis caulk'd and bitumed! -Did the sea cast it up? - -FIRST SERVANT. -I never saw so huge a billow, sir, -As toss'd it upon shore. - -CERIMON. -Wrench it open; -Soft! it smells most sweetly in my sense. - -SECOND GENTLEMAN. -A delicate odour. - -CERIMON. -As ever hit my nostril. So up with it. -O you most potent gods! what's here? a corse! - -FIRST GENTLEMAN. -Most strange! - -CERIMON. -Shrouded in cloth of state; balm'd and entreasured -With full bags of spices! A passport too! -Apollo, perfect me in the characters! - -[Reads from a scroll.] - - 'Here I give to understand, - If e'er this coffin drive a-land, - I, King Pericles, have lost - This queen, worth all our mundane cost. - Who her, give her burying; - She was the daughter of a king: - Besides this treasure for a fee, - The gods requite his charity!' -If thou livest, Pericles, thou hast a heart -That even cracks for woe! This chanced tonight. - -SECOND GENTLEMAN. -Most likely, sir. - -CERIMON. -Nay, certainly to-night; -For look how fresh she looks! They were too rough -That threw her in the sea. Make a fire within -Fetch hither all my boxes in my closet. - -[Exit a Servant.] - -Death may usurp on nature many hours, -And yet the fire of life kindle again -The o'erpress'd spirits. I heard of an Egyptian -That had nine hours lien dead, -Who was by good appliance recovered. - -[Re-enter a Servant, with boxes, napkins, and fire. - -Well said, well said; the fire and cloths. -The rough and woeful music that we have, -Cause it to sound, beseech you -The viol once more: how thou stirr'st, thou block! -The music there! -- I pray you, give her air. -Gentlemen, -This queen will live: nature awakes; a warmth -Breathes out of her: she hath not been entranced -Above five hours: see how she gins to blow -Into life's flower again! - -FIRST GENTLEMAN. -The heavens, -Through you, increase our wonder and set up -Your fame for ever. - -CERIMON. -She is alive; behold, -Her eyelids, cases to those heavenly jewels -Which Pericles hath lost, -Begin to part their fringes of bright gold; -The diamonds of a most praised water -Do appear, to make the world twice rich. -Live, -And make us weep to hear your fate, fair creature, -Rare as you seem to be. - -[She moves.] - -THAISA. -O dear Diana, -Where am I? Where's my lord? What world is this? - -SECOND GENTLEMAN. -Is not this strange? - -FIRST GENTLEMAN. -Most rare. - -CERIMON. -Hush, my gentle neighbours! -Lend me your hands; to the next chamber bear her. -Get linen: now this matter must be look'd to, -For her, relapse is mortal. Come, come; -And AEsculapius guide us! - -[Exeunt, carrying her away.] - -SCENE III. Tarsus. A room in Cleon's house. - -[Enter Pericles, Cleon, Dionyza, and Lychorida with Marina in her -arms.] - -PERICLES. -Most honour'd Cleon, I must needs be gone; -My twelve months are expired, and Tyrus stands -In a litigious peace. You, and your lady, -Take from my heart all thankfulness! The gods -Make up the rest upon you! - -CLEON. -Your shafts of fortune, though they hurt you mortally, -Yet glance full wanderingly on us. - -DIONYZA. -O, your sweet queen! -That the strict fates had pleased you had brought her hither, -To have bless'd mine eyes with her! - -PERICLES. -We cannot but obey -The powers above us. Could I rage and roar -As doth the sea she lies in, yet the end -Must be as 'tis. My gentle babe Marina, whom, -For she was born at sea, I have named so, here -I charge your charity withal, leaving her -The infant of your care; beseeching you -To give her princely training, that she may be -Manner'd as she is born. - -CLEON. -Fear not, my lord, but think -Your grace, that fed my country with your corn, -For which the people's prayers still fall upon you, -Must in your child be thought on. If neglection -Should therein make me vile, the common body, -By you relieved, would force me to my duty: -But if to that my nature need a spur, -The gods revenge it upon me and mine, -To the end of generation! - -PERICLES. -I believe you; -Your honour and your goodness teach me to 't, -Without your vows. Till she be married, madam, -By bright Diana, whom we honour, all -Unscissar'd shall this hair of mine remain, -Though I show ill in 't. So I take my leave -Good madam, make me blessed in your care -In bringing up my child. - -DIONYZA. -I have one myself, -Who shall not be mere dear to my respect -Than yours, my lord. - -PERICLES. -Madam, my thanks and prayers. - -CLEON. -We'll bring your grace e'en to the edge o' the shore, -Then give you up to the mask'd Neptune and -The gentlest winds of heaven. - -PERICLES. -I will embrace -Your offer. Come, dearest madam. O, no tears, -Lychorida, no tears: -Look to your little mistress, on whose grace -You may depend hereafter. Come, my lord. - -[Exeunt.] - - -SCENE IV. Ephesus. A room in Cerimon's house. - -[Enter Cerimon and Thaisa.] - -CERIMON. -Madam, this letter, and some certain jewels, -Lay with you in your coffer: which are now -At your command. Know you the character? - -THAISA. -It is my lord's. -That I was shipp'd at sea, I well remember, -Even on my eaning time; but whether there -Deliver'd, by the holy gods, -I cannot rightly say. But since King Pericles, -My wedded lord, I ne'er shall see again, -A vestal livery will I take me to, -And never more have joy. - -CERIMON. -Madam, if this you purpose as ye speak, -Diana's temple is not distant far, -Where you may abide till your date expire. -Moreover, if you please, a niece of mine -Shall there attend you. - -THAISA. -My recompense is thanks, that's all; -Yet my good will is great, though the gift small. - -[Exeunt.] - - -ACT IV. - -[Enter Gower.] - -GOWER. -Imagine Pericles arrived at Tyre, -Welcomed and settled to his own desire. -His woeful queen we leave at Ephesus, -Unto Diana there a votaress. -Now to Marina bend your mind, -Whom our fast-growing scene must find -At Tarsus, and by Cleon train'd -In music, letters; who hath gain'd -Of education all the grace, -Which makes her both the heart and place -Of general wonder. But, alack, -That monster envy, oft the wrack -Of earned praise, Marina's life -Seeks to take off by treason's knife. -And in this kind hath our Cleon -One daughter, and a wench full grown, -Even ripe for marriage-rite; this maid -Hight Philoten: and it is said -For certain in our story, she -Would ever with Marina be: -Be't when she weaved the sleided silk -With fingers long, small, white as milk; -Or when she would with sharp needle wound, -The cambric, which she made more sound -By hurting it; or when to the lute -She sung, and made the night-bird mute -That still records with moan; or when -She would with rich and constant pen -Vail to her mistress Dian; still -This Philoten contends in skill -With