[Exit]
CLEON Welcome is peace, if he on peace consist82,
If wars, we are unable to resist.
Enter Pericles with attendants
PERICLES Lord governor, for so we hear you are,
Let not our ships and number of our men
Be like a beacon fired t’amaze86 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 tears89,
But to relieve them of their heavy load,
And these our ships you happily91 may think
Are like the Trojan horse was stuffed within
With bloody veins expecting overthrow,
Are stored with corn to make your needy bread,
And give them life whom hunger starved half dead.
They kneel
ALL TARSIANS The gods of Greece protect you,
And we’ll pray for you.
PERICLES Arise, I pray you, rise.
They rise
We do not look for reverence but for love,
And harbourage for ourself, our ships and men.
CLEON The which when any shall not gratify101,
Or pay you with unthankfulness in thought102,
Be it our wives, our children or ourselves,
The curse of heaven and men succeed104 their evils!
Till when — the which, I hope, shall ne’er be seen —
Your grace is welcome to our town and us.
PERICLES Which welcome we’ll accept, feast here awhile,
Until our stars108 that frown, lend us a smile.
Exeunt
[Act 2 Chorus]
running scene 4
Enter Gower
GOWER Here have you seen a mighty king
His child, iwis2, to incest bring,
A better prince3, and benign lord,
That will prove awful4 both in deed and word.
Be quiet then, as men should be,
Till he hath passed necessity6:
I’ll show you those in troubles reign7,
Losing a mite8, a mountain gain.
The good in conversation9,
To whom I give my benison10,
Is still at Tarsus, where each man
Thinks all is writ, he speken can12,
And to remember13 what he does
Build his statue to make him glorious14.
But tidings to the contrary15
Are brought your eyes, what need speak I?
Dumb show16
Enter at one door Pericles talking with Cleon, all the train16 with them. Enter at another door a Gentleman with a letter to Pericles. Pericles shows the letter to Cleon. Pericles gives the messenger a reward, and knights him. Exit Pericles [with his Attendants] at one door, and Cleon at another [with his Attendants]
GOWER Good Helicane17 that stayed at home
Not to18 eat honey like a drone
From others’ labours: though he strive
To killen20 bad, keeps good alive.
And to fulfil his prince’ desire
Sends word of all that haps22 in Tyre:
How Thaliard came full bent23 with sin
And had intent to murder him,
And that in Tarsus was not best
Longer for him to make his rest.
He doing so27, put forth to seas,
Where when men been28 there’s seldom ease:
For now the wind begins to blow,
Thunder above and deeps below
Makes such unquiet, that the ship
Should32 house him safe is wracked and split,
And he, good prince, having all lost,
By waves from coast to coast is tossed.
All perishen of man, of pelf35,
Ne aught escapend36 but himself.
Till Fortune, tired with doing bad,
Threw him ashore, to give him glad38.
And here he comes: what shall be next,
Pardon old Gower, this ’longs40 the text. [Exit]
running scene 5
Enter Pericles wet
PERICLES Yet cease your ire1, you 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 seas hath cast me on the rocks,
Washed me from shore to shore, and left my breath6
Nothing to think on but ensuing death.
Let it suffice the greatness of your powers
To have bereft a prince of all his fortunes,
And having thrown him from your wat’ry grave,
Here to have death in peace is all he’ll crave.
Enter three Fishermen
FIRST FISHERMAN What ho, Pilch12!
SECOND FISHERMAN Ha, come and bring away the nets.
FIRST FISHERMAN What, Patch-breech14, I say!
THIRD FISHERMAN What say you, master?
FIRST FISHERMAN Look how thou stirr’st now16! Come away, or I’ll
fetch th’ with a wanion17.
THIRD FISHERMAN Faith, master, I am thinking of the poor men
that were cast away before us even now.
FIRST FISHERMAN Alas, poor souls, it grieved my heart to hear
what pitiful cries they made to us to help them when, well-a-day21,
we could scarce help ourselves.
THIRD FISHERMAN Nay, master, said not I as much when I saw the
porpoise24 how he bounced and tumbled? They say they’re
half fish, half flesh: a plague on them, they ne’er come but
I look to be washed26. Master, I marvel how the fishes live in
the sea.
