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  • Title: Pericles, Prince of Tyre (Modern)
  • 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    Not Peer Reviewed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 (Modern)

    Pericles, Prince of Tyre.
    0[Prologue]
    1Enter Gower.
    [Gower]
    To sing a song that old was sung
    From ashes ancient Gower is come,
    Assuming man's infirmities
    5To glad your ear, and please your eyes.
    It hath been sung at festivals,
    On ember-eves and holidays,
    And lords and ladies in their lives
    Have read it for restoratives.
    10The purchase is to make men glorious
    et bonum quo antiquius eo melius.
    If you, born in those latter times
    When wit's more ripe, accept my rhymes,
    And that to hear an old man sing
    15May to your wishes pleasure bring,
    I life would wish, and that I might
    Waste it for you like taper light.
    This Antioch, then. Antiochus the Great
    Built up this city for his chiefest seat,
    20The fairest in all Syria.
    I tell you what mine authors say.
    This king unto him took a fere,
    Who died and left a female heir
    So buxom, blithe and full of face
    25As heaven had lent her all his grace,
    With whom the father liking took,
    And her to incest did provoke.
    Bad child, worse father to entice his own
    To evil should be done by none.
    30But custom what they did begin
    Was with long use account' no sin.
    The beauty of this sinful dame
    Made many princes thither frame
    To seek her as a bedfellow,
    35In marriage pleasures playfellow,
    Which to prevent, he made a law
    To keep her still and men in awe:
    That whoso asked her for his wife,
    His riddle told not, lost his life.
    40So for her many a wight did die
    As yon grim looks do testify.
    [He indicates the heads of unsuccessful suitors visible to the audience.]
    What now ensues, to th'judgment of your eye
    I give, my cause who best can justify.
    Exit.
    43.1[1.1]
    Enter Antiochus, Prince Pericles, and followers.
    45Antiochus
    Young Prince of Tyre, you have at large received
    The danger of the task you undertake.
    Pericles
    I have, Antiochus, and with a soul
    Emboldened with the glory of her praise
    Think death no hazard in this enterprise.
    50Antiochus
    [To attendants] Music!
    [Music plays.]
    Bring in our daughter, clothèd like a bride
    For embracements even of Jove himself;
    At whose conception, till Lucina reigned,
    Nature this dowry gave: to glad her presence
    The senate-house of planets all did sit
    55To knit in her their best perfections.
    Enter Antiochus['s] daughter.
    Pericles
    See where she comes, appareled like the Spring!
    Graces her subjects and her thoughts the king
    Of every virtue gives renown to men!
    60Her face the book of praises, where is read
    Nothing but curious pleasures, as from thence
    Sorrow were ever razed and testy wrath
    Could never be her mild companion.
    You gods, that made me man, and sway in love,
    65That have enflamed desire in my breast
    To taste the fruit of yon celestial tree,
    Or die in the adventure, be my helps,
    As I am son and servant to your will,
    To compass such a boundless happiness.
    70Antiochus
    Prince Pericles--
    Pericles
    That would be son to great Antiochus.
    Antiochus
    Before thee stands this fair Hesperides,
    With golden fruit, but dangerous to be touched,
    For death-like dragons here affright thee hard.
    75Her face like heaven enticeth thee to view
    Her countless glory, which desert must gain;
    And which without desert because thine eye
    Presumes to reach, all the whole heap must die.
    [He indicates the suitors' heads.]
    Yon sometimes famous princes, like thyself
    80Drawn by report, adventurous by desire,
    Tell thee with speechless tongues and semblance pale
    That, without covering save yon field of stars,
    Here they stand martyrs, slain in Cupid's wars,
    And with dead cheeks advise thee to desist
    85From going on death's net, whom none resist.
    Pericles
    Antiochus I thank thee, who hath taught
    My frail mortality to know itself,
    And by those fearful objects to prepare
    This body, like to them, to what I must.
    90For death remembered should be like a mirror,
    Who tells us life's but breath, to trust it, error.
    I'll make my will then, and, as sick men do
    Who know the world, see heaven, but, feeling woe,
    Gripe not at earthly joys as erst they did,
    95So I bequeath a happy peace to you
    And all good men, as every prince should do,
    My riches to the earth from whence they came,
    [To Daughter]But my unspotted fire of love to you.
    Thus ready for the way of life or death,
    100I wait the sharpest blow, Antiochus.
    [Antiochus gives Pericles the riddle.]
    [Antiochus]
    Scorning advice, read the conclusion then;
    Which read and not expounded, 'tis decreed,
    [Indicating heads] As these before thee, thou thyself shalt bleed!
    Daughter
    Of all 'ssay'd yet, mayst thou prove prosperous!
    105Of all 'ssay'd yet, I wish thee happiness.
    Pericles
    Like a bold champion I assume the lists,
    Nor ask advice of any other thought
    But faithfulness and courage.
    [He reads the riddle.]
    110
    I am no viper, yet I feed
    On mother's flesh which did me breed.
    I sought a husband, in which labor
    I found that kindness in a father.
    He's father, son, and husband mild;
    115I, mother, wife, and yet his child.
    How they may be, and yet in two,
    As you will live, resolve it you.
    [Aside] Sharp physic is the last! But, O you powers
    That gives heaven countless eyes to view men's acts! --
    120Why cloud they not their sights perpetually
    If this be true which makes me pale to read it?
    [He approaches Daughter.]
    Fair glass of light, I loved you, and could still
    Were not this glorious casket stored with ill.
    But I must tell you: now my thoughts revolt.
    125For he's no man on whom perfections wait
    That, knowing sin within, will touch the gate.
    You are a fair viol, and your sense the strings,
    Who, fingered to make man his lawful music,
    Would draw heaven down and all the gods to harken;
    130But being played upon before your time,
    Hell only danceth at so harsh a chime.
    Good sooth, I care not for you!
    [He gestures in rejection of Daughter.]
    Antiochus
    Prince Pericles, touch not, upon thy life!
    For that's an article within our law
    135As dangerous as the rest. Your time's expired:
    Either expound now, or receive your sentence.
    Pericles
    Great king,
    Few love to hear the sins they love to act.
    'Twould braid yourself too near for me to tell it.
    140Who has a book of all that monarchs do,
    He's more secure to keep it shut than shown.
    For vice repeated is like the wandering wind
    Blows dust in others' eyes to spread itself;
    And yet the end of all is bought thus dear:
    145The breath is gone, and the sore eyes see clear
    To stop the air would hurt them. The blind mole casts
    Copped hills towards heaven to tell the earth is thronged
    By man's oppression, and the poor worm doth die for't.
    Kings are earth's gods; in vice, their law's their will;
    150And if Jove stray, who dares say Jove doth ill?
    It is enough you know, and it is fit,
    What being more known grows worse, to smother it.
    All love the womb that their first being bred,
    Then give my tongue like leave to love my head.
    155Antiochus
    [Aside] Heaven, that I had thy head! He has found the meaning!
    But I will gloze with him.[To Pericles] Young Prince of Tyre,
    Though by the tenor of our strict edict,
    Your exposition misinterpreting,
    We might proceed to cancel of your days,
    160Yet hope, succeeding from so fair a tree
    As your fair self, doth tune us otherwise.
    Forty days longer we do respite you,
    If by which time our secret be undone,
    This mercy shows we'll joy in such a son;
    165And until then your entertain shall be
    As doth befit our honor and your worth.
    [Exeunt Antiochus and followers. Pericles remains alone.]
    Pericles
    How courtesy would seem to cover sin,
    When what is done is like an hypocrite,
    170The which is good in nothing but in sight!
    If it be true that I interpret false,
    Then were it certain you were not so bad
    As with foul incest to abuse your soul,
    Where now you're both a father and a son
    175By your untimely claspings with your child --
    Which pleasures fits a husband, not a father --
    And she an eater of her mother's flesh
    By the defiling of her parents' bed,
    And both like serpents are, who though they feed
    180On sweetest flowers, yet they poison breed.
    Antioch farewell! For wisdom sees those men
    Blush not in actions blacker than the night
    Will 'shew no course to keep them from the light.
    One sin, I know, another doth provoke:
    185Murder's as near to lust as flame to smoke;
    Poison and treason are the hands of sin,
    Ay, and the targets to put off the shame.
    Then lest my life be cropped to keep you clear,
    By flight I'll shun the danger which I fear.
    Exit.
    189.1[1.2]
    190Enter Antiochus.
    Antiochus
    He hath found the meaning,
    For which we mean to have his head. He must
    Not live to trumpet forth my infamy,
    Nor tell the world Antiochus doth sin
    195In such a loathèd manner.
    And therefore instantly this prince must die,
    For by his fall my honor must keep high.
    [Calling] Who attends us there?
    Enter Thaliard.
    200Thaliard
    Doth your Highness call?
    Antiochus
    Thaliard -- you are of our chamber, Thaliard,
    And our mind partakes her private actions
    To your secrecy; and for your faithfulness
    We will advance you, Thaliard. 205Behold.
    [He gives him poison and gold.] Here's poison, and here's gold.
    We hate the Prince of Tyre, and thou must kill him.
    It fits thee not to ask the reason why:
    Because we bid it. Say, is it done?
    Thaliard
    My lord, 'tis done.
    210Enter a Messenger.
    Antiochus
    Enough.[To Messenger] Let your breath cool yourself, tellingyour haste.
    Messenger
    My lord, Prince Pericles is fled.
    [Exit Messenger.]
    Antiochus
    [To Thaliard] As thou wilt live, fly after, and, like an arrow shot215 from a well-experienced archer hits the mark his eye doth level at, so thou never return unless thou say: "Prince Pericles is dead."
    Thaliard
    My lord, if I can get him within my pistol's length, I'll make him sure enough. So farewell to your220 Highness.
    [Exit Thaliard.]
    [Antiochus]
    Thaliard, adieu. 'Til Pericles be dead,
    My heart can lend no succor to my head.
    [Exit.]
    222.1[1.3]
    Enter Pericles with his Lords.
    Pericles
    Let none disturb us.
    [Exeunt Lords.]
    Why should this change of thoughts,
    225The sad companion, dull-eyed melancholy,
    Be my so used a guest, as not an hour
    In the day's glorious walk or peaceful night,
    The tomb where grief should sleep, can breed me quiet?
    Here pleasures court mine eyes and mine eyes shun them,
    230And danger which I feared is at Antioch,
    Whose arm seems far too short to hit me here.
    Yet neither pleasure's art can joy my spirits
    Nor yet the other's distance comfort me.
    Then it is thus: the passions of the mind,
    235That have their first conception by misdread,
    Have after-nourishment and life by care,
    And what was first but fear what might be done
    Grows elder now, and cares it be not done.
    And so with me: the great Antiochus --
    240'Gainst whom I am too little to contend,
    Since he's so great, can make his will his act --
    Will think me speaking, though I swear to silence;
    Nor boots it me to say I honor him
    If he suspect I may dishonor him.
    245And what may make him blush in being known,
    He'll stop the course by which it might be known.
    With hostile forces he'll o'er-spread the land,
    And with th'ostent of war will look so huge
    Amazement shall drive courage from the state,
    250Our men be vanquished ere they do resist,
    And subjects punished that ne'er thought offence;
    Which care of them, not pity of myself --
    Who am no more but as the tops of trees,
    Which fence the roots they grow by and defend them --
    255Makes both my body pine and soul to languish,
    And punish that before that he would punish.
    Enter all the Lords to Pericles.
    1 Lord
    Joy and all comfort in your sacred breast!
    2 Lord
    And keep your mind 260peaceful and comfortable.
    Helicanus
    Peace! Peace, and give experience tongue!
    They do abuse the king that flatter him,
    For flattery is the bellows blows up sin,
    The thing the which is flattered but a spark
    265To which that breath gives heat and stronger glowing,
    Whereas reproof, obedient and in order,
    Fits kings as they are men, for they may err.
    When Signor Soothe here does proclaim peace,
    He flatters you, makes war upon your life.
    270Prince, pardon me, or strike me, if you please,
    I cannot be much lower than my knees.
    [Helicanus kneels.]
    Pericles
    All leave us else; but let your cares o'er-look
    What shipping and what lading's in our haven,
    And then return to us.
    [Exeunt Lords.]
    Helicanus, thou
    275Hast movèd us. What see'st thou in our looks?
    Helicanus
    An angry brow, dread lord.
    Pericles
    If there be such a dart in princes' frowns,
    How durst thy tongue move anger to our face?
    Helicanus
    How dares the plants look up to heaven 280from whence
    They have their nourishment?
    Pericles
    Thou know'st I have power to take thy life from thee.
    Helicanus
    I have ground the axe myself; do but you strike the blow.