absolute Marina: so -With the dove of Paphos might the crow -Vie feathers white. Marina gets -All praises, which are paid as debts, -And not as given. This so darks -In Philoten all graceful marks, -That Cleon's wife, with envy rare, -A present murderer does prepare -For good Marina, that her daughter -Might stand peerless by this slaughter. -The sooner her vile thoughts to stead, -Lychorida, our nurse, is dead: -And cursed Dionyza hath -The pregnant instrument of wrath -Prest for this blow. The unborn event -I do commend to your content: -Only I carry winged time -Post on the lame feet of my rhyme; -Which never could I so convey, -Unless your thoughts went on my way. -Dionyza does appear, -With Leonine, a murderer. - -[Exit.] - -Scene I. Tarsus. An open place near the sea-shore. - -[Enter Dionyza and Leonine.] - -DIONYZA. -Thy oath remember; thou hast sworn to do 't: -'Tis but a blow, which never shall be known. -Thou canst not do a thing in the world so soon, -To yield thee so much profit. Let not conscience, -Which is but cold, inflaming love i' thy bosom, -Inflame too nicely; nor let pity, which -Even women have cast off, melt thee, but be -A soldier to thy purpose. - -LEONINE. -I will do't; but yet she is a goodly creature. - -DIONYZA. -The fitter, then, the gods should have her. Here she comes -weeping for her only mistress' death. Thou art resolved? - -LEONINE. -I am resolved. - -[Enter Marina, with a basket of flowers.] - -MARINA. -No, I will rob Tellus of her weed -To strew thy green with flowers: the yellows, blues, -The purple violets, and marigolds, -Shall as a carpet hang upon thy grave, -While summer-days do last. Ay me! poor maid, -Born in a tempest, when my mother died, -This world to me is like a lasting storm, -Whirring me from my friends. - -DIONYZA. -How now, Marina! why do you keep alone? -How chance my daughter is not with you? Do not -Consume your blood with sorrowing: you have -A nurse of me. Lord, how your favour's changed -With this unprofitable woe! -Come, give me your flowers, ere the sea mar it. -Walk with Leonine; the air is quick there, -And it pierces and sharpens the stomach. -Come, -Leonine, take her by the arm, walk with her. - -MARINA. -No, I pray you; -I'll not bereave you of your servant. - -DIONYZA. -Come, come; -I love the king your father, and yourself, -With more than foreign heart. We every day -Expect him here: when he shall come and find -Our paragon to all reports thus blasted, -He will repent the breadth of his great voyage; -Blame both my lord and me, that we have taken -No care to your best courses. Go, I pray you, -Walk, and be cheerful once again; reserve -That excellent complexion, which did steal -The eyes of young and old. Care not for me; -I can go home alone. - -MARINA. -Well, I will go; -But yet I have no desire to it. - -DIONYZA. -Come, come, I know 'tis good for you. -Walk half an hour, Leonine, at the least: -Remember what I have said. - -LEONINE. -I warrant you, madam. - -DIONYZA. -I'll leave you, my sweet lady, for a while: -Pray, walk softly, do not heat your blood: -What! I must have a care of you. - -MARINA. -My thanks, sweet madam. - -[Exit Dionyza.] - -Is this wind westerly that blows? - -LEONINE. -South-west. - -MARINA. -When I was born, the wind was north. - -LEONINE. -Was 't so? - -MARINA. -My father, as nurse said, did never fear, -But cried 'Good seamen!' to the sailors, galling -His kingly hands, haling ropes; -And, clasping to the mast, endured a sea -That almost burst the deck. - -LEONINE. -When was this? - -MARINA. -When I was born: -Never was waves nor wind more violent; -And from the ladder-tackle washes off -A canvas-climber. 'Ha!' says one, wilt out?' -And with a dropping industry they skip -From stem to stern: the boatswain whistles, and -The master calls, and trebles their confusion. - -LEONINE. -Come, say your prayers. - -MARINA. -What mean you? - -LEONINE. -If you require a little space for prayer, -I grant it: pray; but be not tedious, -For the gods are quick of ear, and I am sworn -To do my work with haste. - -MARINA. -Why will you kill rne? - -LEONINE. -To satisfy my lady. - -MARINA. -Why would she have me kill'd? -Now, as I can remember, by my troth, -I never did her hurt in all my life: -I never spoke bad word, nor did ill turn -To any living creature: believe me, la, -I never kill'd a mouse, nor hurt a fly: -I trod upon a worm against my will, -But I wept for it. How have I offended, -Wherein my death might yield her any profit, -Or my life imply her any danger? - -LEONINE. -My commission -Is not to reason of the deed, but do it. - -MARINA. -You will not do 't for all the world, I hope. -You are well favour'd, and your looks foreshow -You have a gentle heart. I saw you lately, -When you caught hurt in parting two that fought: -Good sooth, it show'd well in you: do so now: -Your lady seeks my life; come you between, -And save poor me, the weaker. - -LEONINE. -I am sworn, -And will dispatch. - -[He seizes her.] - -[Enter Pirates.] - -FIRST PIRATE. -Hold, villain! - -[Leonine runs away.] - -SECOND PIRATE. -A prize! a prize! - -THIRD PIRATE. -Half-part, mates, half-part, -Comes, let's have her aboard suddenly. - -[Exeunt Pirates with Marina.] - -[Re-enter Leonine.] - -LEONINE. -These roguing thieves serve the great pirate Valdes; -And they hav seized Marina. Let her go: -Thre's no hope she will return. I'll swear she's dead -And thrown into the sea. But I'll see further: -Perhaps they will but please themselves upon her, -Not carry her aboard. If she remain, -Whom they have ravish'd must by me be slain. - -[Exit.] - - -Scene II. Mytilene. A room in a brothel. - -[Enter Pandar, Bawd, and Boult.] - -PANDAR. -Boult! - -BOULT. -Sir? - -PANDAR. -Search the market narrowly; Mytilene is full of gallants. We lost -too much money this mart by being too wenchless. - -BAWD. -We were never so much out of creatures. We have but poor three, -and they can do no more than they can do; and they with continual -action are even as good as rotten. - -PANDAR. -Therefore let's have fresh ones, whate'r we pay for them. If -there be not a conscience to be used in every trade, we shall -never prosper. - -BAWD. -Thou sayest true: 'tis not our bringing up of poor bastards, -- -as, I think, I have bought up some eleven -- - -BOULT. -Ay, to eleven; and brought them down again. But shall I search -the market? - -BAWD. -What else, man? The stuff we have, a strong wind will blo it to -pieces, they are so pitifully sodden. - -PANDAR. -Thou sayest true; they're too unwholesome, o' conscience. The -poor Transylvanian is dead, that lay with the little baggage. - -BOULT. -Ay, she quickly pooped him; she made him roast-meat for worms. -But I'll go search the