FIRST FISHERMAN Why, as men do a-land28: 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 fry30
before him, and, at last, devours them all at a mouthful.
Such whales have I heard on32 o’th’land, who never leave
gaping till they swallowed the whole parish: church, steeple,
bells and all.
Aside
PERICLES A pretty moral35.
THIRD FISHERMAN But master, if I had been the sexton36, I would
have been that day in the belfry37.
SECOND FISHERMAN Why, man?
THIRD FISHERMAN Because he should have swallowed me too,
and when I had been in his belly I would have kept such a
jangling of the bells that he should never have left till he cast41
bells, steeple, church and parish up again! But if the good
King Simonides were of my mind—
Aside
PERICLES Simonides?
THIRD FISHERMAN We would purge the land of these drones that
rob the bee of her honey46.
Aside
PERICLES How from the finny subject47 of the sea
These fishers tell the infirmities of men,
And from their wat’ry empire recollect49
All that may men approve or men detect50.—
To Fishermen
Peace be at your labour, honest fishermen.
SECOND FISHERMAN ‘Honest’, good fellow? What’s that? If it be a
day fits you, search’t out of the calendar and nobody will
look after it54!
PERICLES May see the sea hath cast55 upon your coast —
SECOND FISHERMAN What a drunken knave was the sea to cast56
thee in our way!
PERICLES A man, whom both the waters and the wind
In that vast tennis-court59 hath made the ball
For them to play upon, entreats you pity him:
He asks of you that never used61 to beg.
FIRST FISHERMAN No, friend, cannot you beg? Here’s them62 in our
country of Greece gets more with begging than we can do
with working.
SECOND FISHERMAN Canst thou catch any fishes then?
PERICLES I never practised it.
SECOND FISHERMAN Nay, then thou wilt starve sure, for here’s
nothing to be got nowadays unless thou canst fish for’t68.
PERICLES What I have been I have forgot to know,
But what I am, want teaches me to think on:
A man thronged up71 with cold. My veins are chill,
And have no more of life than may suffice
To give my tongue that heat to ask your help,
Which if you shall refuse, when I am dead,
For that I am a man, pray you75 see me burièd.
FIRST FISHERMAN ‘Die’, quotha? Now gods forbid’t, an76 I have a
Gives a gown to Pericles
gown here. Come, put it on, keep thee warm:
now, afore me78, a handsome fellow! Come, thou
shalt go home, and we’ll have flesh for holidays, fish for
fasting-days and, moreo’er, puddings and flapjacks80, and
thou shalt be welcome.
PERICLES I thank you, sir.
SECOND FISHERMAN Hark you, my friend — you said you could not beg?
PERICLES I did but crave84.
SECOND FISHERMAN But crave? Then I’ll turn craver85 too, and so I
shall scape whipping.
PERICLES Why, are your beggars whipped, then?
SECOND FISHERMAN O, not all, my friend, not all: for if all your
beggars were whipped I would wish no better office than to
be beadle90. But, master, I’ll go draw up the net.
[Exeunt Second and Third Fishermen]
PERICLES How well this honest mirth becomes91 their labour!
FIRST FISHERMAN Hark you, sir, do you know where ye are?
PERICLES Not well.
FIRST FISHERMAN Why, I’ll tell you: this is called Pentapolis94, and
our king, the good Simonides.
PERICLES The good Simonides, do you call him?
FIRST FISHERMAN Ay, sir, and he deserves so to be called for his
peaceable reign and good government.
PERICLES He is a happy king, since he gains from
His subjects the name of good by his government.
How far is his court distant from this shore?
FIRST FISHERMAN Marry102, sir, half a day’s journey. And I’ll tell
you, he hath a fair daughter, and tomorrow is her birthday,
and there are princes and knights come from all parts of the
world to joust and tourney105 for her love.
PERICLES Were my fortunes equal to my desires,
I could wish to make one107 there.
FIRST FISHERMAN O, sir, things must be as they may, and what a108
man cannot get he may lawfully deal for his wife’s soul.
