The story on which this play is formed, is of great antiquity. It
is found in a book, once very popular, entitled Gesta Romanorum,
which is supposed by Mr. Tyrwhitt, the learned editor of The Canterbury
Tales of Chaucer, 1775, to have been written five hundred
years ago. The earliest impression of that work (which I have
seen) was printed in 1488* note; in that edition the history of Appolonius
King of Tyre makes the 153d chapter. It is likewise related
by Gower in his Confessio Amantis, lib. viii. p. 175–185, edit.
1554. The Rev. Dr. Farmer has in his possession a fragment of a
MS. poem on the same subject, which appears, from the handwriting
and the metre, to be more ancient than Gower. The
reader will find an extract from it at the end of the play. There is
also an ancient romance on this subject, called Kyng Appolyn of
Thyre, translated from the French by Robert Copland, and printed
by Wynkyn de Worde in 1510. In 1576 William Howe had a licence
for printing The most excellent, pleasant, and variable Historie
of the strange Adventures of Prince Appolonius, Lucine his
Wyfe, and Tharsa his Daughter. The author of Pericles having introduced
Gower in his piece, it is reasonable to suppose that he
chiefly followed the work of that poet. It is observable that the
hero of this tale is, in Gower's poem, as in the present play, called
Prince of Tyre; in the Gesta Romanorum, and Copland's prose
Romance, he is entitled King. Most of the incidents of the play
are found in the Confessio Amantis, and a few of Gower's expressions
are occasionally borrowed. However, I think it is not
unlikely, that there may have been (though I have not met with it)
an early prose translation of this popular story, from the Gesta
Romanorum, in which the name of Appolonius was changed to
Pericles; to which, likewise, the author of this drama may have
been indebted. In 1607 was published at London, by Valentine
Sims, “The Patterne of painful Adventures, containing the most
excellent, pleasant, and variable Historie of the strange Accidents
that befell unto Prince Appolonius, the Lady Lucina his Wife, and
Tharsia his Daughter, wherein the Uncertaintie of this World and
the fickle State of Man's Life are lively described. Translated into
English by T. Twine, Gent.” I have never seen the book, but it
-- 4 --
was without doubt a re-publication of that published by W. Howe
in 1576.
Pericles was entered on the Stationers' books, May 2, 1608, by
Edward Blount, one of the printers of the first folio edition of
Shakspeare's plays; but it did not appear in print till the following
year, and then it was published not by Blount, but by Henry
Gosson; who had probably anticipated the other, by getting a
hasty transcript from a playhouse copy. There is, I believe, no
play of our author's, perhaps I might say, in the English language,
so incorrect as this. The most corrupt of Shakspeare's other
dramas, compared with Pericles, is purity itself. The metre is
seldom attended to; verse is frequently printed as prose, and the
grossest errors abound in almost every page. I mention these circumstances,
only as an apology to the reader for having taken
somewhat more licence with this drama than would have been
justifiable, if the copies of it now extant had been less disfigured
by the negligence and ignorance of the printer or transcriber. The
numerous corruptions that are found in the original edition in
1609, which have been carefully preserved and augmented in all
the subsequent impressions, probably arose from its having been
frequently exhibited on the stage. In the four quarto editions it is
called “the much admired” play of Pericles, Prince of Tyre; and
it is mentioned by many ancient writers as a very popular performance;
particularly, by the author of a metrical pamphlet, entitled
Pymlico, or Run Redcap, in which the following lines are
found:
“Amaz'd I stood, to see a crowd
“Of civil throats stretch'd out so loud:
“As at a new play, all the rooms
“Did swarm with gentles mix'd with grooms;
“So that I truly thought all these
“Came to see Shore or Pericles.”
In a former edition of this play I said, on the authority of another
person, that this pamphlet had appeared in 1596; but I have
since met with the piece itself, and find that Pymlico, &c. was
published in 1609. It might, however, have been a republication.
The prologue to an old comedy called The Hog has lost his
Pearl, 1614, likewise exhibits a proof of this play's uncommon success.
The poet, speaking of his piece, says:
“&lblank; if it prove so happy as to please,
“We'll say, 'tis fortunate, like Pericles.”
By fortunate, I understand highly successful. The writer can
hardly be supposed to have meant that Pericles was popular rather
from accident than merit; for that would have been but a poor
eulogy on his own performance.
An obscure poet, however, in 1652, insinuates that this drama
was ill received, or at least that it added nothing to the reputation
of its author:
-- 5 --
“But Shakespeare, the plebeian driller, was
“Founder'd in his Pericles, and must not pass.”
Verses by J. Tatham, prefixed to Richard Brome's Jovial Crew, or The Merry Beggars, 4to. 1652.
The passages above quoted show that little credit is to be given
to the assertion contained in these lines; yet they furnish us with
an additional proof that Pericles, at no very distant period after
Shakspeare's death, was considered as unquestionably his performance.
In The Times Displayed in Six Sestiads, 4to. 1646, dedicated
by S. Shephard to Philip Earl of Pembroke, p. 22, Sestiad VI.
stanza 9, the author thus speaks of our poet and the piece before
us:
“See him, whose tragick scenes Euripides
“Doth equal, and with Sophocles we may
“Compare great Shakspeare; Aristophanes
“Never like him his fancy could display:
“Witness The Prince of Tyre, his Pericles:
“His sweet and his to be admired lay
“He wrote of lustful Tarquin's rape, shows he
“Did understand the depth of poesie.”
For the division of this piece into scenes I am responsible, there
being none found in the old copies.—See the notes at the end of
the play.
Malone.
The History of Appolonius King of Tyre was supposed by Mark
Welser, when he printed it in 1595, to have been translated from
the Greek a thousand years before. [Fabr. Bib. Gr. v. p. 821.]
It certainly bears strong marks of a Greek original, though it is
not (that I know) now extant in that language. The rythmical
poem, under the same title, in modern Greek, was re-translated (if
I may so speak) from the Latin—&gra;&grp;&gro; &grL;&gra;&grt;&gri;&grn;&gri;&grk;&grh;&grst; &gre;&gri;&grst; &grR;&grw;&grm;&gra;&grid;&grk;&grh;&grn;
&grg;&grl;&grw;&grs;&grs;&gra;&grn;. Du Fresne, Index Author. ad Gloss. Græc. When
Welser printed it, he probably did not know that it had been published
already (perhaps more than once) among the Gesta Romanorum.
In an edition, which I have, printed at Rouen in 1521, it
makes the 154th chapter. Towards the latter end of the xiith
century, Godfrey of Viterbo, in his Pantheon or Universal Chronicle,
inserted this romance as part of the history of the third Antiochus,
about 200 years before Christ. It begins thus [MS.
Reg. 14, c. xi.]:
Filia Seleuci regis stat clara decore,
Matreque defunctâ pater arsit in ejus amore.
Res habet effectum, pressa puella dolet.
The rest is in the same metre, with one pentameter only to two
hexameters.
Gower, by his own acknowledgment, took his story from the
Pantheon; as the author (whoever he was) of Pericles, Prince of
Tyre, professes to have followed Gower.
Tyrwhitt.
-- 6 --
Chaucer also refers to this story in The Man of Lawe's Prologue:
“Or elles of Tyrius Appolonius,
“How that the cursed king Antiochus
“Beraft his doughter of hire mai denhe
“That is so horrible a tale for to rede,” &c
There are three French translations of this tale, viz.—“La
Chronique d'Appollin, Roy de Thyr;” 4to. Geneva, bl. l. no date;
—and “Plaisante et agreable Histoire d'Appollonius Prince de
Thyr en Affrique, et Roi d'Antioche; traduit par Gilles Corozet,”
8vo. Paris, 1530;—and (in the seventh volume of the Histoires
Tragiques, &c. 12mo. 1604, par François Belle-Forest, &c.)
“Accidens diuers aduenus à Appollonie Roy des Tyriens: ses malheurs
sur mer, ses pertes de femme et fille, et la fin heureuse de
tous ensemble.”
In the introduction to this last novel, the translator says:—
“Ayant en main une histoire tiree du Grec, et icelle ancienne,
comme aussi je l'ay recuellie d'un vieux livre écrit à la main,” &c.
But the present story, as it appears in Belle-forest's collection,
(vol. vii. p. 113, et seq.) has yet a further claim to our notice, as
it had the honour (p. 148–9) of furnishing Dryden with the outline
of his Alexander's Feast. Langbaine, &c. have accused this
great poet of adopting circumstances from the Histoires Tragiques,
among other French novels; a charge, however, that demands
neither proof nor apology.
The popularity of this tale of Apollonius, may be inferred from
the very numerous MSS. in which it appears.
Both editions of Twine's translation are now before me. Thomas
Twine was the continuator of Phaer's Virgil, which was left imperfect
in the year 1558.
In Twine's book our hero is repeatedly called—“Prince of
Tyrus.” It is singular enough that this fable should have been
re-published in 1607, the play entered on the books of the Stationers'
Company in 1608, and printed in 1609.
I must still add a few words concerning the piece in question.
Numerous are our unavoidable annotations on it. Yet it has
been so inveterately corrupted by transcription, interpolation, &c.
that were it published, like the other dramas of Shakspeare, with
scrupulous warning of every little change which necessity compels
an editor to make in it, his comment would more than treble the
quantity of his author's text. If, therefore, the silent insertion
or transposition of a few harmless syllables which do not affect
the value of one sentiment throughout the whole, can obviate
those defects in construction and harmony which have hitherto
molested the reader, why should not his progress be facilitated by
such means, rather than by a wearisome appeal to remarks that
disturb attention, and contribute to diminish whatever interest
might otherwise have been awakened by the scenes before him?
-- 7 --
If any of the trivial supplements, &c. introduced by the present
editor [Mr. Steevens] are found to be needless or improper, let him
be freely censured by his successors, on the score of rashness or
want of judgment. Let the Nimrods of ifs and ands pursue him;
let the champions of nonsense that bears the stamp of antiquity,
couch their rusty lances at the desperate innovator. To the
severest hazard, on this account, he would more cheerfully expose
himself, than leave it to be observed that he had printed
many passages in Pericles without an effort to exhibit them (as
they must have originally appeared) with some obvious meaning,
and a tolerable flow of versification. The pebble which aspires
to rank with diamonds, should at least have a decent polish bestowed
on it. Perhaps the piece here exhibited has merit insufficient
to engage the extremest vigilance of criticism. Let it on
the whole, however, be rendered legible, before its value is estimated,
and then its minutiæ (if they deserve it) may become
objects of contention. The old perplexed and vitiated copy of
the play is by no means rare; and if the reader, like Pericles,
should think himself qualified to evolve the intricacies of a riddle,
be it remembered, that the editor is not an Antiochus, who
would willingly subject him to such a labour.
That I might escape the charge of having attempted to conceal
the liberties taken with this corrupted play, have I been thus
ample in my confession. I am not conscious that in any other
drama I have changed a word, or the position of a syllable, without
constant and formal notice of such deviations from our author's
text.
To these tedious prolegomena may I subjoin that, in consequence
of researches successfully urged by poetical antiquaries,
I should express no surprize if the very title of the piece before
us were hereafter, on good authority, to be discarded? Some
lucky rummages among papers long hoarded up, have discovered
as unexpected things as an author's own manuscript of an ancient
play. That indeed of Tancred and Gismund, a much older piece,
(and differing in many parts from the copy printed in 1592) is
now before me.
It is almost needless to observe that our dramatick Pericles has
not the least resemblance to his historical namesake; though the
adventures of the former are sometimes coincident with those of
Pyrocles, the hero of Sidney's Arcadia; for the amorous, fugitive,
shipwrecked, musical, tilting, despairing Prince of Tyre is
an accomplished knight of romance, disguised under the name
of a statesman,—
“Whose resistless eloquence
“Wielded at will a fierce democratie,
“Shook th' arsenal, and fulmin'd over Greece.”
