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PERICLES PRINCE OF TYRE


by William Shakespeare


DRAMATIS PERSONAE


ANTIOCHUSking of Antioch.
PERICLESprince of Tyre.
HELICANUSESCANEStwo lords of Tyre.
SIMONIDESkIng of Pentapolis.
CLEONgovernor of Tarsus.
LYSIMACHUSgovernor of Mytilene.
CERIMONa lord of Ephesus.
THALIARDa lord of Antioch.
PFIILEMONservant to Cerimon.
LEONINEservant to Dionyza.
Marshal.
A Pandar.
BOULThis servant.
The Daughter of Antiochus.
DIONYZAwife to Cleon.
THAISAdaughter to Simonides.
MARINAdaughter to Pericles and Thaisa.
LYCHORIDAnurse to Marina.
A Bawd.
LordsKnightsGentlemenSailorsPiratesFishermenand
Messengers.
DIANA.
GOWERas Chorus.


SCENE: Dispersedly in various countries.


ACT I.


[Enter GOWER.]


[Before the palace of Antioch.]


To sing a song that old was sung
From ashes ancient Gower is come;
Assuming man's infirmities
To glad your earand please your eyes.
It hath been sung at festivals
On ember-eves and holy-ales;
And lords and ladies in their lives
Have read it for restoratives:
The purchase is to make men glorious;
Et bonum quo antiquiuseo melius.
If youborn in these latter times
When wit's more ripeaccept my rhymes
And that to hear an old man sing
May to your wishes pleasure bring
I life would wishand that I might
Waste it for youlike taper-light.



This AntiochthenAntiochus the Great
Built upthis cityfor his chiefest seat;
The fairest in all Syria
I tell you what mine authors say:
This king unto him took a fere
Who died and left a female heir
So buxomso blitheand full of face
As heaven had lent her all his grace;
With whom the father liking took
And her to incest did provoke:
Bad child; worse father! to entice his own
To evil should be done by none:
But custom what they did begin
Was with long use account no sin.
The beauty of this sinful dame
Made many princes thither frame
To seek her as a bed-fellow
In marriage-pleasures play-fellow:
Which to prevent he made a law
To keep her stilland men in awe
That whoso ask'd her for his wife
His riddle told notlost his life:
So for her many a wight did die
As yon grim looks do testify.
What now ensuesto the judgement your eye
I givemy cause who lest can justify.


[Exit.]


SCENE I. Antioch. A room in the palace.


[Enter ANTIOCHUSPRINCE PERICLESand followers.]


ANTIOCHUS.
Young prince of Tyreyou have at large received
The danger of the task you undertake.


PERICLES.
I haveAntiochusandwith a soul
Embolden'd with the glory of her praise
Think death no hazard in this enterprise.


ANTIOCHUS.
Bring in our daughterclothed like a bride
For the embracements even of Jove himself;
At whose conceptiontill Lucina reign'd
Nature this dowry gaveto glad her presence
The senate-house of planets all did sit
To knit in her their best perfections.


[Music. Enter the Daughter of Antiochus.]


PERICLES
See where she comesapparell'd like the spring
Graces her subjectsand her thoughts the king
Of every virtue gives renown to men!
Her face the book of praiseswhere is read
Nothing but curious pleasuresas from thence
Sorrow were ever razedand testy wrath
Could never be her mild companion.
You gods that made me manand sway in love
That have inflamed desire in my breast
To taste the fruit of yon celestal tree



Or die in the adventurebe my helps
As I am son and servant to your will
To compass such a boundless happiness!


ANTIOCHUS.
Prince Pericles-


PERICLES.
That would be son to great Antiochus.


ANTIOCHUS.
Before thee stands this fair Hesperides
With golden fruitbut dangerous to be touch'd;
For death-like dragons here affright thee hard:
Her facelike heavenenticeth thee to view
Her countless glorywhich desert must gain;
And whichwithout desertbecause thine eye
Presumes to reachall thy whole heap must die.
Yon sometimes famous princeslike thyself
Drawn by reportadventurous by desire
Tell theewith speechless tongues and semblance pale
That without coveringsave yon field of stars
Here they stand Martyrsslain in Cupid's wars;
And with dead cheeks advise thee to desist
For going on death's netwhom none resist.


PERICLES.
AntiochusI thank theewho hath taught
My frail mortality to know itself
And by those fearful objects to prepare
This bodylike to themto what I must;
For death remember'd should be like a mirror
Who tells us life 's but breathto trust it error.
I'll make my will thenandas sick men do
Who know the worldsee heavenbutfeeling woe
Gripe not at earthly joys as erst they did;
So I bequeath a happy peace to you
And all good menas 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 blowAntiochus.


ANTIOCHUS.
Scorning adviceread the conclusionthen:
Which read and not expounded'tis decreed
As these before thee thou thyself shalt bleed.


DAUGHTER.
Of all say'd yetmayst thou prove prosperous!
Of all say'd yetI wish thee happiness!


PERICLES
Like a bold championI assume THe lists
Nor ask advice of any other thought
But faithfulness and courage.


[He reads the riddle.]


I am no viperyet I feed
On mother's flesh which did me breed.



I sought a husbandin which labour
I found that kindness in a father:
He's fathersonand husband mild;
I motherwifeand yet his child.
How they may beand yet in two
As you will liveresolve it you.
Sharp physic is the last: butO you powers
That give heaven countless eyes to view men's acts
Why cloud they not their sights perpetually
If this be truewhich makes me pale to read it?
Fair glass of lightI loved youand could still


[Takes hold of the hand of the Princess.]


Were not this glorious casket stored with ill:
But I must tell younow my thoughts revolt;
For he's no man on whom perfections wait
Thatknowing sin withinwill touch the gate
You are a fair violand your sense the strings;
Whofinger'd to make man his lawful music
Would draw heaven downand all the gods to hearken;
But being play'd upon before your time
Hell only danceth at so harsh a chime.
Good soothI care not for you.


ANTIOCHUS.
Prince Periclestouch notupon thy life
For that's an article within our law
As dangerous as the rest. Tour time's expired:
Either expound nowor receive your sentence.


PERICLES.
Great king
Few love to hear the sins they love to act;
'Twould braid yourself too near for me to tell it.
Who has a book of all that monarchs do
He's more secure to keep it shut than shown:
For vice repeated is like the wandering wind
Blows dust in others' eyesto spread itself;
And yet the end of all is bought thus dear
The breath is goneand the sore eyes see clear
To stop the air would hurt them. The blind mole casts
Copp'd hills towards heavento tell the earth is throng'd
By man's oppression; and the poor worm doth die for't.
Kind are earth's gods; in vice their law's their will;
And if Jove straywho dares say Jove doth ill?
It is enough you know; and it is fit
What being more known grows worseto smother it.
All love the womb that their first bred
Then give my tongue like leave to love my head.


ANTIOCHUS.[Aside]
Heaventhat I had thy head! he has found the meaning:
But I will gloze with him. -- Young prince of Tyre.
Though by the tenour of our strict edict
Your exposition misinterpreting
We might proceed to cancel of your days;
Yet hopesucceeding from so fair a tree
As your fair selfdoth tune us otherwise:
Forty days longer we do respite you;
If by which time our secret be undone
This mercy shows we'll joy in such a son:
And until then your entertain shall be
As doth befit our honour and your worth.



[Exeunt all but Pericles.]


PERACLES.
How courtesy would seem to cover sin
When what is done is like an hypocrite
The which is good in nothing but in sight!
If it be true that I interpret false
Then were it certain you were not so bad
As with foul incest to abuse your soul;
Where now you're both a father and a son
By your untimely claspings with your child
Which pleasure fits an husbandnot a father;
And she an eater of her mother's flesh
By the defiling of her parent's bed;
And both like serpents arewho though they feed
On sweetest flowersyet they poison breed.
Antiochfarewell! for wisdom seesthose men
Blush not in actions blacker than the night
Will shun no course to keep them from the light.
One sinI knowanother doth provoke;
Murder's as near to lust as flame to smoke:
Poison and treason are the hands of sin
Ayand the targetsto put off the shame:
Thenlest my life be cropp'd to keep you clear
By flight I 'II shun the danger which I fear.


[Exit.]


[Re-enter Antiochus.]


ANTIOCHUS.
He gath found the meaningfor which we mean
To have his head.
He must not live to trumpet forth my infamy
Nor tell the world Antiochus doth sin
In such a loathed manner;
And therefore instantly this prince must die;
For by his fall my honour must keep high.
Who attends us there?


[Enter Thaliard.]


THALIARD.
Doth your highness call?


ANTIOCHUS.
Thaliard
You are of our chamberand our mind partakes
Her private actions to your secrecy;
And for your faithfulness we will advance you.
Thaliardbeholdhere's poisonand here's gold;
We hate the prince of Tyreand thou must kill him:
It fits thee not to ask the reason why
Because we Bid it. Sayis it done?


THALIARD.
My lord
Tis done.


ANTIOCHUS.
Enough.


[Enter a Messenger.]



Let your breath cool yourselftelling your haste.


MESSENGER.
My lordprlnce Pericles is fled.


[Exit.]


ANTIOCHUS.
As thou
Wilt livefly after: and like an arrow shot
From a well-experienced archer hits the mark
His eye doth level atso thou ne'er return
Unless thou say 'Prince Pericles is dead.'


THALIARD.
My lord
If I can get him within my pistol's length
I'll make him sure enough: sofarewell to your highness.


ANTIOCHUS.
Thaliard! adieu!


[Exit Thaliard.]


Till
Pericles be dead
My heart can lend no succour to my head.


[Exit.]


SCENE II. Tyre. A room in the palace.


[Enter Pericles.]


PERICLES. [To Lords without.]
Let none disturb us. -- Why should this change of thoughts
The sad companiondull-eyed melancholy
Be my so used a guest as not an hour
In the day's glorious walkor peaceful night
The tomb where grief should sleepcan breed me quiet?
Here pleasures court mine eyesand mine eyes shun them
And dangerwhich I fear'dis at Antioch
Whose arm seems far too short to hit me here:
Yet neither pleasure's art can joy my spirits
Nor yet the other's distance comfort me.
Then it is thus: the passions of the mind
That have their first conception by mis-dread
Have after-nourishment and life by care;
And what was first but fear what might he done
Grows elder now and cares it be not done.
And so with me: the great Antiochus
'Gainst whom I am too little to contend
Since he 's so great can make his will his act
Will think me speakingthough I swear to silence;
Nor boots it me to say I honour him.
If he suspect I may dishonour him:
And what may make him blush in being known
He'll stop the course by which it might be known;
With hostile forces he'11 o'erspread the land
And with the ostent of war will look so huge
Amazement shall drive courage from the state;
Our men be vanquish'd ere they do resist



And subjects punish'd that ne'er thought offence:
Which care of themnot pity of myself
Who am no more but as the tops of trees
Which fence the roots they grow by and defend them
Makes both my body pine and soul to languish
And punish that before that he would punish.


[Enter Helicanuswith other Lords.]


FIRST LORD.
Joy and all comfort in your sacred breast!


SECOND LORD.
And keep your mindtill you return to us
Peaceful and comfortable!


HELICANUS.
Peacepeaceand 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'dbut a spark
To which that blast gives heat and stronger glowing:
Whereas reproofobedient and in order
Fits kingsas they are menfor they may err.
When Signior Sooth here does proclaim a peace
He flatters youmakes war upon your life.
Princepardon meor strike meif you please;
I cannot be much lower than my knees.


PERICLES.
All leave us else; but let your cares o'erlook
What shipping and what lading is in our haven
And then return to us.


[Exeunt Lords.]


Helicanusthou
Hast moved us: what seest thou in our looks?


HELICANUS.
An angry browdread lord.


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


HELICANUS.
How dare the plants look up to heavenfrom whence
They have their nourishment?


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


HELICANUS. [Kneeling.]
I have ground the axe myself;
Do you but strike the blow.


PERICLES.
Risepritheerise.
Sit down: thou art no flatterer:
I thank thee for it; and heaven forbid
That kings should let their ears hear their faults hid!
Fit counsellor and servant for a prince



Who by thy wisdom makest a prince thy servant
What wouldst thou have me do?


HELICANUS.
To bear with patience
Such griefs as you yourself do lay upon yourself.


PERICLES.
Thou speak'st like a physicianHelicanus
That minister'st a potion unto me
That thou wouldst tremble to receive thyself.
Attend methen: I went to Antioch
And there as thou know'stagainst the face of death
I sought the purchase of a glorious beauty
From whence an issue I might propagate
Are arms to princesand bring joys to subjects.
Her face was to mine eye beyond all wonder;
The rest -- hark in thine ear -- as black as incest:
Which by my knowledge foundthe sinful father
Seem'd not to strikebut smooth: but thou know'st this
'Tis time to fear when tyrants seem to kiss.
Which fear so grew in meI hither fled
Under the covering of a careful night
Who seem'd my good protector; andbeing here
Bethought me what was pastwhat might succeed.
I knew him tyrannous; and tyrants' fears
Decrease notbut grow faster than the years:
And should he doubt itas no doubt he doth
That I should open to the listening air
How many worthy princes' bloods were shed
To keep his bed of blackness unlaid ope
To lop that doubthe'll fill this land with arms
And make pretence of wrong that I have done him;
When allfor mineif I may call offence
Must feel war's blowwho spares not innocence:
Which love to allof which thyself art one
Who now reprovest me for it-


HELICANUS.
Alassir!