Enter the two Fishermen, drawing up a net
SECOND FISHERMAN Help, master, help! Here’s a fish hangs in the
net like a poor man’s right in the law: ’twill hardly come out111.
They pull pieces of armour from the net
Ha, bots on’t112, ’tis come at last, and ’tis turned to a rusty
armour.
PERICLES An armour, friends? I pray you let me see it.
Thanks Fortune yet, that after all crosses115
Thou givest me somewhat to repair myself.
And though it was mine own, part of my heritage117,
Which my dead father did bequeath to me
With this strict charge119 even as he left his life:
‘Keep it my Pericles, it hath been a shield
’Twixt me and death’ — and pointed to this brace121 —
‘For that it saved me, keep it: in like necessity122,
The which the gods protect thee from, may’t defend thee.’
It kept124 where I kept, I so dearly loved it,
Till the rough seas, that spares not any man,
Took it in rage, though calmed have given’t again126.
I thank thee for’t, my shipwreck now’s no ill
Since I have here my father128 gave in his will.
FIRST FISHERMAN What mean you, sir?
PERICLES To beg of you, kind friends, this coat of worth130,
For it was sometime target131 to a king:
I know it by this mark. He loved me dearly,
And for his sake I wish the having of it,
And that you’d guide me to your sovereign’s court,
Where with it I may appear a gentleman.
And if that ever my low fortune’s better
I’ll pay your bounties, till then rest137 your debtor.
FIRST FISHERMAN Why, wilt thou tourney138 for the lady?
PERICLES I’ll show the virtue139 I have borne in arms.
FIRST FISHERMAN Why, d’ye take it140, and the gods give thee good
on’t141!
Pericles puts on the armour
SECOND FISHERMAN Ay, but hark you, my friend, ’twas we that
made up this garment through the rough seams143 of the
waters. There are certain condolements, certain vails144: I hope,
sir, if you thrive you’ll remember from whence you had them.
PERICLES Believe’t, I will.
By your furtherance147 I am clothed in steel,
And spite of all the rapture148 of the sea
This jewel holds his building149 on my arm.
Unto thy value150 I will mount myself
Upon a courser151, whose delightful steps
Shall make the gazer152 joy to see him tread.
Only, my friend, I yet am unprovided
Of a pair of bases154 —
SECOND FISHERMAN We’ll sure provide: thou shalt have my best
gown to make thee a pair, and I’ll bring thee to the court
myself.
PERICLES Then honour be but a goad158 to my will,
This day I’ll rise, or else add ill to ill.
[Exeunt]
running scene 6
Enter Simonides with attendance, and Thaisa
SIMONIDES Are the knights ready to begin the triumph1?
FIRST LORD They are, my liege,
And stay3 your coming to present themselves.
SIMONIDES Return4 them we are ready, and our daughter,
In honour of whose birth these triumphs are,
Sits here like beauty’s child, whom Nature gat6
For men to see and, seeing, wonder at.
[Exit an Attendant]
THAISA It pleaseth you, my royal father, to express8
My commendations great, whose merit’s less.
SIMONIDES It’s fit it should be so, for princes10 are
A model11 which heaven makes like to itself:
As jewels lose their glory if neglected,
So princes their renowns13 if not respected.
’Tis now your honour, daughter, to entertain14
The labour of each knight in his device15.
THAISA Which to preserve mine honour I’ll perform.
The First Knight passes by
His Attendant presents his shield to Thaisa?
SIMONIDES Who is the first that doth prefer17 himself?
THAISA A knight of Sparta18, my renownèd father,
And the device he bears upon his shield
Is a black Ethiop20 reaching at the sun,
The word: Lux tua vita mihi21.
SIMONIDES He loves you well that holds his life of22 you.
The Second Knight
Passes by and his Attendant presents his shield to Thaisa?
Who is the second that presents himself?
THAISA A prince of Macedon24, my royal father,
And the device he bears upon his shield
Is an armed knight that’s conquered by a lady.
The motto thus in Spanish: Piùe per dolcezza che per forza27.
The Third Knight
Passes by and his Attendant presents his shield to Thaisa
SIMONIDES And with the third?
THAISA The third, of Antioch,
And his device a wreath of chivalry30.
The word: Me pompae provexit apex31.
