1 Fish. Ay, sir; and he deserves to be so call'd, for his peaceable reign, and good government. Per. He is a happy king, since he gains from his subjects the name of good by his government. far is his court distant from this shore? How 1 Fish. Marry, sir, half a day's journey: and I'll tell you, he hath a fair daughter, and to-morrow is her birth-day; and there are princes and knights come from all parts of the world, to joust and tourney for her love. Per. Were my fortunes equal to my desires, I could wish to make one there. 1 Fish. O, sir, things must be as they may; and what a man cannot get, he may lawfully deal for [ ] his wife's soul. The two Fishermen return, drawing up a net. 2 Fish. Help, master, help! here's a fish hangs in the net, like a poor man's right in the law; 'twill hardly come out. Ha! bots on Ha! bots on 't; 'tis come at last, and 'tis turn'd to a rusty armour. Per. An armour, friends! I pray you, let me see it. Thanks, fortune, yet, that after all crosses Thou giv'st me somewhat to repair myself: And though it was mine own, part of mine herit age, Which my dead father did bequeath to me, With this strict charge, (even as he left his life :) 66 Keep it, my Pericles, it hath been a shield "Twixt me and death;" (and pointed to this brace) "For that it sav'd me, keep it; in like necessity, (The which the gods protect thee from!) it may defend thee." It kept where I kept, I so dearly lov'd it, Till the rough seas, that spare not any man, Took it in rage; though, calm'd, have given 't again. Per. To beg of you, kind friends, this coat of worth, For it was sometime target to a king; I know it by this mark. He lov'd me dearly, And that you'd guide me to your sovereign's Court, And if that ever my low fortunes better, I'll pay your bounties; till then, rest your debtor. 1 Fish. Why, wilt thou tourney for the lady? Per. I'll shew the virtue I have borne in arms. 1 Fish. Why, do ye take it; and the gods give thee good on 't! 2 Fish. Ay, but hark you, my friend; 'twas we that made up this garment through the rough seams of the waters: there are certain condolements, certain vails. I hope, sir, if you thrive, you'll remember from whence you had it. Per. Believe it, I will. By your furtherance I am cloth'd in steel; And spite of all the rapture of the sea, 2 Fish. We'll sure provide: thou shalt have my best gown to make thee a pair; and I'll bring thee to the Court myself. Per. Then honour be but a goal to my will ! This day I'll rise, or else add ill to ill. [Exeunt. SCENE II. The Same. A Platform leading to the Lists. A Pavilion near it for the reception of the King, Princess, Ladies, Lords, &c. Enter SIMONIDES, THAISA, Lords, and Attendants. Simonides. Are the knights ready to begin the triumph? 1 Lord. They are, my liege; And stay your coming to present themselves. Sim. Return them, we are ready; and our daughter, In honour of whose birth these triumphs are, Sits here, like Beauty's child, whom Nature gat press My commendations great, whose merit 's less. Sim. 'Tis fit it should be so; for princes are Thai. Which, to preserve mine honour, I'll perform. Enter a Knight: he passes over, and his Squire presents his shield to the Princess. Sim. Who Who is the first that doth prefer himself? Thai. A knight of Sparta, my renowned father; And the device he bears upon his shield Sim. He loves you well that holds his life of you. [The second Knight passes over. Who is the second that presents himself? Thai. A prince of Macedon, my royal father; And the device he bears upon his shield Is an arm'd knight that's conquer'd by a lady: The motto thus, in Spanish, Piu por dulzura que por [The third Knight passes over. fuerza. The third of Antioch; Sim. And what's the third? [The fourth Knight passes over. Sim. What is the fourth? Thai. A burning torch that's turned upside down; The word, Quod me alit, me extinguit. Sim. Which shews that beauty hath his power and will, Which can as well inflame as it can kill. [The fifth Knight passes over. Thai. The fifth, a hand environed with clouds, Holding out gold that's by the touchstone tried; The motto thus, Sic spectanda fides. [The sixth Knight passes over. Sim. And what's the sixth and last, the which the knight himself With such a graceful courtesy deliver'd? Thai. He seems to be a stranger; but his pres ent is A wither'd branch that's only green at top: The motto, In hac spe vivo. Sim. A pretty moral: From the dejected state wherein he is, He hopes by you his fortunes yet may flourish. 1 Lord. He had need mean better than his out ward shew Can any way speak in his just commend; For by his rusty outside he appears To have practis'd more the whipstock than the lance. 2 Lord. He well may be a stranger, for he comes To an honour'd triumph strangely furnished. 3 Lord. And on set purpose let his armour rust Until this day, to scour it in the dust. Sim. Opinion's but a fool, that makes us scan The outward habit by the inward man. But stay, the knights are coming: we'll withdraw [Exeunt. [Great shouts within, and all cry, The mean knight! SCENE III. The Same. A Hall of State. A Banquet pre pared. Enter SIMONIDES, THAISA, Ladies, Lords, Knights, and Attendants. Sim. Knights, To say you are welcome were superfluous. To place upon the volume of your deeds, As in a title-page, your worth in arms, Were more than you expect, or more than's fit, You are princes and my guests. Thai. But you, my knight and guest; |