market. - -[Exit.] - -PANDAR. -Three or four thousand chequins were as pretty a proportion to -live quietly, and so give over. - -BAWD. -Wgy to give over, I pray you? is it a shame to get when we are -old? - -PANDAR. -O, our credit comes not in like the commodity , nor the commodity -wages not with the danger: therfore, if in our youths we could -pick up some pretty estate, 'twere not amiss to keep our door -hatched. Besides, the sore terms we stand upon with the gods will -be strong with us for giving over. - -BAWD. -Come, others sorts offend as well as we. - -PANDAR. -As well as we! ay, and better too; we offend worse. Neither is -our profession any trade; it's no calling. But here comes Boult. - -[Re-enter Boult, with the Pirates and Marina.] - -BOULT -[To Marina.] -Come your ways. My masters, you say she's a virgin? - -FIRST PIRATE. -O, sir, we doubt it not. - -BOULT. -Master, I have gone through for this piece, you see: if you like -her, so; if not, I have lost my earnest. - -BAWD. -Boult, has she any qualities? - -BOULT. -She has a good face, speaks well, and has excellent clothes: -ther's no further necessity of qualities can make her be refused. - -BAWD. -What is her price, Boult? - -BOULT. -I cannot be baited one doit of a thousand pieces. - -PANDAR. -Well, follow me, my masters, you shall have your money presently. -Wife, take her in; instruct her what she has to do, that she may -not be raw in her entertainment. - -[Exeunt Pandar and Pirates.] - -BAWD. -Boult, take you the marks of her, the colour of her hair, -complexion, height, age, with warrant of her virginity; and cry -'He that will give most shall have her first.' Such a maidenhead -were no cheap thing, if men were as they have been. Get this -done as I command you. - -BOULT. -Performance shall follow. - -[Exit. - -MARINA. -Alack that Leonine was so slack, so slow! -He should have struck, not spoke; or that these pirates, -Not enough barbarous, had not o'erboard thrown me -For to seek my mother! - -BARD. -Why lament you, pretty one? - -MARINA. -That I am pretty. - -BAWD. -Come, the gods have done their part in you. - -MARINA. -I accuse them not. - -BAWD. -You are light into my hands, where you are like to live. - -MARINA. -The more my fault -To scape his hands where I was like to die. - -BAWD. -Ay, and you shall live in pleasure. - -MARINA. -No. - -BAWD. -Yes, indeed shall you, and taste gentlemen of all fashions: you -shall fare well; you shall have the difference of all complexions. -What! do you stop your ears? - -MARINA. -Are you a woman? - -BAWD. -What would you have me be, an I be not a woman? - -MARINA. -An honest woman, or not a woman. - -BAWD. -Marry, whip the, gosling: I think I shall have something to do -with you. Come, you're a young foolish sapling, and must be bowed -as I would have you. - -MARINA. -The gods defend me! - -BAWD. -If it please the gods to defend you by men, then men must comfort -you, men must feed you, men must stir you up. Boult's returned. - -[Re-enter Boult.] - -Now, sir, hast thou cried her through the market? - -BOULT. -I have cried her almost to the number of her hairs; I have drawn -her picture with my voice. - -BAWD. -And I prithee tell me, how dost thou find the inclination of the -people, especially of the younger sort? - -BOULT. -'Faith, they listened to me as they would have hearkened to their -father's testament. There was a Spaniard's mouth so watered, -that he went to bed to her very description. - -BAWD. -We shall have him here to-morrow: with his best ruff on. - -BOULT. -To-night, to-night. But, mistress, do you know the French knight -that cowers i' the hams? - -BAWD. -Who, Monsieur Veroles? - -BOULT. -Ay, he: he offered to cut a caper at the proclamation; but he -made a groan at it, and swore he would see her to-morrow. - -BAWD. -Well. well; as for him, he brought his disease hither: here he -does but repair it. I know he will come in our shadow, to -scatter his crowns in the sun. - -BOULT. -Well, if we had of every nation a traveller, we should lodge them -with this sign. - -[To Marina.] -Pray you, come hither awhile. You have fortunes coming upon you. -Mark me: you must seem to do that fearfully which you commit -willingly, despise profit where you have most gain. To weep that -you live as ye do makes pity in your lovers: seldom but that -pity begets you a good opinion, and that opinion a mere profit. - -MARINA. -I understand you not. - -BOULT. -O, take her home, mistress, take her home: these blushes of hers -must be quenched with some present practice. - -BAWD. -Thou sayest true, i' faith so they must; for your bride goes to -that with shame which is her way to go with warrant. - -BOULT. -'Faith, some do and some do not. But, mistress, if I have -bargained for the joint, -- - -BAWD. -Thou mayst cut a morsel off the spit. - -BOULT. -I may so. - -BAWD. -Who should deny it? Come young one, I like the manner of your -garments well. - -BOULT. -Ay, by my faith, they shall not be changed yet. - -BAWD. -Boult, spend thou that in the town: report what a sojourner we -have; you'll lose nothing by custom. When nature framed this -piece, she meant thee a good turn; therefore say what a paragon -she is, and thou hast the harvest out of thine own report. - -BOULT. -I warrant you, mistress, thunder shall not so awake the beds of -eels as my giving out her Beauty stir up the lewdly-inclined. -I'll bring home some to-night. - -BAWD. -Come your ways; follow me. - -MARINA. -If fires be hot, knives sharp, or waters deep, -Untied I still my virgin knot will keep. -Diana, aid my purpose! - -BAWD. -What have we to do with Diana? Pray you, will you go with us? - -[Exeunt.] - - -SCENE III. Tarsus. A room in Cleon's house. - -[Enter Cleon and Dionyza.] - -DIONYZA. -Why, are you foolish? Can it be undone? - -CLEON. -O, Dionyza, such a piece of slaughter -The sun and moon ne'er look'd upon! - -DIONYZA. -I think -You'll turn a child agan. - -CLEON. -Were I chief lord of all this spacious world, -I'ld give it to undo the deed. 0 lady, -Much less in blood than virtue, yet a princess -To equal any single crown o' the earth -I' the justice of compare! O villain Leonine! -Whom thou hast poison'd too: -If thou hadst drunk to him, 't had been a kindness -Becoming well thy fact: what canst thou say -When noble Pericles shall demand his child? - -DIONYZA. -That she is dead. Nurses are not the fates, -To foster it, nor ever to preserve. -She died at night; I'11 say so. Who can cross it? -Unless you play the pious innocent, -And for an honest attribute cry out -'She died by foul play.' - -CLEON. -O, go to. Well, well, -Of all the faults beneath the heavens, the gods -Do like this worst. - -DIONYZA. -Be one of those that think. -The