She, questionless, with her sweet harmony, She is all happy as the fair'st of all, And, with her fellow maids, is now upon The island's side. [He whispers one of the attendant Lords, who leaves the ship. Hel. Sure, all effectless; yet nothing we'll omit, That bears recovery's name. But, since your kindness We have stretch'd thus far, let us beseech you, That for our gold we may provision have, But weary for the staleness. O, sir, a courtesy, Lys. Hel. Sit, sir, I will recount it to you The Lord returns with MARINA, and a young Lady. Lys. O, here is The lady that I sent for. Welcome, fair one! Is 't not a goodly presence Hel. She's a gallant lady. Lys. She's such a one, that, were I well assur'd Came of a gentle kind, and noble stock, I'd wish no better choice, and think me rarely wed. Fair one, all goodness that consists in bounty Expect even here, where is a kingly patient: If that thy prosperous and artificial feat Can draw him but to answer thee in aught, As thy desires can wish. Mar. Sir, I will use My utmost skill in his recovery, That none but I and my companion maid Be suffer'd to come near him. Lys. See, she will speak to him. Mar. Hail, sir! my lord, lend ear. Per. Hum! ha! Mar. I am a maid, My lord, that ne'er before invited eyes, But have been gaz'd on like a comet: she speaks, My lord, that may be, hath endur'd a grief Might equal yours, if both were justly weigh'd. [PERICLES pushes her away. Though wayward fortune did malign my state, My derivation was from ancestors Who stood equivalent with mighty kings; But time hath rooted out my parentage, And to the world and awkward casualties Bound me in servitude. [Aside.] I will desist; But there is something glows upon my cheek, And whispers in mine ear, Go not till he speak.' Per. My fortunes parentage good parentage To equal mine! was it not thus? what say you? Mar. I said, my lord, if you did know my parentage, You would not do me violence. 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 My daughter might have been: my Queen's square brows; Her stature to an inch; as wand-like straight; As silver-voic'd; her eyes as jewel-like, And cas'd 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? Mar. Where I am but a stranger: from the deck You may discern the place. Per. Where were you bred? And how achiev'd you these endowments, which Mar. If I should 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 Modest as Justice, and thou seem'st a palace For the crown'd Truth to dwell in. I will believe thee, (Which was when I perceiv'd thee,) that thou cam'st From good descending? Mar. So indeed I did. Per. Report thy parentage. I think thou said'st Thou had'st been toss'd from wrong to injury, And that thou thought'st thy griefs might equal mine, If both were open'd. Mar. Some such thing I said, and said no more but what my thoughts Tell thy story; Per. Like Patience, gazing on kings' graves, and smiling How lost thou [them]? Thy name, my most kind virgin? Recount, I do beseech thee. Per. Come, sit by me. O, I am mock'd, And thou by some incensed god sent hither Was given me by one that had some power, My father, and a king. Per. And call'd Marina? Mar. How! a king's daughter? 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? Motion-Well; speak on. Where were you born, And wherefore call'd Marina ? Mar. For I was born at sea. Per. Call'd Marina, At sea! what mother? Mar. My mother was the daughter of a king; Who died the minute I was born, As my good nurse Lychorida hath oft Deliver'd weeping. Per. O, stop there a little. [Aside.] This is the rarest dream that e'er dull'd sleep Did mock sad fools withal; this cannot be: My daughter's buri'd. - Well: - where were you bred? I'll hear you more, to the bottom of your story, Mar. You scorn: 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: me, Till cruel Cleon, with his wicked wife, Did seek to murther me; and having woo'd A villain to attempt it, who having drawn to do 't, A crew of pirates came and rescu'd me; Brought me to Mitylene. But, good sir, You think me an impostor: no, good faith; |