Why, I'll tell you. This [is] call'd Pentapolis, and our king the good Simonides.

PER. The good Simonides, do you call him?

1. FISH. Ay, sir, and he deserves so to be call'd for his peaceable reign and good government.

PER. 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?

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. Were my fortunes equal to my desires, I could 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 wive's soul.

 

Enter the two [other] 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 turn'd to a rusty armor.

PER.

An armor, friends? I pray you let me see it.

Thanks, Fortune, yet, that after all [thy] crosses,

Thou givest me somewhat to repair myself;

And though it was mine own, part of my 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 sav'd me, keep it. In like necessity –

The which the gods protect thee [from! –] may defend thee.«

It kept where I kept, I so dearly lov'd it,

Till the rough seas, that spares not any man,

Took it in rage, though calm'd have given't again.

I thank thee for't. My shipwrack now's no ill,

Since I have here my father gave in his will.

1. FISH.

What mean you, sir?

PER.

To beg of you, kind friends, this coat of worth,

For it was sometime target 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 fortunes better,

I'll pay your bounties; till then, rest your debtor.

1. FISH. Why, wilt thou tourney for the lady?

PER. I'll show the virtue I have borne in arms.

1. FISH. Why, d' ye take it, and the gods give thee good an'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 vails. I hope, sir, if you thrive, you'll remember from whence you had them.

PER.

Believe't, I will.

By your furtherance I am cloth'd in steel,

And, spite of all the [rapture] of the sea,

This jewel holds his building on my arm.

Unto thy value I will mount myself

Upon a courser, whose [delightful] steps

Shall make the gazer joy to see him tread.

Only, my friend, I yet am unprovided

Of a pair of bases.

2. FISH.