PERICLES.
Drew sleep out of mine eyesblood from my cheeks
Musings into my mindwith thousand doubts
How I might stop this tempest ere it came;
And finding little comfort to relieve them
I thought it princely charity to grieve them.


HELICANUS.
Wellmy lordsince you have given me leave to speak
Freely will I speak. Antiochus you fear
And justly tooI thinkyou fear the tyrant
Who either by public war or private treason
Will take away your life.
Thereforemy lordgo travel for a while
Till that his rage and anger be forgot
Or till the Destinies do cut his thread of life.
Your rule direct to any; if to me
Day serves not light more faithful than I'll be.


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



HELCANUS.
We'll mingle our bloods together in the earth
From whence we had our being and our birth.


PERICLES.
TyreI now look from thee thenand to Tarsus
Intend my travelwhere 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 laywhose wisdom's strength can bear it.
I'll take thy word for faithnot ask thine oath:
Who shuns not to break one will sure crack both:
But in our orbs we'll live so round and safe
That time of both this truth shall ne'er convince
Thou show'dst a subject's shineI a true prince.


[Exeunt.]


SCENE III. Tyre. An ante-chamber in the Palace.


[Enter Thaliard.]


THALIARD.
Sothis is Tyreand this the court. Here must I Kill King
Pericles; and if I do it notI am sure to be hanged at home:
'tis dangerous. WellI perceive he was a wise fellowand
had good discretionthatbeing bid to ask what he would of
the kingdesired he might know none of his secrets: now do I
see he had some reason for 't; for if a king bid a man be a
villainhe's bound by the indenture of his oath to be one.
Hush! here come the lords of Tyre.


[Enter Helicanus and Escaneswith other Lords of Tyre.]


HELICANUS.
You shall not needmy fellow peers of Tyre
Further to question me of your king's departure:
His seal'd commissionleft in trust with me
Doth speak sufficiently he 's gone to travel.


THALIARD. [Aside.]
How! the king gone!


HELICANUS.
If further yet you will be satisfied
Whyas it were unlicensed of your loves
He would departI 'II give some light unto you.
Being at Antioch -


THALIARD. [Aside.]
What from Antioch?


HELICANUS.
Royal Antiochus -- on what cause I know not
Took some displeasure at him; at least he judged so:
And doubting lest that he had err'd or sinn'd
To show his sorrowhe 'ld correct himself;
So puts himself unto the shipman's toil
With whom each minute threatens life or death.


THALIARD. [Aside.]
WellI perceive
I shall not be hang'd nowalthough I would;
But since he 's gonethe king's seas must please



He 'scaped the landto perish at the sea.
I 'll present myself. Peace to the lords of Tyre!


HELICANUS.
Lord Thaliard from Antiochus is welcome.


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


HELICANUS.
We have no reason to desire it
Commended to our masternot to us:
Yetere you shall departthis we desire
As friends to Antiochwe may feast in Tyre.


[Exeunt.]


SCENE IV. Tarsus. A room in the Governor's house.


[Enter Cleonthe governor of Tarsuswith Dionyzaand others.]


CLEON.
My Dionyzashall we rest us here
And by relating tales of others' griefs
See if 'twill teach us to forqet our own?


DIONYZA.
That were to blow at fire in hope to quench it;
For who digs hills because they do aspire
Throws down one mountain to cast up a higher.
O my distressed lordeven such our griefs are;
Here they're but feltand seen with mischief's eyes
But like to grovesbeing topp'dthey higher rise.


CLEON.
O Dionyza
Who wanteth foodand will not say he wants it
Or can conceal his hunger till he famish?
Our tongues and sorrows do sound deep
Our woes into the air; our eyes do weep
Till tongues fetch breath that may proclaim them louder;
Thatif heaven slumber while their creatures want
They may awake their helps to comfort them.
I'll then discourse our woesfelt several years
And wanting breath to speak help me with tears.


DIONYZA.
I'll do my bestsir.


CLEON.
This Tarsuso'er which I have the government
A city on whom plenty held full hand
For riches strew'd herself even in the streets;
Whose towers bore heads so high they kiss'd the clouds
And strangers ne'er beheld but wonder'd at;
Whose men and dames so jetted and adorn'd
Like one another's glass to trim them by:
Their tables were stored fullto glad the sight
And not so much to feed on as delight;



All poverty was scorn'dand pride so great
The name of help grew odious to repeat.


DIONYZA.
O'tis too true.


CLEON.
But see what heaven can do! By this our change
These mouthswho but of lateearthseaand air
Were all too little to content and please
Although they gave their creatures in abundance
As houses are defiled for want of use
They are now starved for want of exercise:
Those palates whonot yet two sumMers younger
Must have inventions to delight the taste
Would now be glad of breadand beg for it:
Those mothers whoto nousle up their babes
Thought nought too curiousare ready now
To eat those little darlings whom they loved.
So sharp are hunger's teeththat man and wife
Draw lots who first shall die to lengthen life:
Here stands a lordand there a lady weeping;
Here many sinkyet those which see them fall
Have scarce strength left to give them burial.
Is not this true?


DIONYZA.
Our cheeks and hollow eyes do witness it.


CLEON.
Olet those cities that of plenty's cup
And her prosperities so largely taste
With their superflous riotshear these tears!
The misery of Tarsus may be theirs.


[Enter a Lord.]


LORD.
Where's the lord governor?


CLEON.
Here.
Speak out thy sorrows which thou bring'st in haste
For comfort is too far for us to expect.


LORD.
We have descriedupon our neighbouring shore
A portly sail of ships make hitherward.


CLEON.
I thought as much.
One sorrow never comes but brings an heir
That may succeed as his inheritor;
And so in ours: some neighbouring nation
Taking advantage of our misery
Math stuff'd these hollow vessels with their power
To beat us downthe which are down already;
And make a conquest of unhappy me
Whereas no glory's got to overcome.


LORD.
That's the least fear; forby the semblance
Of their white flags display'dthey bring us peace
And come to us as favourersnot as foes.



CLEON.
Thou speak'st like him's untutor'd to repeat:
Who makes the fairest show means most deceit.
But bring they what they will and what they can
What need we fear?
The ground's the lowestand we are half way there.
Go tell their general we attend him here
To know for what he comesand whence he comes
And what he craves.


LORD.
I gomy lord.


[Exit.]


CLEON.
Welcome is peaceif he on peace consist;
If warswe are unable to resist.


[Enter Pericles with Attendants.]


PERICLES.
Lord governorfor so we hear you are
Let not our ships and number of our men
Be like a beacon fired to amaze your eyes.
We have heard your miseries as far as Tyre
And seen the desolation of your streets:
Nor come we to add sorrow to your tears
But to relieve them of their heavy load;
And these our shipsyou happily may think
Are like the Trojan horse was stuff'd within
With bloody veinsexpecting overthrow
Are stored with corn to make your needy bread
And give them life whom hunger starved half dead.


ALL.
The gods of Greece protect you!
And we'll pray for you.


PERICLES.
AriseI pray yourise:
We do not look for reverencebut for love
And harbourage for ourselfour shipsand men.


CLEON.
The which when any shall not gratify
Or pay you with unthankfulness in thought
Be it our wivesour childrenor ourselves
The curse of heaven and men succeed their evils!
Till when-- the which I hope shall ne'er be seen-Your
grace is welcome to our town and us.


PERICLES.
Which welcome we'll accept; feast here awhile
Until our stars that frown lend us a smile.


[Exeunt.]


ACT II.


[Enter Gower.]



GOWER.
Mere have you seen a mighty king
His childI wisto incest bring;
A better prince and benign lord
That will prove awful both in deed word.
Be quiet then as men should be
Till he hath pass'd necessity.
I'll show you those in troubles reign
Losing a mitea mountain gain.
The good in conversation
To whom I give my benison
Is still at Tarsuswhere each man
Thinks all is writ he speken can;
Andto remember what he does
Build his statue to make him glorious:
But tidings to the contrary
Are brought your eyes; what need speak I?


DUMB SHOW.


[Enter at one door Pericles talking with Cleon talking with
CLEON; all the train with them. Enter at another door a
Gentlemanwith a letter to Pericles; Pericles shows the
letter to Cleon; gives the Messenger a rewardand knights
him. Exit Pericles at one doorand Cleon at another.]


Good Helicanethat stay'd at home.
Not to eat honey like a drone
From others' labours; for though he strive
To killen badkeep good alive;
And to fulfil his prince' desire
Sends word of all that haps in Tyre:
How Thaliard came full bent with sin
And had intent to murder him;
And that in Tarsus was not best
Longer for him to make his rest.
Hedoing soput forth to seas
Where when men beenthere's seldom ease;
For now the wind begins to blow;
Thunder above and deeps below
Make such unquietthat the ship
Should house him safe is wreck'd and split;
And hegood princehaving all lost
By waves from coast to coast is tost:
All perishen of manof pelf
Ne aught escapen but himself;
Till fortunetired with doing bad
Threw him ashoreto give him glad:
And here he comes. What shall be next
Pardon old Gower-- this longs the text.


[Exit.]


SCENE I. Pentapolis. An open place by the sea-side.


[Enter Pericleswet.]


PERICLES.
Yet cease your ireyou angry stars of heaven!
Windrainand thunderrememberearthly man
Is but a substance that must yield to you;
And Ias fits my naturedo obey you:
Alasthe sea hath cast me on the rocks
Wash'd me from shore to shoreand left me breath



Nothing to think on but ensuing death:
Let it suffice the greatness of your powers
To have bereft a prince of all his fortunes;
And having thrown him from your watery grave
Here to have death in peace is all he'll crave.


[Enter three Fishermen.]


FIRST FISHERMAN.
WhathoPilch!


SECOND FISHERMAN.
Hacome and bring away the nets!


FIRST FISHERMAN.
WhatPatch-breechI say!


THIRD FISHERMAN.
What say youmaster?


FIRST FISHERMAN.
Look how thou stirrest now! come awayor I'll fetch thee with a
wanion.


THIRD FISHERMAN.
'FaithmasterI am thinking of the poor men that were cast away
before us even now.


FIRST FISHERMAN.
Alaspoor soulsit grieved my heart to hear what pitiful cries
they made to us to help themwhenwell-a-daywe could scarce
help ourselves.


THIRD FISHERMAN.
Naymastersaid not I as much when I saw the porpus how he
bounced and tumbled? they say they're half fishhalf flesh:
a plague on themthey ne'er come but I look to be washed.
MasterI marvel how the fishes live in the sea.


FIRST FISHERMAN.
Whyas men do a-land; the great ones eat up the little ones: I
can compare our rich misers to nothing so fitly as to a whale;
a' plays and tumblesdriving the poor fry before himand at
last devours them all at a mouthful. such whales have I heard
on o' the landwho never leave gaping till they they've
swallowed the whole parishchurchsteeplebellsand all.


PERICLES. [Aside.]
A pretty moral.


THIRD FISHERMAN.
Butmasterif I had been the sextonI would have been that day
in the belfry.


SECOND FISHERMAN.
Whyman?


THIRD FISHERMAN.
Because he should have swallowed me too; and when I had been in
his bellyI would have kept such a jangling of the bellsthat
he should never have lefttill he cast bellssteeplechurch
and parishup again. But if the good King Simonides were of
my mind-



PERICLES. [Aside.]
Simonides!


THIRD FISHERMAN.
We would purge the land of these dronesthat rob the bee of her
honey.


PERICLES. [Aside.]
How from the finny subjec of the sea
These fishers tell the infirmities of men;
And from their watery empire recollect
All that may men approve or men detect!
Peace be at your labourhonest fishermen.


SECOND FISHERMAN.
Honest! good fellowwhat's that; If it be a day fits yousearch
out of the calendarand nobody look after it.


PERICLES.
May see the sea hath cast upon your coast.


SECOND FISHERMAN.
What a drunken knave was the sea to cast thee in our way!


PERICLES.
A man whom both the waters and the wind
In that vast tennis-courthave made the ball
For them to play uponentreats you pity him;
He asks of youthat never used to beg.


FIRST FISHERMAN.
Nofriendcannot you beg? Here's them in our country of Greece
gets more with begging than we can do with working.


SECOND FISHERMAN.
Canst thou catch any fishesthen?


PERICLES.
I never practised it.


SECOND FISHERMAN.
Naythen thou wilt starvesure; for here's nothing to be got
now-a-daysunless thou canst fish for 't.


PERICLES.
What I have been I have forgot to know;
But what I amwant teaches me to think on:
A man throng'd up with cold: my veins are chill
And have no more of life than may suffice
To give my tongue that heat to ask your help;
Which if you shall refusewhen I am dead
For that I am a manpray see me buried.


FIRST FISHERMAN.
Die quoth-a? Now gods forbid! I have a gown here; comeput it
on; keep thee warm. Nowafore mea handsome fellow! Come
thou shalt go homeand we'll have flesh for holidaysfish for
fasting-daysand moreo'er puddings and flap-jacksand thou
shalt be welcome.


