They may awake their helps to comfort them. Cle. This Tharsus, o'er which I have government, A city on whom Plenty held full hand, (For riches strewed herself even in the streets,) Whose towers bore heads so high, they kissed the clouds, And strangers ne'er beheld, but wondered at; Cle. But see what Heaven can do! By this our change, These mouths, whom but of late, earth, sea, and air, Although they gave their creatures in abundance, They are now starved for want of exercise. Those palates, who, not yet two summers younger,2 1 To jet is to strut, to walk proudly. 2 The old copy has: 66 who not yet too savers younger." The emendation was proposed by Mason. 3 Thus in New Custom; Dodsley's Old Plays, vol. i. p. 284:— "Borne to all wickedness, and nusled in all evil." So Spenser, Faerie Queene, i. vi. 23:— "Whom, till to ryper years he gan aspyre, He nousled up in life and manners wilde." Here stands a lord, and there a lady weeping; Dio. Our cheeks and hollow eyes do witness it. With their superfluous riots, hear these tears! Speak out thy sorrows which thou bring'st, in haste, Lord. We have descried, upon our neighboring shore, A portly sail of ships make hitherward. Cle. I thought as much. One sorrow never comes, but brings an heir, That may succeed as his inheritor; And so in ours. Some neighboring nation, Taking advantage of our misery, Hath stuffed these hollow vessels with their power,1 3 Whereas no glory's got to overcome. Lord. That's the least fear; for, by the semblance Of their white flags displayed, they bring us peace, And come to us as favorers, not as foes. 4 Cle. Thou speak'st like him untutored to repeat, 1 By power is meant forces. 2 A letter has been probably dropped at press: we may read, "of unhappy men." 3 It has been already observed, that whereas was sometimes used for where; as well as the converse, where for whereas. 4 The quarto of 1609 reads: "Thou speak'st like himnes untutored to repeat." The ground's the low'st, and we are half way there.' Go tell their general, we attend him here, To know for what he comes, and whence he comes, And what he craves. Lord. I go, my lord. [Exit. Cle. Welcome is peace, if he on peace consist; If wars, we are unable to resist. Enter PERICLES, with Attendants. Per. Lord governor,-for so we hear you are,— 2 Are stored with corn, to make your needy bread, And we'll pray for you. Per. 1 The quarto of 1619 reads: "But bring they what they will, and what they can, The ground's the low'st, and we are halfway there." 2 i. e. if he rest or stand on peace. 3 The old copy reads: 'And these our ships you happily may think Are like the Trojan horse, was stuffed within The emendation is Steevens's. Till when (the which, I hope, shall ne'er be seen,) while, Until our stars, that frown, lend us a smile. [Exeunt. 14 ACT II. Enter GOWER. Gow. Here have you seen a mighty king His child, I wis, to incest bring; A better prince, and benign lord, Prove awful both in deed and word.1 Be quiet, then, as men should be, 3 Are brought your eyes; what need speak I? Dumb Show. Enter, at one door, PERICLES, talking with CLEON; 1 i. e. you have seen a better prince, &c. that will prove awful," i. e. 2 "The good prince (on whom I bestow my best wishes) is still engaged 1 Gentleman, with a letter to PERICLES; PERICLES shows the letter to CLEON; then gives the Messenger a reward, and knights him. Exeunt PERICLES, CLEON, &c. severally. Gow. Good Helicane, that staid at home,' From others' labors; for though he strive Where when men been, there's seldom ease; Should house him safe, is wrecked and split; All perishen of man, of pelf, Ne aught escapen but himself; Threw him ashore, to give him glad; And here he comes: what shall be next,— Pardon old Gower; this 'longs the text. [Exit. SCENE I. Pentapolis. An open Place by the Sea-side. Enter PERICLES, wet. Per. Yet cease your ire, ye angry stars of heaven! Wind, rain, and thunder, remember, earthly man 1 Thus the old copy. Steevens reads:— "Good Helicane hath staid at home." 2 Old copy:-"Saved one of all," &c. The emendation is Steevens's. |