As to Sidney's Pyrocles,—Tros, Tyriusve,—
-- 8 --
“The world was all before him, where to choose
“His place of rest.”
but Pericles was tied down to Athens, and could not be removed
to a throne in Phœnicia. No poetick licence will permit a unique,
classical, and conspicuous name to be thus unwarrantably transferred.
A Prince of Madagascar must not be called Æneas, nor
a Duke of Florence Mithridates; for such peculiar appellations
would unseasonably remind us of their great original possessors.
The playright who indulges himself in these wanton and injudicious
vagaries, will always counteract his own purpose. Thus,
as often as the appropriated name of Pericles occurs, it serves
but to expose our author's gross departure from established manners
and historick truth; for laborious fiction could not designedly
produce two personages more opposite than the settled demagogue
of Athens, and the vagabond Prince of Tyre.
It is remarkable, that many of our ancient writers were ambitious
to exhibit Sidney's worthies on the stage; and when his
subordinate agents were advanced to such honour, how happened it
that Pyrocles, their leader, should be overlooked? Musidorus,
(his companion,) Argalus and Parthenia, Phalantus and Eudora,
Andromana, &c. furnished titles for different tragedies; and perhaps
Pyrocles, in the present instance, was defrauded of a like
distinction. The names invented or employed by Sidney, had
once such popularity, that they were sometimes borrowed by
poets who did not profess to follow the direct current of his fables,
or attend to the strict preservation of his characters. Nay, so
high was the credit of this romance, that many a fashionable word
and glowing phrase selected from it, was applied, like a Promethean
torch, to contemporary sonnets, and gave a transient life
even to those dwarfish and enervate bantlings of the reluctant
Muse.
I must add, that the Appolyn of the Story-book and Gower,
could have been rejected only to make room for a more favourite
name; yet, however conciliating the name of Pyrocles might
have been, that of Pericles could challenge no advantage with
regard to general predilection.
I am aware that a conclusive argument cannot be drawn from
the false quantity in the second syllable of Pericles; and yet if
the Athenian was in our author's mind, he might have been
taught by repeated translations from fragments of satiric poets in
Sir Thomas North's Plutarch, to call his hero Pericles; as for
instance, in the following couplet:
“O Chiron, tell me, first, art thou indeede the man
“Which did instruct Pericles thus? make aunswer if thou can,” &c. &c.
Again, in George Gascoigne's Steele Glas:
“Pericles stands in rancke amongst the rest.”
-- 9 --
Again, ibidem:
“Pericles was a famous man of warre.”
Such therefore was the poetical pronunciation of this proper
name, in the age of Shakspeare. The address of Perseus to a
youthful orator—Magni pupille Pericli, is familiar to the ear of
every classical reader.
By some of the observations scattered over the following pages,
it will be proved that the illegitimate Pericles occasionally adopts
not merely the ideas of Sir Philip's heroes, but their very words
and phraseology. All circumstances therefore considered, it is
not improbable that our author designed his chief character to be
called Pyrocles, not Pericles* note, however ignorance or accident
might have shuffled the latter (a name of almost similar sound)
into the place of the former. The true name, when once corrupted
or changed in the theatre, was effectually withheld from
the publick; and every commentator on this play agrees in a belief
that it must have been printed by means of a copy “far as
Deucalion off” from the manuscript which had received Shakspeare's
revisal and improvement.
Steevens.
Mr. Steevens's opinion that Shakspeare designed his hero to
be called Pyrocles not Pericles, is strongly confirmed by an epigram
of Richard Flecknoe, 1670:
“On the play of the Life of Pyrocles:
“Ars longa, vita brevis; as they say,
“But who inverts that saying, made this play.”
Malone.
-- 10 --
PERSONS REPRESENTED.
Antiochus, King of Antioch.
Pericles, Prince of Tyre.
Helicanus, a Lord of Tyre.
Escanes, a Lord of Tyre.
Simonides, King of Pentapolis1note
.
Cleon, Governor of Tharsus.
Lysimachus, Governor of Mitylene.
Cerimon, a Lord of Ephesus.
Thaliard, a Lord of Antioch.
Philemon, Servant to Cerimon.
Leonine, Servant to Dionyza.
Marshal.A Pandar, and his Wife.Boult, their Servant.
Gower, as Chorus.
The Daughter of Antiochus.Dionyza, Wife to Cleon.
Thaisa, Daughter to Simonides.
Marina, Daughter to Pericles and Thaisa.
Lychorida, Nurse to Marina.
Diana.Lords, Ladies, Knights, Gentlemen, Sailors, Pirates, Fishermen, and Messengers, &c.[Messenger], [Lord], [Lord 1], [Lord 2], [Lord 3], [Fisherman 1], [Fisherman 2], [Fisherman 3],
[Knight 1], [Knight 2], [Knight 3], [Knights], [Sailor 1], [Sailor 2], [Servant], [Gentleman 1],
[Gentleman 2], [Pirate 1], [Pirate 2], [Pirate 3], [Tyrian Sailor]SCENE, dispersedly in various Countries.
-- 11 --
PERICLES, PRINCE OF TYRE.
ACT I.
[Prologue]
Enter Gower.Before the Palace of Antioch.
To sing a song that old was sung2note
Have read it for restoratives:
The purpose is to make men glorious6note
;
Et bonum quo antiquius, eo melius.
-- 13 --
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 seat7note;
-- 14 --
The fairest in all Syria;
(I tell you what mine authors say8note:)
This king unto him took a pheere9note.
Who died and left a female heir,
So buxom, blith, and full of face1note,
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.
By custom, what they did begin2note,
Was, with long use, account no sin3note
.
The beauty of this sinful dame
Made many princes thither frame4note,
-- 15 --
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 awe5note
,)
That whoso ask'd her for his wife,
His riddle told not, lost his life:
So for her many a wight6note
, and testy wrath
Could never be her mild companion8note
.
Ye gods that made me man, and sway in love,
That have inflam'd desire in my breast9note.
To taste the fruit of yon celestial tree,
Or die in the adventure, be my helps,
As I am son and servant to your will,
To compass such a boundless happiness!1note
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 glory3note
, which desert must gain:
And which, without desert, because thine eye
Presumes to reach, all thy whole heap must die4note
Drawn by report, advent'rous by desire,
Tell thee with speechless tongues, and semblance pale,
That, without covering, save yon field of stars6note
,
They here stand martyrs, slain in Cupid's wars;
And with dead cheeks advise thee to desist7note
Per.
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 must9note:
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 woe1note
,
-- 24 --
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.
Ant.
Scorning advice.—Read the conclusion then2note
:
Which read and not expounded, 'tis decreed,
As these before thee thou thyself shalt bleed.
Daugh.
In all, save that, may'st thou prove prosperous!
In all, save that, I wish thee happiness3note
!
-- 25 --
Per.
Like a bold champion, I assume the lists,
Nor ask advice of any other thought
But faithfulness, and courage4note
.
[He reads the Riddle5note
.]
I am no viper, yet I feed
On mother's flesh, which did me breed:
-- 26 --
I sought a husband, in which labour,
I found that kindness in a father6note
.
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 you7note
.
Sharp physick is the last8note: but O you powers!
That give heaven countless eyes to view men's acts9note
If this be true, which makes me pale to read it?
Fair glass of light, I lov'd you, and could still,
[Takes hold of the hand of the Princess.
Were not this glorious casket stor'd with ill:
But I must tell you,—now, my thoughts revolt;
For he's no man on whom perfections wait2note
That knowing sin within, will touch the gate.
You're a fair viol, and your sense the strings;
Who, finger'd to make man his lawful musick3note,
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 chime4note
;
Good sooth, I care not for you.
Ant.
Prince Pericles, touch not, upon thy life5note
,
For that's an article within our law,
As dangerous as the rest. Your time's expir'd;
Either expound now, or receive your sentence.
Per.
Great king,
-- 28 --
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 wand'ring wind,
Blows dust in others' eyes, to spread itself6note
;
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 them7note
.
Kings 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 beings bred,
Then give my tongue like leave to love my head.
-- 30 --
Ant.
Heaven, that I had thy head2note! he has found the meaning;
But I will gloze with him3note
. [Aside.] Young prince of Tyre,
Though by the tenour of our strict edíct4note,
Your exposition misinterpreting5note,
We might proceed to cancel of your days6note
;
Yet hope, succeeding from so fair a tree
-- 31 --
As your fair self, doth tune us otherwise;
Forty days longer we do respite you7note
;
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 worth8note
. [Exeunt Antiochus, his Daughter, and Attendants.
Per.
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 son9note
,
-- 32 --
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 light1note
.
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 clear2note
,
By flight I'll shun the danger which I fear. [Exit.
-- 33 --
Re-enter Antiochus.
Ant.
He hath found the meaning3note, for the 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 on us there? Enter Thaliard4note.
Thal.
Doth your highness call?
Ant.
Thaliard, you're of our chamber5note, and our mind
Partakes her private actions6note
to your secresy:
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 done7note
?
-- 34 --
Thal.
My lord,
Tis done. Enter a Messenger.
Ant.
Enough.
Let your breath cool yourself, telling your haste8note
.
Mess.
My lord, prince Pericles is fled. [Exit Messenger.
Ant.
As thou
Wilt live, fly after: and, as9note an arrow, shot
From a well-experienc'd archer, hits the mark
His eye doth level at, so ne'er return,
Unless thou say, Prince Pericles is dead.
Thal.
My lord, if I
Can get him once within my pistol's length,
I'll make him sure: so farewell to your highness. [Exit.
Ant.
Thaliard, adieu! till Pericles be dead,
My heart can lend no succour to my head1note
. [Exit.
-- 35 --
SCENE II.Tyre. A Room in the Palace.Enter Pericles, Helicanus, and other Lords.
Per.
Let none disturb us: Why should this charge of thoughts2note
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 feared, 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 be done4note,
Grows elder now, and cares it be not done5note.
And so with me;—the great Antiochus
('Gainst whom I am too little to contend,
Since he's so great6note
, can make his will his act,)
Will think me speaking, though I swear to silence;
Nor boots it me to say, I honour him7note,
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'll o'erspread the land,
And with the ostent of war will look so huge8note
,
-- 37 --
Amazement shall drive courage from the state;
Our men be vanquish'd, e'er they do resist,
And subjects punish'd, that ne'er thought offence:
Which care of them, not pity of myself,
(Who wants no more but as the tops of trees,
Which fence the roots they grow by, and defend them,)
Makes9note
both my body pine, and soul to languish,
And punish that before, that he would punish.
-- 38 --
1 Lord.
Joy and all comfort in your sacred breast.
2 Lord.
And keep your mind, till you return to us,
Peaceful and comfortable!
Hel.
Peace, peace, my lords, 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 breath gives heat and stronger glowing1note
;
Whereas reproof, obedient, and in order,
Fits kings, as they are men, for they may err.
When signior Sooth2note 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.
Per.
All leave us else; but let your cares o'er-look
What shipping, and what lading's in our haven,
And then return to us. [Exeunt Lords.] Helicanus, thou
Hast moved us: what seest thou in our looks?
Hel.
An angry brow, dread lord.
Per.
If there be such a dart in prince's frowns,
-- 39 --
How durst thy tongue move anger to our face?
Hel.
How dare the plants look up to heaven, from whence
They have their nourishment3note
?
Per.
Thou know'st I have power
To take thy life.
Hel. [Kneeling.]
I have ground the axe myself;
Do you but strike the blow.
Per.
Rise, pr'ythee rise;
Sit down, sit down; thou art no flatterer:
I thank thee for it; and high heaven forbid,
That kings should let their ears hear their faults hid4note
!
Fit counsellor, and servant for a prince,
Who by thy wisdom mak'st a prince thy servant,
What would'st thou have me do?
Hel.
With patience bear
Such griefs as you do lay upon yourself.
Per.
Thou speak'st like a physician, Helicanus;
Who minister'st a potion unto me,
That thou would'st tremble to receive thyself.
Attend me then: I went to Antioch,
-- 40 --
Where, 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 subjects6note
.