PERICLES.
I thank yousir.


SECOND FISHERMAN.



Hark youmy friend; you said you could not beg.


PERICLES.
I did but crave.


SECOND FISHERMAN.
But crave! Then I'll turn craver tooand so I shall 'scape
whipping.


PERICLES.
Whyare your beggars whippedthen?


SECOND FISHERMAN.
Onot allmy friendnot all; for if all your beggars were
whippedI would wish no better office than to be beadle.
ButmasterI'll go draw up the net.


[Exit with Third Fisherman.]


PERICLES. [Aside.]
How well this honest mirth becomes their 1abour!


FIRST FISHERMAN.
Hark yousirdo you know where ye are?


PERICLES.
Not well.


FIRST FISHERMAN.
WhyI'll tell you: this is called Pentapolisand our king the
good Simonides.


PERICLES.
The good King Simonidesdo you call him?


FIRST FISHERMAN.
Aysir; and he deserves so to be called for his peaceable reign
and good government.


PERICLES.
He is a happy kingsince he gains from his subjects the name of
good government. How far is his court distant from this shore?


FIRST FISHERMAN.
Marry sirhalf a day's journey: and I'll tell youhe hath a
fair daughterand to-morrow is her birth-day; and there are
princes and knights come from all parts of the world to just and
tourney for her love.


PERICLES.
Were my fortunes equal to my desiresI could wish to make one
there.


FIRST FISHERMAN.
Osirthings must be as they may; and what a man cannot gethe
may lawfully deal for -- his wife' soul.


[Re-enter Second and Third Fishermendrawing up a net.]


SECOND FISHERMAN.
Helpmasterhelp! here's a fish hangs in the netlike a poor
man's right in the law; 'twill hardly come out. Ha! bots on't
'tis come at lastand 'tis turned to a rusty armour.



PERICLES.
An armourfriends! I pray youlet me see it.
Thanksfortuneyetthatafter all my crosses
Thou givest me somewhat to repair myself
And though it was mine ownpart of my heritage
Which my dead father did bequeath to me
With this strict chargeeven as he left his life.
'Keep itmy Pericles; it hath been a shield
'Twixt me and death;' -- and pointed to this brace; -For
that it saved mekeep it; in like necessity -The
which the gods protect thee from! -- may defend thee.'
It kept where I keptI so dearly loved it;
Till the rough seasthat spare not any man
Took it in ragethough calm'd have given't again:
I thank thee for 't: my shipwreck now's no ill
Since I have here my father's gift in's will.


FIRST FISHERMAN.
What mean you' sir?


PERICLES.
To beg of youkind friendsthis coat of worth
For it was sometime target to a king;
I know it by this mark. He loved me dearly
And for his sake I wish the having of it;
And that you'ld guide me to your sovereign court
Where with it I may appear a gentleman;
And if that ever my fortune's better
I'll pay your bounties; till then rest your debtor.


FIRST FISHERMAN.
Whywilt thou tourney for the lady?


PERICLES.
I'll show the virtue I have borne in arms.


FIRST FISHERMAN.
Whydo'e take itand the gods give thee good on 't!


SECOND FISHERMAN.
Aybut hark youmy friend; 'twas we that made up this garment
through the rough seams of the waters: there are certain
condolementscertain vails. I hopesirif you thriveyou'll
remember from whence you had it.


PERICLES.
Believe't I will.
By your furtherance I am clothed in steel;
Andspite of all the rapture of the sea
This jewel holds his building on my arm:
Unto thy value I will mount myself
Upon a courserwhose delightful steps
Shall make the gazer joy to see him tread.
Onlymy friendI yet am unprovided
Of a pair of bases.


SECOND FISHERMAN.
We'll sure provide: thou shalt have my best gown to make thee a
pair; and I'll bring thee to the court myself.


PERICLES.
Then honour be but a goal to my will
This day I'll riseor else add ill to ill.



[Exeunt.]


SCENE II. The same. A public wayor platform leading to the
lists. A pavilion by the side of it for the reception of the
KingPrincessLordsetc.


[Enter SimonidesLords and Attendants.]


SIMONIDES.
Are the knights ready to begin the triumph?


FIRST LORD.
They aremy liege;
And stay your coming to present themselves.


SIMONIDES.
Return themwe are ready; and our daughter
In honour of whose birth these triumphs are
Sits herelike beauty's childwhom nature gat
For men to seeand seeing wonder at.


[Exit a Lord.]


THALIARD.
It pleaseth you1 my royal fatherto express
My commendations greatwhose merit's less.


SIMONIDES.
It's fit it should be so; for princes are
A modelwhich heaven makes like to itself:
As jewels lose their glory if neglected
So princes their renowns if not respected.
'Tis now your honourdaughterto explain
The labour of each knight in his device.


THALIARD.
Whichto preserve mine honourI'll perform.


[Enter a Knight; he passes overand his Squire presents his
shield to the Princess.]


SIMONIDES.
Who is the first that doth prefer himself?


THALIARD.
A knight of Spartamy renowned father;
And the device he bears upon his shield
Is a black Ethiope reaching at the sun:
The word'Lux tua vita mihi.'


SIMONIDES.
He loves you well that holds his life of you.


[The Second Knight passes over.]


Who is the second that presents himself?


THALIARD.
A prince of Macedonmy royal father;
And the device he bears upon his shield
Is an arm'd knight that's conquer'd by a lady;
The motto thusin Spanish'Piu por dulzura que por fuerza.'


[The Third Knight passes over.]



SIMONIDES.
And what's the third?


THALIARD.
The third of Antioch;
And his devicea wreath of chivalry;
The word'Me pompae provexit apex.'


[The Fourth Knight passes over.]


SIMONIDES.
What is the fourth?


THALIARD.
A burning torch that's turned upside down;
The word'Quod me alitme extinguit.'


SIMONIDES.
Which shows that beauty hath his power and will
Which can as well inflame as it can kill.


[The Fifth Knight passes over.]


THALIARD.
The fifthan hand environed with clouds
Holding out gold that's by the touchstone tried;
The motto thus'Sic spectanda fides.'


[The Sixith KnightPericlespasses over.]


SIMONIDES.
And what's
The sixth and lastthe which the knight himself
With such a graceful courtesy deliver'd?


THALIARD.
He seems to be a stranger; but his present is
A wither'd branchthat's only green at top;
The motto'In hac spe vivo.'


SIMONIDES.
A pretty moral;
From the dejected state wherein he is
He hopes by you his fortunes yet may flourish.


FIRST LORD.
He had need mean better than his outward show
Can any way speak in his just commend;
For by his rusty outside he appears
To have practised more the whipstock than the lance.


SECOND LORD.
He well may be a strangerfor he comes
To an honour'd triumph strangely furnished.


THIRD LORD.
And on set purpose let his armour rust
Until this dayto scour it in the dust.


SIMONIDES.
Opinion's but a foolthat makes us scan
The outward habit by the inward man.
But staythe knights are coming: we will withdraw



Into the gallery.

[Exeunt.]

[Great shouts withinand all cry 'The mean knight!']

SCENE III. The same. A hall of state: a banquet prepared.

[Enter SimonidesThaisaLordsAttendantsand Knightsfrom
tilting.]


SIMONIDES.
Knights
To say you're welcome were superfluous.
To place upon the volume of your deeds
As in a title-pageyour worth in arms
Were more than you expector more than's fit
Since every worth in show commends itself.
Prepare for mirthfor mirth becomes a feast:
You are princes and my guests.


THAISA.
But youmy knight and guest;
To whom this wreath of victory I give
And crown you king of this day's happiness.


PERICLES.
'Tis more by fortuneladythan by merit.


SIMONIDES.
Call it by what you willthe day is yours;
And hereI hopeis none that envies it.
In framing an artistart hath thus decreed
To make some goodbut others to exceed;
And you are her labour'd scholar. Come queen of the feast-For
daughterso you are-- here take your place:
Marshal the restas they deserve their grace.


KNIGHTS.
We are honour'd much by good Simonides.


SIMONIDES.
Your presence glads our days; honour we love;
For who hates honour hates the gods above.


MARSHALL.
Siryonder is your place.


PERICLES.
Some other is more fit.


FIRST KNIGHT.
Contend notsir; for we are gentlemen
That neither in our hearts nor outward eyes
Envy the great nor do the low despise.


PERICLES.
You are right courteous knights.


SIMONIDES.
Sitsirsit.


PERICLES.
By JoveI wonderthat is king of thoughts



These cates resist meshe but thought upon.


THAISA.
By Junothat is queen of marriage
All viands that I eat do seem unsavoury
Wishing him my meat. Surehe's a gallant gentleman.


SIMONIDES.
He's but a country gentleman;
Has done no more than other knights have done;
Has broken a staff or so; so let it pass.


THAISA.
To me he seems like diamond to glass.


PERICLES.
Yon king's to me like to my father's picture
Which tells me in that glory once he was;
Had princes sitlike starsabout his throne
And he the sunfor them to reverence;
None that beheld himbutlike lesser lights
Did vail their crowns to his supremacy:
Where now his son's like a glow-worm in the night
The which hath fire in darknessnone in light:
Whereby I see that Time's the king of men
He's both their parentand he is their grave
And gives them what he willnot what they crave.


SIMONIDES.
Whatare you merryknights?


KNIGHTS.
Who can be other in this royal presence?


SIMONIDES.
Herewith a cup that's stored unto the brim-As
you do lovefill to your mistress' lips-We
drink this health to you.


KNIGHTS.
We thank your grace.


SIMONIDES.
Yet pause awhile:
Yon knight doth sit too melancholy
As if the entertainment in our court
Had not a show might countervail his worth.
Note it not youThaisa?


THAISA.
What is it
To memy father?


SIMONIDES.
O attendmy daughter:
Princes in this should live like god's above
Who freely give to every one that comes
To honour them:
And princes not doing so are like to gnats
Which make a soundbut kill'd are wonder'd at.
Therefore to make his entrance more sweet
Heresay we drink this standing-bowl of wine to him.


THAISA.



Alasmy fatherit befits not me
Unto a stranger knight to be so bold:
He may my proffer take for an offence
Since men take women's gifts for impudence.


SIMONIDES.
How!
Do as I bid youor you'll move me else.


THAISA. [Aside]
Nowby the godshe could not please me better.


SIMONIDES.
And furthermore tell himwe desire to know of him
Of whence he ishis name and parentage.


THAISA.
The king my fathersirhas drunk to you.


PERICLES.
I thank him.


THAISA.
Wishing it so much blood unto your life.


PERICLES.
I thank both him and youand pledge him freely.


THAISA.
And further he desires to know of you
Of whence you areyour name and parentage.


PERICLES.
A gentleman of Tyre; my namePericles;
My education been in arts and arms;
Wholooking for adventures in the world
Was by the rough seas reft of ships and men
And after shipwreck driven upon this shore.


THAISA.
He thanks your grace; names himself Pericles
A gentleman of Tyre
Who only by misfortune of the seas
Bereft of ships and mencast on this shore.


SIMONIDES.
Nowby the godsI pity his misfortune
And will awake him from his melancholy.
Comegentlemenwe sit too long on trifles
And waste the timewhich looks for other revels.
Even in your armoursas you are address'd
Will very well become a soldier's dance.
I will not have excusewith saying this
Loud music is too harsh for ladies' heads
Since they love men in arms as well as beds.


[The Knights dance.]


Sothis was well ask'd'twas so well perform'd.
Comesir;
Here is a lady which wants breathing too:
And I have heard you nights of Tyre
Are excellent in making ladies trip;
And that their measures are as exceltent.



PERICLES.
In those that practise them they aremy lord.


SIMONIDES.
Othat's as much as you would be denied
Of your fair courtesy.


[The Knights and Ladies dance.]


Unclaspunclasp:
Thanks gentlemento all; all have done well.


[To Pericles.]


But you the you the best. Pages and lights to conduct
These knights unto their several lodging.


[To Pericles.]


Yourssir
We have given order to be next our own.


PERICLES.
I am at your grace's pleasure.


SIMONIDES.
Princesit is too late to talk of love;
And that's the mark I know you level at:
Therefore each one betake him to his rest;
To-morrow all for speeding do their best.


[Exeunt.]


SCENE IV. Tyre. A room in the Govenor's house.


[Enter Helicanus and Escanes.]


HELICANUS.
NoEscanesknow this of me
Antiochus from incest lived not free:
For whichthe most high gods not minding longer
To withhold the vengeance that they had in store
Due to this heinous capital offence
Even in the height and pride of all his glory
When he was seated in a chariot
Of an inestimable valueand his daughter with him
A fire from heavn came and shrivell'd up
Their bodieseven to loathing; for they so stunk
That all those eyes adored them ere their fall
Scorn now their hand should give them burial.


ESCANES.
'Twas very strange


HELICANUS.
And yet but justice; for though
This king were great; his greatness was no guard.
To bar heaven's shaftbut sin had his reward.


ESCANES.
'Tis very true.



[Enter two or three Lords.]


FIRST LORD.
Seenot a man in private conference
Or council has respect with him but he.


SECOND LORD.
It shall no longer grieve with out reproof.