The Fourth Knight
Passes by and his Attendant presents his shield to Thaisa
SIMONIDES What is the fourth?
THAISA A burning torch that’s turnèd upside down,
The word: Qui me alit me extinguit34.
SIMONIDES Which shows that beauty hath his power and will,
Which can as well inflame as it can kill.
The Fifth Knight
Passes by and his Attendant presents his shield to Thaisa
THAISA The fifth, an hand environèd37 with clouds,
Holding out gold, that’s by the touchstone tried38:
The motto thus: Sic spectanda fides39.
The Sixth Knight [Pericles]
Passes by, wearing the rusty armour He presents his own device39 to Thaisa
SIMONIDES And what’s the sixth and last, the which the knight
Himself with such a graceful courtesy delivered?
THAISA He seems to be a stranger, but his present42 is
A withered branch, that’s only green at top.
The motto: In hac spe vivo44.
SIMONIDES A pretty moral.
From the dejected state wherein he is
He hopes by you his fortunes yet may flourish.
FIRST LORD He had need mean better than his outward show48
Can any way speak in his just commend:
For by his rusty outside he appears
To have practised more the whipstock51 than the lance.
SECOND LORD He well may be a stranger, for he comes
To an honoured triumph strangely furnishèd53.
THIRD LORD And on set purpose54 let his armour rust
Until this day, to scour55 it in the dust.
SIMONIDES Opinion’s but a fool that makes us scan56
The outward habit for the inward man.
But stay, the knights are coming —
We will withdraw into the gallery.
[Exeunt]
Great shouts, and all cry ‘The mean59 knight!’
running scene 6 continues
Enter the King [Simonides, Thaisa, Marshal] and Knights from tilting
SIMONIDES Knights,
To say you’re welcome were superfluous.
To place upon the volume of your deeds,3
As in a title page, your worth in arms,
Were more than you expect, or more than’s fit,
Since every worth in show6 commends itself.
Prepare for mirth, for mirth becomes7 a feast:
You are princes and my guests.
To Pericles
THAISA But you9, my knight and guest,
To whom this wreath of victory I give
Crowns him with a wreath
And crown you king of this day’s happiness.
PERICLES ’Tis more by fortune, lady, than my merit.
SIMONIDES Call it by what you will, the day is yours,
And here, I hope, is none that envies it.
In framing15 artists art hath thus decreed,
To make some good but others to exceed,
And you are her laboured scholar17. Come, queen o’th’feast —
For, daughter, so you are — here take your place.
To Marshal
Marshal, the rest as they deserve their grace19.
KNIGHTS We are honoured much by good Simonides.
SIMONIDES Your presence glads our days: honour we love,
For who22 hates honour hates the gods above.
To Pericles
MARSHAL Sir, yonder is your place.
PERICLES Some other is more fit.
FIRST KNIGHT Contend not25, sir, for we are gentlemen
Have neither in our hearts nor outward eyes26
Envies27 the great, nor shall the low despise.
PERICLES You are right28 courteous, knights.
They sit
SIMONIDES Sit, sir, sit.
Aside
By Jove I wonder, that is king of thoughts,
These cates resist me he but thought upon31.
Aside
THAISA By Juno, that is queen of marriage,
All viands that I eat do seem unsavoury33,
Wishing him my meat34.—
To Simonides
Sure, he’s a gallant34 gentleman.
SIMONIDES He’s but a country gentleman.
He’s done no more than other knights have done,
He’s broken a staff37, or so. So let it pass.
Aside?
THAISA To38 me he seems like diamond to glass.
Aside
PERICLES Yon39 king’s to me like to my father’s picture,
Which tells me40 in that glory once he was,
Had41 princes sit like stars about his throne,
And he the sun for them to reverence42.
None that beheld him, but like lesser lights
Did vail44 their crowns to his supremacy,
Where now his son’s like a glow-worm in the night,
The which hath fire in darkness, none in light46.
Whereby I see that time’s the king of men,
He’s both their parent and he is their grave,
And gives them what he will, not what they crave.
SIMONIDES What, are you merry, knights?
KNIGHTS Who can be other in this royal presence?