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 smooth7note
: 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,
-- 41 --
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 their years8note:
And should he doubt it, (as no doubt he doth9note
,)
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't, offence,
Must feel war's blow, who spares not innocence1note
:
Which love to all (of which thyself art one,
Who now reprov'st me for it)—
Hel.
Alas, sir!
Per.
Drew sleep out of mine eyes, blood from my cheeks,
Musings into my mind, a thousand doubts
How I might stop this tempest, ere it came;
And finding little comfort to relieve them,
-- 42 --
I thought it princely charity to grieve them3note.
Hel.
Well, my lord, since you have given me leave to speak,
Freely I'll speak. Antiochus you fear,
And justly too, I think, you fear the tyrant,
Who either by publick 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 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.
Per.
I do not doubt thy faith;
But should he wrong my liberties in absence—
Hel.
We'll mingle bloods together in the earth,
From whence we had our being and our birth.
Per.
Tyre, I now look from thee then, and to Tharsus
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 it4note.
I'll take thy word for faith, not ask thine oath;
Who shuns not to break one, will sure crack both5note:
But in our orbs we'll live so round and safe6note
,
-- 43 --
That time of both this truth shall ne'er convince7note,
Thou show'dst a subject's shine, I a true prince8note
. [Exeunt.
-- 44 --
SCENE III.Tyre. An Ante-chamber in the Palace.Enter Thaliard.
Thal.
So, this is Tyre, and this is the court.
Here must I kill king Pericles; and if I do 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
secrets9note. Now do I see he had some reason for
it; for if a king bid a man be a villain, he is bound
by the indenture of his oath to be one.—Hush,
here come the lords of Tyre.
Enter Helicanus, Escanes, and other Lords.
Hel.
You shall not need, my fellow peers of Tyre,
Further to question of your king's departure.
His seal'd commission, left in trust with me,
Doth speak sufficiently, he's gone to travel.
Thal.
How! the king gone! [Aside.
Hel.
If further yet you will be satisfied,
Why, as it were unlicens'd of your loves,
He would depart, I'll give some light unto you.
Being at Antioch—
Thal.
What from Antioch? [Aside.
-- 45 --
Hel.
Royal Antiochus (on what cause I know not,)
Took some displeasure at him; at least he judg'd so:
And doubting lest that he had err'd or sinn'd,
To show his sorrow, would correct himself;
So puts himself unto the shipman's toil1note
,
With whom each minute threatens life or death.
Thal.
Well, I perceive
[Aside.
I shall not be hang'd now, although I would2note;
But since he's gone, the king's seas must please:
He 'scap'd the land, to perish at the sea3note
.—
But I'll present me. Peace to the lords of Tyre.
Hel.
Lord Thaliard from Antiochus is welcome.
Thal.
From him I come
With message unto princely Pericles;
But, since my landing, as I have understood,
Your lord has took himself to unknown travels,
, since
Commended to our master, not to us:
Yet, ere you shall depart, this we desire,—
As friends to Antioch, we may feast in Tyre5note
. [Exeunt.SCENE IV.Tharsus. A Room in the Governor's House.Enter Cleon, Dionyza, and Attendants.
Cle.
My Dionyza, shall we rest us here,
And by relating tales of other's griefs,
See if 'twill teach us to forget our own?
Dio.
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;
Here they're but felt, unseen with mischief's eyes6note
,
-- 47 --
But like to groves, being topp'd, they higher rise.
Cle.
O Dionyza,
Who wanteth food, and will not say he wants it,
Or can conceal his hunger, till he famish?
Our tongues and sorrows too7note
sound deep our woes
Into the air; our eyes do weep, till lungs8note
-- 48 --
Fetch breath that may proclaim them louder; that,
If heaven slumber, while their creatures want,
They may awake their helps to comfort them9note
.
I'll then discourse our woes, felt several years,
And wanting breath to speak, help me with tears.
Dio.
I'll do my best, sir.
Cle.
This Tharsus, o'er which I have government,
(A city, on whom plenty held full hand,)
For riches, strew'd herself even in the streets1note
;
Whose towers bore heads so high, they kiss'd the clouds2note
,
-- 49 --
And strangers ne'er beheld, but wonder'd at;
Whose men and dames so jetted and adorn'd3note,
Like one another's glass to trim them by4note
:
Their tables were stor'd 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.
Dio.
O, 'tis too true.
Cle.
But see what heaven can do! By this our
change,
These mouths, whom 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 defil'd for want of use,
They are now starv'd for want of exercise:
Those palates, who not us'd to hunger's savour5note
,
-- 50 --
Must have inventions to delight the taste,
Would now be glad of bread, and beg for it;
Those mothers who, to nousle up their babes6note
,
Thought nought too curious, are ready now,
To eat those little darlings whom they lov'd.
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,
-- 51 --
Have scarce strength left to give them burial.
Is not this true?
Dio.
Our cheeks and hollow eyes do witness it.
Cle.
O, let those cities, that of Plenty's cup7note
And her prosperities so largely taste,
With their superfluous riots, hear these tears!
The misery of Tharsus may be theirs. Enter a Lord.
Lord.
Where's the lord governor?
Cle.
Here.
Speak out thy sorrows8note 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.
Cle.
I thought as much.
One sorrow never comes, but brings an heir,
That may succeed as his inheritor9note
;
And so in ours: some neighbouring nation,
Taking advantage of our misery,
-- 52 --
Hath stuff'd these hollow vessels with their power1note
,
To beat us down, the which are down already;
And make a conquest of unhappy me2note
Lord.
That's the least fear; for, by the semblance4note
Of their white flags display'd, they bring us peace,
And come to us as favourers, not as foes.
Cle.
Thou speak'st like him's untutor'd to repeat5note
,
-- 53 --
Who makes the fairest show, means most deceit.
But bring they what they will, and what they can,
What need we fear6note
?
The ground's the low'st, 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.
Cle.
Welcome is peace, if he on peace consist7note;
If wars, we are unable to resist. Enter Pericles, with Attendants.
Per.
Lord governor, for so we hear you are,
Let not our ships and number of our men,
Be, like a beacon fir'd, to amaze your eyes.
We have heard your miseries as far as Tyre,
And seen the desolation of your streets:
-- 54 --
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, war-stuff'd within,
With bloody views, expecting overthrow8note
,
Are stor'd with corn, to make your needy bread9note,
And give them life, who are hunger-starv'd, half dead.
All.
The gods of Greece protect you;
And we'll pray for you.
Per.
Rise, I pray you, rise;
We do not look for reverence, but for love,
And harbourage for ourself, our ships, and men.
Cle.
The which when any shall not gratify,
Or pay you with unthankfulness in thought1note
,
-- 55 --
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.
Per.
Which welcome we'll accept; feast here a while,
Until our stars that frown, lend us a smile. [Exeunt.ACT II.Enter Gower.
Gow.
Here 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 and word2note
.
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 gain3note,
-- 56 --
The good in conversation4note
(To whom I give my benizon,)
Is still at Tharsus, where5note
:
And to remember what he does,
Gild his statue to make it glorious7note
:
-- 57 --
But tidings to the contrary
Are brought your eyes; what need speak I?
Dumb show.Enter at one door Pericles, talking with Cleon;
all the Train with them. Enter at another door,
a Gentleman, with a letter to Pericles; Pericles
shows the Letter to Cleon; then gives
the Messenger a reward, and knights him. Exeunt
Pericles, Cleon, &c. severally.
Gow.
Good Helicane hath staid at home,
Not to eat honey like a drone,
From others' labours; for though he strive8note
To killen bad, keep good alive;
And, to fulfil his prince' desire,
Sends word of all that haps in Tyre9note
:
-- 58 --
How Thaliard came full bent with sin,
And hid intent, to murder him1note
;
And that in Tharsus was not best2note
Longer for him to make his rest:
He knowing so3note, 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 split4note
;
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 himself5note
;
-- 59 --
Till fortune, tired with doing bad,
Threw him ashore, to give him glad6note:
And here he comes: what shall be next,
Pardon old Gower; this long's the text7note
.
[Exit.SCENE I.Pentapolis. An open Place by the Sea Side.Enter Pericles, wet.
Per.
Yet cease your ire, ye 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 breath8note
Nothing to think on, but ensuing death:
-- 60 --
Let it suffice the greatness of your powers,
To have bereft a prince of all his fortunes;
And having thrown him from your watry grave,
Here to have death in peace, is all he'll crave.
Look how thou stirrest now! come away,
or I'll fetch thee with a wannion2note
.
3 Fish.
'Faith, master, I am thinking of the poor
men that were cast away before us, even now.
1 Fish.
Alas, poor souls, it grieved my heart to
hear what pitiful cries they made to us, to help
them3note, when, well-a-day, we could scarce help ourselves.
3 Fish.
Nay, master, said not I as much, when I
saw the porpus, how he bounced and tumbled4note
?
-- 62 --
they say, they are 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.
1 Fish.
Why as men do a-land5note; 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 him6note
, and at
last devours them all at a mouthful. Such whales
have I heard on a'the land, who never leave gaping,
till they've swallowed the whole parish, church,
steeple, bells and all.
Per.
A pretty moral.
3 Fish.
But, master, if I had been the sexton, I
would have been that day in the belfry7note
.
2 Fish.
Why, man?
3 Fish.
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—
Per.
Simonides?
-- 63 --
3 Fish.
We would purge the land of these drones,
that rob the bee of her honey.
These fishers tell the infirmities of men;
And from their watry empire recollect
All that may men approve, or men detect!—
Peace be at your labour, honest fishermen.
2 Fish.
Honest! good fellow, what's that? if it
be a day fits you, scratch it out of the calendar, and
no body will look after it9note
.
-- 64 --
Per.
Nay, see, the sea hath cast upon your coast—
2 Fish.
What a drunken knave was the sea, to
cast thee in our way1note
!
Per.
A man whom both the waters and the wind,
In that vast tennis-court, hath made the ball
For them to play upon2note
, entreats you pity him;
He asks of you, that never us'd to beg.
1 Fish.
No, friend, cannot you beg? here's them
in our country of Greece, gets more with begging,
than we can do with working.
2 Fish.
Can'st thou catch any fishes then?
Per.
I never practis'd it.
2 Fish.
Nay, then thou wilt starve sure; for here's
nothing to be got now a-days, unless thou cans't
fish for't.
Per.
What I have been, I have forgot to know;
But what I am, want teaches me to think on;
: 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 man4note
, pray see me buried.
1 Fish.
Die quoth-a? Now gods forbid! I have
a gown here; come, put it on5note; keep thee warm.
Now, afore me, a handsome fellow6note! Come thou
shalt go home, and we'll have flesh for holidays,
fish for fasting-days, and moreo'er puddings and
flap-jacks7note
; and thou shalt be welcome.
-- 66 --
Per.
I thank you, sir.
2 Fish.
Hark you, my friend, you said you could
not beg.
Per.
I did but crave.
2 Fish.
But crave? Then I'll turn craver too,
and so I shall 'scape whipping.
Per.
Why, are all your beggars whipped then!
2 Fish.
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.
[Exeunt Two of the Fishermen.
Per.
How well this honest mirth becomes their labour!
1 Fish.
Hark you, sir! do you know where you are?
1 Fish.
Why, I'll tell you: this is called Pentapolis,
and our king, the good Simonides.
Per.
Not well.
Per.
The good king Simonides, do you call him?
1 Fish.
Ay, sir; and he deserves to be so called,
for his peaceable reign, and good government.
, since he gains from
his subjects the name of good, by his government.
How far is his court distant from this shore?
-- 67 --
1 Fish.
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.
Per.
Were my fortunes equal to my desires,
I could wish to make one there9note
.
1 Fish.
O, sir, things must be as they may; and
what a man cannot get, he may lawfully deal for—
his wife's soul1note
.
-- 68 --
Re-enter the Two Fishermen, drawing up a Net.
2 Fish.
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't2note
, 'tis come at last,
and 'tis turned to a rusty armour.
Per.
An armour, friends! I pray you, let me see it.