    Pericles
    Rise, prithee rise. [Helicanus rises.] Sit down. Thou art no flatterer;
    285I thank thee for't; and heaven forbid
    That kings should let their ears hear their faults hid.
    Fit counselor, and servant for a prince,
    Who by thy wisdom makes a prince thy servant,
    What wouldst thou have me do?
    290Helicanus
    To bear with patience
    Such griefs as you do lay upon yourself.
    Pericles
    Thou speak'st like a physician, Helicanus,
    That ministers a potion unto me
    That thou wouldst tremble to receive thyself.
    295Attend me then: I went to Antioch,
    Where, as thou know'st, against the face of death
    I sought the purchase of a glorious beauty,
    From whence an issue I might propagate,
    Are arms to princes and bring joys to subjects.
    300Her face was to mine eye beyond all wonder,
    The rest, hark in thine ear, as black as incest.
    Which by my knowledge found, the sinful father
    Seemed not to strike, but smooth. But thou know'st this:
    'Tis time to fear when tyrants seems to kiss.
    305Which fear so grew in me I hither fled,
    Under the covering of a careful night,
    Who seemed my good protector, and, being here,
    Bethought me what was past, what might succeed.
    I knew him tyrannous, and tyrants' fears
    310Decrease not, but grow faster than the years.
    And should he doubt, as doubt no doubt he doth,
    That I should open to the listening air
    How many worthy princes' bloods were shed
    To keep his bed of blackness unlaid-ope,
    315To lop that doubt, he'll fill this land with arms,
    And make pretence of wrong that I have done him,
    When all, for mine -- if I may call -- offence,
    Must feel war's blow, who spares not innocence.
    Which love to all, of which thyself art one
    320Who now reproved'st me for't --
    Helicanus
    Alas, sir.
    Pericles
    Drew sleep out of mine eyes, blood from my cheeks,
    Musings into my mind, with thousand doubts
    How I might stop this tempest ere it came.
    325And finding little comfort to relieve them
    I thought it princely charity to grieve for them.
    Helicanus
    Well, my lord, since you have given me leave to speak,
    Freely will I speak. Antiochus you fear,
    And justly too, I think, you fear the tyrant,
    330Who either by public war, or private treason
    Will take away your life.
    Therefore, my lord, go travel for a while,
    Till that his rage and anger be forgot,
    Or till the Destinies do cut his thread of life./
    Your rule direct to any; if to me,
    Day serves not light more faithful than I'll be.
    335Pericles
    I do not doubt thy faith.
    But should he wrong my liberties in my absence?
    Helicanus
    We'll mingle our bloods together in the earth,
    From whence we had our being and our birth.
    Pericles
    Tyre, I now look from thee then, and to Tharsus
    340Intend my travel, where I'll hear from thee,
    And by whose letters I'll dispose myself.
    The care I had, and have, of subjects' good
    On thee I lay, whose wisdom's strength can bear it.
    I'll take thy word for faith, not ask thine oath:
    345Who shuns not to break one, will crack them both.
    But in our orbs we'll live so round and safe
    That time of both this truth shall ne'er convince:
    Thou showed'st a subject's shine, I a true prince'.
    [Exeunt.]
    348.1[1.4]
    Enter Thaliard alone.
    350[Thaliard]
    So this is Tyre, and this the court. Here must I kill King Pericles, and if I do it not, I am sure to be hanged at home. 'Tis dangerous! Well, I perceive he was a wise fellow and had good discretion, that being bid to ask what he would of the 355king, desired he might know none of his secrets. Now do I see he had some reason for't: for if a king bid a man be a villain, he's bound by the indenture of his oath to be one. Husht, here comes the Lords of Tyre!
    [He stands aside.]
    360Enter Helicanus, Escanes, with other Lords.
    Helicanus
    You shall not need, my fellow peers of Tyre,
    Further to question me of your king's departure.
    His sealed commission, left in trust with me,
    Does speak suffici365ently he's gone to travel.
    Thaliard
    [Aside] How? The king gone?
    Helicanus
    If further yet you will be satisfied,
    Why, as it were, unlicensed of your loves
    He would depart, I'll give some light unto you.
    Being at Antioch --
    370Thaliard
    [Aside] What from Antioch?
    Helicanus
    Royal Antiochus, on what cause I know not,
    Took some displeasure at him, at least he judged so,
    And doubting lest he had erred or sinned,
    To show his sorrow, he'd correct himself;
    So puts himself unto the ship375man's toil,
    With whom each minute threatens life or death.
    Thaliard
    [Aside] Well, I perceive
    I shall not be hanged now, although I would.
    But since he's gone, the king's ears it must please:
    He 'scaped the land to perish at the seas.
    I'll 380present my self.[He comes forward.] Peace to the lords of Tyre.
    [Helicanus]
    Lord Thaliard from Antiochus is welcome.
    Thaliard
    From him I come
    With message unto princely Pericles,
    But since my landing, I have understood
    Your lord has betook himself to unknown travels.
    Now message 385must return from whence it came.
    Helicanus
    We have no reason to desire it,
    Commended to our master not to us,
    Yet ere you shall depart, this we desire:
    As friends to Antioch we may feast in Tyre.
    Exeunt.
    388.1[1.5]
    Enter Cleon, the Governor of Tharsus, with 390his wife [Dionyza,] and others.
    Cleon
    My Dionyza, shall we rest us here
    And, by relating tales of others' griefs,
    See if 'twill teach us to forget our own?
    Dionyza
    That were to blow at fire in hope to quench it,
    395For who digs hills because they do aspire
    Throws down one mountain to cast up a higher.
    O my distressèd lord, even such our griefs are.
    Here they're but felt, and seen with mischief's eyes,
    But like to groves, being topped, they higher rise.
    400Cleon
    >Oh, Dionyza,
    Who wanteth food, and will not say he wants it,
    Or can conceal his hunger till he famish?
    Our tongues our sorrows utter to sound deep
    Our woes into the air; our eyes do weep
    405Till tongues fetch breath that may proclaim them louder,
    That if heaven slumber while their creatures want,
    They may awake their helps to comfort them.
    I'll then discourse our woes felt several years,
    410And, wanting breath to speak, help me with tears.
    Dionyza
    I'll do my best, sir.
    Cleon
    This Tharsus, o'er which I have the government,
    A city o'er whom Plenty held full hand,
    For Riches strewed herself even in her streets,
    415Whose towers bore heads so high they kissed the clouds,
    And strangers ne'er beheld, but wondered at;
    Whose men and dames so jetted and adorned,
    Like one another's glass to trim them by;
    Their tables were stored full to glad the sight,
    420And not so much to feed on as delight.
    All poverty was scorned, and pride so great
    The name of help grew odious to repeat.
    Dionyza
    Oh, 'tis too true!
    Cleon
    But see what heaven can do by this our change.
    425These mouths who but of late, earth, sea, and air
    Were all too little to content and please,
    Although they gave their creatures in abundance,
    As houses are defiled for want of use
    They are now starved for want of exercise;
    430Those palates who, not yet two summers younger,
    Must have inventions to delight the taste,
    Would now be glad of bread and beg for it;
    Those mothers who to nuzzle up their babes
    Thought nought too curious, are ready now
    435To eat those little darlings whom they loved;
    So sharp are hunger's teeth that man and wife
    Draw lots who first shall die to lengthen life.
    Here stands a lord and there a lady weeping;
    Here many sink, yet those which see them fall
    440Have scarce strength left to give them burial.
    Is not this true?
    Dionyza
    Our cheeks and hollow eyes do witness it.
    Cleon
    Oh, let those cities that of plenty's cup
    And her prosperities so largely taste
    445With their superfluous riots, hear these tears:
    The misery of Tharsus may be theirs.
    Enter a Lord.
    Lord
    Where's the Lord Governor?
    Cleon
    Here.
    Speak out thy sorrows, which thou bring'st 450in haste,
    For comfort is too far for us to expect.
    Lord
    We have descried, upon our neighboring shore,
    A portly sail of ships make hitherward.
    Cleon
    I thought as much.
    One sorrow never comes but brings an heir,
    455That may succeed as his inheritor.
    And so in ours: some neighboring nation,
    Taking advantage of our misery,
    Hath stuffed the hollow vessels with their power
    To beat us down, the which are down already,
    460And make a conquest of unhappy me,
    Whereas no glory's got to overcome.
    Lord
    That's the least fear; for by the semblance
    Of their white flags displayed, they bring us peace,
    And come to us as favorers, not as foes.
    465Cleon
    Thou speak'st like him's untutored to repeat:
    Who makes the fairest show means most deceit.
    But bring they what they will and what they can,
    What need we fear?
    Our ground's the lowest, and we are half way there.
    Go, tell their general we 470attend him here
    To know for what he comes and whence he comes,
    And what he craves?
    Lord
    I go, my lord.
    [Exit.]
    Cleon
    Welcome is peace, if he on peace consist;
    If wars, we are unable to resist.
    475Enter 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'amaze your eyes.
    We have heard your miseries as far as Tyre,
    480And seen the desolation of your streets.
    Nor come we to add sorrow to your tears,
    But to relieve them of their heavy load;
    And these our ships, you happily may think
    Are like the Trojan horse was stuffed within
    485With bloody veins expecting overthrow,
    Are stored with corn to make your needy bread,
    And give them life whom hunger starved half dead.
    [All Tarsians]
    [Kneeling] The gods of Greece protect you,
    And we'll pray for you!
    490Pericles
    Arise, I pray you, rise.
    [They rise.]
    We do not look for reverence but for love,
    And harborage for our self, our ships, and men.
    Cleon
    The which when any shall not gratify,
    Or pay you with unthankfulness in thought,
    Be it our wives, our children, or ourselves,
    495The curse of heaven and men succeed 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 stars that frown lend us a smile.
    Exeunt.
    499.1[2.0]
    500Enter Gower.
    [Gower]
    Here have you seen a mighty king
    His child, I wis, to incest bring;
    A better prince and benign lord
    That will prove aweful both in deed and word.
    505Be quiet then, as men should be,
    Till he hath passed necessity:
    I'll show you those in troubles reign
    Losing a mite, a mountain gain.
    The good in conversation,
    510To whom I give my benison,
    Is still at Tharsus, where each man
    Thinks all is writ he speken can,
    And to remember what he does
    Build his statue to make him glorious.
    515But tidings to the contrary
    Are brought your eyes; what need speak I?
    Dumb Show.
    Enter at one door, Pericles talking with Cleon, all the train with them. Enter at another door, a gentleman with a 520letter to Pericles. Pericles shows the letter to Cleon. Pericles gives the Messenger a reward, and knights him.
    Exit Pericles at one door, and Cleon at another[, with their attendants].
    Good Helicane that stayed at home --
    Not to eat honey like a drone
    525From others' labors, though he strive
    To killen bad, keep good alive,
    And to fulfil his prince' desire --
    Sends word of all that haps in Tyre:
    How Thaliard came full bent with sin,
    530And hid intent to murder him,
    And that in Tharsus was not best
    Longer for him to make his rest.
    He doing so, put forth to seas,
    Where when men been, there's seldom ease.
    535For now the wind begins to blow;
    Thunder above and deeps below
    Makes such unquiet that the ship
    Should house him safe is wracked and split,
    And he, good prince, having all lost,
    540By waves from coast to coast is tossed.
    All perishen of man, of pelf,
    Ne aught escapend but himself;
    Till Fortune, tired with doing bad,
    Threw him ashore to give him glad;
    545And here he comes. What shall be next --
    Pardon old Gower -- this 'longs the text.
    [Exit.]
    546.1[2.1]
    [Thunder] Enter Pericles wet.
    Pericles
    Yet cease your ire, you angry stars of heaven!
    Wind, rain, and thunder, remember: earthly man
    550Is 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 breath
    Nothing to think on but ensuing death.
    555Let it suffice the greatness of your powers
    To have bereft a prince of all his fortunes,
    And having thrown him from your watery grave,
    Here to have death in peace is all he'll crave.
    Enter three Fishermen. [They do not see Pericles.]
    5601 Fisherman
    What ho, Pilch!
    2 Fisherman
    Ha! Come and bring away the nets.
    1 Fisherman
    What, Patch-breech, I say!
    3 Fisherman
    What say you, master?
    1 Fisherman
    Look how thou stirr'st now! 565Come away, or I'll fetch thee with a wanion.
    3 Fisherman
    'Faith, master, I am thinking of the poor men, that were cast away before us even now.
    1 Fisherman
    Alas, poor souls, it grieved my heart to hear what pitiful cries they made to us to help them, 570when (welladay!) we could scarce help ourselves.
    3 Fisherman
    Nay master, said not I as much, when I saw the porpoise 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 washed. 575Master, I marvel how the fishes live in the sea.
    1 Fisherman
    Why, as men do a-land: 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, 580driving the poor fry before him, and at last, devours them all at a mouthful. Such whales have I heard on, a'th'land, who never leave gaping, till they swallowed the whole parish: church, steeple, bells and all.
