Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Tom Bishop
Not Peer Reviewed

Pericles, Prince of Tyre (Quarto)

Pericles Prince of Tyre.
Hell. You may, but bootlesse. Is your sight, see will not
2020speake to any, yet let me obtaine my wish.
Lys. Behold him, this was a goodly person.
Hell. Till the disaster that one mortall wight droue him
to this.
Lys. Sir King all haile, the Gods preserue you, haile
2025royall sir.
Hell. It is in vaine, he will not speake to you.
Lord. Sir we haue a maid in Metiliue, I durst wager would
win some words of him.
Lys. Tis well bethought, she questionlesse with her sweet
2030harmonie, and other chosen attractions, would allure and
make a battrie through his defend parts, which now are
midway stopt, shee is all happie as the fairest of all, and her
fellow maides, now vpon the leauie shelter that abutts a-
gainst the Islands side.
2035Hell. Sure all effectlesse, yet nothing weele omit that
beares recoueries name. But since your kindnesse wee haue
stretcht thus farre, let vs beseech you, that for our golde
we may prouision haue , wherein we are not destitute for
want, but wearie for the stalenesse.
2040Lys. O sir, a curtesie, which if we should denie, the most
iust God for euery graffe would send a Caterpillar, and so
inflict our Prouince: yet once more let mee intreate to
knowe at large the cause of your kings sorrow.
Holl. Sit sir, I will recount it to you, but see I am pre-
2045uented.
Lys. O hee'rs the Ladie that I sent for,
Welcome faire one, ist not a goodly present?
Hell. Shee's a gallant Ladie.
Lys. Shee's such a one, that were I well assurde
2050Came of a gentle kinde, and noble stocke, I do wish
No better choise, and thinke me rarely to wed,
Faire on all goodnesse that consists in beautie,
Expect euen here, where is a kingly patient,

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