Thanks, fortune, yet, that after all my crosses3note,
Thou giv'st me somewhat to repair myself:
And though it was mine own4note, part of mine 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 brace5note
:
-- 69 --
For that it sav'd me, keep it; in like necessity The which the gods protect thee from! it may defend thee6note
.
It kept where I kept, I so dearly lov'd it;
Till the rough seas, that spare not any man,
Took it in rage, though calm'd, have given it again7note
:
I thank thee for't; my shipwreck's now no ill,
Since I have here my father's gift in his will8note.
1 Fish.
What mean you, sir?
Per.
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 lov'd me dearly,
And for his sake, I wish the having of it;
And that you'd guide me to your sovereign's court,
Where with't I may appear a gentleman;
And if that ever my low fortunes better9note
,
I'll pay your bounties; till then, rest your debtor.
-- 70 --
1 Fish.
Why, wilt thou tourney for the lady?
Per.
I'll show the virtue I have borne in arms.
1 Fish.
Why, do ye take it1note, and the gods give
thee good on't!
2 Fish.
Ay, but hark you, my friend2note; '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 remem-
from whence you had it3note.
Per.
Believe it, I will.
By your furtherance, I am cloth'd in steel4note
;
Unto thy value will I 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 bases7note
.
-- 72 --
2 Fish.
We'll sure provide: thou shalt have my
best gown to make thee a pair; and I'll bring thee
to the court myself.
Per.
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 publick Way, or Platform, leading to the Lists. A Pavilion by the side of it, for the reception of the King, Princess, Lords, &c.Enter Simonides, Thaisa, Lords, and Attendants.
Sim.
Are the knights ready to begin the triumph8note
?
-- 73 --
1 Lord.
They are, my liege;
And stay your coming to present themselves.
Sim.
Return them, we are ready9note; 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.
Thai.
It pleaseth you, my royal father, to express1note
My commendations great, whose merit's less.
Sim.
'Tis 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 renown, if not respected.
'Tis now your honour, daughter, to explain
The labour of each knight, in his device2note
.
-- 74 --
Thai.
Which, to preserve mine honour, I'll perform3note. Enter a Knight; he passes over the Stage, and his
Squire presents his Shield to the Princess.
Sim.
Who is the first that doth prefer himself?
Thai.
A knight of Sparta, my renowned father;
And the device he bears upon his shield
Is a black Æthiop, reaching at the sun;
The word, Lux tua vita mihi4note
.
Sim.
He loves you well, that holds his life of you.
[The second Knight passes.
Who is the second, that presents himself?
Thai.
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 per dulçura que per fuerça5note. [The third Knight passes.
Sim.
And what's the third?
-- 75 --
Thai.
The third of Antioch;
And his device, a wreath of ceivalry:
The word, Me pompæ provexit apex6note
, that's turned upside down;
The word, Quod me alit, me extinguit.
Sim.
Which shows, that beauty hath his power and will,
Which can as well inflame, as it can kill. [The fifth Knight passes.
Thai.
The fifth, an hand environed with clouds;
Holding out gold, that's by the touchstone tried:
The motto thus, Sic spectanda fides.
-- 76 --
[The sixth Knight passes.
Sim.
And what's the sixth and last, which the knight himself
With such a graceful courtesy deliver'd?
Thai.
He seems to be a stranger; but his present
Is a wither'd branch9note
, that's only green at top;
The motto, In hac spe vivo.
Sim.
A pretty moral;
From the dejected state wherein he is,
He hopes by you his fortunes yet may flourish.
1 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 practis'd more the whipstock1note, than the lance.
2 Lord.
He well may be a stranger, for he comes
To an honour'd triumph, strangely furnished.
3 Lord.
And on set purpose let his armour rust
Until this day, to scour it in the dust2note
.
Sim.
Opinion's but a fool, that makes us scan
The outward habit by the inward man3note
-- 77 --
But stay, the knights are coming; we'll withdraw
Into the gallery.
[Exeunt.[Great Shouts, and all cry, The mean knight4note.
SCENE III.The Same. A Hall of State.—A Banquet prepared.Enter Simonides, Thaisa, Lords, Knights, and Attendants.
Sim.
Knights,
To say you are welcome, were superfluous.
To place upon the volume of your deeds5note,
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 guests6note
.
-- 78 --
Thai.
But you, my knight and guest;
To whom this wreath of victory I give,
And crown you king of this day's happiness.
Per.
'Tis more by fortune, lady, than my merit7note.
Sim.
Call it by what you will, the day is yours;
And here, I hope, is none that envies it.
In framing artists8note
, art hath thus decreed,
To make some good, but others to exceed;
And you're her labour'd scholar. Come, queen o' the feast9note
,
(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.
Sim.
Your presence glads our days; honour we love,
For who hates honour, hates the gods above.
Marsh.
Sir, yond's your place.
Per.
Some other is more fit.
1 Knight.
Contend not, sir; for we are gentlemen,
That neither in our hearts, nor outward eyes,
Envy the great, nor do the low despise1note
.
-- 79 --
Per.
You are right courteous knights.
Sim.
Sit, sit, sir; sit.
Per.
By Jove, I wonder, that is king of thoughts,
These cates resist me, she not thought upon2note
.
-- 80 --
Thai.
By Juno, that is queen
Of marriage, all the viands that I eat
-- 81 --
Do seem unsavoury, wishing him my meat!
Sure he's a gallant gentleman.
Sim.
He's but a country gentleman;
He has done no more than other knights have done;
Broken a staff, or so; so let it pass.
Thai.
To me he seems like diamond to glass.
Per.
Yon king's to me, like to my father's picture,
Which tells me in that glory once he was;
Had princes sit2note
, 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 a glow-worm in the night3note
,
The which hath fire in darkness, none in light;
Whereby I see that Time's the king of men,
For he's their parent, and he is their grave4note
,
And gives them what he will, not what they crave.
-- 82 --
Sim.
What, are you merry, knights?
1 Knight.
Who can be other, in this royal presence?
Sim.
Here, with a cup that's stor'd unto the brim7note
,
(As you do love, fill to your mistress' lips8note
,)
We drink this health to you.
Knights.
We thank your grace.
Sim.
Yet pause a while;
Yon knight, methinks, doth sit too melancholy,
As if the entertainment in our court
Had not a show might countervail his worth.
Note it not you, Thaisa?
Thai.
What is it
To me, my father?
Sim.
O, attend, my daughter;
Princes, in this, should live like gods above,
Who freely give to every one that comes
To honour them: and princes, not doing so,
-- 83 --
Are like to gnats, which make a sound, but kill'd
Are wonder'd at9note
,
Here say we drink this standing-bowl of wine to him2note.
Thai.
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.
Sim.
How!
Do as I bid you, or you'll move me else.
-- 84 --
Thai.
Now, by the gods, he could not please me better3note. [Aside.
Sim.
And further tell him, we desire to know,
Of whence he is, his name and parentage4note
.
Thai.
The king my father, sir, has drunk to you.
Per.
I thank him.
Thai.
Wishing it so much blood unto your life.
Per.
I thank both him and you, and pledge him freely.
Thai.
And further he desires to know of you,
Of whence you are, your name and parentage.
Per.
A gentleman of Tyre—(my name, Pericles;
My education being in arts and arms5note;)—
Who looking for adventures in the world,
Was by the rough seas reft of ships and men,
And, after shipwreck, driven upon this shore.
Thai.
He thanks your grace; names himself Pericles,
A gentleman of Tyre, who only by
Misfortune of the seas has been bereft
Of ships and men, and cast upon this shore.
Sim.
Now by the gods, I pity his misfortune,
And will awake him from his melancholy.
-- 85 --
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 dance6note
.
I will not have excuse, with saying, this
Loud musick is too harsh7note
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'd8note.
Come, sir;
Here is a lady that wants breathing too:
And I have often heard9note, you knights of Tyre
Are excellent in making ladies trip;
And that their measures are as excellent.
-- 86 --
Per.
In those that practise them, they are, my lord.
Sim.
O, that's as much, as you would be denied
[The Knights and Ladies dance.
Of your fair courtesy.—Unclasp, unclasp;
Thanks, gentlemen, to all; all have done well,
But you the best. [To Pericles.] Pages and lights, conduct1note
These knights unto their several lodgings: Yours, sir,
We have given order to be next our own2note
.
Per.
I am at your grace's pleasure.
Sim.
Princes, it is too late to talk of love,
For 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 Governor's House.Enter Helicanus and Escanes.
,—
Antiochus from incest liv'd not free;
For which, the most high gods not minding longer
To withhold the vengeance that they had in store,
-- 87 --
Due to this heinous capital offence;
Even in the height and pride of all his glory,
When he was seated, and his daughter with him,
In a chariot of inestimable value,
A fire from heaven came, and shrivell'd up
Their bodies4note
, even to loathing; for they so stunk,
That all those eyes ador'd them, ere their fall,
Scorn now their hand should give them burial5note
.
Esca.
'Twas very strange.
Hel.
And yet but just; for though
This king were great, his greatness was no guard
To bar heaven's shaft, but sin had his reward.
Esca.
'Tis very true. Enter Three Lords.
1 Lord.
See, not a man in private conference,
Or council, has respect with him but he6note.
2 Lord.
It shall no longer grieve without reproof.
3 Lord.
And curs'd be he that will not second it.
1 Lord.
Follow me then: Lord Helicane, a word.
Hel.
With me? and welcome: Happy day, my lords.
1 Lord.
Know, that our griefs are risen to the top,
-- 88 --
And now at length they overflow their banks.
Hel.
Your griefs, for what? wrong not the prince you love.
1 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 out;
If in his grave he rest, we'll find him there;
And be resolv'd, he lives to govern us7note
,
Or dead, gives cause to mourn his funeral,
And leaves us8note to our free election.
2 Lord.
Whose death's, indeed, the strongest in our censure9note
:
And knowing this kingdom, if without a head1note,
(Like goodly buildings left without a roof2note
,)
Will soon to ruin fall, your noble self,
-- 89 --
That best know'st how to rule, and how to reign,
We thus submit unto,—our sovereign.
All.
Live, noble Helicane!
Hel.
Try honour's cause3note
; forbear your suffrages:
If that you love prince Pericles, forbear.
Take I your wish, I leap into the seat,
Where's hourly trouble, for a minute's ease4note
.
A twelvemonth longer, let me then entreat you
To forbear choice i' the absence of your king5note
;
If in which time expir'd, he not return,
I shall with aged patience bear your yoke.
-- 90 --
But if I cannot win you to this love,
Go search like noblemen, 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 crown6note
.
1 Lord.
To wisdom he's a fool that will not yield;
And, since lord Helicane enjoineth us,
We with our travels will endeavour it7note
.
Hel.
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 Letter8note
, the Knights meet him.
1 Knight.
Good morrow to the good Simonides.
-- 91 --
Sim.
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 from herself by no means can I get.
2 Knight.
May we not get access to her, my lord?
Sim.
'Faith, by no means; she hath so strictly tied her
To her chamber, that it is impossible.
One twelve moons more she'll wear Diana's livery;
This by the eye of Cynthia hath she vow'd9note,
And on her virgin honour will not break it.
3 Knight.
Though loath to bid farewell, we take our leaves. [Exeunt.
Sim.
So
They're well despatch'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.
Mistress, 'tis well, your choice agrees with mine;
I like that well:—nay, how absolute she's in't,
Not minding whether I dislike or no!
-- 92 --
Well, I commend her choice;
And will no longer have it be delay'd.
Soft, here he comes:—I must dissemble it.
Enter Pericles.
Per.
All fortune to the good Simonides!
Sim.
To you as much, sir! I am beholden to you,
For your sweet musick this last night1note
: my ears,
I do protest, were never better fed
With such delightful pleasing harmony.
Per.
It is your grace's pleasure to commend;
Not my desert.
Sim.
Sir, you are musick's master.
Per.
The worst of all her scholars, my good lord.
Sim.
Let me ask one thing. What do you think, sir, of
My daughter?