    585Pericles
    [Aside] A pretty moral!
    3 Fisherman
    But master, if I had been the sexton, I would have been that day in the belfry.
    2 Fisherman
    Why, man?
    3 Fisherman
    Because he should have swallowed me too, 590and 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 cast bells, steeple, church and parish up again! But if the good King Simonides were of my mind --
    595Pericles
    [Aside] Simonides?
    3 Fisherman
    -- we would purge the land of these drones that rob the bee of her honey.
    Pericles
    [Aside] How, from the finny subject of the sea,
    These fishers tell the infirmities of men,
    600And from their watery empire recollect
    All that may men approve, or men detect!
    [He comes forward.]
    Peace be at your labor, honest fishermen.
    2 Fisherman
    Honest, good fellow? What's that? If it be a day fits you, scratch't out of the calendar, and nobody look after it.
    605Pericles
    May see the sea hath cast upon your coast --
    2 Fisherman
    What a drunken knave was the sea to cast thee in our way!
    Pericles
    -- A man whom both the waters and the wind,
    In that vast tennis-court, hath made the ball
    610For them to play upon, entreats you pity him.
    He asks of you, that never used to beg.
    1 Fisherman
    No, friend, cannot you beg? Here's them in our country of Greece gets more with begging than we can do with working!
    6152 Fisherman
    Canst thou catch any fishes then?
    Pericles
    I never practiced it.
    2 Fisherman
    Nay then thou wilt starve, sure! For here's nothing to be got nowadays, unless thou canst fish for't.
    Pericles
    What I have been, I have forgot to know;
    620But what I am, want teaches me to think on:
    A man thronged up 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,
    625For that I am a man, pray see me burièd.
    1 Fisherman
    Die, quoth-a? Now gods forbid't, an I have a gown here! [He gives Pericles a gown.] Come, put it on, keep thee warm! [Pericles puts on the gown.] Now, afore me, a handsome fellow! Come, thou shalt go home, and we'll have flesh for holidays, fish for fasting-days and, moreo'er, 630puddings and flapjacks, and thou shalt be welcome.
    Pericles
    I thank you, sir.
    2 Fisherman
    Hark you my friend: you said you could not beg!
    Pericles
    I did but crave.
    2 Fisherman
    But crave? 635Then I'll turn craver too, and so I shall scape whipping!
    Pericles
    Why, are your beggars whipped then?
    2 Fisherman
    Oh, not all, my friend, not all. For if all your beggars were whipped, I would wish no better office than to be beadle. But master, I'll go draw up the net.
    [Exeunt 2 and 3 Fishermen.]
    640Pericles
    [Aside] How well this honest mirth becomes their labor.
    1 Fisherman
    Hark you, sir. Do you know where ye are?
    Pericles
    Not well.
    1 Fisherman
    Why, I'll tell you. This is called Pentapolis, and our king, the good Simonides.
    645Pericles
    The good Simonides, do you call him?
    1 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. 650How far is his court distant from this shore?
    1 Fisherman
    Marry 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 tourney for her love.
    655Pericles
    Were my fortunes equal to my desires, I could wish to make one there.
    1 Fisherman
    Oh, sir, things must be as they may! And what a man can not get, he may lawfully deal for -- for his wife's soul.
    Enter the two [other] fishermen, drawing up a net.
    6602 Fisherman
    Help, master, help! Here's a fish hangs in the net like a poor man's right in the law: 'twill hardly come out! [He pulls a piece of armor from the net.] Ha! Bots on't, 'tis come at last; and 'tis turned to a rusty armor.
    Pericles
    An armor, friends? I pray you, let me see it.
    [He examines the armor.] Thanks, Fortune, yet that after all thy crosses,
    665Thou giv'st 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
    670'Twixt me and death," and pointed to this brace.
    "For that it saved me, keep it. In like necessity --
    The which the gods protect thee from -- may't defend thee."
    It kept where I kept, I so dearly loved it,
    Till the rough seas, that spares not any man,
    675Took it in rage, though, calmed, have given't again.
    I thank thee for't, my shipwreck now's no ill,
    Since I have here my father gave in his will.
    1 Fisherman
    What mean you, sir?
    Pericles
    To beg of you, kind friends, this coat of worth,
    680For it was sometime target to a king.
    I know it by this mark. [He indicates a detail of the armor.] 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.
    685And if that ever my low fortune's better,
    I'll pay your bounties, till then, rest your debtor.
    1 Fisherman
    Why, wilt thou tourney for the lady?
    Pericles
    I'll show the virtue I have borne in arms.
    1 Fisherman
    Why, d'ye take it; and the gods give thee good on't.
    [Pericles begins putting on the armor.]
    6902 Fisherman
    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.
    695Pericles
    Believe't, I will:
    By your furtherance I am clothed 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
    700Upon 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 Fisherman
    We'll sure provide. Thou shalt have my best gown to make thee a pair, 705and I'll bring thee to the court myself.
    Pericles
    Then honor be but equal to my will,
    This day I'll rise, or else add ill to ill.
    [Exeunt.]
    707.1[2.2]
    Enter Simonides and Thaisa, with [Lords and] attendants, [and sit on two thrones.]
    Simonides
    Are the knights ready to begin the triumph?
    7101 Lord
    They are, my liege,
    And stay your coming to present themselves.
    Simonides
    Return them we are ready, and our daughter,
    In honor of whose birth these triumphs are,
    Sits here like Beauty's child, whom Nature gat
    715For men to see and, seeing, wonder at.
    [Exit 1 Lord.]
    Thaisa
    It pleaseth you, my royal father, to express
    My commendations great, whose merit's less.
    Simonides
    It's fit it should be so, for princes are
    A model which heaven makes like to itself:
    720As jewels lose their glory, if neglected,
    So princes their renowns, if not respected.
    'Tis now your honor, daughter, to entertain
    The labor of each knight, in his device.
    Thaisa
    Which, to preserve mine honor, I'll perform.
    [Enter 1 Lord.]
    725The first Knight [enters and] passes by [across the stage, and his page presents a shield to be read by Thaisa.]
    Simonides
    Who is the first, that doth prefer himself?
    Thaisa
    A knight of Sparta, my renowned father,
    And the device he bears upon his shield
    Is a black Ethiop reaching at the sun,
    730The word: Lux tua vita mihi.
    Simonides
    He loves you well that holds his life of you.
    [The second Knight passes across the stage, in the same manner as the first.]
    Who is the second that presents himself?
    Thaisa
    A prince of Macedon, my royal father,
    735And the device he bears upon his shield
    Is an armed knight that's conquered by a lady,
    The motto thus in Spanish: Piu per dolcera che per forsa.
    [The third Knight passes across the stage, as before.]
    Simonides
    And with the third?
    Thaisa
    The third of Antioch;
    And his device 740a wreath of chivalry;
    The word: Me pompae provexit apex.
    [The fourth Knight passes across the stage.]
    Simonides
    What is the fourth?
    Thaisa
    A burning torch that's turnèd upside down;
    The word: Qui me alit, me extinguit.
    Simonides
    Which shows that beauty hath his power and will,
    745Which can as well inflame as it can kill.
    [The fifth Knight passes across the stage.]
    Thaisa
    The fifth, an hand environèd with clouds,
    Holding out gold that's by the touchstone tried;
    The motto thus: Sic spectanda fides.
    [The] sixth Knight[, Pericles passes across the stage in rusty armor and without a shield or a page, and presents his device to Thaisa in person.]
    Simonides
    And what's the sixth and last, the which 750the knight himself
    With such a graceful courtesy delivered?
    Thaisa
    He seems to be a stranger: but his present is
    A withered branch, that's only green at top;
    The motto: In hac spe vivo.
    Simonides
    A pretty moral:
    From the dejected state wherein he is,
    755He hopes by you his fortunes yet may flourish.
    1 Lord
    He had need mean better than his outward show
    Can any way speak in his just commend,
    For by his rusty outside he appears
    To have practiced more the whipstock than the lance.
    7602 Lord
    He well may be a stranger, for he comes
    To an honored triumph, strangely furnishèd.
    3 Lord
    And on set purpose let his armor rust
    Until this day, to scour it in the dust!
    Simonides
    Opinion's but a fool, that makes us scan
    765The outward habit for the inward man.
    [Trumpets sound offstage.]
    But stay, the knights are coming.
    We will withdraw into the gallery.
    [Exeunt.]
    Great shouts [offstage], and all cry "The mean knight."
    768.1[2.3]
    Enter the King[, Thaisa, Marshal, attendants,] and Knights [dressed in armor] from tilting.
    770Simonides
    Knights,
    To say you're welcome were superfluous:
    To place upon the volume of your deeds,
    As in a title page, your worth in arms,
    Were more than you expect, or more than's fit,
    Since every worth in show commends itself.
    775Prepare for mirth, for mirth becomes a feast.
    You are princes, and my guests.
    Thaisa
    [To Pericles] But you my knight and guest,
    To whom this wreath of victory I give
    And crown you king of this day's happiness.
    [Thaisa puts a wreath on Pericles' head.]
    780Pericles
    '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 framing an artist, art hath thus decreed:
    To make some good, but others to exceed,
    785And you are her labored scholar. [To Thaisa] Come, queen o'th'feast --
    For, daughter, so you are --, here take your place.
    [To Marshal] Marshal the rest as they deserve their grace.
    Knights
    We are honored much by good Simonides.
    [The Marshal shows the Knights to their places.]
    Simonides
    Your presence glads our days. Honor we love,
    790For who hates honor hates the gods above.
    Marshal
    [To Pericles] Sir, yonder is your place.
    Pericles
    Some other is more fit.
    1 Knight
    Contend not, sir, for we are gentlemen
    Have neither in our hearts nor outward eyes
    795Envied the great, nor shall the low despise.
    Pericles
    You are right courteous knights.
    Simonides
    Sit, sir, sit.
    [They begin the feast.]
    Simonides
    [Aside] By Jove I wonder, that is king of thoughts:
    These cates resist me, he not thought upon.
    800Thaisa
    [Aside] By Juno, that is queen of marriage,
    All viands that I eat do seem unsavory,
    Wishing him my meat. [Aloud to Simonides] Sure, he's a gallant gentleman.
    Simonides
    He's but a country gentleman;
    Has done no more than other knights have done:
    Has broken a staff, 805or so; so let it pass.
    Thaisa
    [Aside] To me he seems like diamond to glass.
    Pericles
    [Aside] Yon king's to me like to my father's picture,
    Which tells me in that glory once he was,
    Had princes sit like stars about his throne,
    810And he the sun for them to reverence.
    None that beheld him, but, like lesser lights,
    Did vail 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 light;
    815Whereby 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
    [To all] What, are you merry, knights?
    Knights
    Who can be other in this royal presence?
    820Simonides
    Here, with a cup that's stored unto the brim --
    As you do love, fill to your mistress' lips.
    We drink this health to you. [He drinks.]
    Knights
    We thank your Grace.
    Simonides
    [To Thaisa] Yet pause awhile: yon knight doth sit too melancholy,
    825As if the entertainment in our court,
    Had not a show might countervail his worth:
    Note it not you, Thaisa?
    Thaisa
    What is't to me, my father?
    Simonides
    Oh, attend, my daughter: 830Princes, in this,
    Should live like gods above, who freely give
    To everyone that come to honor them:
    And princes not doing so, are like to gnats,
    Which make a sound, but, killed, are wondered at.
    Therefore to make his entrance more sweet,
    835Here: say we drink this standing bowl of wine to him.
    [He drinks.]
    Thaisa
    Alas, my father, it befits not me
    Unto a stranger knight to be so bold!
    He may my proffer take for an offence,
    Since men take women's gifts for impudence.
    840Simonides
    How? Do as I bid you, or you'll move me else.
    Thaisa
    [Aside] 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.
    [Thaisa approaches Pericles.]
    Thaisa
    The King my father, sir, has drunk to you.
    845Pericles
    I thank him.
    Thaisa
    Wishing it so much blood unto your life.
    Pericles
    I thank both him and you, and pledge him freely.
    [He drinks.]
    Thaisa
    And further, he desires to know of you
    Of whence you are, your name and parentage.
    850Pericles
    A gentleman of Tyre, my name Pericles;
    My education been in arts and arms,
    Who, looking for adventures in the world,
    Was by the rough seas reft of ships and men,
    And after shipwreck, driven upon this shore.
    [Thaisa returns to Simonides.]
    855Thaisa
    He thanks your Grace; names himself Pericles,
    A gentleman of Tyre,
    Who only by misfortune of the seas
    Bereft of ships and men, cast on this shore.
    Simonides
    Now by the gods, I pity his misfortune,
    And will awake him from his melancholy.