petty wrens of Tarsus will fly hence, -And open this to Pericles. I do shame -To think of what a noble strain you are, -And of how coward a spirit. - -CLEON. -To such proceeding -Whoever but his approbation added, -Though not his prime consent, he did not flow -From honourable sources, - -DIONYZA. -Be it so, then: -Yet none does know, but you, how she came dead, -Nor none can know, Leonine being gone. -She did distain my child, and stood between -Her and her fortunes: none would look on her, -But cast their gazes on Marina's face; -Whilst ours was blurted at and held a malkin -Not worth the time of day. It pierced me through; -And though you call my course unnatural, -You not your child well loving, yet I find -It greets me as an enterprise of kindness -Perform'd to your sole daughter. - -CLEON. -Heavens forgive it! - -DIONYZA. -And as for Pericles, -What should he say? We wept after her hearse, -And yet we mourn: her monument -Is almost finish'd, and her epitaphs -In glittering golden characters express -A general praise to her, and care in us -At whose expense 'tis done. - -CLEON. -Thou art like the harpy, -Which, to betray, dost, with thine angel's face, -Seize with thine eagle's talons. - -DIONYZA. -You are like one that superstitiously -Doth swear to the gods that winter kills the flies: -But yet I know you'll do as I advise. - -[Exeunt.] - - -SCENE IV. - -[Enter Gower, before the monument of Marina at Tarsus.] - -GOWER. -Thus time we waste, and longest leagues make short; -Sail seas in cockles, have an wish but for 't; -Making, to take your imagination, -From bourn to bourn, region to region. -By you being pardon'd, we commit no crime -To use one language in each several clime -Where our scenes seem to live. I do beseech you -To learn of me, who stand i' the gaps to teach you, -The stages of our story. Pericles -Is now again thwarting the wayward seas -Attended on by many a lord and knight, -To see his daughter, all his life's deight. -Old Escanes, whom Helicanus late -Advanced in time to great and high estate. -Is left to govern. Bear you it in mind, -Old Helicanus goes along behind -Well-sailing ships and bounteous winds have brought -This king to Tarsus, -- think his pilot thought; -So with his steerage shall your thoughts grow on, -- -To fetch his daughter home, who first is gone. -Like motes and shadows see them move awhile; -Your ears unto your eyes I'll reconcile. - -[Dumb Show.] - -[Enter Pericles, at one door, with all his train; Cleon and -Dionyza, at the other. Cleon shows Pericles the tomb; whereat -Pericles makes lamentation, puts on sackcloth, and in a -mighty passion departs. Then exeunt Cleon and Dionyza.] - -See how belief may suffer by foul show; -This borrow'd passion stands for true old woe; -And Pericles, in sorrow all devour'd, -With sighs shot through; and biggest tears o'ershower'd, -Leaves Tarsus and again embarks. He swears -Never to wash his face, nor cut his hairs: -He puts on sackcloth, and to sea. He bears -A tempest, which his mortal vessel tears, -And yet he rides it out. Now please you wit -The epitaph is for Marina writ -By wicked Dionyza. - -[Reads the inscription on Marina's monument.] -'The fairest, sweet'st, and best lies here, -Who wither'd in her spring of year. -She was of Tyrus the king's daughter, -On whom foul death hath made this slaughter; -Marina was she call'd; and at her birth, -Thetis, being proud, swallow'd some part o' the earth: -Therefore the earth, fearing to be o'erflow'd, -Hath Thetis' birth-child on the heavens bestow'd: -Wherefore she does, and swears she'll never stint, -Make raging battery upon shores of flint.' - -No visor does become black villany -So well as soft and tender flattery. -Let Pericles believe his daughter's dead, -And bear his courses to be ordered -By Lady Fortune; while our scene must play -His daughter's woe and heavy well-a-day -In her unholy service. Patience, then, -And think you now are all in Mytilene. - -[Exit.] - - -SCENE V. Mytilene. A street before the brothel. - -[Enter, from the brothel, two Gentlemen.] - -FIRST GENTLEMAN. -Did you ever hear the like? - -SECOND GENTLEMAN. -No, nor never shall do in such a place as this, she being once -gone. - -FIRST GENTLEMAN. -But to have divinity preached there! did you ever dream of such a -thing? - -SECOND GENTLEMAN. -No, no. Come, I am for no more bawdy-houses: shall's go hear the -vestals sing? - -FIRST GENTLEMAN. -I'll do any thing now that is virtuous; but I am out of the road -of rutting for ever. - -[Exeunt.] - - -SCENE VI. The same. A room in the brothel. - -[Enter Pandar, Bawd, and Boult.] - -PANDAR. -Well, I had rather than twice the worth of her she had ne'er come -here. - -BAWD. -Fie, fie upon her! she's able to freeze the god Priapus, and undo -a whole generation. We must either get her ravished, or be rid of -her. When she should do for clients her fitment, and do me the -kindness of our profession, she has me her quirks, her reasons, -her master reasons, her prayers, her knees; that she would make -a puritan of the devil, if he should cheapen a kiss of her. - -BOULT. -'Faith, I must ravish her, or she'll disfurnish us of all our -cavaliers, and make our swearers priests. - -PANDAR. -Now, the pox upon her green-sickness for me! - -BAWD. -'Faith, there's no way to be rid on't but by the way to the pox. -Here comes the Lord Lysimachus disguised. - -BOULT. -We should have both lord and lown, if the peevish baggage would -but give way to customers. - -[Enter Lysimachus.] - -LYSIMACHUS. -How now! How a dozen of virginities? - -BAWD. -Now, the gods to bless your honour! - -BOULT. -I am glad to see your honour in good health. - -LYSIMACHUS. -You may so; 'tis the better for you that your resorters stand -upon sound legs. How now! wholesome iniquity have you that a -man may deal withal, and defy the surgeon? - -BAWD. -We have here one, sir, if she would -- but there never came her -like in Mytilene. - -LYSIMACHUS. -If she'ld do the deed of darkness, thou wouldst say. - -BAWD. -Your honour knows what 'tis to say well enough. - -LYSIMACHUS. -Well, call forth, call forth. - -BOULT. -For flesh and blood, sir, white and red, you shall see a rose; -and she were a rose indeed, if she had but -- - -LYSIMACHUS. -What, prithee? - -BOULT. -O, sir, I can be modest. - -LYSIMACHUS. -That dignifies the renown of a bawd, no less than it gives a good -report to a number to be chaste. - -[Exit Boult.] - -BAWD. -Here comes that which grows to the stalk; never plucked yet, I -can assure you. - -[Re-enter Boult with Marina.] - -Is she not a fair creature? - -LYSIMACHUS. -'Faith, she would serve after a long voyage at sea. Well, there's -for you: leave us. - -BAWD. -I beseech your honour, give