Per.
As of a most virtuous princess.
-- 93 --
Sim.
And she is fair too, is she not?
Per.
As a fair day in summer; wond'rous fair.
Sim.
My daughter, sir, thinks very well of you;
Ay, so well, sir, that you must be her master,
And she'll your scholar be; therefore look to it.
Per.
What's here!
A letter, that she loves the knight of Tyre;
'Tis the king's subtilty, to have my life.
[Aside.
O, seek not to entrap, my gracious lord3note,
A stranger and distressed gentleman,
That never aim'd so high, to love your daughter,
But bent all offices to honour her.
Sim.
Thou hast bewitch'd my daughter4note
, and thou art
A villain.
Per.
By the gods, I have not, sir.
Never did thought of mine levy offence;
Nor never did my actions yet commence
A deed might gain her love, or your displeasure.
Sim.
Traitor, thou liest.
Per.
Traitor!
Sim.
Ay, traitor, sir.
Per.
Even in his throat, (unless it be the king5note,)
That calls me traitor, I return the lie.
Sim.
Now, by the gods, I do applaud his courage. [Aside.
.
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.
Sim.
No!—
Here comes my daughter, she can witness it7note
. Enter Thaisa.
Per.
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?
Thai.
Why, sir, say if you had,
Who takes offence at that would make me glad?
Sim.
Yea, mistress, are you so perémptory?—
I am glad of it with all my heart. [Aside.] I'll tame you;
I'll bring you in subjection.—
Will you, not having my consent, bestow
Your love and your affections on a stranger?
(Who, for aught I know to the contrary,
Or think, may be as great in blood as I.)
[Aside.
Hear therefore, mistress; frame your will to mine,—
And you, sir, hear you.—Either be rul'd by me,
Or I will make you—man and wife.—
Nay, come; your hands and lips must seal it too.—
-- 95 --
And being join'd, I'll thus your hopes destroy;—
And for a further grief,—God give you joy!
What, are you both pleas'd?
Thai.
Yes, if you love me, sir.
Per.
Even as my life, my blood that fosters it8note
.
Sim.
What, are you both agreed?
Both.
Yes, 'please your majesty.
Sim.
It pleaseth me so well, I'll see you wed;
Then, with what haste you can, get you to bed9note
;
No din but snores, the house about,
Made louder by the o'er-fed breast2note
Of this most pompous marriage feast.
The cat with eyne of burning coal,
Now couches 'fore the mouse's hole3note
;
-- 97 --
And crickets sing at th' oven's mouth,
As the blither for their drouth4note
.
Hymen hath brought the bride to bed,
Where, by the loss of maidenhead,
A babe is moulded5note
;—Be attent6note,
And time that is so briefly spent,
With your fine fancies quaintly eche7note
;
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
-- 98 --
gives Pericles a Letter. Pericles shows it to
Simonides; the Lords kneel to the former8note
.
Then enter Thaisa with child, and Lychorida.
Simonides shows his Daughter the Letter; she
rejoices: she and Pericles take leave of her
Father, and depart. Then Simonides, &c. retire.
Of Pericles the careful search
By the four opposing coignes1note
,
Which the world together joins,
-- 99 --
Is made, with all due diligence,
That horse, and sail, and high expence,
Can stead the quest2note
. At last from Tyre
(Fame answering the most strong inquire3note
,)
To the court of king Simonides
Are letters brought the tenour these:
Antiochus and his daughter's dead;
The men of Tyrus, on the head
Of Helicanus would set on
The crown of Tyre, but he will none:
The mutiny there he hastes t' oppress4note
;
Says to them, if king Pericles
Come not home in twice six moons,
He obedient to their dooms5note
,
-- 100 --
Will take the crown. The sum of this,
Brought hither to Pentapolis.
Y-ravished the regions round6note
.
And every one with claps, 'gan 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 cut7note
Varies again; the grizzled 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-near9note!
Doth fall in travail with her fear1note
:
And what ensues in this fell storm2note,
Shall, for itself, itself perform.
I nill relate3note, action may
Conveniently the rest convey:
Which might not what by me is told4note.
In your imagination hold
This stage, the ship, upon whose deck
The sea-tost5note
Per.
Thou God of this great vast, rebuke these surges7note
,
Which wash both heaven and hell; and thou, that hast
-- 103 --
Upon the winds command, bind them in brass,
Having call'd them from the deep! O still8note
thy deaf'ning,
Thy dreadful thunders; gently quench thy nimble,
Sulphureous flashes!—O how, Lychorida,
How does my queen?—Thou storm, thou! venomously
Wilt thou spit all thyself9note
?—The seaman's whistle
Is as a whisper in the ears of death1note
,
-- 104 --
Unheard.—Lychorida!—Lucina, O
Divinest patroness, and midwife2note
, gentle
To those that cry by night, convey thy deity
Aboard our dancing boat; make swift the pangs
Of my queen's travails!—Now, Lychorida— Enter Lychorida, with an Infant.
Lyc.
Here is a thing
Too young for such a place, who if it had
Conceit3note
, would die as I am like to do.
Take in your arms this piece of your dead queen.
Per.
How! how, Lychorida!
Lyc.
Patience, good sir; do not assist the storm.4note
-- 105 --
Here's all that is left living of your queen,—
A little daughter; for the sake of it,
Be manly, and take comfort.
Per.
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 you5note
.
Lyc.
Patience, good sir,
Even for this charge.
Per.
Now, mild may be thy life!
For a more blust'rous birth had never babe:
; thou wilt not,
wilt thou? Blow, and split thyself6note
.
-- 108 --
2 Sail.
But sea-room, an the brine and cloudy
billow kiss the moon, I care not7note.
1 Sail.
Sir, your queen must overboard; the
sea works high, the wind is loud, and will not lie
till the ship be cleared of the dead8note
.
Per.
That's your superstition.
1 Sail.
Pardon us, sir; with us at sea it still
hath been observed; and we are strong in earnest9note
.
-- 109 --
Therefore briefly yield her; for she must overboard
straight1note.
Per.
Be it as you think meet.—Most wretched queen!
Lyc.
Here she lies, sir.
Per.
A terrible child-bed 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 grave2note
, but straight
Must cast thee, scarcely coffin'd, in the ooze3note
;
Where, for a monument upon thy bones,
And aye-remaining lamps4note
Bid Nestor bring me spices, ink and paper7note,
My casket and my jewels; and bid Nicander
Bring me the sattin coffer8note
: lay the babe
Upon the pillow; hie thee, whiles I say
A priestly farewell to her: suddenly, woman. [Exit Lychorida.
2 Sail.
Sir, we have a chest beneath the hatches,
caulk'd and bitumed ready.
Per.
I thank thee. Mariner, say what coast is this?
-- 112 --
2 Sail.
We are near Tharsus.
Per.
Thither, gentle mariner,
Alter thy course for Tyre9note. When can'st thou reach it?
2 Sail.
By break of day, if the wind cease.
Per.
O make for Tharsus.
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 Cerimon1note, a Servant, and some Persons who have been shipwrecked.
Cer.
Philemon, ho! Enter Philemon.
Phil.
Doth my lord call?
Cer.
Get fire and meat for these poor men;
It has been a turbulent and stormy night.
Serv.
I have been in many; but such a night as this,
Till now, I ne'er endur'd2note
.
-- 113 --
Cer.
Your master will be dead ere you return;
There's nothing can be minister'd to nature,
That can recover him. Give this to the 'pothecary3note
,
And tell me how it works. [To Philemon.
[Exeunt Philemon, Servant, and those who had been shipwrecked.
Enter Two Gentlemen.
1 Gent.
Good morrow, sir.
2 Gent.
Good morrow to your lordship.
Cer.
Gentlemen,
Why do you stir so early?
1 Gent.
Sir,
Our lodgings, standing bleak upon the sea,
Shook, as the earth did quake4note
;
-- 114 --
The very principals did seem to rend,
And all to topple5note
; pure surprize and fear
Made me to quit the house.
2 Gent.
That is the cause we trouble you so early;
'Tis not our husbandry6note
.
Cer.
O, you say well.
1 Gent.
But I much marvel that your lordship, having
Rich tire about you7note, should at these early hours
-- 115 --
Shake off the golden slumber of repose8note
.
It is most strange,
Nature should be so conversant with pain,
Being thereto not compell'd.
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 physick, 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, stones1note
;
And I can speak of the disturbances
That nature works, and of her cures; which give me
A more content in course of true delight
Than to be thirsty after tottering honour,
Or tie my treasure up in silken bags2note
2 Gent.
Your honour has through Ephesus pour'd forth
-- 117 --
Your charity, and hundreds call themselves
Your creatures, who by you have been restor'd:
-- 118 --
And not your knowledge, personal pain, but even
Your purse, still open, hath built lord Cerimon
Such strong renown as time shall never—
Enter Two Servants with a Chest.
Serv.
So; lift there.
Cer.
What is that?
Serv.
Sir, even now
Did the sea toss upon our shore this chest;
'Tis of some wreck.
Cer.
Set it down, let's look on it.
2 Gent.
'Tis like a coffin, sir.
Cer.
Whate'er it be,
'Tis wondrous heavy. Wrench it open straight;
If the sea's stomach be o'ercharg'd with gold4note
,
It is a good constraint of fortune, that
It belches upon us5note
Serv.
I never saw so huge a billow, sir,
As toss'd it upon shore.
Cer.
Come, wrench it open;
Soft, soft!—it smells most sweetly in my sense.
2 Gent.
A delicate odour.
Cer.
As ever hit my nostril7note; so, up with it,
O you most potent god! what's here? a corse!
1 Gent.
Most strange!
Cer.
Shrouded in cloth of state; balm'd and entreasur'd
With bags of spices full! A passport too!
Apollo, perfect me i' the characters.8note!
[Unfolds a Scroll. [Reads.
Here I give to understand,
(If e'er this coffin drive a-land9note,)
I, king Pericles, have lost
This queen, worth all our mundane cost.
Who finds her, give her burying,
She was the daughter of a king1note
:
Besides this treasure for a fee,
The gods requite his charity!
-- 120 --
If thou liv'st, Pericles, thou hast a heart
That even cracks for woe2note
!—This chanc'd to-night.
2 Gent.
Most likely, sir.
Cer.
Nay, certainly to-night;
For look, how fresh she looks!—They were too rough,
That threw her in the sea. Make fire within:
Fetch hither all the boxes in my closet.
Death may usurp on nature many hours,
And yet the fire of life kindle again
The overpressed spirits. I have heard3note
Of an Egyptian, had nine hours lien dead4note
,
By good appliance was recovered.
Enter a Servant, with Boxes, Napkins, and Fire.
Well said, well said; the fire and the cloths5note
.—
The rough and woful musick that we have,
Cause it to sound, 'beseech you6note
.
-- 121 --
The vial once more;—How thou stirr'st, thou block?—
The musick there7note
.—I pray you, give her air:—
Gentlemen,
This queen will live: nature awakes; a warmth
; she hath not been entranc'd
Above five hours. See, how she 'gins to blow
Into life's flower again!
1 Gent.
The heavens, sir,
Through you, increase our wonder, and set up
Your fame for ever.
Cer.
She is alive; behold,
Her eyelids, cases to those heavenly jewels1note
Which Pericles hath lost,
Begin to part their fringes of bright gold2note
;
The diamonds of a most praised water
Appear, to make the world twice rich. O live,
And make us weep to hear your fate, fair creature,
Rare as you seem to be! [She moves.
Thai.
O dear Diana,
Where am I? Where's my lord? What world is this3note
?
-- 123 --
2 Gent.
Is not this strange?
1 Gent.
Most rare.
Cer.
Hush, gentle neighbours;
Lend me your hands: to the next chamber bear her4note
.
Get linen; now this matter must be look'd to,
For her relapse is mortal. Come, come, come;
And Æsculapius guide us! [Exeunt, carrying Thaisa away.
SCENE III.Tharsus. A Room in Cleon's House.