    860[To all] Come, gentlemen, we sit too long on trifles,
    And waste the time which looks for other revels.
    Even in your armors as you are addressed
    Will well become a soldiers' dance.
    I will not have excuse with saying this:
    865"Loud music is too harsh for ladies' heads" --
    Since they love men in arms, as well as beds.
    [Music, and the Knights] dance.
    Simonides
    So this was well asked, 'twas so well performed.
    [Indicating Thaisa to Pericles] Come, sir, here's a lady that wants breathing too,
    870And, I have heard, you knights of Tyre
    Are excellent in making ladies trip,
    And that their measures are as excellent.
    Pericles
    In those that practice them, they are, my lord.
    Simonides
    Oh, that's as much as you would be denied
    875Of your fair courtesy.
    They dance.
    Simonides
    Unclasp, unclasp!
    Thanks, gentlemen, to all; all have done well.
    [To Pericles] But you the best. [Calling] Pages and lights, to conduct
    These knights unto their several lodgings.
    880[To Pericles] 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 level at.
    Therefore, each one betake him to his rest,
    885Tomorrow all for speeding do their best.
    [Exeunt.]
    885.1[2.4]
    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 890longer
    To withhold the vengeance that they had in store,
    Due to this heinous capital offence,
    Even in the height and pride of all his glory,
    When he was seated in a chariot
    Of an inestimable value, and his daughter 895with him,
    A fire from heaven came and shrivelled up
    Their bodies even to loathing, for they so stunk
    That all those eyes adored them ere their fall
    Scorn now their hand should give them burial.
    Escanes
    'Twas very strange.
    900Helicanus
    And yet but justice; for though
    This king were great, his greatness was no guard
    To bar heaven's shaft, but sin had his reward.
    Escanes
    'Tis very true.
    [Enter three Lords.]
    9051 Lord
    [Apart, to his fellow Lords] See -- not a man, in private conference
    Or council, has respect with him but he!
    2 Lord
    It shall no longer grieve without reproof.
    3 Lord
    And cursed be he that will not second it.
    1 Lord
    Follow me then.[Advancing] Lord Helicane, a word.
    910Helicanus
    With me? And welcome. Happy day, my lords!
    1 Lord
    Know that our griefs are risen to the top,
    And now at length they overflow their banks.
    Helicanus
    Your griefs? For what? Wrong not your prince you love.
    9151 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 breath.
    If in the world he live, we'll seek him out;
    If in his grave he rest, we'll find him there
    920And be resolved he lives to govern us,
    Or dead, gives cause to mourn his funeral
    And leaves us to our free election.
    2 Lord
    Whose death indeed's the strongest in our censure;
    And knowing this kingdom is without a head --
    925Like goodly buildings left 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
    [Kneeling] Live, noble Helicane!
    930Helicanus
    Try honor's cause: forbear your suffrages.
    If that you love Prince Pericles, forbear.
    Take I your wish, I leap into the seas,
    Where's hourly trouble for a minute's ease.
    A twelve-month longer, let me entreat you
    935So to forbear the absence of your king,
    If in which time expired he not return,
    I shall with agèd patience bear your yoke.
    But if I cannot win you to this love,
    Go search like nobles, like noble subjects,
    940And in your search, spend your adventurous worth,
    Whom if you find and win unto return,
    You shall like diamonds sit about his crown.
    1 Lord
    To wisdom, he's a fool that will not yield.
    And since Lord Helicane enjoineth us,
    945We with our travels will endeavor it.
    Helicanus
    Then you love us, we you, and we'll clasp hands:
    [They take one another's hands.]
    When peers thus knit, a kingdom ever stands.
    [Exeunt.]
    947.1[2.5]
    Enter the King[, Simonides,] reading of a letter, at one door. The Knights meet him.
    9501 Knight
    Good morrow to the good Simonides.
    Simonides
    Knights, from my daughter this I let you know:
    That for this twelve-month, she'll not undertake
    A married life.
    Her reason to herself is only known,
    Which from her by no means can I get.
    9552 Knight
    May we not get access to her, my lord?
    Simonides
    Faith, by no means. She hath so strictly tied
    Her to her chamber, that 'tis impossible.
    One twelve-moons more she'll wear Diana's livery.
    This by the eye of Cynthia hath she vowed,
    960And, on her virgin honor, will not break it.
    3 Knight
    Loath to bid farewell, we take our leaves.[Exeunt Knights.]
    Simonides
    So, they are well dispatched. Now to my daughter's letter.
    She tells me here she'll wed the stranger knight,
    965Or never more to view nor day nor light.
    'Tis well, mistress; your choice agrees with mine;
    I like that well. Nay, how absolute she's in't,
    Not minding whether I dislike or no.
    Well, I do commend her choice,
    And will no longer 970have it be delayed.
    Soft, here he comes. I must dissemble it.
    Enter Pericles.
    Pericles
    All fortune to the good Simonides.
    Simonides
    To you as much. Sir, I am beholding to you
    975For 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 desert.
    980Simonides
    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.
    985Simonides
    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.
    990Pericles
    I am unworthy for her schoolmaster.
    Simonides
    She thinks not so; peruse this writing else.
    [He gives Pericles the letter.]
    Pericles
    [Aside] What's here?
    A letter that she loves the knight of Tyre?
    'Tis the king's subtlety to have my life!
    [To Simonides] Oh, seek not to entrap me, gracious lord,
    995A stranger and distressèd gentleman
    That never aimed so high to love your daughter,
    But bent all offices to honor her.
    Simonides
    Thou hast bewitched my daughter, and thou art
    A villain!
    1000Pericles
    By the gods, I have not.
    Never did thought of mine levy offence,
    Nor never did my actions yet commence
    A deed might gain her love, or your displeasure.
    Simonides
    Traitor, thou liest.
    1005Pericles
    Traitor?
    Simonides
    Ay, traitor.
    Pericles
    Even in his throat, unless it be the king,
    That calls me traitor, I return the lie.
    Simonides
    [Aside] Now by the gods, I do applaud his courage.
    1010Pericles
    My actions are as noble as my thoughts,
    That never relished of a base descent.
    I came unto your court for honor's cause,
    And not to be a rebel to her state;
    And he that otherwise accounts of me --
    1015This sword shall prove, he's honor's enemy.
    Simonides
    No?
    Here comes my daughter, she can witness it.
    Enter Thaisa.
    Pericles
    Then, as you are as virtuous as fair,
    Resolve your angry father, if my tongue
    1020Did e'er solicit or my hand subscribe
    To any syllable that made love to you?
    Thaisa
    Why, sir, say if you had -- who takes offence
    at that would make me glad?
    Simonides
    Yea, mistress, are you so peremptory?
    1025[Aside] I am glad on't with all my heart.
    [Aloud] I'll tame you; I'll bring you in subjection.
    Will you, not having my consent,
    Bestow your love and your affections
    Upon a stranger? [Aside] Who for aught I know
    1030May be -- nor can I think the contrary --
    As great in blood as I myself.
    [Aloud] Therefore hear you, mistress: either frame
    Your will to mine -- and you, sir, hear you:
    Either be ruled by me, or I'll make you --
    1035Man and wife!
    Nay come, your hands and lips must seal it too;
    And being joined, I'll thus your hopes destroy,
    And for further grief -- God give you joy!
    What are you both pleased?
    Thaisa
    Yes, [To Pericles] if you love me, sir.
    1040Pericles
    Even as my life my blood that fosters 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;
    Then with what haste you can, get you to bed.
    Exeunt.
    1044.1[3.0]
    1045Enter Gower.
    [Gower]
    Now sleep yslackèd hath the rouse,
    No din but snores about the house,
    Made louder by the o'er-fed breast
    Of this most pompous marriage-feast:
    1050The cat with eyne of burning coal,
    Now couches from the mouse's hole;
    And crickets sing at the oven's mouth,
    Are the blither for their drouth.
    Hymen hath brought the bride to bed,
    1055Where, by the loss of maidenhead,
    A babe is moulded. Be attent,
    And time that is so briefly spent
    With your fine fancies quaintly eche:
    What's dumb in show, I'll plain with speech.
    1059.1[Dumb Show]
    1060Enter Pericles and Simonides at one door, with attendants. A messenger [entering from the other door,] 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 1065take leave of her father, and depart [with Lychorida and messenger. Exeunt Simonides and attendants another way.]
    By many a dern and painful perch
    Of Pericles the careful search,
    By the four opposing coigns
    Which the world together joins,
    1070Is made with all due diligence
    That horse and sail and high expense
    Can stead the quest. At last from Tyre,
    Fame answering the most strange enquire,
    To th'court of King Simonides
    1075Are letters brought; the tenor these:
    Antiochus and his daughter dead,
    The men of Tyrus on the head
    Of Helicanus would set on
    The crown of Tyre, but he will none.
    1080The mutiny he there hastes t'appease,
    Says to 'em: if King Pericles
    Come not home in twice six moons,
    He, obedient to their dooms,
    Will take the crown. The sum of this,
    1085Brought hither to Pentapolis,
    Yravishèd the regions round,
    And every one with claps can sound:
    "Our heir apparent is a king!
    Who dreamt, who thought of such a thing?"
    1090Brief, he must hence depart to Tyre;
    His queen, with child, makes her desire --
    Which who shall cross? -- along to go.
    Omit we all their dole and woe.
    Lychorida, her nurse, she takes,
    1095And so to sea. Their vessel shakes
    On Neptune's billow. Half the flood
    Hath their keel cut, but Fortune, moved,
    Varies again; the grisled north
    Disgorges such a tempest forth
    1100That, as a duck for life that dives,
    So up and down the poor ship drives.
    The lady shrieks and, well-a-near,
    Does fall in travail with her fear,
    And what ensues in this fell storm
    1105Shall for itself itself perform.
    I nill relate, action may
    Conveniently the rest convey,
    Which might not what by me is told.
    In your imagination hold
    1110This stage the ship, upon whose deck
    The seas-tossed Pericles appears to speak.
    [Exit.]
    1111.1[3.1]
    [Thunder.] Enter Pericles on shipboard.
    Pericles
    The god of this great vast, rebuke these surges
    Which wash both heaven and hell! And thou that hast
    1115Upon the winds command, bind them in brass,
    Having called them from the deep; O still
    Thy deafening dreadful thunders, gently quench
    Thy nimble sulphurous flashes! [He calls.] Oh, how-- Lychorida --
    How does my queen? [Thunder.] Thou storm, venomously
    1120Wilt thou spit all thyself? The seaman's whistle
    Is as a whisper in the ears of death,
    Unheard. [He calls.] Lychorida? Lucina, o
    Divinest patroness and midwife gentle
    To those that cry by night, convey thy deity
    1125Aboard our dancing boat, make swift the pangs
    Of my queen's travails! Now, Lychorida.
    Enter Lychorida, [with a baby].
    Lychorida
    Here is a thing too young for such a place,
    Who if it had conceit would die, as I
    Am like to do. 1130Take in your arms this piece
    Of your dead queen.
    Pericles
    How? How, Lychorida?
    Lychorida
    Patience, good sir. Do not assist the storm.
    Here's all that is left living of your queen:
    A little daughter. For the sake of it,
    1135Be manly, and take comfort.
    Pericles
    O you gods!
    Why do you make us love your goodly gifts,
    And snatch them straight away? We here below
    Recall not what we give, and therein may
    1140Vie honor with you.
    Lychorida
    Patience, good sir,
    Even for this charge.
    [She gives him the baby.]
    Pericles
    [To the baby] Now mild may be thy life,
    For a more blusterous birth had never babe;
    Quiet and gentle thy conditions, for
    1145Thou art the rudeliest welcome to this world
    That ever was prince's child; happy what follows,
    Thou hast as chiding a nativity,
    As fire, air, water, earth, and heaven can make,
    To herald thee from the womb.
    1150Even at the first thy loss is more than can
    Thy portage quit with all thou canst find here.
    Now the good gods throw their best eyes upon't!
    Enter two Sailors.
    1 Sailor
    What courage sir? God save you.
    1155Pericles
    Courage enough, I do not fear the flaw,
    It hath done to me the worst. Yet for the love
    Of this poor infant, this fresh new sea-farer,
    I would it would be quiet.
    1 Sailor
    [Calls to sailors off.] Slack the bowlines there! [To the storm.] Thou wilt not, wilt thou? 1160Blow and split thyself!
    2 Sailor
    But sea-room, an the brine and cloudy billow kiss the moon, I care not.
    1 Sailor
    [To Pericles] Sir, your queen must overboard. The sea works high, the wind is loud, and will not lie till the ship 1165be cleared of the dead.
    Pericles
    That's your superstition.
    1 Sailor
    Pardon us, sir. With us at sea it hath been still observed, and we are strong in custom. Therefore briefly yield 'er, for she must overboard straight.
