He has done no more than other knights have done; Broken a staff, or so; so let it pass. Thai. To me he seems like diamond to glass. Per. Yon king's to me, like to my father's picture, Which tells me, in that glory once he was; Had princes sit, like stars, about his throne, And he the sun, for them to reverence. None that beheld him, but, like lesser lights, Did vail their crowns to his supremacy; Where now his son's a glow worm in the night, The which hath fire in darkness, none in light; Whereby I see that time's the king of men, For he's their parent, and he is their grave, And gives them what he will, not what they crave. Sim. What, are you merry, knights? 1 Knight. Who can be other, in this royal presence? Sim. Here, with a cup that's stor'd unto the brim (As you do love, fill to your mistress' lips), We drink this health to you. Knights. Sim. Yet pause a while; We thank your grace. Yon knight, methinks, doth sit too melancholy, Had not a show might countervail his worth. Thai. To me, my father? What is it Sim. O, attend, my daughter; Princes, in this, should live like gods above, Who freely give to every one that comes To honour them: and princes, not doing so, Are like to gnats, which make a sound, but kill'd Are wonder'd at. Therefore to make's entrance more sweet, here say, We drink this standing bowl of wine to him. Thai. Alas, my father, it befits not me, Unto a stranger knight to be so bold; * Lower. He may my proffer take for an offence, Since men take women's gifts for impudence. Do as I bid you, or you'll move me else. Thai. Now, by the gods, he could not please me better. [Aside. Sim. And further tell him, we desire to know, Of whence he is, his name and parentage. Thai. The king my father, sir, has drunk to you. Per. I thank him. Thai. Wishing it so much blood unto your life. Per. I thank both him and you, and pledge him freely. you, Thai. And further he desires to know of Per. A gentleman of Tyre-(my name, Pericles; A gentleman of Tyre, who only by Misfortune of the seas has been bereft Of ships and men, and cast upon this shore. And will awake him from his melancholy. [The Knights dance. So, this was well ask'd, 'twas so well perform'd. Come, sir; Here is a lady that wants breathing too : * Prepared for combat. And I have often heard, you knights of Tyre And that their measures* are as excellent. Per. In those that practise them, they are, my lord. Sim. O, that's as much, as you would be deny'd [The Knights and ladies dance. Of your fair courtesy.-Unclasp, unclasp; Thanks, gentlemen, to all; all have done well, These knights unto their several lodgings: Yours, sir, Sim. Princes, it is too late to talk of love, [Exeunt. SCENE IV. Tyre. A room in the Governor's house. Enter Helicanus and Escanes. Hel. No, no, my Escanes; know this of me,Antiochus from incest liv'd not free; For which, the most high gods not minding longer Even in the height and pride of all his glory, A fire from heaven came, and shrivel'd up Their bodies, even to loathing; for they so stunk, • Dances. That all those eyes ador'd them*, ere their fall, Hel. And yet but just; for though This king were great, his greatness was no guard To bar heaven's shaft, but sin had his reward. Esca. 'Tis very true. Enter three Lords. 1 Lord. See, not a man in private conference, Or council, has respect with him but he. 2 Lord. It shall no longer grieve without reproof. 3 Lord. Follow me then: Lord Helicane, a word. Hel. With me? and welcome: Happy day, my lords. 1 Lord. Know that our griefs are risen to the top, And now at length they overflow their banks. Hel. Your griefs, for what? wrong not the prince you love. 1 Lord. Wrong not yourself then, noble Helicane; But if the prince do live, let us salute him, Or know what ground's made happy by his breath. If in the world he live, we'll seek him out; If in his grave he rest, we'll find him there; And be resolv'dt, he lives to govern us, Or dead, gives cause to mourn his funeral, And leaves us to our free election. 2 Lord. Whose death's, indeed, the strongest in our censure: And knowing this kingdom, if without a head (Like goodly buildings left without a roof), Will soon to ruin fall, your ǹnoble self, That best know'st how to rule, and how to reign, We thus submit unto,-our sovereign. All. Live, noble Helicane! Hel. Try honour's cause, forbear your suffrages: Which adored them. + Satisfied. If that you love prince Pericles, forbear. Where's hourly trouble for a minute's ease. I shall with aged patience bear your yoke. Go search like noblemen, like noble subjects, You shall like diamonds sit about his crown. 1 Lord. To wisdom he's a fool that will not yield; And, since lord Helicane enjoineth us, We with our travels will endeavour it. Hel. Then you love us, we you, and we'll clasp hands; When peers thus knit, a kingdom ever stands. SCENE V. [Exeunt. Pentapolis. A room in the palace. Enter Simonides, reading a letter, the Knights meet him. 1 Knight. Good morrow to the good Simonides. Sim. Knights, from my daughter this I let you know, That for this twelvemonth, she'll not undertake Her reason to herself is only known, Which from herself by no means can I get. 2 Knight. May we not get access to her, my lord? Sim. 'Faith, by no means; she hath so strictly tied her |