Internet Shakespeare Editions

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  • Title: Pericles, Prince of Tyre (Quarto)
  • Editor: Tom Bishop

  • Copyright Internet Shakespeare Editions. This text may be freely used for educational, non-proift purposes; for all other uses contact the Coordinating Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: Tom Bishop
    Not Peer Reviewed

    Pericles, Prince of Tyre (Quarto)

    The Play of
    What world is this?
    2.Gent. Is not this strange? 1.Gent. Most rare.
    Ceri. Hush (my gentle neighbours) lend me your hands,
    To the next Chamber beare her: get linnen:
    1310Now this matter must be lookt to for her relapse
    Is mortall: come, come; and Escelapius guide vs.
    They carry her away. Exeunt omnes.
    Enter Pericles, Atharsus, with Cleon and Dionisa.
    Per. Most honor'd Cleon, I must needs be gone, my twelue
    1315months are expir'd, and Tyrus standes in a litigious peace:
    You and your Lady take from my heart all thankfulnesse,
    The Gods make vp the rest vpon you.
    Cle. Your shakes of fortune, though they hant you mor-(tally
    Yet glaunce full wondringly on vs.
    1320Di. O your sweet Queene! that the strict fates had pleas'd,
    you had brought her hither to haue blest mine eies with her.
    Per. We cannot but obey the powers aboue vs;
    Could I rage and rore as doth the sea she lies in,
    Yet the end must be as tis: my gentle babe Marina,
    1325Whom, for she was borne at sea, I haue named so,
    Here I charge your charitie withall; leauing her
    The infant of your care, beseeching you to giue her
    Princely training, that she may be manere'd as she is borne.
    Cle. Feare not (my Lord) but thinke your Grace,
    1330That fed my Countrie with your Corne; for which,
    The peoples prayers still fall vpon you, must in your child
    Be thought on, if neglection should therein make me vile,
    The common body by you relieu'd,
    Would force me to my duety: but if to that,
    1335My nature neede a spurre, the Gods reuenge it
    Vpon me and mine, to the end of generation.
    Per. I beleeue you, your honour and your goodnes,
    Teach me too't without your vowes, till she be maried,
    Madame, by bright Diana, whom we honour,
    1340All vnsisterd shall this heyre of mine remayne,
    Though I shew will in't; so I take my leaue:
    Good Madame, make me blessed in your care
    In bringing vp my Child.
    Cler. I