SIMONIDES Here, with a cup that’s stored52 unto the brim,
As you do love, fill to your mistress’ lips53:
Drinks a toast
We drink this health to you.
KNIGHTS We thank your grace.
SIMONIDES Yet pause awhile. Yon56 knight doth sit too melancholy,
As if the entertainment in our court
Had not a show might countervail58 his worth.
Note it not you59, Thaisa?
THAISA What is’t to me, my father?
SIMONIDES O, attend, my daughter,
Princes in this should live like gods above,
Who freely give to everyone that come to honour them,
And princes not doing so are like to gnats,64
Which make a sound, but killed are wondered at.
Therefore to make his entertain66 more sweet,
Drinks a toast
Here, say we drink this standing bowl67 of wine to him.
THAISA Alas, my father, it befits not me
Unto a stranger knight to be so bold69:
He may my proffer70 take for an offence,
Since men take women’s gifts for impudence.
SIMONIDES How? Do as I bid you, or you’ll move me72 else.
Aside
THAISA Now by the gods, he could not please me better.
SIMONIDES And, further, tell him we desire to know
Of whence he is, his name and parentage?
To Pericles
THAISA The king my father, sir, has drunk to you—
PERICLES I thank him.
THAISA Wishing it so much blood78 unto your life.
PERICLES I thank both him and you, and pledge him79 freely.
THAISA And, further, he desires to know of you
Of whence you are, your name and parentage?
PERICLES A gentleman of Tyre, my name Pericles,
My education being in arts and arms83,
Who, looking for adventures in the world,
Was by the rough seas reft85 of ships and men,
And after shipwreck driven upon this shore.
To Simonides
THAISA He thanks your grace,
Names himself Pericles, a gentleman of Tyre,
Who only by misfortune of the seas
Bereft of ships and men, cast90 on this shore.
SIMONIDES Now by the gods, I pity his misfortune,
And will awake him from his melancholy.
To Knights
Come, gentlemen, we sit93 too long on trifles
And waste the time which looks for other revels:
Even in your armours as you are addressed95,
Will96 well become a soldier’s dance.
I will not have excuse with saying this:97
‘Loud music is too harsh for ladies’ heads’,
Since they love men in arms as well as beds.
They dance
So, this was well asked100, ’twas so well performed.
To Pericles
Come, sir, here’s a lady that wants breathing101 too,
And I have heard you knights of Tyre
Are excellent in making ladies trip103,
And that their measures104 are as excellent.
PERICLES In those that practise them105 they are, my lord.
SIMONIDES O, that’s as much as you would be denied106
Of your fair courtesy!
They dance
Unclasp, unclasp!
Thanks, gentlemen, to all: all have done well,
To Pericles
But you the best. Pages and lights to conduct
These knights unto their several110 lodgings!
Yours, sir, we have given order be next our own.
PERICLES I am at your grace’s pleasure.
SIMONIDES Princes, it is too late to talk of love,
And that’s the mark, I know, you level114 at:
Therefore each one betake him115 to his rest,
Tomorrow all for speeding116 do their best.
[Exeunt]
running scene 7
Enter Helicanus and Escanes
HELICANUS No, Escanes, know this of me:
Antiochus from incest lived not free,
For which the most high gods not minding longer3
To withhold the vengeance that they had in store,
Due to this heinous capital5 offence,
Even in the height and pride of all his glory —
When he was seated in a chariot
Of inestimable value, and his daughter with him —
A fire from heaven came and shrivelled up
Those bodies even to loathing. For they so stunk
That all those eyes adored11 them ere their fall
Scorn now their hand should give them burial.
ESCANES ’Twas very strange.
HELICANUS And yet but justice: for though this king were great,
His greatness was no guard to bar heaven’s shaft15,
But sin had his16 reward.
ESCANES ’Tis very true.
Enter two or three Lords
FIRST LORD See, not a man in private conference
Or council has respect19 with him but he.
SECOND LORD It shall no longer grieve20 without reproof.
THIRD LORD And cursed be he that will not second it.
To Helicanus
FIRST LORD Follow me then.— Lord Helicane, a word.
HELICANUS With me? And welcome. Happy day23, my lords.