THIRD LORD.
And cursed be he that will not second it.


FIRST LORD.
Follow methen. Lord Helicanea word.


HELICANE.
With me? and welcome: happy daymy lords.


FIRST LORD.
Know that our griefs are risen to the top
And now at length they overflow their banks.


HELICANE.
Your griefs! for what? wrong not your prince your love.


FIRST LORD.
Wrong not yourselfthennoble Helicane;
But if the prince do livelet us salute him.
Or know what ground's made happy by his breath.
If in the world he livewe'll seek him there;
And be resolved he lives to govern us
Or deadgive's cause to mourn his funeral
And leave us to our free election.


SECOND LORD.
Whose death indeed 's the strongest in our censure:
And knowing this kingdom is without a head-Like
goodly buildings left without a roof
Soon fall to ruin-- your noble self
That best know how to rulle and how to reign
We thus submit unto-- our sovereign.


ALL.
Livenoble Helicane!


HELICANUS.
For honour's causeforbear your suffrages:
If that you love Prince Periclesforbear.
Take I your wishI leap into the seas
Where's hourly trouble for a minute's ease.
A twelve month longerlet me entreat you to
Forbear the absence of your king;
If in which time expiredhe not return
I shall with aged patience bear your yoke.
But if I cannot win you to this love
Go search like nobleslike noble subjects
And in your search spend your adventurous worth;
Whom if you findand win unto return
You shall like diamonds sit about his crown.


FIRST LORD.
To wisdom he's a fool that will not yield;
And since Lord Helicane enjoineth us
We with our travels will endeavour us.



HELICANUS.
Then you love uswe youand we'll clasp hands:
When peers thus knita kingdom ever stands.


[Exeunt.]


SCENE V. Pentapolis. A room in the palace.


Enter Simonidesreading a letter at one door: the Knights meet
him.]


FIRST KNIGHT.]
Good morrow to the good Simonides.


SIMONIDES.
Knightsfrom my daughter this I let you know
That for this twelvemonth she'll not undertake
A married life.
Her reason to herself is only known
Which yet from her by no means can I get.


SECOND KNIGHT.
May we not get access to hermy lord?


SIMONIDES.
'Faithby no means; she hath so strictly tied
Her to her chamberthat 'tis impossible.
One twelve moons more she'll wear Diana's livery;
This by the eye of Cynthia hath she vow'd
And on her virgin honour will not break it.


THIRD KNIGHT.
Loath to bid farewellwe take our leaves.


[Exeunt Knights.]


SIMONIDES.
So
They are well dispatch'd; now to my daughter's letter:
She tells me hereshe'll wed the stranger knight.
Or never more to view nor day nor light.
'Tis wellmistress; your choice agrees with mine;
I like that well: nayhow absolute she's in it
Not minding whether I dislike or no!
WellI do commend her choice;
And will no longer have it delay'd.
Soft! here he comes: I must dissemble it.


[Enter Pericles.]


PERICLES.
All fortune to the good Simonides!


SIMONIDES.
To you as muchsir! I am beholding to you
For your sweet music this last night: I do
Protest my ears were never better fed
With such delightful pleasing harmony.


PERICLES.
It is your grace's pleasure to commend;
Not my desert.



SIMONIDES.
Siryou are music's master.


PERICLES.
The worst of all her scholarsmy good lord.


SIMONIDES.
Let me ask you one thing:
What do you think of my daughtersir?


PERICLES.
A most virtuous princess.


SIMONIDES.
And she is fair toois she not?


PERICLES.
As a fair day in summerwondrous fair.


SIMONIDES.
Sirmy daughter thinks very well of you;
Ayso wellthat you must be her master
And she will be your scholar: therefore look to it.


PERICLES.
I am unworthy for her schoolmaster.


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


PERICLES. [Aside.]
A letterthat she loves the knight of Tyre!
'Tis the king's subtilty to have my life.
Oseek not to entrap megracious lord
A stranger and distressed gentleman
That never aim'd so high to love your daughter
But bent all offices to honour her.


SIMONIDES.
Thou hast bewitch'd my daughterand thou art
A villain.


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


SIMONIDES.
Traitorthou liest.


PERICLES.
Traitor!


SIMONIDES.
Aytraitor;


PERICLES.
Even in his throat -- unless it be the king -That
calls me traitorI return the lie.


SIMONIDES. [Aside.]
Nowby the godsI do applaud his courage.



PERICLES.
My actions are as noble as my thoughts
That never relish'd of a base descent.
I came unto your court for honour's cause
And not to be a rebel to her state;
And he that otherwise accounts of me
This sword shall prove he's honour's enemy.


SIMONIDES.
No?
Here comes my daughtershe can witness it.


[Enter Thaisa.]


PERICLES.
Thenas you are as virtuous as fair
Resolve your angry fatherif my tongue
Did e'er solicitor my hand subscribe
To any syllable that made love to you.


THAISA.
Whysirsay if you had
Who takes offence at that would make me glad?


SIMONIDES.
Yeamistressare you so peremptory?
[Aside.]
I am glad on't with all my heart. -I'll
tame you; I'll bring you in subjection.
Will younot having my consent
Bestow your love and your affections
Upon a stranger?
[Aside.]
whofor aught I know
May benor can I think the contrary
As great in blood as I myself. -Therefore
hear youmistress; either frame
Your will to mine-- and yousirhear you
Either be ruled by meor I will make you -Man
and wife:
Naycomeyour hands and lips must seal it too:
And being join'dI'll thus your hopes destroy;
And for a further grief-- God give you joy! -What
are you both pleased?


THAISA.
Yesif you love mesir.


PERICLES.
Even as my life my blood that fosters it.


SIMONIDES.
Whatare you both agreed?


BOTH.
Yesif it please your majesty.


SIMONIDES.
It pleaseth me so wellthat I will see you wed;
And then with what haste you can get you to bed.


[Exeunt.]



ACT III.

[Enter Gower.]

GOWER.
Now sleep yslaked hath the rout;
No din but snores the house about
Made louder by the o'er-fed breast
Of this most pompous marriage-feast.
The catwith eyne of burning coal
Now couches fore the mouse's hole;
And crickets sing at the oven's mouth
E'er the blither for their drouth.
Hymen hath brought the bride to bed
Whereby the loss of maidenhead
A babe is moulded. Be attent
And time that is so briefly spent
With your fine fancies quaintly eche:
What's dumb in show I'll plain with speech.


[Dumb Show.]


[EnterPericles and Simonidesat one doorwith Attendants; a
Messenger meets themkneelsand gives Pericles a letter:
Pericles shows it Simonides; the Lords kneel to him. Then enter
Thaisa with childwith Lychorida a nurse. The King shows her
the letter; she rejoices: she and Pericles take leave of her
fatherand departwith Lychorida and their Attendants.
Then exeunt Simonides and the rest.]


By many a dern and painful perch
Of Pericles the careful search
By the four opposing coigns
Which the world together joins
Is made with all due diligence
That horse and sail and high expense
Can stead the quest. At last from Tyre
Fame answering the most strange inquire
To the court of King Simonides
Are letters broughtthe tenour these:
Antiochus and his daughter dead;
The men of Tyrus on the head
Of Helicanus would set on
The crown of Tyrebut he will none:
The mutiny he there hastes t' oppress;
Says to 'emif King Pericles
Come not home in twice six moons
Heobedient to their dooms
Will take the crown. The sum of this
Brought hither to Pentapolis
Y-ravished the regions round
And every one with claps can sound
'Our heir-apparent is a king!
Who dream'dwho thought of such a thing?'
Briefhe 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:
Lychoridaher nurseshe takes
And so to sea. Their vessel shakes
On Neptune's billow; half the flood
Hath their keel cut: but fortune's mood
Varies again; the grisled north



Disgorges such a tempest forth
Thatas a duck for life that dives
So up and down the poor ship drives:
The lady shrieksand well-a-near
Does fall in travail with her fear:
And what ensues in this fell storm
Shall for itself itself perform.
I nill relateaction may
Conveniently the rest convey;
Which might not what by me is told.
In your imagination hold
This stage the shipupon whose deck
The sea-tost Pericles appears to speak.


[Exit.]


SCENE I.


[Enter Pericleson shipboard.]


PERICLES.
Thou god of this great vastrebuke these surges
Which wash forth both heaven and hell; and thou that hast
Upon the winds commandbind them in brass
Having call'd them from the deep! Ostill
Thy deafeningdreadful thunders; gently quench
Thy nimblesulphurous flashes! OhowLychorida
How does my queen? Thou stormest venomously;
Wilt thou spit all thyself? The seaman's whistle
Is as a whisper in the ears of death
Unheard. Lychorida! - LucinaO
Divinest patronessand midwife gentle
To those that cry by nightconvey thy deity
Aboard our dancing boat; make swift the pangs
Of my queen's travails!


[Enter Lychoridawith an Infant.]


NowLychorida!


LYCHORIDA.
Here is a thing too young for such a place
Whoif it had conceitwould dieas I
Am like to do: take in your aims this piece
Of your dead queen.


PERICLES.
HowhowLychorida!


LYCHORIDA.
Patiencegood sir; do not assist the storm.
Here's all that is left living of your queen
A little daughter: for the sake of it
Be manlyand take comfort.


PERICLES.
O you gods!
Why do you make us love your goodly gifts
And snatch them straight away? We here below
Recall not what we giveand therein may
Use honour with you.


LYCHORIDA.
Patiencegood sir.



Even for this charge.


PERICLES.
Nowmild may be thy life!
For a more blustrous birth had never babe:
Quiet and gentle thy conditions! for
Thou art the rudliest welcome to this world
That ever was prince's child. Happy what follows!
Thiou hast as chiding a nativity
As fireairwaterearthand heaven can make
To herald thee from the womb: even at the first
Thy loss is more than can thy portage quit
With all thou canst find hereNowthe good gods
Throw their best eyes upon't!


{Enter two Sailors.]


FIRST SAILOR.
What couragesir? God save you!


PERICLES.
Courage enough: I do not fear the flaw;
It hath done to me the worst. Yetfor the love
Of ths poor infantthis fresh-new sea-farer
I would it would be quiet.


FIRST SAILOR.
Slack the bolins there! Thou wilt notwilt thou? Blowand
split thyself.


SECOND SAILOR.
But sea-rooman the brine and cloudy billow kiss the moonI
care not.


FIRST SAILOR.
Siryour queen must overboard: the sea works highthe wind is
loud and will not lie till the ship be cleared of the dead.


PERICLES.
That's your superstition.


FIRST SAILOR.
Pardon ussir; with us at sea it has been still observed; and we
are strong in custom. Therefore briefly yield her; for she must
overboard straight.


PERICLES.
As you think meet. Most wretched queen!


LYCHORIDA.
Here she liessir.


PERICLES.
A terrible childben hast thou hadmy dear;
No lightno fire: the unfriendly elements
Forgot thee utterly; nor have I time
To give thee hallow'd to thy gravebut straight
Must cast theescarcely coffin'din the ooze;
Wherefor a monument upon thy bones
And e'er-remaining lampsthe belching whale
And humming water must o'erwhelm thy corpse
Lying with simple shells. O Lychorida.
Bid Nestor bring me spicesink and paper
My casket and my jewels; and bid Nicander



Bring me the satin coffer: lay the babe
Upon the pillow: hie theewhiles I say
A priestly farewell to her: suddenlywoman.


[Exit Lychorida.]


SECOND SAILOR.
Sirwe have a chest beneath the hatchescaulked and bitumed
ready.


PERICLES.
I thank thee. Marinersay what coast is this?


SECOND SAILOR.
We are near Tarsus.


PERICLES.
Thithergentle mariner
Alter thy course for Tyre. Whencanst thou reach it?


SECOND SAILOR.
By break of dayif the wind cease.


PERICLES.
Omake for Tarsus!
There will I visit Cleonfor the babe
Cannot hold out to Tyrus there I'll leave it
At careful nursing. Go thy waysgood mariner:
I'll bring the body presently.


[Exeunt.]


SCENE II. Ephesus. A room in Cerimon's house.


[Enter Cerimonwith a Servantand some Persons who have been
shipwrecked.]


CERIMON.
Philemonho!


[Enter Philemon.]


PHILEMON.
Doth my lord call?


CERIMON.
Get fire and meat for these poor men:
'T has been a turbulent and stormy night.


SERVANT.
I have been in many; but such a night as this
Till nowI ne'er endured.


CERIMON.
Your master will be dead ere you return;
There's nothing can be minister'd to nature
That can recover him.


[To Philemon.]
Give this to the 'pothecary
And tell me how it works.


[Exeunt all but Cerimon.]



[Enter two Gentlemen.]


FIRST GENTLEMAN.
Good morrow.


SECOND GENTLEMAN.
Good morrow to your lordship.


CERIMON.
Gentlemen
Why do you stir so early?


FIRST GENTLEMAN.
Sir
Our lodgingsstanding bleak upon the sea
Shook as the earth did quake;
The very principals did seem to rend
And all-to topple: pure surprise and fear
Made me to quit the house.


SECOND GENTLEMAN.
That is the cause we trouble you so early;
'Tis not our husbandry.


CERIMON.
Oyou say well.