    Pericles
    As you think meet. 1170Most wretchèd queen!
    Lychorida
    Here she lies, sir.
    [The body of Thaisa is revealed.]
    Pericles
    A terrible child-bed hast thou had, my dear.
    No light, no fire. Th'unfriendly elements
    Forgot thee utterly. Nor have I time
    1175To give thee hallowed to thy grave, but straight
    Must cast thee, scarcely coffined, in the ooze,
    Where for a monument upon thy bones,
    And e'er-remaining lamps, the belching whale
    And humming water must o'erwhelm thy corpse,
    1180Lying with simple shells. O Lychorida,
    Bid Nestor bring me spices, ink and paper,
    My casket and my jewels, and bid Nicander
    Bring me the satin coffer. Lay the babe
    Upon the pillow. Hie thee, whiles I say
    1185A priestly farewell to her. Suddenly, woman!
    [Exit Lychorida, with the baby.]
    2 Sailor
    Sir, we have a chest beneath the hatches, caulked and bitumed ready.
    Pericles
    I thank thee, mariner. Say, what coast is this?
    2 Sailor
    We are near Tharsus.
    1190Pericles
    Thither, gentle Mariner,
    Alter thy course for Tyre. When canst thou reach it?
    2 Sailor
    By break of day, if the wind cease.
    Pericles
    Oh, make for Tharsus!
    There will I visit Cleon, for the babe
    1195Cannot hold out to Tyrus. There I'll leave it
    At careful nursing. Go thy ways, good mariner.
    I'll bring the body presently.
    Exeunt [different ways, Pericles with the body of Thaisa.]
    1197.1[3.2]
    Enter Lord Cerimon with a servant [and another man in distress].
    Cerimon
    [Calling offstage] Philemon, ho!
    1200Enter Philemon.
    Philemon
    Doth my lord call?
    Cerimon
    Get fire and meat for these poor men.
    [Exit Philemon.]
    'T'as been a turbulent and stormy night.
    Servant
    I have been in many, but such a night as this,
    1205Till now I ne'er endured.
    Cerimon
    [To servant] Your master will be dead ere you return.
    There's nothing can be ministered to nature
    That can recover him. [To the other man, giving him a note.] Give this to the 'pothecary,
    And tell me how it works.[Exeunt both men.]
    1210Enter two gentlemen.
    1 Gentleman
    Good morrow.
    2 Gentleman
    Good morrow to your lordship.
    Cerimon
    Gentlemen, why do you stir so early?
    1 Gentleman
    Sir,
    Our lodgings standing bleak upon the sea
    1215Shook as the earth did quake.
    The very principals did seem to rend
    And all to topple. Pure surprise and fear,
    Made me to quit the house.
    2 Gentleman
    That is the cause we trouble you so early,
    'Tis not our husbandry!
    1220Cerimon
    Oh, you say well!
    1 Gentleman
    But I much marvel that your lordship, having
    Rich tire about you, should at these early hours
    Shake off the golden slumber of repose.
    'Tis most strange
    Nature should be so conversant with pain,
    1225Being thereto not compelled.
    Cerimon
    I hold it ever
    Virtue and cunning were endowments greater
    Than nobleness and riches. Careless heirs
    May the two latter darken and expend,
    But immortality attends the former,
    1230Making a man a god. 'Tis known, I ever
    Have studied physic, through which secret art,
    By turning o'er authorities I have,
    Together with my practice, made familiar
    To me and to my aid the blest infusions
    That dwells 1235in vegetives, in metals, stones;
    And I can speak of the disturbances
    That nature works, and of her cures, which doth give me
    A more content in course of true delight
    Than to be thirsty after tottering honor,
    Or tie my pleasure up in silken bags
    1240To please the fool, and death.
    2 Gentleman
    Your honor has
    Through Ephesus poured forth your charity,
    And hundreds call themselves your creatures who
    By you have been restored. And not your knowledge,
    Your personal pain, 1245but even your purse still open
    Hath built Lord Cerimon such strong renown
    As time shall never --
    Enter two or three [servants] with a chest.
    [1] Servant
    So, lift there!
    Cerimon
    What's that?
    1250[1] Servant
    Sir, even now
    Did the sea toss up upon our shore this chest;
    'Tis of some wreck.
    Cerimon
    Set't down. Let's look upon't.
    2 Gentleman
    'Tis like a coffin, sir.
    Cerimon
    Whate'er it be,
    'Tis wondrous heavy. 1255[To servants] Wrench it open straight!
    [The servants begin work on the chest.]
    [To the gentlemen] If the sea's stomach be o'er-charged with gold,
    'Tis a good constraint of Fortune it belches upon us.
    2 Gentleman
    'Tis so, my lord.
    Cerimon
    How close 'tis caulked & bitumed!
    Did the sea cast it up?
    1260[1] Servant
    I never saw so huge a billow sir,
    As tossed it upon shore.
    Cerimon
    Wrench it open.
    [The servants force the lid.]
    Soft! It smells most sweetly in my sense.
    2 Gentleman
    A delicate odour.
    Cerimon
    As ever hit my nostril. So, up with it!
    [The servants open the chest.]
    O you most potent gods! What's here, a corpse?
    12652 Gentleman
    Most strange!
    Cerimon
    Shrouded in cloth of state, balmed and entreasured
    With full bags of spices! A passport too!
    [He takes a paper from the chest.]
    Apollo, perfect me in the characters! [He reads.]
    Here I give to understand,
    1270If e'er this coffin drives a-land:
    I, King Pericles, have lost
    This queen, worth all our mundane cost.
    Who finds her, give her burying:
    She was the daughter of a king.
    1275Besides this treasure for a fee,
    The Gods requite his charity!
    If thou liv'st, Pericles, thou hast a heart
    That ever cracks for woe! This chanced tonight.
    2 Gentleman
    Most likely, sir.
    1280Cerimon
    Nay, certainly tonight,
    For look how fresh she looks. They were too rough
    That threw her in the sea. [To servants] Make a fire within.
    Fetch hither all my boxes in my closet.
    [Exeunt servants.]
    [To gentlemen] Death may usurp on nature many hours,
    And yet the fire of life kindle again
    The o'er-pressed spirits. 1285I heard of an Egyptian
    That had nine hours lain dead, who was
    By good appliance recovered.
    Enter one [servant] with napkins and fire.
    Well said, well said! The fire and cloths!
    [To gentlemen] The rough and woeful music that we have,
    Cause it to sound, beseech you.
    [A gentleman withdraws to cue music.]
    1290[To servant] The vial once more. How thou stir'st, thou block!
    [Calls.] The music there! [Music plays.] I pray you, give her air.
    Gentlemen, this queen will live!
    Nature awakes a warm breath out of her.
    She hath not been entranced above five hours.
    1295See how she 'gins to blow into life's flower again.
    1 Gentleman
    The heavens through you increase our wonder,
    And sets up your fame for ever.
    Cerimon
    She is alive.
    Behold her eyelids, cases to those
    Heavenly jewels which Pericles hath lost,
    1300Begin to part their fringes of bright gold.
    The diamonds of a most praisèd water
    Doth appear, to make the world twice rich. Live,
    And make us weep to hear your fate, fair creature,
    Rare as you seem to be.
    She moves.
    1305Thaisa
    O dear Diana!
    Where am I? Where's my lord? What world is this?
    2 Gentleman
    Is not this strange?
    1 Gentleman
    Most rare!
    Cerimon
    Hush, my gentle neighbors.
    Lend me your hands. To the next chamber bear her.
    [To servants] Get linen. 1310Now this matter must be looked to,
    For her relapse is mortal. Come, come;
    And Aesculapius guide us.
    They carry her away. Exeunt omnes.
    1312.1[3.3]
    Enter Pericles at Tharsus with Cleon and Dionyza, [and Lychorida with baby Marina].
    Pericles
    Most honored Cleon, I must needs be gone.
    My twelve 1315months are expired, and Tyrus stands
    In a litigious peace. You and your lady
    Take from my heart all thankfulness. The gods
    Make up the rest upon you.
    Cleon
    Your strokes of fortune,
    Though they hurt you mortally, yet glance
    Full woundingly on us.
    1320Dionyza
    Oh, your sweet queen!
    That the strict fates had pleased you had brought her hither
    To have blest mine eyes with her.
    Pericles
    We cannot but obey
    The powers above us. Could I rage and roar
    As doth the sea she lies in, yet the end
    Must be as 'tis. My gentle babe Marina,
    1325Whom for she was born at sea I have named so,
    Here I charge your charity withal, leaving her
    The infant of your care, beseeching you
    To give her princely training, that she may
    Be mannered as she is born.
    Cleon
    Fear not, my lord, but think:
    Your Grace 1330that fed my country with your corn,
    For which the people's prayers still fall upon you,
    Must in your child be thought on. If neglection
    Should therein make me vile, the common body,
    By you relieved, would force me to my duty.
    But if to that 1335my nature need a spur,
    The gods revenge it upon me and mine,
    To the end of generation.
    Pericles
    I believe you.
    Your honor and your goodness teach me to't
    Without your vows. Till she be married, madam,
    By bright Diana, whom we honor, all
    1340Unscissored shall this hair of mine remain,
    Though I show ill in't. So I take my leave.
    Good madam, make me blessèd in your care
    In bringing up my child.
    Dionyza
    I have one myself,
    Who shall not be more dear 1345to my respect
    Than yours, my lord.
    Pericles
    Madam, my thanks and prayers.
    Cleon
    We'll bring your Grace e'en to the edge o'th'shore,
    Then give you up to the masked Neptune and
    The gentlest winds of heaven.
    1350Pericles
    I will embrace
    Your offer. Come, dear'st madam. Oh, no tears,
    Lychorida, no tears!
    Look to your little mistress, on whose grace
    You may depend hereafter. Come, my Lord.
    [Exeunt.]
    1353.1[3.4]
    Enter Cerimon and Thaisa.
    1355Cerimon
    Madam, this letter, and some certain jewels
    Lay with you in your coffer, which are
    At your command. Know you the character?
    Thaisa
    It is my lord's. That I was shipped at sea
    I well remember, even on my bearing time,
    But whether there delive1360red, by the holy gods
    I cannot rightly say. But since King Pericles,
    My wedded lord, I ne'er shall see again,
    A vestal livery will I take me to,
    And never more have joy.
    Cerimon
    Madam, if this you purpose as ye speak,
    Diana's temple is not distant far,
    1365Where you may abide till your date expire.
    Moreover, if you please, a niece of mine
    Shall there attend you.
    Thaisa
    My recompense is thanks, that's all,
    Yet my good will is great, though the gift small.
    Exeunt.
    1369.1[4.0]
    1370Enter Gower.
    Gower
    Imagine Pericles arrived at Tyre,
    Welcomed and settled to his own desire;
    His woeful queen we leave at Ephesus,
    Unto Diana there's a votaress.
    1375Now to Marina bend your mind,
    Whom our fast-growing scene must find
    At Tharsus, and by Cleon trained
    In music's letters, who hath gained
    Of education all the grace,
    1380Which makes her both the heart and place
    Of general wonder. But, alack,
    That monster envy, oft the wrack
    Of earnèd praise, Marina's life
    Seeks to take off by treason's knife,
    1385And in this kind: our Cleon has
    One daughter and a full-grown lass,
    Even ripe for marriage-rite. This maid
    Hight Philoten, and it is said
    For certain in our story she
    1390Would ever with Marina be.
    Be't when they weaved the sleded silk,
    With fingers long, small, white as milk,
    Or when she would with sharp needle wound
    The cambric, which she made more sound
    1395By hurting it, or when to th'lute
    She sung, and made the night-bird mute,
    That still records with moan, or when
    She would with rich and constant pen
    Vail to her mistress Dian, still
    1400This Philoten contends in skill
    With absolute Marina; so
    With dove of Paphos might the crow
    Vie feathers white. Marina gets
    All praises, which are paid as debts
    1405And not as given. This so darks
    In Philoten all graceful marks
    That Cleon's wife with envy rare
    A present murder does prepare
    For good Marina, that her daughter
    1410Might stand peerless by this slaughter.
    The sooner her vile thoughts to stead,
    Lychorida, our nurse, is dead,
    And cursed Dionyza hath
    The pregnant instrument of wrath
    1415Prest for this blow. The unborn event
    I do commend to your content.
    Only, I carried wingèd time
    Post on the lame feet of my rhyme,
    Which never could I so convey,
    1420Unless your thoughts went on my way.
    Dionyza does appear,
    With Leonine, a murderer.
    Exit.
    1422.1[4.1]
    Enter Dionyza with Leonine.
    Dionyza
    Thy oath remember: thou hast sworn to do't.
    1425'Tis but a blow which never shall be known.
