Gower.
To sing a song that old was sung^{2 note}

Assuming man's infirmities,
To glad your ear, and please your eyes.

It hath been sung, at festivals,
On ember-eves, and holy ales^{3 note}

And lords and ladies, of their lives* ^note
Have read it for restoratives.
The purpose is to make men glorious^{4 note}

This king unto him took a pheere^{6 note},
Who died and left a female heir,
So buxom, blithe, and full of face^{7 note}

Which to prevent, he made a law,
(To keep her still^{1 note}, and men in awe,)
That whoso ask'd her for his wife,
His riddle told not, lost his life:
So for her many a wight did die,
As yon grim looks do testify^{2 note}

















.
What ensues, to the judgment of your eye
I give, my cause who best can justify^{3 note}

SCENE I. The Palace of Antioch. Enter Antiochus, Pericles, and Attendants.

Ant.
Young prince of Tyre^{4 note}, you have at large receiv'd
The danger of the task you undertake.

Per.
I have, Antiochus, and with a soul
Embolden'd with the glory of her praise,
Think death no hazard, in this enterprize. [Musick.

Ant.
Bring in our daughter, clothed like a bride^{5 note}

The senate-house of planets all did sit,
To knit in her their best perfections^{7 note}



. Enter the daughter of Antiochus.

Per.
See where she comes, apparel'd like the spring,
Graces her subjects, and her thoughts the king
Of every virtue gives renown to men!
Her face, the book of praises, where is read
Nothing but curious pleasures^{8 note}

Sorrow were ever ras'd^{9 note}, and testy wrath
Could never be her mild companion.
Ye gods that made me man, and sway in love,
That have inflam'd desire in my breast^{1 note},
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^{2 note}!

Ant.
Prince Pericles—

Per.
That would be son to great Antiochus.

Ant.
Before thee stands this fair Hesperides^{3 note}

With golden fruit, but dangerous to be touch'd;
For death-like dragons here affright thee hard:
Her face, like heav'n, enticeth thee to view
Her countless glory^{4 note}, which desert must gain:
And which, without desert because thine eye
Presumes to reach, all thy whole heap must die^{5 note}

That, without covering, save yon field of stars,
Here they stand martyrs, slain in Cupid's wars;
And with dead cheeks advise thee to desist
From going on death's net^{7 note}, whom none resist.

Per.
Antiochus, I thank thee, who hast taught
My frail mortality to know itself,
And by those fearful objects to prepare
This body, like to them, to what I must^{8 note}:
For death remember'd should be like a mirrour,
Who tells us, life's but breath, to trust it error^{9 note}.
I'll make my will then; and as sick men do,
Who know the world, see heav'n, but feeling woe^{1 note}

Ant.
Scorning advice.—Read the conclusion then^{2 note};
Which read and not expounded, 'tis decreed,
As these before, so thou thyself shalt bleed.

Daugh.
Of all said yet, may'st thou prove prosperous!
Of all said9Q1300 yet, I wish thee happiness^{3 note}

Per.
Like a bold champion I assume the lists,
Nor ask advice of any other thought,
But faithfulness, and courage.
The Riddle ^{note4 note}









.
I am no viper, yet I feed
On mother's flesh which did me breed:

I sought a husband, in which labour,
I found that kindness in a father.
He's father, son, and husband mild,
I mother, wife, and yet his child.
How they may be, and yet in two,
As you will live, resolve it you^{5 note}
.
Sharp physick is the last9Q1301: but O ye powers!
That give heav'n countless eyes to view mens' acts^{6 note}

Who, finger'd to make man his lawful musick^{9 note},
Would draw heav'n down, and all the gods to hearken,
But being play'd upon before your time,
Hell only danceth at so harsh a chime:
Good sooth I care not for you.