FIRST GENTLEMAN.
But I much marvel that your lordshiphaving
Rich tire about youshould at these early hours
Shake off the golden slumber of repose.
'Tis most strange
Nature should be so conversant with pain.
Being thereto not compell'd.


CERIMON.
I hold it ever
Virtue and cunning were endowments greater
Than nobleness and riches: careless heirs
May the two latter darken and expend;
But immortality attends the former
Making a man a god. 'Tis knownI ever
Have studied physicthrough which secret art
By turning o'er authoritiesI have
Together with my practicemade familiar
To me and to my aid the blest infusions
That dwell in vegetivesin metalsstones;
And I can speak of the disturbances
That nature worksand of her cures; which doth give me
A more content in course of true delight
Than to be thirsty after tottering honour
Or tie my treasure up in silken bags
To please the fool and death.


SECOND GENTLEMAN.
Your honour has through Ephesus pour'd forth
Your charityand hundreds call themselves
Your creatureswho by you have been restored:
And not your knowledgeyour personal painbut even
Your pursestill openhath built Lord Cerimon
Such strong renown as time shall ne'er decay.


[Enter two or three Servants with a chest.]



FIRST SERVANT.
So; lift there.


CERIMON.
What is that?


FIRST SERVANT.
Sireven now
Did the sea toss upon our shore this chest:
'Tis of some wreck.


CERIMON.
Set 't downlet's look upon 't.


SECOND GENTLEMAN.
'Tis like a coffinsir.


CERIMON.
Whate'er it be
'Tis wondrous heavy. Wrench it open straight:
If the sea's stomach be o'ercharged with gold
'Tis a good constraint of fortune it belches upon us.


SECOND GENTLEMAN.
'Tis somy lord.


CERIMON.
How close 'tis caulk'd and bitumed!
Did the sea cast it up?


FIRST SERVANT.
I never saw so huge a billowsir
As toss'd it upon shore.


CERIMON.
Wrench it open;
Soft! it smells most sweetly in my sense.


SECOND GENTLEMAN.
A delicate odour.


CERIMON.
As ever hit my nostril. So up with it.
O you most potent gods! what's here? a corse!


FIRST GENTLEMAN.
Most strange!


CERIMON.
Shrouded in cloth of state; balm'd and entreasured
With full bags of spices! A passport too!
Apolloperfect me in the characters!


[Reads from a scroll.]


'Here I give to understand
If e'er this coffin drive a-land
IKing Pericleshave lost
This queenworth all our mundane cost.
Who hergive her burying;
She was the daughter of a king:
Besides this treasure for a fee
The gods requite his charity!'



If thou livestPericlesthou hast a heart
That even cracks for woe! This chanced tonight.


SECOND GENTLEMAN.
Most likelysir.


CERIMON.
Naycertainly to-night;
For look how fresh she looks! They were too rough
That threw her in the sea. Make a fire within
Fetch hither all my boxes in my closet.


[Exit a Servant.]


Death may usurp on nature many hours
And yet the fire of life kindle again
The o'erpress'd spirits. I heard of an Egyptian
That had nine hours lien dead
Who was by good appliance recovered.


[Re-enter a Servantwith boxesnapkinsand fire.


Well saidwell said; the fire and cloths.
The rough and woeful music that we have
Cause it to soundbeseech you
The viol once more: how thou stirr'stthou block!
The music there! -- I pray yougive her air.
Gentlemen
This queen will live: nature awakes; a warmth
Breathes out of her: she hath not been entranced
Above five hours: see how she gins to blow
Into life's flower again!


FIRST GENTLEMAN.
The heavens
Through youincrease our wonder and set up
Your fame for ever.


CERIMON.
She is alive; behold
Her eyelidscases to those heavenly jewels
Which Pericles hath lost
Begin to part their fringes of bright gold;
The diamonds of a most praised water
Do appearto make the world twice rich.
Live
And make us weep to hear your fatefair creature
Rare as you seem to be.


[She moves.]


THAISA.
O dear Diana
Where am I? Where's my lord? What world is this?


SECOND GENTLEMAN.
Is not this strange?


FIRST GENTLEMAN.
Most rare.


CERIMON.
Hushmy gentle neighbours!
Lend me your hands; to the next chamber bear her.



Get linen: now this matter must be look'd to
For herrelapse is mortal. Comecome;
And AEsculapius guide us!


[Exeuntcarrying her away.]


SCENE III. Tarsus. A room in Cleon's house.


[Enter PericlesCleonDionyzaand Lychorida with Marina in her
arms.]


PERICLES.
Most honour'd CleonI must needs be gone;
My twelve months are expiredand Tyrus stands
In a litigious peace. Youand your lady
Take from my heart all thankfulness! The gods
Make up the rest upon you!


CLEON.
Your shafts of fortunethough they hurt you mortally
Yet glance full wanderingly on us.


DIONYZA.
Oyour sweet queen!
That the strict fates had pleased you had brought her hither
To have bless'd mine eyes with her!


PERICLES.
We cannot but obey
The powers above us. Could I rage and roar
As doth the sea she lies inyet the end
Must be as 'tis. My gentle babe Marinawhom
For she was born at seaI have named sohere
I charge your charity withalleaving her
The infant of your care; beseeching you
To give her princely trainingthat she may be
Manner'd as she is born.


CLEON.
Fear notmy lordbut think
Your gracethat 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 vilethe common body
By you relievedwould force me to my duty:
But if to that my nature need a spur
The gods revenge it upon me and mine
To the end of generation!


PERICLES.
I believe you;
Your honour and your goodness teach me to 't
Without your vows. Till she be marriedmadam
By bright Dianawhom we honourall
Unscissar'd shall this hair of mine remain
Though I show ill in 't. So I take my leave
Good madammake me blessed in your care
In bringing up my child.


DIONYZA.
I have one myself
Who shall not be mere dear to my respect
Than yoursmy lord.



PERICLES.
Madammy thanks and prayers.


CLEON.
We'll bring your grace e'en to the edge o' the shore
Then give you up to the mask'd Neptune and
The gentlest winds of heaven.


PERICLES.
I will embrace
Your offer. Comedearest madam. Ono tears
Lychoridano tears:
Look to your little mistresson whose grace
You may depend hereafter. Comemy lord.


[Exeunt.]


SCENE IV. Ephesus. A room in Cerimon's house.


[Enter Cerimon and Thaisa.]


CERIMON.
Madamthis letterand some certain jewels
Lay with you in your coffer: which are now
At your command. Know you the character?


THAISA.
It is my lord's.
That I was shipp'd at seaI well remember
Even on my eaning time; but whether there
Deliver'dby the holy gods
I cannot rightly say. But since King Pericles
My wedded lordI ne'er shall see again
A vestal livery will I take me to
And never more have joy.


CERIMON.
Madamif this you purpose as ye speak
Diana's temple is not distant far
Where you may abide till your date expire.
Moreoverif you pleasea niece of mine
Shall there attend you.


THAISA.
My recompense is thanksthat's all;
Yet my good will is greatthough the gift small.


[Exeunt.]


ACT IV.


[Enter Gower.]


GOWER.
Imagine Pericles arrived at Tyre
Welcomed and settled to his own desire.
His woeful queen we leave at Ephesus
Unto Diana there a votaress.
Now to Marina bend your mind
Whom our fast-growing scene must find
At Tarsusand by Cleon train'd
In musicletters; who hath gain'd



Of education all the grace
Which makes her both the heart and place
Of general wonder. Butalack
That monster envyoft the wrack
Of earned praiseMarina's life
Seeks to take off by treason's knife.
And in this kind hath our Cleon
One daughterand a wench full grown
Even ripe for marriage-rite; this maid
Hight Philoten: and it is said
For certain in our storyshe
Would ever with Marina be:
Be't when she weaved the sleided silk
With fingers longsmallwhite as milk;
Or when she would with sharp needle wound
The cambricwhich she made more sound
By hurting it; or when to the lute
She sungand made the night-bird mute
That still records with moan; or when
She would with rich and constant pen
Vail to her mistress Dian; still
This Philoten contends in skill
With absolute Marina: so
With the dove of Paphos might the crow
Vie feathers white. Marina gets
All praiseswhich are paid as debts
And not as given. This so darks
In Philoten all graceful marks
That Cleon's wifewith envy rare
A present murderer does prepare
For good Marinathat her daughter
Might stand peerless by this slaughter.
The sooner her vile thoughts to stead
Lychoridaour nurseis dead:
And cursed Dionyza hath
The pregnant instrument of wrath
Prest for this blow. The unborn event
I do commend to your content:
Only I carry winged time
Post on the lame feet of my rhyme;
Which never could I so convey
Unless your thoughts went on my way.
Dionyza does appear
With Leoninea murderer.


[Exit.]


Scene I. Tarsus. An open place near the sea-shore.


[Enter Dionyza and Leonine.]


DIONYZA.
Thy oath remember; thou hast sworn to do 't:
'Tis but a blowwhich never shall be known.
Thou canst not do a thing in the world so soon
To yield thee so much profit. Let not conscience
Which is but coldinflaming love i' thy bosom
Inflame too nicely; nor let pitywhich
Even women have cast offmelt theebut be
A soldier to thy purpose.


LEONINE.
I will do't; but yet she is a goodly creature.



DIONYZA.
The fitterthenthe gods should have her. Here she comes
weeping for her only mistress' death. Thou art resolved?


LEONINE.
I am resolved.


[Enter Marinawith a basket of flowers.]


MARINA.
NoI will rob Tellus of her weed
To strew thy green with flowers: the yellowsblues
The purple violetsand marigolds
Shall as a carpet hang upon thy grave
While summer-days do last. Ay me! poor maid
Born in a tempestwhen my mother died
This world to me is like a lasting storm
Whirring me from my friends.


DIONYZA.
How nowMarina! why do you keep alone?
How chance my daughter is not with you? Do not
Consume your blood with sorrowing: you have
A nurse of me. Lordhow your favour's changed
With this unprofitable woe!
Comegive me your flowersere the sea mar it.
Walk with Leonine; the air is quick there
And it pierces and sharpens the stomach.
Come
Leoninetake her by the armwalk with her.


MARINA.
NoI pray you;
I'll not bereave you of your servant.


DIONYZA.
Comecome;
I love the king your fatherand yourself
With more than foreign heart. We every day
Expect him here: when he shall come and find
Our paragon to all reports thus blasted
He will repent the breadth of his great voyage;
Blame both my lord and methat we have taken
No care to your best courses. GoI pray you
Walkand be cheerful once again; reserve
That excellent complexionwhich did steal
The eyes of young and old. Care not for me;
I can go home alone.


MARINA.
WellI will go;
But yet I have no desire to it.


DIONYZA.
ComecomeI know 'tis good for you.
Walk half an hourLeonineat the least:
Remember what I have said.


LEONINE.
I warrant youmadam.


DIONYZA.
I'll leave youmy sweet ladyfor a while:
Praywalk softlydo not heat your blood:



What! I must have a care of you.


MARINA.
My thankssweet madam.


[Exit Dionyza.]


Is this wind westerly that blows?


LEONINE.
South-west.


MARINA.
When I was bornthe wind was north.


LEONINE.
Was 't so?


MARINA.
My fatheras nurse saiddid never fear
But cried 'Good seamen!' to the sailorsgalling
His kingly handshaling ropes;
Andclasping to the mastendured a sea
That almost burst the deck.


LEONINE.
When was this?


MARINA.
When I was born:
Never was waves nor wind more violent;
And from the ladder-tackle washes off
A canvas-climber. 'Ha!' says onewilt out?'
And with a dropping industry they skip
From stem to stern: the boatswain whistlesand
The master callsand trebles their confusion.


LEONINE.
Comesay your prayers.


MARINA.
What mean you?


LEONINE.
If you require a little space for prayer
I grant it: pray; but be not tedious
For the gods are quick of earand I am sworn
To do my work with haste.


MARINA.
Why will you kill rne?


LEONINE.
To satisfy my lady.


MARINA.
Why would she have me kill'd?
Nowas I can rememberby my troth
I never did her hurt in all my life:
I never spoke bad wordnor did ill turn
To any living creature: believe mela
I never kill'd a mousenor hurt a fly:
I trod upon a worm against my will
But I wept for it. How have I offended



Wherein my death might yield her any profit
Or my life imply her any danger?


LEONINE.
My commission
Is not to reason of the deedbut do it.


MARINA.
You will not do 't for all the worldI hope.
You are well favour'dand your looks foreshow
You have a gentle heart. I saw you lately
When you caught hurt in parting two that fought:
Good soothit show'd well in you: do so now:
Your lady seeks my life; come you between
And save poor methe weaker.


LEONINE.
I am sworn
And will dispatch.


[He seizes her.]


[Enter Pirates.]


FIRST PIRATE.
Holdvillain!


[Leonine runs away.]


SECOND PIRATE.
A prize! a prize!


THIRD PIRATE.
Half-partmateshalf-part
Comeslet's have her aboard suddenly.


[Exeunt Pirates with Marina.]


[Re-enter Leonine.]


LEONINE.
These roguing thieves serve the great pirate Valdes;
And they hav seized Marina. Let her go:
Thre's no hope she will return. I'll swear she's dead
And thrown into the sea. But I'll see further:
Perhaps they will but please themselves upon her
Not carry her aboard. If she remain
Whom they have ravish'd must by me be slain.