FIRST LORD Know that our griefs24 are risen to the top,
And now at length they overflow their banks.
HELICANUS Your griefs, for what? Wrong not your prince, you love26.
FIRST 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 breath29.
If in the world he live, we’ll seek him out,
If in his grave he rest, we’ll find him there.
We’ll be resolved he lives32 to govern us,
Or dead, give’s cause to mourn his funeral33
And leave us to our free election34.
SECOND LORD Whose death’s indeed the strongest in our censure35.
And knowing this kingdom is without a head —
Like goodly buildings left37 without a roof,
Soon fall to ruin — your noble self,
That best know how to rule and how to reign,
We thus submit unto: our sovereign.
ALL Live, noble Helicane!
HELICANUS Try honour’s cause, forbear your suffrages42!
If that you love Prince Pericles, forbear43.
Take I your wish, I leap into the seas,
Where’s hourly trouble, for a minute’s ease.
A twelvemonth longer let me entreat you
To forbear47 the absence of your king.
If in which time expired he not48 return,
I shall with agèd patience bear your yoke49.
But if I cannot win you to this love50,
Go search like nobles, like noble subjects,
And in your search spend your adventurous worth52,
Whom if you find, and win unto53 return,
You shall like diamonds sit about his crown.
FIRST LORD To wisdom he’s a fool that will not yield.
And since Lord Helicane enjoineth56 us,
We with our travels57 will endeavour it.
HELICANUS Then you love us, we you, and we’ll clasp hands:
When peers thus knit59, a kingdom ever stands.
[Exeunt]
running scene 8
Enter the King [Simonides] reading of a letter at one door, the Knights
meet him
FIRST KNIGHT Good morrow to the good Simonides.
SIMONIDES Knights, from my daughter this I let you know:
That for this twelvemonth she’ll not undertake
A married life.
Her reason to herself is only known,
Which from her by no means can I get.
SECOND KNIGHT May we not get access to her, my lord?
SIMONIDES Faith, by no means, she hath so strictly
Tied her9 to her chamber that ’tis impossible.
One twelvemoons more she’ll wear Diana’s livery10:
This by the eye of Cynthia11 hath she vowed
And on her virgin honour will not break it.
THIRD KNIGHT Loath to bid farewell, we take our leaves.
[Exeunt Knights]
SIMONIDES So, they are well dispatched14.
Now, to my daughter’s letter:
She tells me here she’ll wed the stranger knight,
Or never more to view nor day nor17 light.
’Tis well, mistress, your choice agrees with mine:
I like that well! Nay, how absolute19 she’s in’t,
Not minding whether I dislike or no.
Well, I do commend her choice
And will no longer have it be delayed.
Soft23, here he comes — I must dissemble it.
Enter Pericles
PERICLES All fortune to the good Simonides.
SIMONIDES To you as much. Sir, I am beholding25 to you
For your sweet music this last night: I do
Protest, my ears were never better fed
With such delightful pleasing harmony.
PERICLES It is your grace’s pleasure to commend,
Not my desert30.
SIMONIDES Sir, you are music’s master.
PERICLES The worst of all her scholars, my good lord.
SIMONIDES Let me ask you one thing:
What do you think of my daughter, sir?
PERICLES A most virtuous princess.
SIMONIDES And she is fair, too, is she not?
PERICLES As a fair day in summer: wondrous fair.
SIMONIDES Sir, my daughter thinks very well of you,
Ay, so well that you must be her master
And she will be your scholar, therefore look to it.
PERICLES I am unworthy for her schoolmaster.
Gives a letter
SIMONIDES She thinks not so: peruse this writing else42.
Aside
PERICLES What’s here?
A letter that44 she loves the knight of Tyre?
Reads
’Tis the king’s subtlety45 to have my life!
To Simonides
O, seek not to entrap me, gracious lord,
A stranger and distressèd gentleman
That never aimed so high to48 love your daughter,
But bent all offices49 to honour her.
SIMONIDES Thou hast bewitched my daughter,
And thou art a villain.
PERICLES By the gods I have not!
Never did thought of mine levy53 offence,
Nor never did my actions yet commence
A deed might55 gain her love, or your displeasure.