Enter Pericles, Cleon, Dionyza, Lychorida, and Marina.
Per.
Most honour'd Cleon, I must needs be gone;
My twelve months are expir'd, and Tyrus stands
In a litigious peace. You, and your lady,
-- 124 --
Take from my heart all thankfulness! The gods
Make up the rest upon you!
Cle.
Your shafts of fortune, though they hurt you mortally5note,
Yet glance full wand'ringly on us6note
.
Dion.
O your sweet queen!
That the strict fates had pleas'd you had brought her hither,
To have bless'd mine eyes!
Per.
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 babe Marina (whom
For she was born at sea, I have nam'd so,) here
I charge your charity withal, and leave her
The infant of your care; beseeching you
To give her princely training, that she may be
Manner'd as she is born7note
, 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 vile9note
, the common body,
By you reliev'd, would force me to my duty:
But if to that my nature need a spur1note
,
The gods revenge it upon me and mine,
To the end of generation!
Per.
I believe you;
Your honour and your goodness teach me to it2note
,
-- 126 --
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 will in't3note
. So I take my leave.
-- 127 --
Good madam, make me blessed in your care
In bringing up my child.
Dion.
I have one myself,
Who shall not be more dear to my respect,
Than yours, my lord.
Per.
Madam, my thanks and prayers.
Cle.
We'll bring your grace even to the edge o' the shore;
Then give you up to the mask'd Neptune4note
, and
The gentlest winds of heaven.
Per.
I will embrace
Your offer. Come, dear'st madam.—O, no tears,
Lychorida, no tears:
Look to your little mistress, on whose grace
You may depend hereafter.—Come my lord. [Exeunt.
-- 128 --
SCENE IV.Ephesus. A Room in Cerimon's House.
Enter Cerimon and Thaisa.
Cer.
Madam, this letter, and some certain jewels,
Lay with you in your coffer: which are now5note
At your command. Know you the character?
Thai.
It is my lord's.
That I was shipp'd at sea, I well remember,
Even on my yearning time6note
; but whether there
Delivered or no, by the holy gods,
I cannot rightly say: But since king Pericles,
My wedded lord, I ne'er shall see again,
-- 129 --
A vestal livery will I take me to,
And never more have joy.
Cer.
Madam, if this you purpose as you speak,
Diana's temple is not distant far,
Where you may 'bide until your date expire7note
.
Moreover, if you please, a niece of mine
Shall there attend you.
Thai.
My recompense is thanks, that's all;
Yet my good will is great, though the gift small. [Exeunt.ACT IV.Enter Gower8note.
: so
With the dove of Paphos might the crow
Vie feathers white5note
. Marina gets
All praises, which are paid as debts,
And not as given. This so darks
In Philoten all graceful marks6note
,
-- 135 --
That Cleon's wife, with envy rare7note,
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 wrath8note
Which never could I so convey,
Unless your thoughts went on my way.—
Dionyza does appear,
With Leonine, a murderer.
[Exit.SCENE I.Tharsus. An open Place near the Sea-shore.Enter Dionyza and Leonine.
Dion.
Thy oath remember; thou hast sworn to do it4note
:
'Tis but a blow, which never shall be known.
Thou canst not do a thing i' the world so soon,
To yield thee so much profit. Let not conscience,
Which is but cold, inflame love in thy bosom5note
,
-- 137 --
Inflame too nicely; nor let pity, which
Even women have cast off, melt thee, but be
A soldier to thy purpose.
Leon.
I'll do't; but yet she is a goodly creature6note
.
Dion.
The fitter then the gods should have her7note
With this unprofitable woe! Come, come;
Give me your wreath of flowers, ere the sea mar it.
Walk forth with Leonine; the air is quick there8note
,
And it pierces and sharpens the stomach. Come9note
;—
Leonine, take her by the arm, walk with her.
Mar.
No, I pray you;
I'll not bereave you of your servant.
Dion.
Come, come;
I love the king your father, and yourself,
With more than foreign heart1note. We every day
Expect him here: when he shall come, and find
Our paragon to all reports2note
, thus blasted,
-- 142 --
He will repent the breadth of his great voyage;
Blame both my lord and me, that we have ta'en
No care to your best courses3note
. Go, I pray you,
Walk, and be cheerful once again; reserve
That excellent complexion, which did steal
The eyes of young and old4note
. Care not for me;
I can go home alone.
Mar.
Well, I will go;
But yet I have no desire to it5note
.
Dion.
Come, come, I know 'tis good for you.
Walk half an hour, Leonine, at the least;
Remember what I have said.
Leon.
I warrant you, madam.
Dion.
I'll leave you, my sweet lady, for a while;
-- 143 --
Pray you walk softly, do not heat your blood:
What! I must have a care of you.
Mar.
Thanks, sweet madam.—
[Exit Dionyza.
Is this wind westerly that blows?
Leon.
South-west.
Mar.
When I was born, the wind was north.
Leon.
Was't so?
Mar.
My father, as nurse said, did never fear,
But cry'd, good seamen! to the sailors, galling
His kingly hands with hauling of the ropes6note
;
And, clasping to the mast, endur'd a sea
That almost burst the deck.
Leon.
When was this?
Mar.
When I was born:
Never was waves nor wind more violent;
And from the ladder-tackle washes off
A canvas-climber7note
. Ha! says one, wilt out?
-- 144 --
And with a dropping industry they skip
From stem to stern9note
: the boatswain whistles, and
The master calls, and trebles their confusion1note
.
Leon.
Come, say your prayers.
Mar.
What mean you?
Leon.
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.
Mar.
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 spake 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 it3note
. How have I offended,
Wherein my death might yield her profit, or
My life imply her danger.
-- 146 --
Leon.
My commission
Is not to reason of the deed, but do it.
Mar.
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.
Leon.
I am sworn,
And will despatch. Enter Pirates, whilst Marina is struggling.
Half-part, mates, half-part. Come,
let's have her aboard suddenly.
[Exeunt Pirates with Marina.
SCENE II.The Same.Re-enter Leonine.
Leon.
These roguing thieves serve the great pirate Valdes5note
;
-- 147 --
And they have seiz'd Marina. Let her go:
There's no hope she'll 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 III.Mitylene. A Room in a Brothel.Enter Pander, Bawd, and Boult.
Pand.
Boult.
Boult.
Sir.
Pand.
Search the market narrowly; Mitylene 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 with continual action6note are
even as good as rotten.
Pand.
Therefore let's have fresh ones, whate'er
we pay for them. If there be not a conscience to
be used in every trade, we shall never prosper7note.
-- 148 --
Bawd.
Thou say'st true: 'tis not the bringing
up of poor bastards8note, as I think, I have brought
up some eleven—
; she made
him roast-meat for worms:—but I'll go search the
market.
[Exit Boult.
Pand.
Three or four thousand chequins were
as pretty a proportion to live quietly, and so give
over.
Bawd.
Why, to give over, I pray you? is it a
shame to get when we are old?
Pand.
O, our credit comes not in like the commodity:
nor the commodity wages not with the
danger3note
; therefore, if in our youths we could pick
up some pretty estate, 'twere not amiss to keep our
door hatched4note
. Besides, the sore terms we stand
upon with the gods, will be strong with us for giving
over.
-- 150 --
[unresolved image link]
Vnto this Island and great Plutoes Court,
none are deny'd that willingly resort,
Charon or'e Phlegeton will set on shoare,
and Cerberus will guard you to the doore:
Where dainty Deuils drest in humane shape,
vpon your senses soone will make a rape.
They that come freely to this house of sinne,
in Hell as freely may have entrance in.
offend worse. Neither is our profession any trade;
it's no calling:—but here comes Boult.
Enter the Pirates, and Boult, dragging in Marina.
Boult.
Come your ways. [To Marina.]—My
masters, you say she's a virgin?
1 Pirate.
O, sir, we doubt it not.
Boult.
Master, I have gone thorough6note 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 good clothes; there's no further necessity
of qualities can make her be refused.
Bawd.
What's her price, Boult?
Boult.
I cannot be bated one doit of a thousand
pieces7note.
-- 153 --
Pand.
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 entertainment8note.
[Exeunt Pander and Pirates.
Bawd.
Boult, take you the marks of her; the
colour of her hair, complexion, height, age9note, with
warrant of her virginity; and cry, He that will givemost, shall have her first1note. 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 Boult.
Mar.
Alack, that Leonine was so slack, so slow!
(He should have struck, not spoke;) or that these pirates,
(Not enough barbarous,) had not overboard thrown me
For to seek my mother2note
!
-- 154 --
Bawd.
Why lament you, pretty one?
Mar.
That I am pretty.
Bawd.
Come, the gods have done their part in you.
Mar.
I accuse them not.
Bawd.
You are lit into my hands, where you are
like to live2note
.
Mar.
The more my fault,
To 'scape his hands, where I was like to die.
Bawd.
Ay, and you shall live in pleasure.
Mar.
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?
Mar.
Are you a woman?
Bawd.
What would you have me be, an I be
not a woman?
Mar.
An honest woman, or not a woman.
Bawd.
Marry, whip thee, gosling: I think I
shall have something to do with you. Come, you
are a young foolish sapling, and must be bowed as
I would have you.
Mar.
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.
Enter Boult.
Now, sir, hast thou cried her through the market?
-- 155 --
Boult.
I have cried her almost to the number
of her hairs; I have drawn her picture with my
voice3note
.
Bawd.
And I pr'ythee 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 went4noteto 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
hams5note
?
Bawd.
Who? monsieur Veroles?
Boult.
Ay; he offered to cut a caper at the
-- 156 --
proclamation; but he made a groan at it, and swore
he would see her to-morrow6note.
Bawd.
Well, well; as for him, he brought his
disease hither: here he does but repair it7note
. I
know, he will come in our shadow, to scatter his
crowns in the sun8note
.
-- 157 --
Boult.
Well, if we had of every nation a traveller,
we should lodge them with this sign9note.
Bawd.
Pray you, come hither awhile. You have
fortunes coming upon you. Mark me; you must
seem to do that fearfully, which you commit willingly;
to despise profit, where you have most gain.
To weep that you live as you do, makes pity in
your lovers: Seldom, but that pity begets you a
good opinion, and that opinion a mere profit1note
.
Mar.
I understand you not.
Boult.
O, take her home, mistress, take her
home: these blushes of her's must be quenched
with some present practice.
Bawd.
Thou say'st true, i' faith, so they must:
for your bride goes to that with shame, which is
her way to go with warrant2note.
-- 158 --
Boult.
'Faith some do, and some do not. But,
mistress, if I have bargained for the joint,—
Bawd.
Thou may'st 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 turn3note
; therefore say what a
paragon she is, and thou hast the harvest out of
thine own report4note
.
Boult.
I warrant you, mistress, thunder shall
not so awake the beds of eels5note
, as my giving out
her beauty stir up the lewdly-inclined. I'll bring
home some to-night.
Bawd.
Come your ways; follow me.
Mar.
If fires be hot, knives sharp, or waters deep6note
,
-- 159 --
Untied I still my virgin knot will keep7note
.
Diana, aid my purpose!
Bawd.
What have we to do with Diana? Pray
you, will you go with us?
[Exeunt.SCENE IV.Tharsus. A Room in Cleon's House.
Enter Cleon and Dionyza.
Dion.
Why, are you foolish? Can it be undone8note
?
Cle.
O Dionyza, such a piece of slaughter
The sun and moon ne'er look'd upon!
Dion.
I think
You'll turn a child again.
Cle.
Were I chief lord of all the spacious world,
I'd give it to undo the deed9note
. O 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, it had been a kindness
,
And for an honest attribute, cry out,
She died by foul play.
Cle.
O, go to. Well, well,
Of all the faults beneath the heavens, the gods
Do like this worst.
Dion.
Be one of those, that think
The petty wrens of Tharsus will fly hence7note,
And open this to Pericles. I do shame
To think of what a noble strain you are,
And of how coward a spirit8note
.
-- 162 --
Cle.