[Exit.]


Scene II. Mytilene. A room in a brothel.


[Enter PandarBawdand Boult.]


PANDAR.
Boult!


BOULT.
Sir?


PANDAR.
Search the market narrowly; Mytilene is full of gallants. We lost



too much money this mart by being too wenchless.


BAWD.
We were never so much out of creatures. We have but poor three
and they can do no more than they can do; and they with continual
action are even as good as rotten.


PANDAR.
Therefore let's have fresh oneswhate'r we pay for them. If
there be not a conscience to be used in every tradewe shall
never prosper.


BAWD.
Thou sayest true: 'tis not our bringing up of poor bastards-as
I thinkI have bought up some eleven -


BOULT.
Ayto eleven; and brought them down again. But shall I search
the market?


BAWD.
What elseman? The stuff we havea strong wind will blo it to
piecesthey are so pitifully sodden.


PANDAR.
Thou sayest true; they're too unwholesomeo' conscience. The
poor Transylvanian is deadthat lay with the little baggage.


BOULT.
Ayshe quickly pooped him; she made him roast-meat for worms.
But I'll go search the market.


[Exit.]


PANDAR.
Three or four thousand chequins were as pretty a proportion to
live quietlyand so give over.


BAWD.
Wgy to give overI pray you? is it a shame to get when we are
old?


PANDAR.
Oour credit comes not in like the commoditynor the commodity
wages not with the danger: therforeif in our youths we could
pick up some pretty estate'twere not amiss to keep our door
hatched. Besidesthe sore terms we stand upon with the gods will
be strong with us for giving over.


BAWD.
Comeothers sorts offend as well as we.


PANDAR.
As well as we! ayand better too; we offend worse. Neither is
our profession any trade; it's no calling. But here comes Boult.


[Re-enter Boultwith the Pirates and Marina.]


BOULT
[To Marina.]
Come your ways. My mastersyou say she's a virgin?


FIRST PIRATE.
Osirwe doubt it not.



BOULT.
MasterI have gone through for this pieceyou see: if you like
herso; if notI have lost my earnest.


BAWD.
Boulthas she any qualities?


BOULT.
She has a good facespeaks welland has excellent clothes:
ther's no further necessity of qualities can make her be refused.


BAWD.
What is her priceBoult?


BOULT.
I cannot be baited one doit of a thousand pieces.


PANDAR.
Wellfollow memy mastersyou shall have your money presently.
Wifetake her in; instruct her what she has to dothat she may
not be raw in her entertainment.


[Exeunt Pandar and Pirates.]


BAWD.
Boulttake you the marks of herthe colour of her hair
complexionheightagewith warrant of her virginity; and cry
'He that will give most shall have her first.' Such a maidenhead
were no cheap thingif men were as they have been. Get this
done as I command you.


BOULT.
Performance shall follow.


[Exit.


MARINA.
Alack that Leonine was so slackso slow!
He should have strucknot spoke; or that these pirates
Not enough barbaroushad not o'erboard thrown me
For to seek my mother!


BARD.
Why lament youpretty one?


MARINA.
That I am pretty.


BAWD.
Comethe gods have done their part in you.


MARINA.
I accuse them not.


BAWD.
You are light into my handswhere you are like to live.


MARINA.
The more my fault
To scape his hands where I was like to die.


BAWD.
Ayand you shall live in pleasure.



MARINA.
No.


BAWD.
Yesindeed shall youand taste gentlemen of all fashions: you
shall fare well; you shall have the difference of all complexions.
What! do you stop your ears?


MARINA.
Are you a woman?


BAWD.
What would you have me bean I be not a woman?


MARINA.
An honest womanor not a woman.


BAWD.
Marrywhip thegosling: I think I shall have something to do
with you. Comeyou're a young foolish saplingand must be bowed
as I would have you.


MARINA.
The gods defend me!


BAWD.
If it please the gods to defend you by menthen men must comfort
youmen must feed youmen must stir you up. Boult's returned.


[Re-enter Boult.]


Nowsirhast thou cried her through the market?


BOULT.
I have cried her almost to the number of her hairs; I have drawn
her picture with my voice.


BAWD.
And I prithee tell mehow dost thou find the inclination of the
peopleespecially of the younger sort?


BOULT.
'Faiththey listened to me as they would have hearkened to their
father's testament. There was a Spaniard's mouth so watered
that he went to bed to her very description.


BAWD.
We shall have him here to-morrow: with his best ruff on.


BOULT.
To-nightto-night. Butmistressdo you know the French knight
that cowers i' the hams?


BAWD.
WhoMonsieur Veroles?


BOULT.
Ayhe: he offered to cut a caper at the proclamation; but he
made a groan at itand swore he would see her to-morrow.


BAWD.
Well. well; as for himhe brought his disease hither: here he
does but repair it. I know he will come in our shadowto



scatter his crowns in the sun.


BOULT.
Wellif we had of every nation a travellerwe should lodge them
with this sign.


[To Marina.]
Pray youcome hither awhile. You have fortunes coming upon you.
Mark me: you must seem to do that fearfully which you commit
willinglydespise profit where you have most gain. To weep that
you live as ye do makes pity in your lovers: seldom but that
pity begets you a good opinionand that opinion a mere profit.


MARINA.
I understand you not.


BOULT.
Otake her homemistresstake her home: these blushes of hers
must be quenched with some present practice.


BAWD.
Thou sayest truei' faith so they must; for your bride goes to
that with shame which is her way to go with warrant.


BOULT.
'Faithsome do and some do not. Butmistressif I have
bargained for the joint-


BAWD.
Thou mayst cut a morsel off the spit.


BOULT.
I may so.


BAWD.
Who should deny it? Come young oneI like the manner of your
garments well.


BOULT.
Ayby my faiththey shall not be changed yet.


BAWD.
Boultspend thou that in the town: report what a sojourner we
have; you'll lose nothing by custom. When nature framed this
pieceshe meant thee a good turn; therefore say what a paragon
she isand thou hast the harvest out of thine own report.


BOULT.
I warrant youmistressthunder shall not so awake the beds of
eels as my giving out her Beauty stir up the lewdly-inclined.
I'll bring home some to-night.


BAWD.
Come your ways; follow me.


MARINA.
If fires be hotknives sharpor waters deep
Untied I still my virgin knot will keep.
Dianaaid my purpose!


BAWD.
What have we to do with Diana? Pray youwill you go with us?


[Exeunt.]



SCENE III. Tarsus. A room in Cleon's house.

[Enter Cleon and Dionyza.]

DIONYZA.
Whyare you foolish? Can it be undone?


CLEON.
ODionyzasuch a piece of slaughter
The sun and moon ne'er look'd upon!


DIONYZA.
I think
You'll turn a child agan.


CLEON.
Were I chief lord of all this spacious world
I'ld give it to undo the deed. 0 lady
Much less in blood than virtueyet a princess
To equal any single crown o' the earth
I' the justice of compare! O villain Leonine!
Whom thou hast poison'd too:
If thou hadst drunk to him't had been a kindness
Becoming well thy fact: what canst thou say
When noble Pericles shall demand his child?


DIONYZA.
That she is dead. Nurses are not the fates
To foster itnor ever to preserve.
She died at night; I'11 say so. Who can cross it?
Unless you play the pious innocent
And for an honest attribute cry out
'She died by foul play.'


CLEON.
Ogo to. Wellwell
Of all the faults beneath the heavensthe gods
Do like this worst.


DIONYZA.
Be one of those that think.
The petty wrens of Tarsus will fly hence
And open this to Pericles. I do shame
To think of what a noble strain you are
And of how coward a spirit.


CLEON.
To such proceeding
Whoever but his approbation added
Though not his prime consenthe did not flow
From honourable sources


DIONYZA.
Be it sothen:
Yet none does knowbut youhow she came dead
Nor none can knowLeonine being gone.
She did distain my childand stood between
Her and her fortunes: none would look on her
But cast their gazes on Marina's face;
Whilst ours was blurted at and held a malkin
Not worth the time of day. It pierced me through;
And though you call my course unnatural



You not your child well lovingyet I find
It greets me as an enterprise of kindness
Perform'd to your sole daughter.


CLEON.
Heavens forgive it!


DIONYZA.
And as for Pericles
What should he say? We wept after her hearse
And yet we mourn: her monument
Is almost finish'dand her epitaphs
In glittering golden characters express
A general praise to herand care in us
At whose expense 'tis done.


CLEON.
Thou art like the harpy
Whichto betraydostwith thine angel's face
Seize with thine eagle's talons.


DIONYZA.
You are like one that superstitiously
Doth swear to the gods that winter kills the flies:
But yet I know you'll do as I advise.


[Exeunt.]


SCENE IV.


[Enter Gowerbefore the monument of Marina at Tarsus.]


GOWER.
Thus time we wasteand longest leagues make short;
Sail seas in cockleshave an wish but for 't;
Makingto take your imagination
From bourn to bournregion to region.
By you being pardon'dwe commit no crime
To use one language in each several clime
Where our scenes seem to live. I do beseech you
To learn of mewho stand i' the gaps to teach you
The stages of our story. Pericles
Is now again thwarting the wayward seas
Attended on by many a lord and knight
To see his daughterall his life's deight.
Old Escaneswhom Helicanus late
Advanced in time to great and high estate.
Is left to govern. Bear you it in mind
Old Helicanus goes along behind
Well-sailing ships and bounteous winds have brought
This king to Tarsus-- think his pilot thought;
So with his steerage shall your thoughts grow on-To
fetch his daughter homewho first is gone.
Like motes and shadows see them move awhile;
Your ears unto your eyes I'll reconcile.


[Dumb Show.]


[Enter Periclesat one doorwith all his train; Cleon and
Dionyzaat the other. Cleon shows Pericles the tomb; whereat
Pericles makes lamentationputs on sackclothand in a
mighty passion departs. Then exeunt Cleon and Dionyza.]



See how belief may suffer by foul show;
This borrow'd passion stands for true old woe;
And Periclesin sorrow all devour'd
With sighs shot through; and biggest tears o'ershower'd
Leaves Tarsus and again embarks. He swears
Never to wash his facenor cut his hairs:
He puts on sackclothand to sea. He bears
A tempestwhich his mortal vessel tears
And yet he rides it out. Now please you wit
The epitaph is for Marina writ
By wicked Dionyza.


[Reads the inscription on Marina's monument.]
'The fairestsweet'stand best lies here
Who wither'd in her spring of year.
She was of Tyrus the king's daughter
On whom foul death hath made this slaughter;
Marina was she call'd; and at her birth
Thetisbeing proudswallow'd some part o' the earth:
Therefore the earthfearing to be o'erflow'd
Hath Thetis' birth-child on the heavens bestow'd:
Wherefore she doesand swears she'll never stint
Make raging battery upon shores of flint.'


No visor does become black villany
So well as soft and tender flattery.
Let Pericles believe his daughter's dead
And bear his courses to be ordered
By Lady Fortune; while our scene must play
His daughter's woe and heavy well-a-day
In her unholy service. Patiencethen
And think you now are all in Mytilene.


[Exit.]


SCENE V. Mytilene. A street before the brothel.


[Enterfrom the brotheltwo Gentlemen.]


FIRST GENTLEMAN.
Did you ever hear the like?


SECOND GENTLEMAN.
Nonor never shall do in such a place as thisshe being once
gone.


FIRST GENTLEMAN.
But to have divinity preached there! did you ever dream of such a
thing?


SECOND GENTLEMAN.
Nono. ComeI am for no more bawdy-houses: shall's go hear the
vestals sing?


FIRST GENTLEMAN.
I'll do any thing now that is virtuous; but I am out of the road
of rutting for ever.


[Exeunt.]


SCENE VI. The same. A room in the brothel.



[Enter PandarBawdand Boult.]


PANDAR.
WellI had rather than twice the worth of her she had ne'er come
here.


BAWD.
Fiefie upon her! she's able to freeze the god Priapusand undo
a whole generation. We must either get her ravishedor be rid of
her. When she should do for clients her fitmentand do me the
kindness of our professionshe has me her quirksher reasons
her master reasonsher prayersher knees; that she would make
a puritan of the devilif he should cheapen a kiss of her.


BOULT.
'FaithI must ravish heror she'll disfurnish us of all our
cavaliersand make our swearers priests.


PANDAR.
Nowthe pox upon her green-sickness for me!


BAWD.
'Faiththere's no way to be rid on't but by the way to the pox.
Here comes the Lord Lysimachus disguised.


BOULT.
We should have both lord and lownif the peevish baggage would
but give way to customers.


[Enter Lysimachus.]


LYSIMACHUS.
How now! How a dozen of virginities?


BAWD.
Nowthe gods to bless your honour!


BOULT.
I am glad to see your honour in good health.


LYSIMACHUS.
You may so; 'tis the better for you that your resorters stand
upon sound legs. How now! wholesome iniquity have you that a
man may deal withaland defy the surgeon?


BAWD.
We have here onesirif she would -- but there never came her
like in Mytilene.


LYSIMACHUS.
If she'ld do the deed of darknessthou wouldst say.


