Mar. I am a maid, My lord, that ne'er before invited eyes, But have been gazed on, comet-like: she speaks, [MARINA sings. Who stood equivalent with mighty kings: Per. I do think so. I pray you, turn your eyes again upon me. You are like something that-What country woman? Mar. No, nor of any shores: Yet I was mortally brought forth, and am No other than I appear. Per. I am great with woe, and shall deliver weeping. My dearest wife was like this maid, and such a one [Aside. My daughter might have been my queen's square brows; As silver-voiced; her eyes as jewel-like, And cased as richly: in pace another Juno; Who starves the ears she feeds, and makes them hungry, The more she gives them speech.-Where do you live? You may discern the place. Per. Where were you bred? And how achieved you these endowments, which Mar. Should I tell my history, "Twould seem like lies disdain'd in the reporting. Per. Pr'ythee speak; Falseness cannot come from thee, for thou look'st * Adverse. VOL. V. E † Possess. Modest as justice, and thou seem'st a palace For the crown'd truth to dwell in: I'll believe thee, To points that seem impossible; for thou look'st Mar. So indeed I did. Per. Report thy parentage. I think thou said'st And that thou thought'st thy griefs might equal mine, Mar. Some such thing indeed I said, and said no more but what my thoughts Per. Tell thy story; If thine consider'd prove the thousandth part Of my endurance, thou art a man, and I Have suffer'd like a girl: yet thou dost look Like Patience, gazing on kings' graves, and smiling Extremity out of act.* What were thy friends? How lost thou them? Thy name, my most kind virgin? Recount, I do beseech thee; come, sit by me. Mar. My name, Sir, is Marina. Per. O, I am mock'd, And thou by some incensed god sent hither To make the world laugh at me. Mar. Patience, good Sir, Or here I'll cease. Per. Nay, I'll be patient; Thou little know'st how thou dost startle me, To call thyself Marina. Mar. The name, Marina, Was given me by one that had some power; My father, and a king. Per. How! a king's daughter? And call'd Marina? Mar. You said you would believe me; But, not to be a troubler of your peace, I will end here. Per. But are you flesh and blood? Have you a working pulse? and are no fairy? No motion ?+-Well; speak on. Where were you born? And wherefore call'd Marina? Mar. Call'd Marina, For I was born at sea. Per. At sea? thy mother? Mar. My mother was the daughter of a king; Who died the very minute I was born, * Disarming extreme calamity. † No puppe dressed up. As my good nurse Lychorida hath oft Deliver'd weeping. Per. O, stop there a little! This is the rarest dream that e'er dull sleep Did mock sad fools withal: this cannot be. My daughter's buried. [Aside.] Well-where were you bred? I'll hear you more, to the bottom of your story, And never interrupt you. Mar. You'll scarce believe me: 'twere best I did give o'er. Per. I will believe you by the syllable Of what you shall deliver. Yet, give me leave:— How came you in these parts? Where were you bred? Mar. The king, my father, did in Tharsus leave me ; Till cruel Cleon, with his wicked wife, Did seek to murder me: and having woo'd You think me an impostor; no, good faith; Per. Ho, Helicanus ! Hel. Calls my gracious lord? Per. Thou art a grave and noble counsellor, Most wise in general: Tell me, if thou canst, That thus hath made me weep? Hel. I know not; but Here is the regent, Sir, of Mitylene, Lys. She would never tell Her parentage, being demanded that, She would sit still and weep. Per. O Helicanus, strike me, honour'd Sir; Give me a gash, put 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. O, come hither, Thou that wast born at sea, buried at Tharsus, And found at sea again! O Helicanus, Down on thy knees, thank 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. Mar. First, Sir, I pray, What is your title? Per. I am Pericles of Tyre: but tell me now (As in the rest thou hast been godlike perfect), My drown'd queen's name, thou art the heir of kingdoms, Mar. Is it no more to be your daughter, than To say, my mother's name was Thaisa ? Thaisa was my mother, who did end, The minute I began. Per. Now, blessing on thee, rise; thou art my child. When thou shalt kneel and justify in knowledge, Hel. Sir, 'tis the governor of Mitylene, Per. I embrace you, Sir. Give me my robes; I am wild in my beholding. O'er, point by point, for yet he seems to doubt, Per. None? The music of the spheres: list, my Marina. Lys. It is not good to cross him; give him way. Per. Rarest sounds! Do ye not hear? Lys. Music? my lord, I hear— Per. Most heavenly music: It nips me unto list'ning, and thick slumber Hangs on mine eyelids; let me rest. Lys. A pillow for his head; [He sleeps. [The Curtain before the Pavilion of PERICLES is closed. So leave him all.-Well, my companion-friends, If this but answer to my just belief, I'll well remember you. [Exeunt LYSIMACHUS, HELICANUS, MARINA, and attendant LADY. SCENE II.-The same. PERICLES on the Deck asleep; DIANA appearing to him as in a vision. Dia. My temple stands in Ephesus; hie thee thither, And do upon mine altar sacrifice. There, when my maiden priests are met together, Before the people all, Reveal how thou at sea didst lose thy wife: To mourn thy crosses, with thy daughter's, call, And give them repetition to the life.* [DIANA disappears. *Repeat the narrative of your adventures. Per. Celestial Dian, goddess argentine,* I will obey thee !-Helicanus ! Enter LYSIMACHUS, HELICANUS, and MARINA. Hel. Sir. Per. My purpose was for Tharsus, there to strike The inhospitable Cleon; but I am For other service first: toward Ephesus Turn our blown † sails; eftsoons I'll tell thee why. Shall we refresh us, Sir, upon your shore, And give you gold for such provision As our intents will need? [To HELICANUS. Lys. With all my heart, Sir; and when you come ashore, I have another suit. Per. You shall prevail, Were it to woo my daughter; for it seems You have been noble towards her. Lys. Sir, lend your arm. Per. Come, my Marina. [Exeunt. Enter GoWER, before the Temple of DIANA at Ephesus. Gow. Now our sands are almost run; More a little, and then done. This, as my last boon, give me (For such kindness must relieve me), That you aptly will suppose What pageantry, what feats, what shows, To greet the king. So he has thrived, [Exit. SCENE III.-The Temple of DIANA at Ephesus: THAISA standing near the Altar, as high Priestess; a number of Virgins on each side; CERIMON and other inhabitants of Ephesus attending. Enter PERICLES, with his Train; LYSIMACHUS, HELICANUS, MARINA, and a LADY. Per. Hail Dian! to perform thy just command, I here confess myself the king of Tyre; * Silvery. † Swollen. + Soon. I. e. Pericles. I Consume. |