To such proceeding
Who ever but his approbation added,
Though not his pre-consent9note
, he did not flow
From honourable courses.
Dion.
Be it so then:
Yet none does know, but you, how she came dead,
Nor none can know, Leonine being gone.
She did disdain my child1note
, and stood between
Her and her fortunes: None would look on her,
But cast their gazes on Marina's face;
Whilst ours was blurted at2note
, and held a malkin,
-- 163 --
Not worth the time of day3note
. It pierc'd me thorough;
And though you call my course unnatural4note
,
You not your child well loving, yet I find,
It greets me, as an enterprize of kindness,
Perform'd to your sole daughter5note
.
Cle.
Heavens forgive it!
-- 164 --
Dion.
And as for Pericles,
What should he say? We wept after her hearse,
And even 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 expence 'tis done.
Cle.
Thou art like the harpy,
Which, to betray, doth with thine angel's face,
Seize with thine eagle's talons6note
.
Dion.
You are like one, that superstitiously
Doth swear to the gods, that winter kills the flies7note
;
But yet I know you'll do as I advise. [Exeunt.
-- 165 --
Enter Gower, before the Monument of Marina at Tharsus.
Gow.
Thus time we waste, and longest leagues make short;
Sail seas in cockles8note
, have, and wish but for't;
Making, (to take your imagination,)
From bourn to bourn9note
, region to region.
-- 166 --
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 story1note
. Pericles
Is now again thwarting the wayward seas2note
,
-- 167 --
(Attended on by many a lord and knight,)
To see his daughter, all his life's delight.
Old Escanes, whom Helicanus late3note
Advanc'd 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 Tharsus, (think his pilot thought;
So with his steerage shall your thoughts grow on,)
To fetch his daughter home, who first is gone4note
.
-- 168 --
Like motes and shadows see them move awhile5note
;
Your ears unto your eyes I'll reconcile.
Dumb show.Enter at one door, Pericles with his Train; Cleon
and Dionyza at the other. Cleon shows Pericles
the Tomb of Marina; whereat Pericles
makes lamentation, puts on Suckcloth, and in a
mighty passion departs. Then Cleon and Dionyza
retire.
Gow.
See how belief may suffer by foul show!
This borrow'd passion stands for true old woe6note
;
-- 169 --
And Pericles, in sorrow all devour'd,
With sighs shot through, and biggest tears o'ershow'r'd,
Leaves Tharsus, 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 tears7note
,
And yet he rides it out. Now please you wit8note
The epitaph is for Marina writ
By wicked Dionyza.
[Reads the inscription on Marina's Monument.
, 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'd1note
; and at her birth,
-- 170 --
Thetis, being proud, swallow'd some part o' the earth2note
:
Therefore the earth, fearing to be o'erflow'd,
Hath Thetis' birth-child on the heavens bestow'd:
-- 171 --
Wherefore she does, (and swears she'll never stint3note
,)
Make raging battery upon shores of flint.
No visor does become black villainy,
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 play4note
His daughter's woe and heavy well-a-day,
In her unholy service. Patience then,
And think you now are all in Mitylen. [Exit.SCENE V.Mitylene. A Street before the Brothel.Enter, from the Brothel, Two Gentlemen.
1 Gent.
Did you ever hear the like?
-- 172 --
2 Gent.
No, nor never shall do in such a place
as this, she being once gone.
1 Gent.
But to have divinity preached there!
did you ever dream of such a thing?
2 Gent.
No, no. Come, I am for no more
bawdy-houses: Shall we go hear the vestals sing?
1 Gent.
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 Pander, Bawd, and Boult.
Pand.
Well, I had rather than twice the worth
of her, she had ne'er come here.
Bawd.
Fye, fye upon her; she is able to freeze
the god Priapus5note, 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 all our
swearers priests.
Pand.
Now, the pox upon her green-sickness
for me!
Bawd.
'Faith, there's no way to be rid on't, but
-- 173 --
by the way to the pox. Here comes the lord Lysimachus,
disguised6note
.
Boult.
We should have both lord and lown, if
the peevish baggage would but give way to customers.
You may so; 'tis the better for you that
your resorters stand upon sound legs. How now,
wholesome iniquity9note. Have you that a man may
deal withal, and defy the surgeon?
-- 174 --
Bawd.
We have here one, sir, if she would—
but there never came her like in Mitylene.
Lys.
If she'd do the deeds of darkness, thou
would'st say.
Bawd.
Your honour knows what 'tis to say, well
enough.
Lys.
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—
Lys.
What, pr'ythee?
Boult.
O, sir, I can be modest.
Lys.
That dignifies the renown of a bawd, no
less than it gives a good report to a number to be
chaste1note
.
Enter Marina.
Bawd.
Here comes that which grows to the
stalk;—never plucked yet, I can assure you. Is she
not a fair creature?
Lys.
'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.
-- 175 --
Lys.
I beseech you, do.
Bawd.
First, I would have you note, this is an
honourable man.
[To Marina, whom she takes aside.
Mar.
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.
Mar.
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
fencing2note
, will you use him kindly? He will line
your apron with gold.
Mar.
What he will do graciously, I will thankfully
receive.
Lys.
Have you done?
Bawd.
My lord, she's not paced yet3note; you must
take some pains to work her to your manage. Come,
we will leave his honour and her together4note
.
[Exeunt Bawd, Pander, and Boult.
Lys.
Go thy ways.—Now, pretty one, how long
have you been at this trade?
I cannot be offended with my trade.
Please you to name it.
Lys.
How long have you been of this profession?
Mar.
Ever since I can remember.
Lys.
Did you go to it so young? Were you a
gamester at five, or at seven6note
?
Mar.
Earlier too, sir, if now I be one.
Lys.
Why, the house you dwell in, proclaims
you to be a creature of sale.
Mar.
Do you know this house to be a place of
such resort, and will come into it? I hear say, you
are of honourable parts, and are the governor of
this place.
Lys.
Why, hath your principal made known unto
you who I am?
Mar.
Who is my principal?
Lys.
Why, your herb-woman; she that sets seed
and roots of shame and iniquity. O, you have
heard something of my power, and so stand aloof7notefor 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.
Mar.
For me,
That am a maid, though most ungentle fortune
Hath plac'd me here within this loathsome stie,
Where, since I came, diseases have been sold
Dearer than physick,—O that the good 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!
Lys.
I did not think
Thou could'st have spoke so well; ne'er dream'd thou could'st.
Had I brought hither a corrupted mind,
Thy speech had alter'd it. Hold, here's gold for thee:
Lys.
For me, be you thoughten
That I came with no ill intent; for to me
The very doors and windows savour vilely.
Farewell. Thou art a piece of virtue2note
, 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 hear'st from me,
It shall be for thy good. [As Lysimachus is putting up his Purse, Boult enters.
Boult.
I beseech your honour, one piece for me.
Lys.
Avaunt, thou damned door-keeper! Your house,
But for this virgin that doth prop it up,
Would sink, and overwhelm you all. Away! [Exit Lysimachus.
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
-- 179 --
the cope3note, shall undo a whole household, let me
be gelded like a spaniel. Come your ways.
Mar.
Whither would you have me?
Boult.
I must have your maidenhead taken off,
or the common hangman shall execute it. Come
your way. 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 gods4note
.
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 malleable5note
.
-- 180 --
Boult.
An if she were a thornier piece of ground
than she is, she shall be ploughed6note
.
Mar.
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 bays7note!
Why, I could wish him to be my master,
or rather, my mistress.
Mar.
Neither of these are yet so bad as thou art9note,
-- 181 --
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'rt the damn'd door-keeper to every coystrel
That hither comes enquiring for his tib1note
;
To the cholerick fisting of each rogue thy ear
Is liable; thy very food is such
As hath been belch'd on by infected lungs2note.
Boult.
What would you have me? 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?
Mar.
Do any thing but this thou doest. Empty
Old receptacles, or common sewers, of filth;
Serve by indenture to the common hangman;
Any of these ways are better yet than this3note
:
-- 182 --
For that which thou professest, a baboon, could he speak,
Would own a name too dear4note
. That the gods
Would safely from this place deliver me!
Here, here is gold for thee.
If that thy master would gain aught 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 scholars5note
.
Boult.
But can you teach all this you speak of?
Mar.
Prove that I cannot, take me home again,
And prostitute me to the basest groom6note
That doth frequent your house.
-- 183 --
Boult.
Well, I will see what I can do for thee:
if I can place thee, I will.
Mar.
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 enough7note. Come, I'll do for thee what I
can; come your ways.
[Exeunt.ACT V.Enter Gower.
Gow.
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 lays8note
Nature's own shape, of bud, bird, branch, or berry;
That even her art sisters the natural roses2note
;
Her inkle, silk, twin with the rubied cherry3note
:
-- 185 --
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 place4note;
And to her father turn our thoughts again,
Where we left him, on the sea. We there him lost5note
;
Whence, driven before the winds, he is arriv'd
Here where his daughter dwells; and on this coast
Suppose him now at anchor. The city striv'd
God Neptune's annual feast to keep6note
: from whence
Lysimachus our Tyrian ship espies,
His banners sable, trimm'd with rich expence;
And to him in his barge with fervour hies7note.
In your supposing once more put your sight;
Of heavy Pericles think this the bark8note
:
-- 186 --
Where, what is done in action, more, if might9note
,
Shall be discover'd; please you, sit, and hark. [Exit.
-- 187 --
SCENE I.On board Pericles' Ship, off Mitylene. 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.
Tyr. Sail.
Where's the lord Helicanus? he can resolve you.
[To the Sailor of Mitylene.
O here he is.—
Sir, there's a barge put off from Mitylene.
And in it is Lysimachus the governor,
Who craves to come aboard. What is your will?
Hel.
That he have his. Call up some gentlemen.
Tyr. Sail.
Ho, gentlemen! my lord calls. Enter Two Gentlemen.
1 Gent.
Doth your lordship call?
Hel.
Gentlemen,
There is some of worth would come aboard; I pray you,
To greet them fairly1note. [The Gentlemen and the Two Sailors descend, and go on board the Barge.
-- 188 --
Enter, from thence, Lysimachus and Lords; the
Tyrian Gentlemen, and the Two Sailors.
Tyr. Sail.
Sir,
This is the man that can, in aught you would,
Resolve you.
Lys.
Hail, reverend sir! The gods preserve you!
Hel.
And you, sir, to out-live the age I am,
And die as I would do.
Lys.
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.
Hel.
First, sir, what is your place?
Lys.
I am governor of this place you lie before.
Hel.
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 grief2note
.
Lys.
Upon what ground is his distemperature?
Hel.
Sir, it would be too tedious to repeat3note;
But the main grief of all springs from the loss
Of a beloved daughter and a wife.
Lys.
May we not see him, then?
Hel.
You may indeed, sir,
But bootless is your sight; he will not speak
To any.
.] this was a goodly person,
Till the disaster, that, one mortal night,
Drove him to this5note
.
Lys.
Sir, king, all hail! the gods preserve you! Hail,
Hail, royal sir!
Hel.
It is in vain; he will not speak to you.
1 Lord.
Sir, we have a maid in Mitylene6note, I durst wager,
Would win some words of him.
Lys.
'Tis well bethought.
She, questionless, with her sweet harmony
And other choice attractions, would allure,
-- 190 --
And make a battery through his deafen'd parts,
Which now are midway stopp'd7note
:
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 side8note
. [He whispers one of the attendant Lords.—
Exit Lord, in the Barge of Lysimachus9note.
-- 191 --
Hel.
Sure, all's effectless; yet nothing we'll omit
That bears recovery's name. But, since your kindness
-- 192 --
We have stretch'd thus far, let us beseech you further,
That for our gold we may provision have,
Wherein we are not destitute for want,
But weary for the staleness.
Lys.
O, sir, a courtesy,
Which if we should deny, the most just God
For every graff would send a caterpillar,
And so inflict our province1note.—Yet once more
Let me entreat to know at large the cause
Of your king's sorrow.
Hel.