BAWD.
Your honour knows what 'tis to say well enough.


LYSIMACHUS.
Wellcall forthcall forth.


BOULT.
For flesh and bloodsirwhite and redyou shall see a rose;
and she were a rose indeedif she had but -


LYSIMACHUS.
Whatprithee?



BOULT.
OsirI can be modest.


LYSIMACHUS.
That dignifies the renown of a bawdno less than it gives a good
report to a number to be chaste.


[Exit Boult.]


BAWD.
Here comes that which grows to the stalk; never plucked yetI
can assure you.


[Re-enter Boult with Marina.]


Is she not a fair creature?


LYSIMACHUS.
'Faithshe would serve after a long voyage at sea. Wellthere's
for you: leave us.


BAWD.
I beseech your honourgive me leave: a wordand I'll have done
presently.


LYSIMACHUS.
I beseech youdo.


BAWD.
[To Marina.]
FirstI would have you notethis is an honourable man.


MARINA.
I desire to find him sothat I may worthily note him.


BAWD.
Nexthe's the governor of this countryand a man whom I am
bound to.


MARINA.
If he govern the countryyou are bound to him indeed; but how
honourable he is in thatI know not.


BAWD.
Pray youwithout any more virginal fencingwill you use him
kindly? He will line your apron with gold.


MARINA.
What he will do graciouslyI will thankfully receive.


LYSIMACHUS.
Ha' you done?


BAWD.
My lordshe's not paced yet: you must take some pains to work
her to your manage. Comewe will leave his honour and her
together. Go thy ways.


[Exeunt BawdPandarand Boult.]


LYSIMACHUS.
Nowpretty onehow long have you been at this trade?



MARINA.
What tradesir?


LYSIMACHUS.
WhyI cannot name't but I shall offend.


MARINA.
I cannot be offended with my trade. Please you to name it.


LYSIMACHUS.
How long have you been of this profession?


MARINA.
E'er since I can remember?


LYSIMACHUS.
Did you go to't so young? Were you a gamester at five or at
seven?


MARINA.
Earliertoosirif now I be one.


LYSIMACHUS.
Whythe house you dwell in proclaims you to be a creature of
sale.


MARINA.
Do you know this house to be a place of such resortand will
come into 't? I hear say you are of honourable partsand are
the governor of this place.


LYSIMACHUS.
Whyhath your principal made known unto you who I am?


MARINA.
Who is my principal?


LYSIMACHUS.
Whyyour herb-woman; she that sets seeds and roots of shame and
iniquity. Oyou have heard something of my powerand so stand
aloof for more serious wooing. But I protest to theepretty one
my authority shall not see theeor else look friendly upon thee.
Comebring me to some private place: comecome.


MARINA.
If you were born to honourshow it now;
If put upon youmake the judgement good
That thought you worthy of it.


LYSIMACHUS.
How 's this? how 's this? Some more; be sage.


MARINA.
For me
That am a maidthough most ungentle fortune
Have placed me in this stywheresince I came
Diseases have been sold dearer than physic
Othat the gods
Would set me free from this unhallow'd place
Though they did change me to the meanest bird
That flies i' the purer air!


LYSIMACHUS.
I did not think



Thou couldst have spoke so well; ne'er dream'd thou couldst.
Had I brought hither a corrupted mind
Thy speech had alter'd it. Holdhere 's gold for thee:
Persever in that clear way thou goest
And the gods strengthen thee!


MARINA.
The good gods preserve you!


LYSIMACHUS.
For mebe you thoughten
That I came with no ill intent; for to me
The very doors and windows savour vilely.
Fare thee well. Thou art a piece of virtueand
I doubt not but thy training hath been noble.
Holdhere's more gold for thee.
A curse upon himdie he like a thief
That robs thee of thy goodness! If thou dost
Hear from meit shall be for thy good.


[Re-enter Boult.]


BOULT.
I beseech your honourone piece for me.


LYSIMACHUS.
Avauntthou damned door-keeper!
Your house but for this virgin that doth prop it
Would sink and overwhelm you. Away!


[Exit.]


BOULT.
How's this? We must take another course with you. If your peevish
chastitywhich is not worth a breakfast in the cheapest country
under the copeshall undo a whole householdlet me be gelded
like a spaniel. Come your ways.


MARINA.
Whither would you have me?


BOULT.
I must have your maidenhead taken offor the common hangman
shall execute it. Come your ways. We'll have no more
gentlemen driven away. Come your waysI say.


[Re-enter Bawd.]


BAWD.
How now! what's the matter?


BOULT.
Worse and worsemistress; she has here spoken holy words to the
Lord Lysimachus.


BAWD.
O Abominable!


BOULT.
She makes our profession as it were to stink afore the face of
the gods.


BAWD.
Marryhang her up for ever!



BOULT.
The nobleman would have dealt with her like a noblemanand she
sent him away as cold as a snowball; saying his prayers too.


BAWD.
Boulttake her away; use her at thy pleasure: crack the glass of
her virginityand make the rest malleable.


BOULT.
An if she were a thornier piece of ground than she isshe shall
be ploughed.


MARINA.
Harkharkyou gods!


BAWD.
She conjures: away with her! Would she had never come within my
doors! Marryhang you! She's born to undo us. Will you not go
the way of women-kind? Marrycome upmy dish of chastity with
rosemary and bays!


[Exit.]


BOULT.
Comemistress; come your ways with me.


MARINA.
Whither wilt thou have me?


BOULT.
To take from you the jewel you hold so dear.


MARINA.
Pritheetell me one thing first.


BOULT.
Come nowyour one thing.


MARINA.
What canst thou wish thine enemy to be?


BOULT.
WhyI could wish him to he my masteror rathermy mistress.


MARINA.
Neither of these are so had as thou art
Since they do better thee in their command.
Thou hold'st a placefor which the pained'st fiend
Of hell would not in reputation change:
Thou art the damned doorkeeper to every
Coistrel that comes inquiring for his Tib;
To the choleric fisting of every rogue
Thy ear is liablethy food is such
As hath been belch'd on by infected lungs.


BOULT.
What would you have me do? go to the warswould you? where a man
may serve seven years for the loss of a legand have not money
enough in the end to buy him a wooden one?


MARINA.
Do any thing but this thou doest. Empty
Old receptaclesor common shoresof filth;



Serve by indenture to the common hangman:
Any of these ways are yet better than this;
For what thou professesta babooncould he speak
Would own a name too dear. Othat the gods
Would safely deliver me from this place!
Herehere's gold for thee.
If that thy master would gain by me
Proclaim that I can singweavesewand dance
With other virtueswhich I'll keep from boast;
And I will undertake all these to teach.
I doubt not but this populous city will
Yield many scholars.


BOULT.
But can you teach all this you speak of?


MARINA.
Prove that I cannottake me home again
And prostitute me to the basest groom
That doth frequent your house.


BOULT.
WellI will see what I can do for thee: if I can place theeI
will.


MARINA.
But amongst honest women.


BOULT.
'Faithmy acquaintance lies little amongst them. But since my
master and mistress have bought youthere's no going but by
their consent: therefore I will make them acquainted with your
purposeand I doubt not but I shall find them tractable enough.
omeI'll do for thee what I can; come your ways.


[Exeunt.]


ACT V.


[Enter Gower.]


GOWER.
Marina thus the brothel 'scapesand chances
Into an honest houseour story says.
She sings like one immortaland she dances
As goddess-like to her admired lays;
Deep clerks she dumbs; and with her neeld composes
Nature's own shapeof budbirdbranchor berry
That even her art sistrs the natural roses;
Her inklesilktwin with the rubied cherry:
That pupils lacks she none of noble race
Who pour their bounty on her; and her gain
She gives the cursed bawd. Here we her place;
And to her father turn our thoughts again
Where we left himon the sea. We there him lost;
Whencedriven before the windshe is arrived
Here where his daughter dwells; and on this coast
Suppose him now at anchor. The city strived
God Neptune's annual feast to keep: from whence
Lysimachus our Tyrian ship espies
His banners sabletrimm'd with rich expense;
And to him in his barge with fervour hies.
In your supposing once more put your sight



Of heavy Pericles; think this his bark:
Where what is done in actionmoreif might
Shall be discover'd; please yousit and hark.


[Exit.]


SCENE I. On board Pericles' shipoff Mytilene. A close pavilion
on deckwith a curtain before it; Pericles within itreclined
on a couch. A barge lying beside the Tyrian vessel.


[Enter two Sailorsone belonging to the Tyrian vesselthe other
to the barge; to them Helicanus.]


TYRIAN SAILOR.
[To the Sailor of Mytilene.]
Where is lord Helicanus? he can resolve you.
Ohere he is.
Sirthere's a barge put off from Mytilene
And in it is Lysimachus the governor
Who craves to come aboard. What is your will?


HELICANUS.
That he have his. Call up some gentlemen.


TYRIAN SAILOR.
Hogentlemen! my lord calls.


[Enter two or three Gentlemen.]


FIRST GENTLEMAN.
Doth your lordship call?


HELICANUS.
Gentlementhere s some of worth would come aboard;
I pray yegreet them fairly.


[The Gentlemen and the two Sailors descendand go on board the
barge.


Enterfrom thenceLysimachus and Lords; with the Gentlemen and
the two sailors.


TYRIAN SAILOR.
Sir
This is the man that canin aught you would
Resolve you.


LYSIMACHUS.
Hailreverend sir! the gods preserve you!


HELICANUS.
And yousirto outlive the age I am
And die as I would do.


LYSIMACHUS.
You wish me well.
Being on shorehonouring of Neptune's triumphs
Seeing this goodly vessel ride before us
I made to itto know of whence you are.


HELICANUS.
Firstwhat is your place?



LYSIMACHUS.
I am the governor of this place you lie before.


HELICANUS.
Sir
Our vessel is of Tyrein it the king;
A man who for this three months hath not spoken
To any onenor taken sustenance
But to prorogue his grief.


LYSIMACHUS.
Upon what ground is his distemperature?


HELICANUS.
'Twould be too tedious to repeat;
But the main grief springs from the loss
Of a beloved daughter and a wife.


LYSIMACHUS.
May we not see him?


HELICANUS.
You may;
But bootless is your sight: he will not speak
To any.


LYSIMACHUS.
Yet let me obtain my wish.


HELICANUS.
Behold him.
[Pericles discovered.]
This was a goodly person.
Till the disaster thatone mortal night
Drove him to this.


LYSIMACHUS.
Sir kingall hail! the gods preserve you!
Hailroyal sir!


HELICANUS.
It is in vain; he will not speak to you.


FIRST LORD.
Sir
We have a maid in MytileneI durst wager
Would win some words of him.


LYSIMACHUS.
'Tis well bethought.
She questionless with her sweet harmony
And other chosen attractionswould allure
And make a battery through his deafen'd parts
Which now are midway stopp'd:
She is all happy as the fairest of all
Andwith her fellow maidsis now upon
The leafy shelter that abuts against
The island's side.


[Whispers a Lordwho goes off in the barge of Lysimachus.]


HELICANUS.
Sureall's effectless; yet nothing we'll omit
That bears recovery's name. Butsince your kindness



We have stretch'd thus farlet us beseech you
That for our gold we may provision have
Wherein we are not destitute for want
But weary for the staleness.


LYSIMACHUS.
Osira courtesy
Which if we should denythe most just gods
For every graff would send a catepillar
And so afflict our province. Yet once more
Let me entreat to know at large the cause
Of your king's sorrow.


HELICANUS.
SitsirI will recount it to you:
ButseeI am prevented.


[Re-enterfrom the bargeLordwith Marinaand a young Lady.]


LYSIMACHUS.
Ohere is
The lady that I sent for. Welcomefair one!
Is't not a goodly presence?


HELICANUS.
She's a gallant lady.


LYSIMACHUS.
She's such a onethatwere I well assured
Came of a gentle kind and noble stock
I'ld wish no better choiceand think me rarely wed.
Fair oneall goodness that consists in bounty
Expect even herewhere is a kingly patient:
If that thy prosperous and artificial feat
Can draw him but to answer thee in aught
Thy sacred physic shall receive such pay
As thy desires can wish.


MARINA.
SirI will use
My utmost skill in his recovery
Provided
That none but I and my companion maid
Be suffer'd to come near him.


LYSIMACHUS.
Comelet us leave her
And the gods make her prosperous!


[Marina sings.]


LYSIMACHUS.
Mark'd he your music?


MARINA.
Nonor look'd on us


LYSIMACHUS.
Seeshe will speak to him.


MARINA.
Hailsir! my lordlend ear.


PERICLES.



Humha!


MARINA.
I am a maid
My lordthat ne'er before invited eyes
But have been gazed on like a cornet: she speaks
My lordthatmay behath endured a grief
Might equal yoursif both were justly weigh'd.
Though wayward fortune did malign my state
My derivation was from ancestors
Who stood equivalent with mighty kings:
But time hath rooted out my parentage
And to the world and awkward casualties
Bound me in servitude.
[Aside.]
I will desist;
But there is something glows upon my cheek
And whispers in mine ear 'Go not till he speak.'


PERICLES.
My fortunes -- parentage -- good parentage -To
equal mine! -- was it not thus? what say you?