me leave: a word, and I'll have done -presently. - -LYSIMACHUS. -I beseech you, do. - -BAWD. -[To Marina.] -First, I would have you note, this is an honourable man. - -MARINA. -I desire to find him so, that I may worthily note him. - -BAWD. -Next, he's the governor of this country, and a man whom I am -bound to. - -MARINA. -If he govern the country, you are bound to him indeed; but how -honourable he is in that, I know not. - -BAWD. -Pray you, without any more virginal fencing, will you use him -kindly? He will line your apron with gold. - -MARINA. -What he will do graciously, I will thankfully receive. - -LYSIMACHUS. -Ha' you done? - -BAWD. -My lord, she's not paced yet: you must take some pains to work -her to your manage. Come, we will leave his honour and her -together. Go thy ways. - -[Exeunt Bawd, Pandar, and Boult.] - -LYSIMACHUS. -Now, pretty one, how long have you been at this trade? - -MARINA. -What trade, sir? - -LYSIMACHUS. -Why, I cannot name't but I shall offend. - -MARINA. -I cannot be offended with my trade. Please you to name it. - -LYSIMACHUS. -How long have you been of this profession? - -MARINA. -E'er since I can remember? - -LYSIMACHUS. -Did you go to't so young? Were you a gamester at five or at -seven? - -MARINA. -Earlier, too, sir, if now I be one. - -LYSIMACHUS. -Why, the house you dwell in proclaims you to be a creature of -sale. - -MARINA. -Do you know this house to be a place of such resort, and will -come into 't? I hear say you are of honourable parts, and are -the governor of this place. - -LYSIMACHUS. -Why, hath your principal made known unto you who I am? - -MARINA. -Who is my principal? - -LYSIMACHUS. -Why, your herb-woman; she that sets seeds and roots of shame and -iniquity. O, you have heard something of my power, and so stand -aloof for more serious wooing. But I protest to thee, pretty one, -my authority shall not see thee, or else look friendly upon thee. -Come, bring me to some private place: come, come. - -MARINA. -If you were born to honour, show it now; -If put upon you, make the judgement good -That thought you worthy of it. - -LYSIMACHUS. -How 's this? how 's this? Some more; be sage. - -MARINA. -For me, -That am a maid, though most ungentle fortune -Have placed me in this sty, where, since I came, -Diseases have been sold dearer than physic, -O, that the gods -Would set me free from this unhallow'd place, -Though they did change me to the meanest bird -That flies i' the purer air! - -LYSIMACHUS. -I did not think -Thou couldst have spoke so well; ne'er dream'd thou couldst. -Had I brought hither a corrupted mind, -Thy speech had alter'd it. Hold, here 's gold for thee: -Persever in that clear way thou goest, -And the gods strengthen thee! - -MARINA. -The good gods preserve you! - -LYSIMACHUS. -For me, be you thoughten -That I came with no ill intent; for to me -The very doors and windows savour vilely. -Fare thee well. Thou art a piece of virtue, and -I doubt not but thy training hath been noble. -Hold, here's more gold for thee. -A curse upon him, die he like a thief, -That robs thee of thy goodness! If thou dost -Hear from me, it shall be for thy good. - -[Re-enter Boult.] - -BOULT. -I beseech your honour, one piece for me. - -LYSIMACHUS. -Avaunt, thou damned door-keeper! -Your house but for this virgin that doth prop it, -Would sink and overwhelm you. Away! - -[Exit.] - -BOULT. -How's this? We must take another course with you. If your peevish -chastity, which is not worth a breakfast in the cheapest country -under the cope, shall undo a whole household, let me be gelded -like a spaniel. Come your ways. - -MARINA. -Whither would you have me? - -BOULT. -I must have your maidenhead taken off, or the common hangman -shall execute it. Come your ways. We'll have no more -gentlemen driven away. Come your ways, I say. - -[Re-enter Bawd.] - -BAWD. -How now! what's the matter? - -BOULT. -Worse and worse, mistress; she has here spoken holy words to the -Lord Lysimachus. - -BAWD. -O Abominable! - -BOULT. -She makes our profession as it were to stink afore the face of -the gods. - -BAWD. -Marry, hang her up for ever! - -BOULT. -The nobleman would have dealt with her like a nobleman, and she -sent him away as cold as a snowball; saying his prayers too. - -BAWD. -Boult, take her away; use her at thy pleasure: crack the glass of -her virginity, and make the rest malleable. - -BOULT. -An if she were a thornier piece of ground than she is, she shall -be ploughed. - -MARINA. -Hark, hark, you gods! - -BAWD. -She conjures: away with her! Would she had never come within my -doors! Marry, hang you! She's born to undo us. Will you not go -the way of women-kind? Marry, come up, my dish of chastity with -rosemary and bays! - -[Exit.] - -BOULT. -Come, mistress; come your ways with me. - -MARINA. -Whither wilt thou have me? - -BOULT. -To take from you the jewel you hold so dear. - -MARINA. -Prithee, tell me one thing first. - -BOULT. -Come now, your one thing. - -MARINA. -What canst thou wish thine enemy to be? - -BOULT. -Why, I could wish him to he my master, or rather, my mistress. - -MARINA. -Neither of these are so had as thou art, -Since they do better thee in their command. -Thou hold'st a place, for which the pained'st fiend -Of hell would not in reputation change: -Thou art the damned doorkeeper to every -Coistrel that comes inquiring for his Tib; -To the choleric fisting of every rogue -Thy ear is liable, thy food is such -As hath been belch'd on by infected lungs. - -BOULT. -What would you have me do? go to the wars, would you? where a man -may serve seven years for the loss of a leg, and have not money -enough in the end to buy him a wooden one? - -MARINA. -Do any thing but this thou doest. Empty -Old receptacles, or common shores, of filth; -Serve by indenture to the common hangman: -Any of these ways are yet better than this; -For what thou professest, a baboon, could he speak, -Would own a name too dear. O, that the gods -Would safely deliver me from this place! -Here, here's gold for thee. -If that thy master would gain by me, -Proclaim that I can sing, weave, sew, and dance, -With other virtues, which I'll keep from boast; -And I will undertake all these to teach. -I doubt not but this populous city will -Yield many scholars. - -BOULT. -But can you teach all this you speak of? - -MARINA. -Prove that I cannot, take me home again, -And prostitute me to the basest groom -That doth frequent your house. - -BOULT. -Well, I will see what I can do for thee: if I can place thee, I -will. - -MARINA. -But amongst honest women. - -BOULT. -'Faith, my acquaintance lies little amongst them. But since my -master and mistress have bought you, there's no going but by -their consent: therefore I will make them acquainted with your -purpose, and I doubt not but I shall find them tractable enough. -ome, I'll do for thee what I can; come your ways. - -[Exeunt.] - - -ACT V. - -[Enter Gower.] - -GOWER. -Marina thus the brothel 'scapes, and chances -Into an honest house, our story says. -She sings like one immortal, and she dances -As goddess-like to her admired lays; -Deep clerks she dumbs; and with her neeld composes -Nature's own shape, of bud, bird, branch, or berry, -That even her art sistrs the natural roses; -Her inkle, silk, twin with the rubied cherry: -That pupils lacks she none of noble race, -Who pour their bounty on her; and her gain -She gives the cursed bawd. Here we her place; -And to her father turn our thoughts again, -Where we left him, on the sea. We there him lost; -Whence, driven before the winds, he is arrived -Here where his daughter dwells; and on this coast -Suppose him now at anchor. The city strived -God Neptune's annual feast to keep: from whence -Lysimachus our Tyrian ship espies, -His banners sable, trimm'd with rich expense; -And to him in his barge with fervour hies. -In your supposing once more put your sight -Of heavy Pericles; think this his bark: -Where what is done in action, more, if might, -Shall be discover'd; please you, sit and hark. - -[Exit.] - - -SCENE I. On board Pericles' ship, off Mytilene. A close pavilion -on deck, with a curtain before it; Pericles within it, reclined -on a couch. A barge lying beside the Tyrian vessel. - -[Enter two Sailors, one belonging to the Tyrian vessel, the other -to the barge; to them Helicanus.] - -TYRIAN SAILOR. -[To the Sailor of Mytilene.] -Where is lord Helicanus? he can resolve you. -O, here he is. -Sir, there's a barge put off from Mytilene, -And in it is Lysimachus the governor, -Who craves to come aboard. What is your will? - -HELICANUS. -That he have his. Call up some gentlemen. - -TYRIAN SAILOR. -Ho, gentlemen! my lord calls. - -[Enter two or three Gentlemen.] - -FIRST GENTLEMAN. -Doth your lordship call? - -HELICANUS. -Gentlemen, there s some of worth would come aboard; -I pray ye, greet them fairly. - -[The Gentlemen and the two Sailors descend, and go on board the -barge. - -Enter, from thence, Lysimachus and Lords; with the Gentlemen and -the two sailors. - -TYRIAN SAILOR. -Sir, -This is the man that can, in aught you would, -Resolve you. - -LYSIMACHUS. -Hail, reverend sir! the gods preserve you! - -HELICANUS. -And you, sir, to outlive the age I am, -And die as I would do. - -LYSIMACHUS. -You wish me well. -Being on shore, honouring of Neptune's triumphs, -Seeing this goodly vessel ride before us, -I made to it, to know of whence you are. - -HELICANUS. -First, what is your place? - -LYSIMACHUS. -I am the governor of this place you lie before. - -HELICANUS. -Sir, -Our vessel is of Tyre, in it the king; -A man who for this three months hath not spoken -To any one, nor taken sustenance -But to prorogue his grief. - -LYSIMACHUS. -Upon what ground is his distemperature? - -HELICANUS. -'Twould be too tedious to repeat; -But the main grief springs from the loss -Of a beloved daughter and a wife. - -LYSIMACHUS. -May we not see him? - -HELICANUS. -You may; -But bootless is your sight: he will not speak -To any. - -LYSIMACHUS. -Yet let me obtain my wish. - -HELICANUS. -Behold him. -[Pericles discovered.] -This was a goodly person. -Till the disaster that, one mortal night, -Drove him to this. - -LYSIMACHUS. -Sir king, all hail! the gods preserve you! -Hail, royal sir! - -HELICANUS. -It is in vain; he will not speak to you. - -FIRST LORD. -Sir, -We have a maid in Mytilene, I durst wager, -Would win some words of him. - -LYSIMACHUS. -'Tis well bethought. -She questionless with her sweet harmony -And other chosen attractions, would allure, -And make a battery through his deafen'd parts, -Which now are midway stopp'd: -She is all happy as the fairest of all, -And, with her fellow maids, is now upon -The leafy shelter that abuts against -The island's side. - -[Whispers a Lord, who goes off in the barge of Lysimachus.] - -HELICANUS. -Sure, all's effectless; yet nothing we'll omit -That bears recovery's name. But, since your kindness -We have stretch'd thus far, let us beseech you -That for our gold we may provision have, -Wherein we are not destitute for want, -But weary for the staleness. - -LYSIMACHUS. -O, sir, a courtesy -Which if we should deny, the most just gods -For every graff would send a catepillar, -And so afflict our province. Yet once more -Let me entreat to know at large the cause -Of your king's sorrow. - -HELICANUS. -Sit, sir, I will recount it to you: -But, see, I am prevented. - -[Re-enter, from the barge, Lord, with Marina, and a young Lady.] - -LYSIMACHUS. -O, here is -The lady that I sent for. Welcome, fair one! -Is't not a goodly presence? - -HELICANUS. -She's a gallant lady. - -LYSIMACHUS. -She's such a one, that, were I well assured -Came of a gentle kind and noble stock, -I'ld wish no better choice, and think me rarely wed. -Fair one, all goodness that consists in bounty -Expect even here, where is a kingly patient: -If that thy prosperous and artificial feat -Can draw him but to answer thee in aught, -Thy sacred physic shall receive such pay -As thy desires can wish. - -MARINA. -Sir, I will use -My utmost skill in his recovery, -Provided -That none but I and my companion maid -Be suffer'd to come near him. - -LYSIMACHUS. -Come, let us leave her, -And the gods make her prosperous! - -[Marina sings.] - -LYSIMACHUS. -Mark'd he your music? - -MARINA. -No, nor look'd on us, - -LYSIMACHUS. -See, she will speak to him. - -MARINA. -Hail, sir! my lord, lend ear. - -PERICLES. -Hum, ha! - -MARINA. -I am a maid, -My lord, that ne'er before invited eyes, -But have been gazed on like a cornet: she speaks, -My lord, that, may be, hath endured a grief -Might equal yours, if both were justly weigh'd. -Though wayward fortune did malign my state, -My derivation was from ancestors -Who stood equivalent with mighty kings: -But time hath rooted out my parentage, -And to the world and awkward casualties -Bound me in servitude. -[Aside.] -I will desist; -But there is something glows upon my cheek, -And whispers in mine ear 'Go not till he speak.' - -PERICLES. -My fortunes -- parentage -- good parentage -- -To equal mine! -- was it not thus? what say you? - -MARINA. -I said, my lord, if you did know my parentage. -You would not do me violence. - -PERICLES. -I do think so. Pray you, turn your eyes upon me. -You are like something that -- What country-woman? -Here of these shores? - -MARINA. -No, nor of any shores: -Yet I was mortally brought forth, and am -No other than I appear. - -PERICLES. -I am great with woe, and