Sit, sir2note, I will recount it;—
But see, I am prevented. Enter, from the Barge, Lord, Marina, and a young Lady.
Lys.
O, here is
The lady that I sent for. Welcome, fair one!
Is't not a goodly presence3note
?
-- 193 --
Hel.
A gallant lady.
Lys.
She's such, that were I well assur'd she came
Of gentle kind, and noble stock, I'd wish
No better choice, and think me rarely wed.
Fair one, all goodness that consists in bounty
Expect even here, where is a kingly patient4note
: she speaks
My lord, that, may be, hath endur'd 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 kings8note
:
But time hath rooted out my parentage,
And to the world and aukward casualties9note
Bound me in servitude.—I will desist;
But there is something glows upon my cheek,
And whispers in mine ear, Go not till he speak. [Aside.
Per.
My fortunes—parentage—good parentage—
To equal mine!—was it not thus? what say you?
Mar.
I said, my lord, if you did know my parentage,
You would not do me violence1note.
Per.
I do think so.
I pray you, turn your eyes again upon me.—
-- 197 --
You are like something that—What country-woman?
Here of these shores2note
?
Mar.
No, nor of any shores:
Yet I was mortally brought forth, and am
No other than I appear.
Per.
I am great with woe, and shall deliver weeping3note
.
My dearest wife was like this maid, and such a one
My daughter might have been4note
: my queen's square brows;
-- 198 --
Her stature to an inch; as wand-like straight;
As silver-voic'd; her eyes as jewel-like,
And cas'd as richly5note
;
Who starves the ears she feeds, and makes them hungry,
The more she gives them speech7note
.—Where do you live?
Mar.
Where I am but a stranger: from the deck
You may discern the place.
Per.
Where were you bred?
And how achiev'd you these endowments, which
You make more rich to owe8note
?
-- 199 --
Mar.
Should I tell my history,
'Twould seem like lies disdain'd in the reporting.
Per.
Pry'thee 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 in9note
: I'll believe thee,
And make my senses credit thy relation,
To points that seem impossible; for thou look'st
Like one I lov'd indeed. What were thy friends?
Didst thou not say1note, when I did push thee back,
(Which was when I perceiv'd thee,) that thou cam'st
From good descending?
Mar.
So indeed I did.
Per.
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.
-- 200 --
Mar.
Some such thing indeed2note
I said, and said no more but what my thoughts
Did warrant me was likely.
Per.
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 girl3note
: yet thou dost look
Like Patience, gazing on kings' graves4note
. What were thy friends?
How lost thou them? Thy name, my most kind virgin?
Recount, I do beseech thee; come, sit by me6note
.
-- 201 --
Mar.
My name, sir, is Marina.
Per.
O, I am mock'd,
And thou by some incensed god sent hither
To make the world laugh at me.
Mar.
Patience, good sir,
Or here I'll cease.
Per.
Nay, I'll be patient;
Thou little know'st how thou dost startle me,
To call thyself Marina.
Mar.
The name Marina,
Was given me by one that had some power;
My father, and a king.
Per.
How! a king's daughter?
And call'd Marina?
Mar.
You said you would believe me;
But, not to be a troubler of your peace7note
,
I will end here.
Per.
But are you flesh and blood?
Have you a working pulse? and are no fairy?
No motion8note
?—Well; speak on. Where were you born?
And wherefore call'd Marina?
-- 202 --
Mar.
Call'd Marina,
For I was born at sea.
Per.
At sea? thy mother?
Mar.
My mother was the daughter of a king;
Who died the very minute I was born9note
,
As my good nurse Lychorida hath oft
Deliver'd weeping.
Per.
O, stop there a little!
This is the rarest dream that e'er dull sleep1note
Did mock sad fools withal: this cannot be.
My daughter's buried. [Aside.] Well:—where were you bred?
-- 203 --
I'll hear you more, to the bottom of your story,
And never interrupt you.
Mar.
You'll scarce believe me; 'twere best I did give o'er2note
Of what you shall deliver. Yet, give me leave:—
How came you in these parts? where were you bred?
Mar.
The king, my father, did in Tharsus 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 drawn4note
to do't,
-- 204 --
A crew of pirates came and rescued me;
Brought me to Mitylene. But, now 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.
Per.
Ho, Helicanus!
Hel.
Calls my gracious lord?
Per.
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?
Hel.
I know not; but
Here is the regent, sir, of Mitylene,
Speaks nobly of her.
Lys.
She would never tell
Her parentage; being demanded that,
She would sit still and weep.
Per.
O Helicanus, strike me, honour'd sir;
Give me a gash, put me to present pain;
-- 205 --
Lest this great sea of joys rushing upon me,
O'erbear the shores of my mortality,
And drown me with their sweetness5note
. O, come hither,
Thou that beget'st him that did thee beget;
Thou that wast born at sea, buried at Tharsus,
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 sleep6note.
Mar.
First, sir, I pray,
What is your title?
Per.
I am Pericles of Tyre: but tell me now
My drowned queen's name, (as in the rest you said
Thou hast been godlike perfect,) the heir of kingdoms,
And a mother like to Pericles thy father7note
.
-- 206 --
Mar.
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 began8note
.
Per.
Now, blessing on thee, rise; thou art my child.
Give me fresh garments. Mine own, Helicanus,
(Not dead at Tharsus, as she should have been,
By savage Cleon,) she shall tell thee all9note:
When thou shalt kneel and justify in knowledge,
She is thy very princess.—Who is this?
Hel.
Sir, 'tis the governor of Mitylene,
-- 207 --
Who, hearing of your melancholy state,
Did come to see you.
Per.
I embrace you, sir.
Give me my robes; I am wild in my beholding.
O heavens bless my girl! But hark, what musick?—
Tell Helicanus, my Marina, tell him1note
, for yet he seems to doubt3note,
How sure you are my daughter.—But what musick?
Hel.
My lord, I hear none.
Per.
None?
The musick of the spheres: list, my Marina.
Lys.
It is not good to cross him; give him way.
Per.
Rarest sounds!
Do ye not hear.
Lys.
Musick? My lord, I hear—
Per.
Most heavenly musick:
It nips me unto list'ning, and thick slumber
Hangs on mine eye-lids; let me rest4note
. [He sleeps.
-- 208 --
Lys.
A pillow for his head;
[The Curtain before the Pavilion of Pericles is closed.
So leave him all.—Well, my companion-friends,
If this but answer to my just belief,
I'll well remember you5note
. [Exeunt Lysimachus, Helicanus, Marina, and attendant Lady.
-- 209 --
SCENE II.The Same.Pericles on the Deck asleep; Diana appearing to him as in a vision.
; 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 life7note
.
-- 210 --
Perform my bidding, or thou liv'st in woe:
Do't, and be happy8note, by my silver bow.
Awake, and tell thy dream.
,
I will obey thee!—Helicanus! Enter Lysimachus, Helicanus, and Marina.
Hel.
Sir,
Per.
My purpose was for Tharsus, there to strike
The inhospitable Cleon; but I am
-- 211 --
For other service first: toward Ephesus
Turn our blown sails1note
; eftsoons I'll tell thee why.—
[To Helicanus.
Shall we refresh us, sir, upon your shore,
And give you gold for such provision
As our intents will need?
Lys.
With all my heart, sir; and when you come ashore,
I have another suit2note
.
Per.
You shall prevail,
Were it to woo my daughter; for it seems
You have been noble towards her.
Lys.
Sir, lend your arm.
Per.
Come, my Marina. [Exeunt.Enter Gower, before the Temple of Diana at Ephesus.
Gow.
Now our sands are almost run;
More a little, and then dumb3note
,
(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 Mitylin,
To greet the king. So he has thriv'd,
That he is promis'd to be wiv'd
To fair Marina; but in no wise
Till he had done his sacrifice5note,
As Dian bade: whereto being bound,
The interim, pray you, all confound6note
.
In feather'd briefness sails are fill'd
And wishes fall out as they're will'd.
At Ephesus, the temple see,
Our king, and all his company.
That he can hither come so soon,
Is by your fancy's thankful doom7note
. [Exit.
-- 213 --
SCENE III.The Temple of Diana at Ephesus; Thaisa standing
near the Altar, as high Priestess8note
; 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.
Per.
Hail Dian! to perform thy just command,
I here confess myself the king of Tyre;
Who, frighted from my country, did wed9note
The fair Tha&ibar;sa, at Pentapolis.
At sea in childbed died she, but brought forth
A maid-child call'd Marina; who, O goddess,
. She at Tharsus
Was nurs'd with Cleon; whom at fourteen years
He sought to murder: but her better stars
Brought her to Mitylene; against whose shore
Riding, her fortunes brought the maid aboard us,
Where, by her own most clear remembrance, she
Made known herself my daughter.
Thai.
Voice and favour!—
You are, you are—O royal Pericles2note!— [She faints.
Per.
What means the woman3note? she dies! help, gentlemen!
Cer.
Noble sir,
If you have told Diana's altar true,
This is your wife.
Per.
Reverend appearer, no;
I threw her o'erboard with these very arms.
Cer.
Upon this coast, I warrant you.
Per.
'Tis most certain.
Cer.
Look to the lady;—O, she's but o'erjoy'd.
Early, one blust'ring morn4note, this lady was
Thrown on this shore. I op'd the coffin, and
-- 215 --
Found there rich jewels5note; recover'd her, and plac'd her
Here in Diana's temple6note.
Per.
May we see them;
Cer.
Great sir, they shall be brought you to my house,
Whither I invite you7note
. Look! Thaisa is
Recover'd.
Thai.
O, let me look!
If he be none of mine, my sanctity
Will to my sense8note
bend no licentious ear,
But curb it, spite of seeing. O, my lord,
Are you not Pericles? Like him you speak,
Like him you are: Did you not name a tempest,
A birth, and death?
Per.
The voice of dead Thaisa!
Thai.
That Thaisa am I, supposed dead,
And drown'd9note
.
-- 216 --
Per.
Immortal Dian!
Thai.
Now I know you better.—
When we with tears parted Pentapolis,
The king, my father, gave you such a ring. [Shews a Ring.
Per.
This, this: no more, you gods! your present kindness
Makes my past miseries sport:2note
You shall do well,
That on the touching of her lips I may
Melt, and no more be seen3note
. O come, be buried
A second time within these arms4note
.
Mar.
My heart
Leaps to be gone into my mother's bosom. [Kneels to Thaisa.
Per.
Look, who kneels here! Flesh of thy flesh, Thaisa;
Thy burden at the sea, and call'd Marina,
For she was yielded there.
Per.
You have heard me say, when I did fly from Tyre,
I left behind an ancient substitute,
Can you remember what I call'd the man?
I have nam'd him oft.
Thai.
'Twas Helicanus then.
Per.
Still confirmation:
Embrace him, dear Thaisa; this is he.
Now do I long to hear how you were found;
How possibly preserv'd; and whom to thank,
Besides the gods, for this great miracle.
Thai.
Lord Cerimon, my lord; this man
Through whom the gods have shown their power; that can
From first to last resolve you.
Per.
Reverend sir,
The gods can have no mortal officer
More like a god than you. Will you deliver
How this dead queen re-lives?
Cer.
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 within the temple;
No needful thing omitted.
Per.
Pure Diana!
I bless thee6note for thy vision, and will offer
My night oblations to thee. Thaisa,
This prince, the fair-betrothed7note of your daughter,
. And now,
This ornament that makes me look so dismal,
Will I, my lov'd Marina, clip to form;
And what this fourteen years no razor touch'd,
To grace thy marriage-day, I'll beautify9note
.
Thai.
Lord Cerimon hath letters of good credit,
Sir, that my father's dead.
! 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 the way2note. [Exeunt.Enter Gower.
Gow.
In Antioch, and his daughter3note, 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 preserv'd from fell destruction's blast,
Led on by heaven, and crown'd with joy at last4note
.
-- 220 --
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 name5note
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 meant6note.
So on your patience evermore attending,
New joy wait on you! Here our play has ending. [Exit Gower7.