    Thou canst not do a thing in the world so soon
    To yield thee so much profit. Let not conscience,
    Which is but cold in flaming, thy lone bosom
    Inflame too nicely; nor let pity, which
    Even women have cast off, melt thee, 1430but be
    A soldier to thy purpose.
    Leonine
    I will do't,
    But yet she is a goodly creature.
    Dionyza
    The fitter then the gods should have her.
    Here she comes weeping for her only mistress' death.
    Thou art resolved?
    1435Leonine
    I am resolved.
    Enter Marina with a basket of flowers.
    Marina
    No, I will rob Tellus of her weed
    To strew thy green with flowers: the yellows, blues,
    The purple violets, and marigolds
    Shall as a carpet hang upon thy 1440grave
    While summer days doth last. Ay me, poor maid,
    Born in a tempest when my mother died!
    This world to me is as a lasting storm,
    Whirring me from my friends.
    Dionyza
    How now, Marina. Why do you keep alone?
    How chance my daughter is not with you?
    1445Do not consume your blood with sorrowing:
    Have you a nurse of me. Lord, how your favor's
    Changed with this unprofitable woe!
    Come, give me your flowers. O'er the sea margent
    Walk with Leonine. The air is quick there,
    1450And it pierces and sharpens the stomach.
    Come Leonine; take her by the arm, walk with her.
    Marina
    No, I pray you,
    I'll not bereave you of your servant.
    Dionyza
    Come, come.
    I love the king your father, and yourself
    With more than foreign heart. We every day
    Expect 1455him here. When he shall come and find
    Our paragon to all reports thus blasted,
    He will repent the breadth of his great voyage,
    Blame both my lord and me, that we have taken
    No care to your best courses. Go I pray you,
    Walk and be cheerful once again. 1460Reserve
    That excellent complexion, which did steal
    The eyes of young and old. Care not for me,
    I can go home alone.
    Marina
    Well, I will go;
    But yet I have no desire to it.
    Dionyza
    Come, come, I know 'tis good for you.
    Walk half 1465an hour, Leonine, at the least.
    Remember what I have said.
    Leonine
    I warrant you, madam.
    Dionyza
    I'll leave you, my sweet lady, for a while.
    Pray walk softly, do not heat your blood.
    What, I must have care of you.
    1470Marina
    My thanks, sweet madam.
    [Exit Dionyza.]
    Is this wind westerly that blows?
    Leonine
    Southwest.
    Marina
    When I was born the wind was north.
    Leonine
    Was't so?
    1475Marina
    My father, as nurse says, did never fear,
    But cried "Good seamen!" to the sailors, galling
    His kingly hands haling ropes,
    And, clasping to the mast, endured a sea
    That almost burst the deck.
    Leonine
    When was this?
    1480Marina
    When I was born.
    Never was waves nor wind more violent,
    And from the ladder tackle washes off
    A canvas-climber, "Ha!" says one "Wolt out?"
    And with a dropping industry they skip
    From stem to stern. The boatswain whistles, and
    The master calls and trebles their confusion.
    1485Leonine
    Come, say your prayers.
    Marina
    What mean you?
    Leonine
    If you require a little space for prayer,
    I grant it. Pray, but be not tedious,
    For the gods are quick of ear, and I am sworn
    To do my work with haste.
    1490Marina
    Why will you kill me?
    Leonine
    To satisfy my lady.
    Marina
    Why would she have me killed?
    Now as I can remember, by my troth,
    I never did her hurt in all my life.
    I never spake bad word, nor did ill turn
    To any living crea1495ture. Believe me, la!
    I never killed a mouse, nor hurt a fly.
    I trod upon a worm against my will,
    But I wept for't. How have I offended,
    Wherein my death might yield her any profit,
    Or my life imply her any danger?
    Leonine
    My commission
    Is not to reason of the deed, but 1500do't.
    Marina
    You will not do't for all the world I hope.
    You are well-favored, and your looks foreshow
    You have a gentle heart. I saw you lately
    When you caught hurt in parting two that fought.
    Good sooth, it showed well in you. Do 1505so now:
    Your lady seeks my life. Come you between,
    And save poor me, the weaker.
    Leonine
    I am sworn and will dispatch. [He seizes Marina.]
    Enter Pirates. [Leonine releases Marina and flees.]
    1 Pirate
    Hold, villain!
    2 Pirate
    A prize, a prize!
    15103 Pirate
    Half part, mates, half part. Come let's have her aboard suddenly.
    Exeunt [with Marina.]
    Leonine [reappears].
    Leonine
    These roguing thieves serve the great pirate 1515Valdes,
    And they have seized Marina. Let her go!
    There's no hope she will return. I'll swear she's dead
    And thrown into the sea. But I'll see further.
    Perhaps they will but please themselves upon her,
    Not carry her aboard. If she remain,
    1520Whom they have ravished must by me be slain.
    Exit.
    1521.1[4.2]
    Enter [Pander, Bawd, and Bolt.]
    Pander
    Bolt.
    Bolt
    Sir?
    1525Pander
    Search the market narrowly. Metalin is full of gallants. We lost too much money this mart by being too wenchless.
    Bawd
    We were never so much out of creatures! We have but poor three, and they can do no more then they 1530can do, and they with continual action are even as good as rotten.
    Pander
    Therefore let's have fresh ones whate'er we pay for them. If there be not a conscience to be used in every trade, we shall never prosper.
    1535Bawd
    Thou sayst true. 'Tis not our bringing up of poor bastards -- as I think, I have brought up some eleven --
    Bolt
    Ay, to eleven, and brought them down again. But shall I search the market?
    Bawd
    What else, man? The stuff we have, a strong 1540wind will blow it to pieces, they are so pitifully sodden.
    Pander
    Thou sayst true. There's two unwholesome, a'conscience. The poor Transylvanian is dead that lay with the little baggage.
    Bolt
    Ay, she quickly pooped him! She made him roast-1545meat for worms. But I'll go search the market.
    Exit.
    Pander
    Three or four thousand chequins were as pretty a proportion to live quietly, and so give over.
    Bawd
    Why, to give over I pray you? Is it a shame to 1550get when we are old?
    Pander
    Oh, our credit comes not in like the commodity, nor the commodity wages not with the danger. Therefore if in our youths we could pick up some pretty estate, t'were not amiss to keep our door hatched. Besides 1555the sore terms we stand upon with the gods will be strong with us for giving o'er.
    Bawd
    Come, other sorts offend as well as we.
    Pander
    As well as we? Ay, and better too! We offend worse. Neither is our profession any trade; it's no calling. 1560But here comes Bolt.
    Enter Bolt with the Pirates and Marina.
    Bolt.
    [To Marina] Come your ways! [To Pirates] My masters, you say she's a virgin?
    Pirate
    Oh, sir, we doubt it not.
    1565Bolt
    [To Bawd] Master, I have gone through for this piece you see. If you like her, so; if not, I have lost my earnest.
    Bawd
    Bolt, has she any qualities?
    Bolt
    She has a good face, speaks well, and has excellent good clothes. There's no farther necessity of qua1570lities can make her be refused.
    Bawd
    What's her price, Bolt?
    Bolt
    I cannot be bated one doit of a thousand pieces.
    Pander
    Well, follow me, my masters. You shall have your money presently. Wife, take her in; instruct her what she has 1575to do, that she may not be raw in her entertainment.
    [Exeunt Pander and Pirates.]
    Bawd
    Bolt, take you the marks of her: the color of her hair, complexion, height, her age, with warrant of her virginity, and cry "He that will give most shall have her first." Such a maidenhead were no cheap thing, if men were as 1580they have been. Get this done as I command you.
    Bolt
    Performance shall follow.
    Exit.
    Marina
    Alack that Leonine was so slack, so slow --
    He should have struck, not spoke; or that these pirates,
    Not enough barbarous, had not o'erboard thrown me,
    For to seek my 1585mother.
    Bawd
    Why lament you, pretty one?
    Marina
    That I am pretty.
    Bawd
    Come, the gods have done their part in you.
    Marina
    I accuse them not.
    1590Bawd
    You are light into my hands, where you are like to live.
    Marina
    The more my fault,
    To scape his hands, where I was like to die.
    Bawd
    Ay, and you shall live in pleasure.
    1595Marina
    No.
    Bawd
    Yes indeed shall you, and taste gentlemen of all fashions. You shall fare well; you shall have the difference of all complexions. What, do you stop your ears?
    Marina
    Are you a woman?
    1600Bawd
    What would you have me be, an I be not a woman?
    Marina
    An honest woman, or not a woman.
    Bawd
    Marry, whip the gosling!, I think I shall have something to do with you. Come, you're a young foolish 1605sapling, and must be bowed as I would have you.
    Marina
    The gods defend me!
    Bawd
    If it please the gods to defend you by men, then men must comfort you, men must feed you, men stir you up.
    [Enter Bolt.]
    Bolt's returned. [To Bolt.] Now sir, hast thou cried her through 1610the market?
    Bolt
    I have cried her almost to the number of her hairs. I have drawn her picture with my voice.
    Bawd
    And I prithee tell me: how dost thou find the inclination of the people, especially of the younger sort?
    1615Bolt
    Faith, they listened to me as they would have harkened to their father's testament. There was a Spaniard's mouth watered, and he went to bed to her very description.
    Bawd
    We shall have him here tomorrow with his best ruff on.
    1620Bolt
    Tonight, tonight! But mistress, do you know the French knight that cowers i'the hams?
    Bawd
    Who, Monsieur Verollus?
    Bolt
    Ay, he. He offered to cut a caper at the proclamation, but he made a groan at it, and swore he would see her 1625tomorrow.
    Bawd
    Well, well, as for him, he brought his disease hither; here he does but repair it. I know he will come in our shadow, to scatter his crowns of the sun.
    Bolt
    [Indicating Marina] Well, if we had of every nation a traveler, we 1630should lodge them with this sign.
    Bawd
    [To Marina] Pray you, come hither awhile. You have fortunes coming upon you. Mark me: you must seem to do that fearfully which you commit willingly; despise profit where you have most gain. To weep 1635that you live as ye do makes pity in your lovers; seldom but that pity begets you a good opinion, and that
    opinion a mere profit.
    Marina
    I understand you not.
    Bolt
    Oh, take her home, mistress, take her home. These 1640blushes of hers must be quenched with some present practice.
    [Bawd]
    Thou sayest true i'faith, so they must. For your
    bride goes to that with shame which is her way to go with warrant.
    1645Bolt
    Faith, some do, and some do not. But mistress, if I have bargained for the joint --
    Bawd
    Thou mayst cut a morsel off the spit.
    Bolt
    I may so?
    Bawd
    Who should deny it?1650[To Marina] Come, young one. I like the manner of your garments well.
    Bolt
    Ay, by my faith, they shall not be changed yet.
    Bawd
    [Giving Bolt money.] Bolt, spend thou that in the town. Report what a sojourner we have. You'll lose nothing by custom. 1655When Nature framed this piece, she meant thee a good turn. Therefore say what a paragon she is, and thou hast the harvest out of thine own report.
    Bolt
    I warrant you, mistress, thunder shall not so awake the beds of eels as my giving out her beauty stirs 1660up the lewdly inclined. I'll bring home some tonight.
    [Exit Bolt.]
    Bawd
    [To Marina] Come your ways, follow me.
    Marina
    If fires be hot, knives sharp, or waters deep,
    Untried I still my virgin knot will keep.
    Diana aid my purpose.
    1665Bawd
    What have we to do with Diana? Pray you, will you go with us?
    Exeunt.
    1667.1[4.3]
    Enter Cleon and Dionyza.
    Dionyza
    Why are you foolish? Can it be undone?
    1670Cleon
    Oh, Dionyza, such a piece of slaughter
    The sun and moon ne'er looked upon.
    Dionyza
    I think you'll turn a child again.
    Cleon
    Were I chief lord of all this spacious world
    I'd give it to undo the deed. A lady,
    Much less in blood than 1675virtue, yet a princess
    To equal any single crown o'th'earth
    I'th'justice of compare. O villain Leonine,
    Whom thou hast poisoned too!
    If thou hadst drunk to him, 't'ad been a kindness
    Becoming well thy fact. What canst thou say
    When noble Pericles shall demand his child?
    1680Dionyza
    That she is dead. Nurses are not the fates.
    To foster is not ever to preserve.
    She died at night. I'll say so. Who can cross it?
    Unless you play the pious innocent
    And, for an honest attribute, cry out
    "She died by foul play."
    1685Cleon
    Oh, go to! Well, well:
    Of all the faults beneath the heavens, the gods
    Do like this worst.
    Dionyza
    Be one of those that thinks
    The petty wrens of Tharsus will fly hence
    And open this to Pericles. I do shame
    To think of what a noble strain you are,
    And of how co1690ward a spirit.