shall deliver weeping. -My dearest wife was like this maid, and such a one -My daughter might have been: my queen's square brows; -Her stature to an inch; as wand-like straight; -As silver-voiced; her eyes as jewel-like -And cased as richly; in pace another Juno; -Who starves the ears she feeds, and makes them hungry, -The more she gives them speech. Where do you live? - -MARINA. -Where I am but a stranger: from the deck -You may discern the place. - -PERICLES. -Where were you bred? -And how achieved you these endowments, which -You make more rich to owe? - -MARINA. -If I should tell my history, it would seem -Like lies disdain'd in the reporting. - -PERICLES. -Prithee, speak: -Falseness cannot come from thee; for thou look'st -Modest as Justice, and thou seem'st a palace -For the crown'd Truth to dwell in: I will believe thee, -And make my senses credit thy relation -To points that seem impossible; for thou look'st -Like one I loved indeed. What were thy friends? -Didst thou not say, when I did push thee back -- -Which was when I perceived thee -- that thou earnest -From good descending? - -MARINA. -So indeed I did. - -PERICLES. -Report thy parentage. I think thou said'st -Thou hadst been toss'd from wrong to injury, -And that thou thought'st thy griefs might equal mine, -If both were open'd. - -MARINA. -Some such thing, -I said, and said no more but what my thoughts -Did warrant me was likely. - -PERICLES. -Tell thy story; -If thine consider'd prove the thousandth part -Of my endurance, thou art a man, and I -Have suffer'd like a girl: yet thou dost look -Like Patience gazing on kings' graves, and smiling -Extremity out of act. What were thy friends? -How lost thou them? Thy name, my most kind virgin? -Recount, I do beseech thee: come, sit by me. - -MARINA. -My name is Marina. - -PERICLES. -O, I am mock'd, -And thou by some incensed god sent hither -To make the world to laugh at me. - -MARINA. -Patience, good sir, -Or here I'll cease. - -PERICLES. -Nay, I'll be patient. -Thou little know'st how thou dost startle me, -To call thyself Marina. - -MARINA. -The name -Was given me by one that had some power, -My father, and a king. - -PERICLES. -How! a king's daughter? -And call'd Marina? - -MARINA. -You said you would believe me; -But, not to be a troubler of your peace, -I will end here. - -PERICLES. -But are you flesh and blood? -Have you a working pulse? and are no fairy? -Motion! Well; speak on. Where were you born? -And wherefore call'd Marina? - -MARINA. -Call'd Marina -For I was born at sea. - -PERICLES. -At sea! what mother? - -MARINA. -My mother was the daughter of a king; -Who died the minute I was born, -As my good nurse Lychorida hath oft -Deliver'd weeping. - -PERICLES. -O, stop there a little! - -[Aside.] - -This is the rarest dream that e'er dull sleep -Did mock sad fools withal: this cannot be: -My daughter's buried. Well: where were: you bred? -I'll hear you more, to the bottom of your story, -And never interrupt you. - -MARINA. -You scorn: believe me, 'twere best I did give o'er. - - - -PERICLES. -I will believe you by the syllable -Of what you shall deliver. Yet, give me leave: -How came you in these parts? where were you bred? - -MARINA. -The king my father did in Tarsus leave me; -Till cruel Cleon, with his wicked wife, -Did seek to murder me: and having woo'd -A villain to attempt it, who having drawn to do 't, -A crew of pirates came and rescued me; -Brought me to Mytilene. But, good sir. -Whither will you have me? Why do you weep? It may be, -You think me an impostor: no, good faith; -I am the daughter to King Pericles, -If good King Pericles be. - -PERICLES. -Ho, Helicanus! - -HELICANUS. -Calls my lord? - -PERICLES. -Thou art a grave and noble counsellor, -Most wise in general: tell me, if thou canst, -What this maid is, or what is like to be, -That thus hath made me weep? - -HELICANUS. -I know not; but -Here is the regent, sir, of Mytilene -Speaks nobly of her. - -LYSIMACHUS. -She would never tell -Her parentage; being demanded that, -She would sit still and weep. - -PERICLES. -O Helicanus, strike me, honour'd sir; -Give me a gash, put me to present pain; -Lest this great sea of joys rushing upon me -O'erbear the shores of my mortality, -And drown me with their sweetness. O, come hither, -Thou that beget'st him that did thee beget; -Thou that wast born at sea, buried at Tarsus, -And found at sea again! O Helicanus, -Down on thy knees, thank the holy gods as loud -As thunder threatens us: this is Marina. -What was thy mother's name? tell me but that, -For truth can never be confirm'd enough, -Though doubts did ever sleep - -MARINA. -First, sir, I pray, -What is your title? - -PERICLES. -I am Pericles of Tyre: but tell me now -My drown'd queen's name, as in the rest you said -Thou hast been godlike perfect, -The heir of kingdoms and another like -To Pericles thy father. - -MARINA. -Is it no more to be your daughter than -To say my mother's name was Thaisa? -Thaisa was my mother, who did end -The minute I began. - -PERICLES. -Now, blessing on thee! rise; thou art my child. -Give me fresh garments. Mine own, Helicanus; -She is not dead at Tarsus, as she should have been, -By savage Cleon: she shall tell thee all; -When thou shalt kneel, and justify in knowledge -She is thy very princess. Who is this? - -HELICANUS. -Sir, 'tis the governor of Mytilene, -Who, hearing of your melancholy state, -Did come to see you. - -PERICLES. -I embrace you. -Give me my robes. I am wild in my beholding. -O heavens bless my girl! But, hark, what music? -Tell Helicanus, my Marina, tell him -O'er, point by point, for yet he seems to doubt, -How sure you are my daughter. But, what music? - -HELICANUS. -My lord, I hear none. - -PERICLES. -None! -The music of the spheres! List, my Marina. - -LYSIMACHUS. -It is not good to cross him; give him way - -PERICLES. -Rarest sounds! Do ye not hear? - -LYSIMACHUS. -My lord, I hear. - -[Music.] - -PERICLES. -Most heavenly music! -It nips me unto listening, and thick slumber -Hangs upon mine eyes: let me rest. - -[Sleeps.] - -LYSIMACHUS. -A pillow for his head: -So, leave him all. Well, my companion friends, -If this but answer to my just belief, -I'll well remember you. - -[Exeunt all but Pericles.] - -[Diana appears to Pericles as in a vision.] - -DIANA. -My temple stands in Ephesus: hie thee thither, -And do upon mine altar sacrifice. -There, when my maiden priests are met together, -Before the people all, -Reveal how thou at sea didst lose thy wife: -To mourn thy crosses, with thy daughter's, call -And give them repetition to the life. -Or perform my bidding, or thou livest in woe: -Do it, and happy; by my silver bow! -Awake, and tell thy dream. - -[Disappears.] - -PERICLES. -Celestial