Ant.
Prince Pericles, touch not upon thy life^{1 note}


,
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,
Few love to hear the sins they love to act;
'Twould 'braid yourself too near for me to tell it.
Who hath a book of all that monarchs do,
He's more secure to keep it shut, than shewn:
For vice repeated, is like the wand'ring wind,
Blows dust in others' eyes, to spread itself^{3 note}

And yet the end of all is bought thus dear,
The breath is gone, and the sore eyes see clear;
To stop the air would hurt them. The blind mole casts
Copp'd^{4 note} hills toward heaven, to tell, the earth is throng'd
By man's oppression^{5 note}
; and the poor worm doth die for't^{6 note}

Ant.
Heaven that I had thy head^{8 note}! he has found the meaning!
But I will gloze with him^{9 note}





. Young prince of Tyre,

Though by the tenour of our strict edict,
Your exposition mis-interpreting^{1 note},
We might proceed to cancel of your days^{2 note}

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 son,
By your untimely claspings with your child,

(Which pleasure fits an husband, not a father);
And she an eater of her mother's flesh,
By the defiling of her parent's bed;
And both like serpents are, who though they feed
On sweetest flowers, yet they poison breed.
Antioch farewel! for wisdom sees, those men
Blush not in actions blacker than the night,
Will shun no course to keep them from the light^{4 note}

Ant.
He hath found the meaning, 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 us there? Enter Thaliard.

Thal.
Doth your highness call?

Ant.
Thaliard, you're of our chamber, and our mind
Partakes her private actions^{6 note}

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 done?

Thal.
My lord, 'tis done. Enter a Messenger.

Ant.
Enough.
Let your breath cool your self, telling your haste.

Mes.
My lord, prince Pericles is fled.

Ant.
As thou
Wilt live, fly after; and as an arrow, shot
From a well experienc'd archer, hits the mark
His eye doth level at, so thou ne'er return,
Unless thou say'st, Prince Pericles is dead.

Thal.

My lord, if I can get him within my pistol's length, I'll make him sure enough: so farewel to your highness.

Ant.
Thaliard adieu! till Pericles be dead,
My heart can lend no succour to my head^{7 note}



. [Exit. ^note SCENE II. Tyre.9Q1303 Enter Pericles, Helicanus, and other Lords.

Per.
Let none disturb us: why should this charge of thoughts^{8 note}

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 done^{1 note},
Grows elder now, and cares it be not done^{2 note}.
And so with me;—the great Antiochus,
('Gainst whom I am too little to contend,
Since he's so great, can make his will his act,)
Will think me speaking, though I swear to silence;
Nor boots it me to say I honour him^{3 note},
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'er-spread the land,
And with th' ostent of war will look so huge^{4 note}

Which care of them, not pity of myself,
(Who owe no more but as the tops of trees,
Which fence the roots they grow by, and defend them,)
Makes^{5 note}

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, 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 spark gives heat and stronger glowing^{6 note}

Whereas reproof, obedient, and in order,
Fits kings as they are men, for they may err.
When signior Sooth^{7 note}

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. Helicanus, thou9Q1305
Hast moved us: what seest thou in our looks?

Hel.
An angry brow, dread lord.

Per.
If there be such a dart in princes' frowns,
How durst thy tongue move anger to our face?

Hel.
How dare the plants look up to heaven, from whence
They have their nourishment^{8 note}

Per.
Thou know'st I have power
To take thy life from thee.

Hel.
I have ground the axe
Myself; do you but strike the blow.

Per.
Rise, prithee rise; sit down, thou art no flatterer;
I thank thee for it; and heaven forbid,
That kings should let their ears hear their faults hid^{9 note}

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.
To bear with patience such griefs,
As you yourself do lay upon yourself.

Per.
Thou speak'st like a physician, Helicanus;
That minister'st a potion unto me,
That thou wouldst tremble to receive thyself.
Attend me then; I went to Antioch,
Whereas, thou know'st^{1 note}

The rest (hark in thine ear) as black as incest;
Which by my knowledge found, the sinful father,
Seem'd not to strike, but smooth^{3 note}


: but thou know'st this,
'Tis time to fear, when tyrants seem to kiss.
Which fear so grew in me, I hither fled,
Under the covering of a careful night,
Who seem'd my good protector: and being here,
Bethought me what was past, what might succeed;
I knew him tyrannous, and tyrants' fears
Decrease not, but grow faster than the years:
And should he doubt it, (as no doubt he doth^{4 note}

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, with a thousand doubts
How I might stop this tempest e'er it came;
And finding little comfort to relieve them,
I thought it princely charity to grieve them^{6 note}.