    Cleon
    To such proceeding
    Who ever but his approbation added,
    Though not his prime consent, he did not flow
    From honorable courses.
    Dionyza
    Be it so then.
    Yet none does know but you 1695how she came dead;
    Nor none can know, Leonine being gone.
    She did distain my child, and stood between
    Her and her fortunes. None would look on her
    But cast their gazes on Marina's face,
    Whilst ours was blurted at and held a mawkin
    Not worth the time of day. 1700It pierced me through,
    And though you call my course unnatural,
    You not your child well loving, yet I find
    It greets me as an enterprise of kindness
    Performed to your sole daughter.
    Cleon
    Heavens, forgive it!
    1705Dionyza
    And as for Pericles,
    What should he say? We wept after her hearse,
    And yet we mourn. Her monument
    Is almost finished, and her epitaphs
    In glittering golden characters express
    A general praise to her, and care in us
    At whose expense 'tis done.
    1710Cleon
    Thou art like the harpy,
    Which, to betray, dost with thine angel's face
    Seize with thine eagle's talons.
    Dionyza
    Y'are like one that superstitiously
    Do swear to the gods that winter kills 1715the flies;
    But yet I know you'll do as I advise.
    [Exeunt.]
    1716.1[4.4]
    [Enter Gower.]
    Gower
    Thus time we waste, and long leagues make short,
    Sail seas in cockles, have and wish but for't;
    Making to take our imagination
    1720From bourn to bourn, region to region.
    By you being pardoned, we commit no crime
    To use one language in each several clime
    Where our scenes seems to live. I do beseech you
    1725To learn of me who stand i'th'gaps to teach you
    The stages of our story. Pericles
    Is now again thwarting the wayward seas,
    Attended on by many a lord and knight,
    1730To see his daughter all his life's delight.
    Old Helicanus goes along. Behind
    Is left to govern, if you bear in mind,
    Old Escanes, whom Helicanus late
    Advanced in time to great and high estate.
    1735Well-sailing ships and bounteous winds have brought
    This king to Tharsus -- think his pilot thought;
    So with his steerage shall your thoughts grow on
    To fetch his daughter home, who first is gone.
    1740Like motes and shadows see them move a while;
    Your ears unto your eyes I'll reconcile.
    [Dumb Show.]
    Enter Pericles at one door, with all his train; Cleon and Dionyza at the other. Cleon shows Pericles the tomb, whereat Pe1745ricles makes lamentation, puts on sackcloth, and in a mighty passion departs [with his train. Exeunt Cleon and Dionyza at the other door.]
    Gower
    See how belief may suffer by fowl show:
    This borrowed passion stands for true-owed woe.
    And Pericles in sorrow all devoured,
    1750With sighs shot through and biggest tears o'er-showered,
    Leaves Tharsus, and again embarks. He swears
    Never to wash his face, nor cut his hairs.
    He puts on sackcloth and to sea he bears
    A tempest which his mortal vessel tears
    1755And yet he rides it out. Now please you wit
    The epitaph is for Marina writ
    By wicked Dionyza:
    [He reads the inscription on Marina's monument.]
    The fairest, sweet'st and best lies here,
    Who withered in her spring of year.
    She was of Tyrus the King's daughter,
    1760On whom foul death hath made this slaughter.
    Marina was she called, and at her birth
    Thetis, being proud, swallowed some part o'th'earth.
    Therefore the earth, fearing to be o'er-flowed,
    Hath Thetis' birth-child on the heavens bestowed,
    1765Wherefore she does -- and swears she'll never stint --
    Make raging battery upon shores of flint.
    No visor does become black villainy
    So well as soft and tender flattery.
    Let Pericles believe his daughter's dead,
    1770And bear his courses to be orderèd
    By Lady Fortune, while our scene must play
    His daughter's woe and heavy welladay
    In her unholy service. Patience then,
    And think you now are all in Metalin.1775
    Exit.
    1775.1[4.5]
    Enter two Gentlemen
    1 Gentleman
    Did you ever hear the like?
    2 Gentleman
    No, nor never shall do in such a place as this, she being once gone.
    17801 Gentleman
    But to have divinity preached there! Did you ever dream of such a thing?
    2 Gentleman
    No, no. Come, I am for no more bawdy houses. Shall's go hear the vestals sing?
    1 Gentleman
    I'll do anything now that is virtuous; but I am out 1785of the road of rutting forever.
    Exeunt.
    1785.1[4.6]
    Enter Pander, Bawd and Bolt.
    Pander
    Well, I had rather than twice the worth of her she had ne'er come here.
    Bawd
    Fie, fie upon her! She's able to freeze the god 1790Priapus and undo a whole generation. We must either get her ravished or be rid of her. When she should do for clients her fitment, and do me the kindness of our profession, she has me her quirks, her reasons, her master reasons, her prayers, her knees, that she would make a puri1795tan of the devil, if he should cheapen a kiss of her.
    Bolt
    Faith, I must ravish her, or she'll disfurnish us of all our cavalleria and make our swearers priests.
    Pander
    Now, the pox upon her greensickness for me.
    Bawd
    Faith, there's no way to be rid on't but by the 1800way to the pox.
    1800.1Enter Lysimachus [in disguise].
    Here comes the Lord Lysimachus disguised.
    Bolt
    We should have both lord and loon, if the peevish baggage would but give way to customers.
    Lysimachus
    How now? How a dozen of virginities?
    1805Bawd
    Now the gods to bless your honor!
    Bolt
    I am glad to see your honor in good health.
    Lysimachus
    You may so. 'Tis the better for you that your resorters stand upon sound legs. How now? Wholesome iniquity have you, that a man may deal withal and defy1810 the surgeon?
    Bawd
    We have here one, sir, if she would -- Butthere never came her like in Metalin!
    Lysimachus
    If she'd do the deeds of darkness, thou wouldst say.
    Bawd
    Your honor knows what 'tis to say, well enough.
    1815Lysimachus
    Well, call forth, call forth.[Exit Pander.]
    Bolt
    For flesh and blood, sir, white and red, you shall see a rose, and she were a rose indeed, if she had but --
    Lysimachus
    What, prithee?
    Bolt
    Oh, sir, I can be modest.
    1820Lysimachus
    That dignifies the renown of a bawd no less than it gives a good report to a number to be chaste.
    1821.1[Enter Pander with Marina.]
    Bawd
    Here comes that which grows to the stalk. Never plucked yet I can assure you. Is she not a fair creature?
    1825Lysimachus
    Faith, she would serve after a long voyage at sea. Well, there's for you. [He gives the Bawd money.] Leave us.
    Bawd
    I beseech your honor: give me leave a word and I'll have done presently.
    Lysimachus
    I beseech you, do.
    1830Bawd
    [Taking Marina aside] First, I would have you note: this is an honorable man.
    Marina
    I desire to find him so, that I may worthily note him.
    Bawd
    Next: he's the governor of this country, and a man whom I am bound to.
    1835Marina
    If he govern the country, you are bound to him indeed, but how honorable he is in that, I know not.
    Bawd
    Pray you -- without any more virginal fencing: will you use him kindly? He will line your apron with gold.
    Marina
    What he will do graciously, I will thankfully 1840receive.
    Lysimachus
    Ha'you done?
    Bawd
    My lord, she's not paced yet; you must take some pains to work her to your manage. [To Pander] Come, we will leave his honor and her together. [To Bolt?]Go thy ways!
    [Exeunt Pander, Bawd and Bolt.]
    1845Lysimachus
    Now, pretty one, how long have you been at this trade?
    Marina
    What trade, sir?
    Lysimachus
    Why, I cannot name't but I shall offend.
    Marina
    I cannot be offended with my trade. Please you to name it.
    Lysimachus
    How long have you been of this profession?
    1850Marina
    E'er since I can remember.
    Lysimachus
    Did you go to't so young? Were you a gamester at five, or at seven?
    Marina
    Earlier too, sir, if now I be one.
    Lysimachus
    Why, the house you dwell in proclaims you to 1855be a creature of sale.
    Marina
    Do you know this house to be a place of such resort, and will come into't? I hear say you're of honorable parts and are the governor of this place.
    Lysimachus
    Why, hath your principal made known unto1860you who I am?
    Marina
    Who is my principal?
    Lysimachus
    Why, your herb-woman, she that sets seeds and roots of shame and iniquity. Oh, you have heard something of my power, and so 1865stand aloof for more serious wooing. But I protest to thee,pretty one, my authority shall not see thee, or else look friendly upon thee. Come, bring me to some private place. Come, come. [He begins to force her offstage.]
    Marina
    If you were born to honor, show it now;
    If put 1870upon you, make the judgment good
    That thought you worthy of it.
    Lysimachus
    How's this? how's this? Some more. Be sage.
    Marina
    For me
    That am a maid, though most ungentle fortune
    Have placed me in this sty, where, since I came,
    1875Diseases have been sold dearer than physic --
    Oh, that the gods would set me free from this
    Unhallowed place, though they did change me to
    The meanest bird that flies i'th'purer air!
    Lysimachus
    I did not think thou couldst have spoke so well.
    1880Ne'er dreamt thou couldst.
    Had I brought hither a corrupted mind,
    Thy speech had altered it. Hold, here's gold for thee. [He gives her money.]
    Persever in that clear way thou goest,
    And the gods strengthen thee.
    Marina
    The good gods preserve you!
    1885Lysimachus
    For me, be you thoughten
    That I came with no ill intent, for to me
    The very doors and windows savor vilely.
    Fare thee well. Thou art a piece of virtue, and
    I doubt not but thy training hath been noble.
    Hold, here's more gold for thee. [He gives her more money.]
    A curse upon him, die he like a thief
    That robs thee of 1890thy goodness.
    If though dost hear from me, it shall be for thy good.
    [Lysimachus starts to leave and meets Bolt in the doorway.]
    Bolt
    I beseech your honor, one piece for me!
    Lysimachus
    Avaunt, thou damned door-keeper!
    Your house, but for this virgin that doth prop it,
    Would sink and over1895whelm you. Away!
    [Exit.]
    Bolt
    [Coming forward, to Marina] How's this? We must take another course with you. If your peevish chastity, which is not worth a breakfast in the cheapest country under the cope, shall undo a whole household, let me be gelded like a spaniel. Come your ways!
    1900Marina
    Whither would you have me?
    Bolt
    I must have your maidenhead taken off, or the common hangman shall execute it. Come your ways! We'll have no more gentlemen driven away. Come your ways, I say! [He starts to drag her off.]
    Enter Bawd and Pander.
    1905Bawd
    How now? What's the matter?
    Bolt
    Worse and worse, mistress! She has here spoken holy words to the Lord Lysimachus.
    Bawd
    Oh, abominable!
    Bolt
    She makes our profession as it were to stink a1910fore the face of the gods.
    Bawd
    Marry, hang her up for ever!
    Bolt
    The nobleman would have dealt with her like a nobleman, and she sent him away as cold as a snowball. Saying his prayers too!
    1915Bawd
    Bolt, take her away. Use her at thy pleasure. Crack the glass of her virginity, and make the rest malleable.
    Bolt
    An if she were a thornier piece of ground than she is, she shall be plowed.
    Marina
    Hark, hark, you gods!
    1920Bawd
    She conjures! Away with her! Would she had never come within my doors. [To Marina] Marry, hang you! [To Pander and Bolt] She's born to undo us. [To Marina] Will you not go the way of womenkind? Marry, come up, my dish of chastity with rosemary & bays.
    [Exeunt Pander and Bawd.]
    Bolt
    Come, mistress! Come your way with me.
    1925Marina
    Whither wilt thou have me ?
    Bolt
    To take from you the jewel you hold so dear.
    Marina
    Prithee, tell me one thing first.
    Bolt
    Come now, your one thing.
    Marina
    What canst thou wish thine enemy to be?
    1930Bolt
    Why, I could wish him to be my master, or rather my mistress.
    Marina
    Neither of these are so bad as thou art,
    Since they do better thee in their command.
    Thou hold'st a place for which the painèdst fiend
    Of hell would not in reputation 1935change.
    Thou art the damnèd door-keeper to every
    Custrel that comes enquiring for his Tib.
    To the choleric fisting of every rogue
    Thy ear is liable. Thy food is such
    As hath been belched on by infected lungs.
    Bolt
    What would you have me do? Go to the wars, would you? 1940Where a man may serve seven years for the loss of a leg and have not money enough in the end to buy him a wooden one?
    Marina
    Do anything but this thou dost. Empty
    Old receptacles or common-shores of filth;
    Serve by indenture to the common hangman.
    Any of these ways are yet 1945better than this.
    For what thou professest, a baboon, could he speak,
    Would own a name too dear. Oh, that the gods
    Would safely deliver me from this place!
    Here; here's gold for thee.