Dian, goddess argentine, -I will obey thee. Helicanus! - -[Re-enter Helicanus, Lysimachus, and Marina.] - -HELICANUS. -Sir? - -PERICLES. -My purpose was for Tarsus, there to strike -The inhospitable Cleon; but I am -For other service first: toward Ephesus -Turn our blown sails; eftsoons I'll tell thee why - -[To Lysimachus.] - -Shall we refresh us, sir, upon your shore, -And give you gold for such provision -As our intents will need? - -LYSIMACHUS. -Sir, -With all my heart; and when you come ashore, -I have another suit. - -PERICLES. -You shall prevail, -Were you to woo my daughter; for it seems -You have been noble towards her. - -LYSIMACHUS. -Sir, lend me your arm. - -PERICLES. -Come, my Marina. - -[Exeunt.] - - -SCENE II. Enter Gower, before the temple of Diana at Ephesus. - -GOWER. -Now our sands are almost run; -More a little, and then dumb. -This, my last boon, give me, -For such kindness must relieve me, -That you aptly will suppose -What pageantry, what feats, what shows, -What minstrelsy, and pretty din, -The regent made in Mytilene -To greet the king. So he thrived, -That he is promised to be wived -To fair Marina; but in no wise -Till he had done his sacrifice, -As Dian bade: whereto being bound, -The interim, pray you, all confound. -In feather'd briefness sails are fill'd, -And wishes fall out as they're will'd. -At Ephesus, the temple see, -Cur king and all his company. -That he can hither come so soon, -Is by your fancy's thankful doom. - -[Exit.] - - -SCENE III. The temple of Diana at Ephesus; Thaisa standing near -the altar, as high priestess; a number of Virgins on each side; -Cerimon and other inhabitants of Ephesus attending. - -[Enter Pericles, with his train; Lysimachus, Helicanus, Marina, -and a Lady.] - -PERICLES. -Hail, Dian! to perform thy just command, -I here confess myself the king of Tyre; -Who, frighted from my country, did wed -At Pentapolis the fair Thaisa. -At sea in childbed died she, but brought forth -A maid-child call'd Marina; who, O goddess, -Wears yet thy silver livery. She at Tarsus -Was nursed with Cleon; who at fourteen years -He sought to murder: but her better stars -Brought her to Mytilene; 'gainst whose shore -Riding, her fortunes brought the maid aboard us, -Where by her own most clear remembrance, she -Made known herself my daughter. - -THAISA. -Voice and favour! -You are, you are -- O royal Pericles! - -[Faints.] - -PERICLES. -What means the nun? she dies! help, gentlemen! - -CERIMON. -Noble sir, -If you have told Diana's altar true, -This is your wife. - -PERICLES. -Reverend appearer, no; -I threw her overboard with these very arms. - -CERIMON. -Upon this coast, I warrant you. - -PERICLES. -'Tis most certain. - -CERIMON. -Look to the lady; O, she's but o'er-joy'd. -Early in blustering morn this lady was -Thrown upon this shore. I oped the coffin, -Found there rich jewels; recover'd her, and placed her -Here in Diana's temple. - -PERICLES. -May we see them? - -CERIMON. -Great sir, they shall be brought you to my house, -Whither I invite you. Look, Thaisa is -Recovered. - -THAISA. -O, let me look! -If he be none of mine, my sanctity -Will to my sense bend no licentious ear, -But curb it, spite of seeing. O, my lord, -Are you not Pericles? Like him you spake, -Like him you are: did you not name a tempest, -A birth, and death? - -PERICLES. -The voice of dead Thaisa! - -THAISA. -That Thaisa am I, supposed dead -And drown'd. - -PERICLES. -Immortal Dian! - -THAISA. -Now I know you better, -When we with tears parted Pentapolis, -The king my father gave you such a ring. - -[Shows a ring.] - -PERICLES. -This, this: no more, you gods! your present kindness -Makes my past miseries sports: you shall do well, -That on the touching of her lips I may -Melt and no more be seen. O, come, be buried -A second time within these arms. - -MARINA. -My heart -Leaps to be gone into my mother's bosom. - -[Kneels to Thaisa.] - -PERICLES. -Look, who kneels here! Flesh of thy flesh, Thaisa; -Thy burden at the sea, and call'd Marina -For she was yielded there. - -THAISA. -Blest, and mine own! - -HELICANUS. -Hail, madam, and my queen! - -THAISA. -I know you not. - -PERICLES. -You have heard me say, when did fly from Tyre, -I left behind an ancient substitute: -Can you remember what I call'd the man -I have named him oft. - -THAISA. -'Twas Helicanus then. - -PERICLES. -Still confirmation: -Embrace him, dear Thaisa; this is he. -Now do I long to hear how you were found: -How possibly preserved; and who to thank, -Besides the gods, for this great miracle. - -THAISA. -Lord Cerimon, my lord; this man, -Through whom the gods have shown their power; that can -From first to last resolve you. - -PERICLES. -Reverend sir, -The gods can have no mortal officer -More like a god than you. Will you deliver -How this dead queen re-lives? - -CERIMON. -I will, my lord -Beseech you, first go with me to my house, -Where shall be shown you all was found with her; -How she came placed here in the temple; -No needful thing omitted. - -PERICLES. -Pure Dian, bless thee for thy vision! I -Will offer night-oblations to thee. Thaisa, -This prince, the fair-betrothed of your daughter, -Shall marry her at Pentapolis. And now, -This ornament -Makes me look dismal will I clip to form; -And what this fourteen years no razor touch'd -To grace thy marriage-day, I'll beautify. - -THAISA. -Lord Cerimon hath letters of good credit, sir, -My father's dead. - -PERICLES. -Heavens make a star of him! Yet there, my queen, -We'll celebrate their nuptials, and ourselves -Will in that kingdom spend our following days: -Our son and daughter shall in Tyrus reign. -Lord Cerimon, we do our longing stay -To hear the rest untold: sir, lead's the way. - -[Exeunt.] - -[Enter Gower.] - -GOWER. -In Antiochus and his daughter you have heard -Of monstrous lust the due and just reward: -In Pericles, his queen and daughter, seen, -Although assail'd with fortune fierce and keen, -Virtue preserved from fell destruction's blast, -Led on by heaven, and crown'd with joy at last: -In Helicanus may you well descry -A figure of truth, of faith, of loyalty: -In reverend Cerimon there well appears -The worth that learned charity aye wears: -For wicked Cleon and his wife, when fame -Had spread their cursed deed, and honour'd name -Of Pericles, to rage the city turn, -That him and his they in his palace burn; -The gods for murder seemed so content -To punish them although not done but meant. -So, on your patence evermore attending, -New joy wait on you! Here our play has ending. - -[Exit.] - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg Etext of Pericles by Shakespeare -PG has multiple editions of William Shakespeare's Complete Works - |