SIMONIDES Traitor, thou liest.
PERICLES Traitor?
SIMONIDES Ay, traitor.
PERICLES Even in his throat, unless it be the king
That calls me traitor, I return the lie.
Aside
SIMONIDES Now by the gods, I do applaud his courage.
PERICLES My actions are as noble as my thoughts,
That never relished of a base63 descent:
I came unto your court for honour’s cause,
And not to be a rebel to her state65.
And he that otherwise accounts of me66,
This sword shall prove he’s honour’s enemy.
SIMONIDES No?
Here comes my daughter, she can witness it.
Enter Thaisa
To Thaisa
PERICLES Then as you are as virtuous as fair,
Resolve71 your angry father if my tongue
Did e’er solicit or my hand subscribe72
To any syllable that made love to73 you?
THAISA Why, sir, say if you had,
Who takes offence at that, would75 make me glad?
SIMONIDES Yea, mistress, are you so peremptory76?
Aside
I am glad on’t with all my heart!—
To Thaisa
I’ll tame you, I’ll bring you in subjection.
Will you, not having my consent,
Bestow your love and your affections
Aside
Upon a stranger?— Who, for aught81 I know,
May be — nor can I think the contrary —
As great in blood as I myself.—
To Thaisa
Therefore hear you, mistress, either frame your will84
To mine — and you sir, hear you — either be
Joins their hands
Ruled by me, or I’ll make you man and wife!
Nay, come, your hands and lips must seal it too,
Pulls their hands apart
And being joined I’ll thus your hopes destroy,
Joins their hands again
And for further grief — God give you joy!
What, are you both pleased?
THAISA Yes, if you love me, sir?
PERICLES Even as my life my blood that fosters92 it.
SIMONIDES What, are you both agreed?
BOTH Yes, if’t please your majesty.
SIMONIDES It pleaseth me so well that I will see you wed,
And then with what haste you can, get you to bed.
Exeunt
[Act 3 Chorus]
running scene 9
Enter Gower
GOWER Now sleep y-slackèd hath the rouse1,
No din but snores about the house,
Made louder by the o’erfed breast3
Of this most pompous4 marriage feast.
The cat with eyne5 of burning coal
Now couches from6 the mouse’s hole,
And crickets sing7 at the oven’s mouth
Are the blither for their drouth8.
Hymen9 hath brought the bride to bed,
Where by the loss of maidenhead10
A babe is moulded. Be attent11,
And time that is so briefly12 spent
With your fine fancies quaintly eche13.
What’s dumb in show, I’ll plain14 with speech.
Dumb show
Enter Pericles and Simonides at one door with Attendants. A Messenger meets them, kneels and gives Pericles a letter. Pericles shows it Simonides, the Lords kneel to him. Then enter Thaisa, with child, with Lychorida, a nurse. The King shows her the letter, she rejoices: she and Pericles take leave of her father, and depart [with Lychorida and their Attendants. Exeunt Simonides and his train]
GOWER By many a dern and painful perch15,
Of16 Pericles the careful search
By the four opposing coigns17
Which the world together joins,
Is made with all due diligence
That horse and sail and high expense
Can stead21 the quest. At last from Tyre —
Fame answering the most strange inquire22 —
To th’court of King Simonides
Are letters brought, the tenor24 these:
Antiochus and his daughter dead25,
The men of Tyrus on the head
Of Helicanus would set on
The crown of Tyre, but he will none28.
The mutiny he there hastes t’appease29,
Says to ’em, if King Pericles
Come not home in twice six moons31,
He, obedient to their dooms32,
Will take the crown. The sum33 of this
Brought hither to Pentapolis
Y-ravishèd35 the regions round,
And everyone with claps can36 sound,
‘Our heir apparent37 is a king:
Who dreamt? Who thought of such a thing?’
Brief39, he must hence depart to Tyre.
His queen, with child, makes her desire —
Which who shall cross41? — along to go:
Omit we all their dole42 and woe.
Lychorida her nurse43 she takes,
And so to sea. Their vessel shakes
On Neptune’s billow, half the flood
Hath their keel cut, but Fortune, moved46,
Varies again.
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