Cym. Well, My peace we will begin:-and, Caius Lucius, To pay our wonted tribute, from the which Whom heavens, in justice, (both on her and hers,) Sooth. The fingers of the powers above do tune The harmony of this peace. The vision Which I made known to Lucius ere the stroke Of this yet scarce-cold battle, at this instant Is full accomplish'd: for the Roman eagle, From south to west on wing soaring aloft, Lessen'd herself, and in the beams o' the sun To sing a song of old was sung, To glad your ear, and please your eyes. On ember-eves, and holy-ales; And lords and ladies of their lives Have read it for restoratives: If you, born in these latter times, When wit's more ripe, accept my rhymes, (I tell you what mine authors say):- SCENE I.-ANTIOCH. A Room in the Palace. Enter ANTIOCHUS, PERICLES, and Attendants. Ant. Young prince of Tyre, you have at large received The danger of the task you undertake. Per. I have, Antiochus; and, with a soul Embolden'd with the glory of her praise, Think death no hazard in this enterprise. [Music Ant. Bring in our daughter, clothed like a bride, At whose conception, (till Lucina reign'd,) Enter the Daughter of ANTIOCHUS. Per. See, where she comes, apparell'd like the spring Graces her subjects, and her thoughts the king Of every virtue gives renown to men! Her face the book of praises, where is read Ye gods, that made me man, and sway in love, Per. That would be son to great Antiochus. Tell thee with speechless tongues, and semblance pale For going on death's net, whom none resist. Per. Antiochus, I thank thee, who hath taught My frail mortality to know itself, And by those fearful objects to prepare [To the Daughter of ANTIOCHUS. Ant. Read the conclusion, then; Which read and not expounded, 'tis decreed, As these before thee, thou thyself shalt bleed. Daugh. In all, save that, mayst thou prove pros In all, save that, I wish thee happiness! [perous! Per. Like a bold champion, I assume the lists, Nor ask advice of any other thought But faithfulness and courage. "I am no viper, yet I feed [Reads the riddle. On mother's flesh, which did me breed: Sharp physic is the last: but, O you powers! [Takes hold of the hand of the Princess. Would draw heaven down, and all the gods, to hearken; Good sooth, I care not for you. Ant. Prince Pericles, touch not, upon thy life, Your time's expired; Per. Great king, Few love to hear the sins they love to act; Ant. [Aside.] Heaven, that I had thy head! he has found the meaning: [Tyre, But I will gloze with him.-[Aloud.] Young prince of [Exeunt ANTIOCHUS, his Daughter, and Per. How courtesy would seem to cover sin, Then were it certain you were not so bad, Where now you're both a father and a son, And both like serpents are, who though they feed [Exit. SCENE II.-TYRE. A Room in the Palace. In the day's glorious walk, or peaceful night, 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'll o'erspread the land, (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. 1 Lord. Joy and all comfort in your sacred breast! 2 Lord. And keep your mind till you return to us, Peaceful and comfortable! [tongue. Hel. Peace, peace, my lords, and give experience To which that breath gives heat and stronger glowing; Per. If there be such a dart in princes' frowns, Hel. How dare the plants look up to heaven, from They have their nourishment? Per. Thou know'st I have power To take thy life. Hel. I have ground the axe myself; Do you but strike the blow. Per. Rise, pr'ythee, rise; Sit down, sit down; thou art no flatterer: I thank thee for it; and high heaven forbid [whence That kings should let their ears hear their faults hid! Who by thy wisdom mak'st a prince thy servant, Hel. With patience bear Buch griefs as you do lay upon yourself. Per. Thou speak'st like a physician, Helicanus, That thou wouldst tremble to receive thyself. Where, as thou know'st, against the face of death, Who seem'd my good protector: and being here, Hel. Alas, Sir! [cheeks, Per. Drew sleep out of mine eyes, blood from my Musings into my mind, a 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. Hel. Well, my lord, since you have given me leave Freely I'll speak. Antiochus you fear, [to speak, And justly too, I think, yon fear the tyrant, Who either by public war, or private treason, Will take away your life. Therefore, my lord, go travel for a while, Till that his rage and anger be forgot, Or 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. But should he wrong my liberties in absence?- Per. Tyre, I now look from thee then, and to Tharsus On thee I lay, whose wisdom's strength can bear it. But in our orbs we'll live so sound and safe, [Exeunt SUENE III.-TYRE. An Ante-chamber in the Palace Enter THALIARD. Thal. So, this is Tyre, and this is the court. Here must I kill king Pericles; and if I do not, I am sure to be hanged at home: 'tis dangerous.