Hel.
Well, my lord, since you have given me leave to speak,
Freely will I speak. Antiochus you fear,
And justly too, I think, you fear the tyrant,
Who either by 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 till the Destinies do cut his thread of life:
Your rule direct to any; if to me,
Day serves not light more faithful than I'll be.

Per.
I do not doubt thy faith;
But should he wrong my liberties in my absence—

Hel.
We'll mingle our 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 it^{7 note}







.

I'll take thy word for faith, not ask thine oath;
Who shuns not to break one, will sure crack both:
But in our orbs we'll live so round and safe^{8 note}

9Q1306 SCENE III. Enter Thaliard.

Thal.

So, this is Tyre, and this is the court. Here must I kill king Pericles; and if I do it not, I am sure to be hang'd at home: 'tis dangerous.—Well, I perceive, he was a wise fellow, and had good discretion, that being bid to ask what he would of the king, desired he might know none of his secrets. Now do I see he had some reason for 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.

Hel.
You shall not need, my fellow-peers of Tyre,
Further to question me of your king's departure.
His seal'd commission, left in trust with me,
Doth speak sufficiently, he's gone to travel.

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.

Hel.
Royal Antiochus (on what cause I know not)
Took some displeasure at him, at least he judg'd so:
And doubting lest he had err'd or sinned,
To shew his sorrow, he would correct himself;
So puts himself unto the shipman's toil,
With whom each minute threatens life or death.

Thal.
Well, I perceive
I shall not be hang'd now, although I would^{2 note};

But since he's gone, the king's seas must please^{3 note}

Hel.
Lord Thaliard from Antiochus is welcome.

Thal.
From him I come
With message unto princely Pericles;
But since my landing I have understood,
Your lord hath betook himself to unknown travels;
My message must return from whence it came.

Hel.
We have no reason to desire it^{4 note}

SCENE IV. Tharsus.9Q1308 Enter Cleon, Dionyza, and others.

Cle.
My Dionyza, shall we rest us here,
And by relating tales of others' 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, ev'n such our griefs are;
Here they're but felt, unseen with mischief's eyes^{5 note}

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 do sound deep our woes
Into the air; our eyes do weep, till lungs^{6 note}

Fetch breath that may proclaim them louder, that
If heaven slumber, while their creatures want,
They may awake their helps to comfort them^{7 note}

Dio.
I'll do my best, sir.

Cle.
This Tharsus, o'er which I have the government,
A city, on whom plenty held full hand,
For riches strew'd herself even in the streets^{8 note};

Whose towers bore heads so high, they kiss'd the clouds^{9 note}

Dio.
Oh, '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 savour^{3 note}

Dio.
Our cheeks and hollow eyes do witness it.

Cle.
O let those cities that of Plenty's cup^{5 note}




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 sorrows, which thou bring'st, in haste,
For comfort is too far for us to expect.

Lord.
We have descried, upon our neighbouring shore,
A portly sail of ships make hitherward.

Cle.
I thought as much.
One sorrow never comes but brings an heir,
That may succeed as his inheritor^{6 note}

To beat us down, the which are down already;
And make a conquest of unhappy me,9Q1310
Whereas no glory's got to overcome^{8 note}.

Lord.
That's the least fear; for, by the semblance^{9 note}

Cle.
Thou speak'st like him's untutor'd to repeat^{1 note}

Lord.
I go, my lord.

Cle.
Welcome is peace, if he on peace consist^{3 note};
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:
Nor come we to add sorrow to your tears,
But to relieve them of their heavy load^{4 note};
And these our ships, ^note (you happily may think
Are, like the Trojan horse, war-stuff'd within,
With bloody views expecting overthrow^{5 note}