1 Knight.
Good morrow to the good Simonides.

Sim.
Knights, from my daughter this I let you know,

That for this twelve month, she will not undertake
A married life: her reason to herself
Is only known, which from her 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 ty'd 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'd^{1 note},
And on her virgin honour will not break.

3 Knight.
Loth to bid farewel, we take our leaves. [Exeunt.

Sim.
So,
They're well dispatch'd; now to my daughter's letter:
She tells me here, she'll wed the stranger knight,
Or never more to view nor day nor light.
'Tis well, mistress, your choice agrees with mine;
I like that well:—nay, how absolute she's in't,
Not minding whether I dislike or no.
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 night^{2 note}





















: I do
Protest, my ears 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 you one thing. What do you think
Of my daughter, sir?

Per.
A most virtuous princess.

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, that you must be her master,
And she'll be your scholar; therefore look to it.

Per.
I am unworthy to be her school-master.

Sim.
She thinks not so; peruse this writing else.

Per.
What's here!
A letter, that she loves the knight of Tyre?
'Tis the king's subtilty to have my life. [Aside.
Oh seek not to intrap, my gracious lord,
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 daughter, and thou art
A villain.

Per.
By the gods I have not;
Never did thought of mine levy offence;
Nor never did my actions yet commence
A deed might gain her love, or your displeasure.

Sim.
Traitor, thou liest.

Per.
Traitor!

Sim.
Ay, traitor.

Per.
Even in his throat, (unless it be a king)
That calls me traitor, I return the lie.

Sim.
Now, by the gods, I do applaud his courage. [Aside.

Per.
My actions are as noble as my thoughts,
That never relish'd of a base descent^{3 note}

Sim.
No!—
Here comes my daughter, she can witness it^{4 note}
.

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 peremptory?
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 ought I know, may be, nor can I think
The contrary, as great in blood as I myself). [Aside.
Therefore, hear you, mistress; either frame your will
To mine—and you, sir, hear you, either be
Rul'd by me, or I'll make you—man and wife;
Nay, come, your hands and lips must seal it too:
And being join'd, I'll thus your hopes destroy;—
And for a further grief,—God give you joy!—
What, are you both pleas'd?

Thai.
Yes, if you love me, sir.

Per.
Even as my life, my blood that fosters it^{5 note}
.

Sim.
What, are you both agreed?

Both.
Yes, if it please your majesty.

Sim.
It pleaseth me so well, that I'll see you wed;
Then, with what haste you can, get you to bed. [Exeunt.

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