MARINA.
I saidmy lordif you did know my parentage.
You would not do me violence.


PERICLES.
I do think so. Pray youturn your eyes upon me.
You are like something that -- What country-woman?
Here of these shores?


MARINA.
Nonor of any shores:
Yet I was mortally brought forthand am
No other than I appear.


PERICLES.
I am great with woeand shall deliver weeping.
My dearest wife was like this maidand such a one
My daughter might have been: my queen's square brows;
Her stature to an inch; as wand-like straight;
As silver-voiced; her eyes as jewel-like
And cased as richly; in pace another Juno;
Who starves the ears she feedsand makes them hungry
The more she gives them speech. Where do you live?


MARINA.
Where I am but a stranger: from the deck
You may discern the place.


PERICLES.
Where were you bred?
And how achieved you these endowmentswhich
You make more rich to owe?


MARINA.
If I should tell my historyit would seem
Like lies disdain'd in the reporting.


PERICLES.
Pritheespeak:
Falseness cannot come from thee; for thou look'st
Modest as Justiceand thou seem'st a palace



For the crown'd Truth to dwell in: I will believe thee
And make my senses credit thy relation
To points that seem impossible; for thou look'st
Like one I loved indeed. What were thy friends?
Didst thou not saywhen I did push thee back -Which
was when I perceived thee -- that thou earnest
From good descending?


MARINA.
So indeed I did.


PERICLES.
Report thy parentage. I think thou said'st
Thou hadst been toss'd from wrong to injury
And that thou thought'st thy griefs might equal mine
If both were open'd.


MARINA.
Some such thing
I saidand said no more but what my thoughts
Did warrant me was likely.


PERICLES.
Tell thy story;
If thine consider'd prove the thousandth part
Of my endurancethou art a manand I
Have suffer'd like a girl: yet thou dost look
Like Patience gazing on kings' gravesand smiling
Extremity out of act. What were thy friends?
How lost thou them? Thy namemy most kind virgin?
RecountI do beseech thee: comesit by me.


MARINA.
My name is Marina.


PERICLES.
OI am mock'd
And thou by some incensed god sent hither
To make the world to laugh at me.


MARINA.
Patiencegood sir
Or here I'll cease.


PERICLES.
NayI'll be patient.
Thou little know'st how thou dost startle me
To call thyself Marina.


MARINA.
The name
Was given me by one that had some power
My fatherand a king.


PERICLES.
How! a king's daughter?
And call'd Marina?


MARINA.
You said you would believe me;
Butnot to be a troubler of your peace
I will end here.


PERICLES.



But are you flesh and blood?
Have you a working pulse? and are no fairy?
Motion! Well; speak on. Where were you born?
And wherefore call'd Marina?


MARINA.
Call'd Marina
For I was born at sea.


PERICLES.
At sea! what mother?


MARINA.
My mother was the daughter of a king;
Who died the minute I was born
As my good nurse Lychorida hath oft
Deliver'd weeping.


PERICLES.
Ostop there a little!


[Aside.]


This is the rarest dream that e'er dull sleep
Did mock sad fools withal: this cannot be:
My daughter's buried. Well: where were: you bred?
I'll hear you moreto the bottom of your story
And never interrupt you.


MARINA.
You scorn: believe me'twere best I did give o'er.



PERICLES.
I will believe you by the syllable
Of what you shall deliver. Yetgive me leave:
How came you in these parts? where were you bred?


MARINA.
The king my father did in Tarsus leave me;
Till cruel Cleonwith his wicked wife
Did seek to murder me: and having woo'd
A villain to attempt itwho having drawn to do 't
A crew of pirates came and rescued me;
Brought me to Mytilene. Butgood sir.
Whither will you have me? Why do you weep? It may be
You think me an impostor: nogood faith;
I am the daughter to King Pericles
If good King Pericles be.


PERICLES.
HoHelicanus!


HELICANUS.
Calls my lord?


PERICLES.
Thou art a grave and noble counsellor
Most wise in general: tell meif thou canst
What this maid isor what is like to be
That thus hath made me weep?


HELICANUS.
I know not; but



Here is the regentsirof Mytilene
Speaks nobly of her.


LYSIMACHUS.
She would never tell
Her parentage; being demanded that
She would sit still and weep.


PERICLES.
O Helicanusstrike mehonour'd sir;
Give me a gashput me to present pain;
Lest this great sea of joys rushing upon me
O'erbear the shores of my mortality
And drown me with their sweetness. Ocome hither
Thou that beget'st him that did thee beget;
Thou that wast born at seaburied at Tarsus
And found at sea again! O Helicanus
Down on thy kneesthank the holy gods as loud
As thunder threatens us: this is Marina.
What was thy mother's name? tell me but that
For truth can never be confirm'd enough
Though doubts did ever sleep


MARINA.
FirstsirI pray
What is your title?


PERICLES.
I am Pericles of Tyre: but tell me now
My drown'd queen's nameas in the rest you said
Thou hast been godlike perfect
The heir of kingdoms and another like
To Pericles thy father.


MARINA.
Is it no more to be your daughter than
To say my mother's name was Thaisa?
Thaisa was my motherwho did end
The minute I began.


PERICLES.
Nowblessing on thee! rise; thou art my child.
Give me fresh garments. Mine ownHelicanus;
She is not dead at Tarsusas she should have been
By savage Cleon: she shall tell thee all;
When thou shalt kneeland justify in knowledge
She is thy very princess. Who is this?


HELICANUS.
Sir'tis the governor of Mytilene
Whohearing of your melancholy state
Did come to see you.


PERICLES.
I embrace you.
Give me my robes. I am wild in my beholding.
O heavens bless my girl! Butharkwhat music?
Tell Helicanusmy Marinatell him
O'erpoint by pointfor yet he seems to doubt
How sure you are my daughter. Butwhat music?


HELICANUS.
My lordI hear none.



PERICLES.
None!
The music of the spheres! Listmy Marina.


LYSIMACHUS.
It is not good to cross him; give him way


PERICLES.
Rarest sounds! Do ye not hear?


LYSIMACHUS.
My lordI hear.


[Music.]


PERICLES.
Most heavenly music!
It nips me unto listeningand thick slumber
Hangs upon mine eyes: let me rest.


[Sleeps.]


LYSIMACHUS.
A pillow for his head:
Soleave him all. Wellmy companion friends
If this but answer to my just belief
I'll well remember you.


[Exeunt all but Pericles.]


[Diana appears to Pericles as in a vision.]


DIANA.
My temple stands in Ephesus: hie thee thither
And do upon mine altar sacrifice.
Therewhen my maiden priests are met together
Before the people all
Reveal how thou at sea didst lose thy wife:
To mourn thy crosseswith thy daughter'scall
And give them repetition to the life.
Or perform my biddingor thou livest in woe:
Do itand happy; by my silver bow!
Awakeand tell thy dream.


[Disappears.]


PERICLES.
Celestial Diangoddess argentine
I will obey thee. Helicanus!


[Re-enter HelicanusLysimachusand Marina.]


HELICANUS.
Sir?


PERICLES.
My purpose was for Tarsusthere to strike
The inhospitable Cleon; but I am
For other service first: toward Ephesus
Turn our blown sails; eftsoons I'll tell thee why


[To Lysimachus.]


Shall we refresh ussirupon your shore



And give you gold for such provision
As our intents will need?


LYSIMACHUS.
Sir
With all my heart; and when you come ashore
I have another suit.


PERICLES.
You shall prevail
Were you to woo my daughter; for it seems
You have been noble towards her.


LYSIMACHUS.
Sirlend me your arm.


PERICLES.
Comemy Marina.


[Exeunt.]


SCENE II. Enter Gowerbefore the temple of Diana at Ephesus.


GOWER.
Now our sands are almost run;
More a littleand then dumb.
Thismy last boongive me
For such kindness must relieve me
That you aptly will suppose
What pageantrywhat featswhat shows
What minstrelsyand pretty din
The regent made in Mytilene
To greet the king. So he thrived
That he is promised to be wived
To fair Marina; but in no wise
Till he had done his sacrifice
As Dian bade: whereto being bound
The interimpray youall confound.
In feather'd briefness sails are fill'd
And wishes fall out as they're will'd.
At Ephesusthe temple see
Cur king and all his company.
That he can hither come so soon
Is by your fancy's thankful doom.


[Exit.]


SCENE III. The temple of Diana at Ephesus; Thaisa standing near
the altaras high priestess; a number of Virgins on each side;
Cerimon and other inhabitants of Ephesus attending.


[Enter Pericleswith his train; LysimachusHelicanusMarina
and a Lady.]


PERICLES.
HailDian! to perform thy just command
I here confess myself the king of Tyre;
Whofrighted from my countrydid wed
At Pentapolis the fair Thaisa.
At sea in childbed died shebut brought forth
A maid-child call'd Marina; whoO goddess
Wears yet thy silver livery. She at Tarsus



Was nursed with Cleon; who at fourteen years
He sought to murder: but her better stars
Brought her to Mytilene; 'gainst whose shore
Ridingher fortunes brought the maid aboard us
Where by her own most clear remembranceshe
Made known herself my daughter.


THAISA.
Voice and favour!
You areyou are -- O royal Pericles!


[Faints.]


PERICLES.
What means the nun? she dies! helpgentlemen!


CERIMON.
Noble sir
If you have told Diana's altar true
This is your wife.


PERICLES.
Reverend appearerno;
I threw her overboard with these very arms.


CERIMON.
Upon this coastI warrant you.


PERICLES.
'Tis most certain.


CERIMON.
Look to the lady; Oshe's but o'er-joy'd.
Early in blustering morn this lady was
Thrown upon this shore. I oped the coffin
Found there rich jewels; recover'd herand placed her
Here in Diana's temple.


PERICLES.
May we see them?


CERIMON.
Great sirthey shall be brought you to my house
Whither I invite you. LookThaisa is
Recovered.


THAISA.
Olet me look!
If he be none of minemy sanctity
Will to my sense bend no licentious ear
But curb itspite of seeing. Omy lord
Are you not Pericles? Like him you spake
Like him you are: did you not name a tempest
A birthand death?


PERICLES.
The voice of dead Thaisa!


THAISA.
That Thaisa am Isupposed dead
And drown'd.


PERICLES.
Immortal Dian!



THAISA.
Now I know you better
When we with tears parted Pentapolis
The king my father gave you such a ring.


[Shows a ring.]


PERICLES.
Thisthis: no moreyou gods! your present kindness
Makes my past miseries sports: you shall do well
That on the touching of her lips I may
Melt and no more be seen. Ocomebe buried
A second time within these arms.


MARINA.
My heart
Leaps to be gone into my mother's bosom.


[Kneels to Thaisa.]


PERICLES.
Lookwho kneels here! Flesh of thy fleshThaisa;
Thy burden at the seaand call'd Marina
For she was yielded there.


THAISA.
Blestand mine own!


HELICANUS.
Hailmadamand my queen!


THAISA.
I know you not.


PERICLES.
You have heard me saywhen did fly from Tyre
I left behind an ancient substitute:
Can you remember what I call'd the man
I have named him oft.


THAISA.
'Twas Helicanus then.


PERICLES.
Still confirmation:
Embrace himdear Thaisa; this is he.
Now do I long to hear how you were found:
How possibly preserved; and who to thank
Besides the godsfor this great miracle.


THAISA.
Lord Cerimonmy lord; this man
Through whom the gods have shown their power; that can
From first to last resolve you.


PERICLES.
Reverend sir
The gods can have no mortal officer
More like a god than you. Will you deliver
How this dead queen re-lives?


CERIMON.
I willmy lord



Beseech youfirst go with me to my house
Where shall be shown you all was found with her;
How she came placed here in the temple;
No needful thing omitted.


PERICLES.
Pure Dianbless thee for thy vision! I
Will offer night-oblations to thee. Thaisa
This princethe fair-betrothed of your daughter
Shall marry her at Pentapolis. And now
This ornament
Makes me look dismal will I clip to form;
And what this fourteen years no razor touch'd
To grace thy marriage-dayI'll beautify.


THAISA.
Lord Cerimon hath letters of good creditsir
My father's dead.


PERICLES.
Heavens make a star of him! Yet theremy queen
We'll celebrate their nuptialsand ourselves
Will in that kingdom spend our following days:
Our son and daughter shall in Tyrus reign.
Lord Cerimonwe do our longing stay
To hear the rest untold: sirlead's the way.


[Exeunt.]


[Enter Gower.]


GOWER.
In Antiochus and his daughter you have heard
Of monstrous lust the due and just reward:
In Pericleshis queen and daughterseen
Although assail'd with fortune fierce and keen
Virtue preserved from fell destruction's blast
Led on by heavenand crown'd with joy at last:
In Helicanus may you well descry
A figure of truthof faithof loyalty:
In reverend Cerimon there well appears
The worth that learned charity aye wears:
For wicked Cleon and his wifewhen fame
Had spread their cursed deedand honour'd name
Of Periclesto rage the city turn
That him and his they in his palace burn;
The gods for murder seemed so content
To punish them although not done but meant.
Soon your patence evermore attending
New joy wait on you! Here our play has ending.


[Exit.]