-Well, I perceive he was a wise fellow, and had good discretion, that, being bid to ask what he would of the king, desired he might know none of his secrets: now do I see he had some reason for it; for if a king bid a man be a villain, he is bound by the indenture of his oath to be one.Hush! here come the lords of Tyre. Enter HELICANUS, ESCANES, and other Lords. Thal. [Aside.] What from Antioch? Hel. 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 shew his sorrow, would correct himself; With whom each minute threatens life or death. I shall not be hang'd now, although I would; With message unto princely Pericles; But since my landing, as I have understood, SCENE IV.-THARSUS. A Room in the Governor's Enter CLEON, DIONYZA, and Attendants. Dio. That were to blow at fire in hope to quench it; Who wanteth food, and will not say he wants it, Cle. This Tharsus o'er which I have government, Cle. But see what heaven can do! By this our Lange These mouths, whom but of late, earth, sea, and air, Were all too little to content and please, Although they gave their creatures in abundancu As nouses are defiled for want of use, Dio. Our cheeks and hollow eyes do witness it. Cle. O, let those cities, that of plenty's cup And her prosperities so largely taste, With their superfluous riots, hear these tears! Enter a Lord. Lord. Where's the lord governor? Speak out thy sorrows which thou bring'st, in haste, Lord. We have descried, upon our neighbouring shore, A portly sail of ships make hitherward. Cle. thought as much. One sorrow never comes, but brings an heir And so in ours: some neighbouring nation, Hath stuff'd these hollow vessels with their power, Lord. That's the least fear; for, by the semblance Of their white flags display'd, they bring us peace, And come to us as favourers, not as foes. Cle. Thou speak'st like him's untutor'd to repeat: To know for what he comes, and whence he comes, Lord. I go, my lord. 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, 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 ships you happily may think Are, like the Trojan horse, war-stuff'd within With bloody views, expecting overthrow, Are stored with corn to make your needy bread, [Exit. And give them life who are hunger-starved, half dead. All. [Kneeling.] The gods of Greece protect you! And we'll pray for you. Per. Rise, I pray you, rise; We do not look for reverence, but for love, Per. Which welcome we'll accept; feast here a wh Until our stars that frown lend us a smile. ACT II. Enter GOWER. [Exeunt. Gow. Here have you seen a mighty king I'll shew you those in troubles reign, (To whom I give my benison,) But tidings to the contrary Are brought your eyes; what need speak I? DUMB SHOW. Enter, at one door, PERICLES, talking with CLEON; all the train with them. Enter, at another door, a Gentleman with a letter to PERICLES; PERICLES shews the letter to CLEON; then gives the Messenger a reward, and knights him. Exeunt PERICLES, CLEON, dc., severally. Gow. Good Helicane hath stay'd at home, From others' labours; forth he strive And, to fulfil his prince' desire, Sends word of all that haps in Tyre: How Thaliard came full bent with sin And hid intent to murder him; And that in Tharsus was not best Should house him safe, is wreck'd and split; Ne aught escapen but himself; 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 Is but a substance that must yield to you; And I, as fits my nature, do obey you: Alas, the sea hath cast me on the rocks, Wash'd me from shore to shore, and left me breath 1 Fish. What, ho, Pilche! 2 Fish. Ho! come, and bring away the nets. 1 Fish. What Patch-breech, I say! 3 Fish. What say you, master? 1 Fish. Look how thou stirrest now! come away, o I'll fetch thee with a wannion. 3 Fish. 'Faith, master, I am thinking of the poor men that were cast away before us even now. 1 Fish. Alas, poor souls, it grieved my heart to hear what pitiful cries they made to us to help them, when, well-a-day, we could scarce help ourselves. 3 Fish. Nay, master, said not I as much, when I saw the porpus, how he bounced and tumbled? they say they are half fish, half flesh: a plague on them! they ne'er come, but I look to be washed. Master, I marvel how the fishes live in the sea. 1 Fish. Why, as 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 tumbles, driving the poor fry before him, and at last devours them all at a mouthful. Such whales have I heard on a' the land, who never leave gaping till they've swallowed the whole parish, church, steeple, bells, and all. Per. [Aside.] A pretty moral. 3 Fish. But, master, if I had been the sexton, I would have been that day in the belfry. For it was sometime target to a king; Per. [Aside.] How from the finny subject of the sea These fishers tell the infirmities of men; And from their watery empire recollect All that may men approve, or men detect![Aloud] Peace be at your labour, honest fishermen. 2 Fish. Honest! good fellow, what's that? if it be a day fits you, scratch it out of the calendar, and nobody will look after it. Per. Nay, see, the sea hath cast upon your coast2 Fish. What a drunken knave was the sea, to cast thee in our way! Per. A man whom both the waters and the wind, 1 Fish. No, friend, cannot you beg? here's them in our country of Greece, gets more with begging than we can do with working. 2 Fish. Canst thou catch any fishes then? Per. I never practised it. 2 Fish. Nay, then thou wilt starve sure; for here's nothing to be got now-a-days, unless thou canst fish for 't. Per. What I have been, I have forgot to know; 1 Fish. Die quoth-a? Now gods forbid! I have a gown here; come, put it on; keep thee warm. Now, afore me, a handsome fellow! Come, thou shalt go home, and we'll have flesh for holidays, fish for fastingdays, and moreo'er puddings and flap-jacks; and thou shalt be welcome. Per. I thank you, Sir. 2 Fish. Hark you, my friend, you said you could not beg. Per. I did but crave. 2 Fish. But crave? Then I'll turn craver too, and so I shall scape whipping. Per. Why, are all your beggars whipped then? 2 Fish. O, not all, my friend, not all; for if all your beggars were whipped, I would wish no better office than to be beadle.But, master, I'll go draw up the net. [Exeunt two of the Fishermen. Per. [Aside.] How well this honest mirth becomes their labour! 1 Fish. Hark you, Sir; do you know where you are? Per. Not well. 1 Fish. Why, I'll tell you: this is called Pentapolis, and our king, the good Simonides. Per. The good king Simonides, do you call him? 1 Fish. Ay, Sir; and he deserves to be so called, for his peaceable reign and good government. Per. He is a happy king, since from his subjects He gains the name of good by his government. How far is his court distans from this shore? 1 Fish. Marry, Sir, half a day's journey: and I'll tell you, he hath a fair daughter, and to-morrow is her birthday; and there are princes and knights come from all parts of the world, to just and tourney for her love. Per. Did but my fortunes equal my desires, I'd 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. Re-enter the two Fishermen, 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 't, 'tis come at last, and 'tis turned to a rusty armour. Per. An armour, friends! I pray you, let me see it. Thanks, fortune, yet, that after all my crosses, Thou giv'st me somewhat to repair myself; And, though it was mine own, part of mine heritage, Which my dead father did bequeath to me, With this strict charge, (even as he left his life,) "Keep it, my Pericles; it hath been a shield "Twixt me and death ;"-and pointed to this brace;"For that it saved me, keep it; in like necessity, Which gods protect thee from! it may defend thee." It kept where I kept, I so dearly loved it; Till the rough seas, that spare not any man, Took it in rage, though calm'd, they give't again: I thank thee for 't: my shipwreck 's now no ill, Since I have here my father's gift by will 1 Fish. What mean you, Sir? Per To beg of you, kind friends, this coat of worth, I know it by this mark. He loved me dearly, 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 veils. I hope, Sir, if you thrive, you'll remember from whence you had it. Per. Believe't, I will. Now, by your furtherance, I am clothed in steel; 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 Public Way or Platform And stay your coming to present themselves. [Ezit a Lord. Thai. It pleaseth you, my father, to express My commendations great, whose merit's less. Sim. 'Tis fit it should be so; for princes are A model, which heaven makes like to itself: As jewels lose their glory if neglected, So princes their renown, if not respected. 'Tis now your honour, daughter, to explain The labour of each knight in his device. Thai. Which, to preserve mine honour, I'll perform Enter a Knight; he passes over the stage, and his Squire presents his shield to the Princess. Sim. Who is the first that doth prefer himself? Thai. A knight of Sparta, my renowned father; And the devise he bears upon his shield Is a black Æthiop, reaching at the sun; The word, Lux tua vita mihi. Sim. He loves you well that holds his life of you. [The second Knight passe 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 per dulçura que per [The third Knight passes. fuerça. Sim. And what's the third? Thai. The third of Antioch; And his device a wreath of chivalry; The word, Me pompa provexit aper. Sim. What is the fourth? [The fourth Knight passss Thai. A burning torch, that's turn'd upside down; The word, Quod me alit, me extinguit. Sim. Which shews that beauty hath his power and Which can as well inflame as it can kill. [will, [The fifth Knight passes. 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. Sim. And what's the sixth and last, which the knight With such a graceful courtesy deliver'd? [himsel Thai. He seems a stranger; but his present 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 |