    [She gives him the gold.]
    If that thy master would make gain by me,
    Proclaim that I can sing, weave, sew, and dance,
    With other virtues which I'll keep 1950from boast,
    And I will undertake all these to teach.
    I doubt not but this populous city will
    Yield many scholars.
    Bolt
    But can you teach all this you speak of?
    Marina
    Prove that I cannot, take me home again
    And prostitute me to the basest groom
    That doth fre1955quent your house.
    Bolt
    Well, I will see what I can do for thee. If I can place thee, I will.
    Marina
    But amongst honest women.
    Bolt
    Faith, my acquaintance lies little amongst them. 1960But since my master and mistress hath bought you, there's no going but by their consent. Therefore, I will make them acquainted with your purpose, and I doubt not but I shall find them tractable enough. Come, I'll do for thee what I can. Come your ways.
    Exeunt.
    1964.1[5.0]
    1965Enter Gower.
    Gower
    Marina thus the brothel scapes, and chances
    Into an honest house, our story says.
    She sings like one immortal, and she dances
    As goddess-like to her admirèd lays.
    1970Deep clerks she dumbs, and with her nee'le composes
    Nature's own shape of bud, bird, branch, or berry,
    That even her art sisters the natural roses,
    Her inkle, silk, twin with the rubied cherry,
    That pupils lacks she none of noble race
    1975Who pour their bounty on her, and her gain
    She gives the cursèd bawd. Here we her place,
    And to her father turn our thoughts again,
    Where we left him on the sea. We there him lost,
    Where, driven before the winds, he is arrived
    1980Here where his daughter dwells, and on this coast
    Suppose him now at anchor. The city strived
    God Neptune's annual feast to keep, from whence
    Lysimachus our Tyrian ship espies,
    His banners sable, trimmed with rich expense,
    1985And to him in his barge with fervor hies.
    In your supposing once more put your sight:
    Of heavy Pericles, think this his bark,
    Where what is done in action, more if might,
    Shall be discovered; please you sit and hark.
    Exit.
    1989.1[5.1]
    1990Enter Helicanus [at one door], to him [from the other door,] two sailors.
    1 Sailor
    Where is Lord Helicanus? He can resolve you. [Seeing Helicanus]
    Oh, here he is. [To Helicanus]
    Sir, there is a barge put off from Metalin,
    And in it is Lysimachus, the governor,
    Who craves to come aboard. What is your will?
    1995Helicanus
    That he have his.
    [Exit 1 Sailor.]
    Call up some gentlemen.
    2 Sailor
    Ho, gentlemen! My lord calls!
    Enter two or three gentlemen.
    1 Gentleman
    Doth your lordship call?
    Helicanus
    Gentlemen, there is some of worth would come 2000aboard.
    I pray you, greet him fairly.
    Enter Lysimachus [with Lords, and 1 Sailor].
    1 Sailor
    [To Lysimachus] Sir,
    This is the man that can in aught you would
    Resolve you.
    Lysimachus
    [To Helicanus] Hail, reverend sir; the gods preserve you.
    2005Helicanus
    And you to outlive the age I am,
    And die as I would do.
    Lysimachus
    You wish me well.
    Being on shore, honoring of Neptune's triumphs,
    Seeing this goodly vessel ride before us,
    I made to it, to know of whence you are.
    2010Helicanus
    First, what is your place?
    Lysimachus
    I am the governor of this place you lie before.
    Helicanus
    Sir, our vessel is of Tyre; in it the king,
    A man who for this three months hath not spoken
    To any one, nor taken sustenance
    But to prorogue his grief.
    2015Lysimachus
    Upon what ground is his distemperature?
    Helicanus
    'Twould be too tedious to repeat,
    But the main grief springs from the loss
    Of a beloved daughter and a wife.
    Lysimachus
    May we not see him?
    Helicanus
    You may,
    But bootless is your sight: he will not 2020speak
    To any.
    Lysimachus
    Yet let me obtain my wish.
    2020.1[Helicanus reveals Pericles.]
    Helicanus
    Behold him. This was a goodly person.
    Till the disaster that, one mortal night,
    Drove him to this.
    Lysimachus
    Sir king, all hail. The gods preserve you.
    Hail, 2025royal sir.
    Helicanus
    It is in vain. He will not speak to you.
    Lord
    [To Lysimachus] Sir,
    We have a maid in Metalin, I durst wager,
    Would win some words of him.
    Lysimachus
    'Tis well bethought.
    She, questionless, with her sweet 2030harmony
    And other chosen attractions, would allure,
    And make a battery through his deafened ports
    Which now are midway stopped.
    She is all happy as the fair'st of all,
    And with her fellow maid is now upon
    The leavy shelter that abuts against
    The island's side.
    [He signs to Lord, who exits.]
    2035Helicanus
    Sure, all effectless. Yet nothing we'll omit
    That bears recovery's name. But since your kindness
    We have stretched thus far, let us beseech you,
    That for our gold we may provision have,
    Wherein we are not destitute for want,
    But weary for the staleness.
    2040Lysimachus
    Oh, sir, a courtesy,
    Which if we should deny, the most just god
    For every graft would send a caterpillar,
    And so inflict our province. Yet once more
    Let me entreat to know at large the cause
    Of your king's sorrow.
    Helicanus
    Sit sir, I will recount it to you. But see,
    I am pre2045vented.
    [Enter Lord, with Marina and her companion.]
    Lysimachus
    Oh, here's the lady that I sent for.
    [To Marina] Welcome, fair one. [To Helicanus] Is't not a goodly presence?
    Helicanus
    She's a gallant lady.
    Lysimachus
    She's such a one that, were I well assured
    2050Came 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 beauty:
    Expect even here, where is a kingly patient --
    If that thy prosperous and artificial feat
    2055Can draw him but to answer thee in aught --
    Thy sacred physic shall receive such pay
    As thy desires can wish.
    Marina
    Sir, I will use
    My utmost skill in his recovery, provided
    That none but I and my companion maid
    Be suffered 2060to come near him.
    Lysimachus
    [To the others] Come, let us leave her,
    And the gods make her prosperous.
    2062.1 [Lysimachus, Helicanus and the other men withdraw some distance.]
    [Marina sings to Pericles.]
    Lysimachus
    [Coming forward, to Marina] Marked he your music?
    Marina
    No, nor looked on us.
    2064.1[Marina approaches Pericles.]
    2065Lysimachus
    [Falling back, to the others] See, she will speak to him.
    2065.1 [Exeunt Lysimachus, Helicanus, Lords and Gentlemen.]
    Marina
    [To Pericles] Hail, sir. My lord, lend ear.
    Pericles
    Hum, ha![He pushes her away violently.]
    Marina
    I am a maid,
    My lord, that ne'er before invited eyes,
    But have been gazed on like a comet. She speaks,
    2070My lord, that maybe hath endured a grief
    Might equal yours, if both were justly weighed.
    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 2075casualties
    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."
    Pericles
    My fortunes -- parentage -- good parentage --
    To equal mine. Was it not thus? What say you?
    2080Marina
    I said, my lord, if you did know my parentage,
    You would not do me violence.
    Pericles
    I do think so. Pray you, turn your eyes upon me,
    You're like something that -- what countrywoman?
    Here of these shores?
    2085Marina
    No, nor of any shores,
    Yet I was mortally brought forth, and am
    No other than I appear.
    Pericles
    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 2090stature to an inch, as wandlike-straight,
    As silver-voiced, her eyes as jewel-like,
    And cased 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?
    2095Marina
    Where I am but a stranger. From the deck
    You may discern the place.
    Pericles
    Where were you bred?
    And how achieved you these endowments which
    You make more rich to owe?
    Marina
    If I should tell
    My history, it would seem like 2100lies
    Disdained in the reporting.
    Pericles
    Prithee, speak.
    Falseness cannot come from thee, for thou
    Lookest modest as Justice, and thou seemest
    A palace for the crownèd Truth to dwell in.
    I will believe thee,
    And make my senses credit thy relation
    To points that seem impossible, 2105for thou look'st
    Like one I loved indeed: what were thy friends?
    Didst thou not say when I did push thee back,
    Which was when I perceived thee, that thou cam'st
    From good descending?
    Marina
    So indeed I did.
    Pericles
    Report thy parentage. I think thou saidst
    Thou hadst 2110been tossed from wrong to injury,
    And that thou thought'st thy griefs might equal mine,
    If both were opened.
    Marina
    Some such thing I said,
    And said no more but what my thoughts
    Did warrant me was likely.
    Pericles
    Tell thy story.
    If thine considered prove the thou2115sand part
    Of my endurance, thou art a man, and I
    Have suffered like a girl, yet thou dost look
    Like Patience gazing on kings' graves and smiling
    Extremity out of act. What were thy friends?
    How lost thou them? Thy name, my most kind virgin?
    Recount I do beseech thee. Come, 2120sit by me.
    [Marina sits.]
    Marina
    My name is Marina.
    Pericles
    Oh, I am mocked;
    And thou by some incensèd God sent hither
    To make the world to laugh at me.
    Marina
    Patience, good sir:
    Or here I'll cease.
    2125Pericles
    Nay, I'll be patient:
    Thou little know'st how thou dost startle me
    To call thyself Marina.
    Marina
    The name
    Was given me by one that had some power:
    My father, and a king.
    Pericles
    How? A king's daughter,
    And called Marina?
    2130Marina
    You said you would believe me;
    But not to be a troubler of your peace,
    I will end here.
    Pericles
    But are you flesh and blood?
    Have you a working pulse? And are no fairy?
    No motion? Well, speak on. Where were you born?
    2135And wherefore called Marina?
    Marina
    Called Marina
    For I was born at sea.
    Pericles
    At sea? What mother?
    Marina
    My mother was the daughter of a king,
    Who died the minute I was born,
    As my good nurse Lychorida hath 2140oft
    Delivered weeping.
    Pericles
    Oh, stop there a little.
    [Aside] This is the rarest dream that e'er dulled sleep
    Did mock sad fools withal. This cannot be
    My daughter, buried. [To Marina] Well, where were you bred?
    I'll hear you more -- to th'bottom of your story,
    2145And never interrupt you.
    Marina
    You scorn. Believe me; 'twere best I did give o'er.
    Pericles
    I will believe you by the syllable
    Of what you shall deliver. Yet give me leave:
    How came you in these parts? Where were you bred?
    2150Marina
    The king my father did in Tharsus leave me,
    'Til cruel Cleon, with his wicked wife,
    Did seek to murder me and wooed a villain
    To attempt it, who having drawn to do't,
    A crew of pirates came and rescued me,
    2155Brought me to Metalin -- But, good sir,
    Whither will you have me? Why do you weep? It may be
    You think me an impostor. No, good faith!
    I am the daughter to King Pericles,
    If good King Pericles be.
    Pericles
    [Calling out] Ho, Helicanus!
    2159.1[Enter Helicanus, Lysimachus and attendants.]
    2160Helicanus
    [Coming forward] Calls my lord?
    Pericles
    Thou art a grave and noble counselor,
    Most wise in general. Tell me if thou canst
    What this maid is, or what is like to be,
    That thus hath made me weep.
    2165Helicanus
    I know not.
    But here's the regent, sir, of Metalin,
    Speaks nobly of her.
    Lysimachus
    [Coming forward] She never would tell
    Her parentage. Being demanded that,
    She would sit still and weep.
    Pericles
    O Helicanus, strike me, honored sir.
    Give me a 2170gash, put me to present pain,
    Lest this great sea of joys rushing upon me,
    O'er-bear the shores of my mortality,
    And drown me with their sweetness. [To Marina] O come hither,
    Thou that beget'st him that did thee beget,
    Thou that wast born at sea, buried at Tharsus,
    2175And found at sea again. O Helicanus,
    Down on thy knees; thank the holy gods as loud
    As thunder threatens us: this is Marina!
    [Helicanus kneels.]
    What was thy mother's name? Tell me but that,
    For truth can never be confirmed enough,
    2180Though doubts did ever sleep.
    Marina
    First sir, I pray, what is your title?
    Pericles
    I am Pericles of Tyre! But tell me now
    My drowned queen's name, as in the rest you said
    Thou hast been god-like perfect, the heir of kingdoms,
    2185And another life to Pericles, thy father.
    Marina
    [Kneeling] Is it no more to be your daughter than
    To say my mother's name was Thaisa?
    Thaisa was my mother, who did end
    The minute I began.
    Pericles
    Now blessing on thee! Rise, thou art my child.
    [Marina rises.]
    2190Give me fresh garments. [Helicanus rises.] Mine own, Helicanus! She is
    Not dead at Tharsus, as she should have been
    By savage Cleon. She shall tell thee all,
    When thou shalt kneel, and justify in knowledge,
    She is thy very princess. Who is this?
    Helicanus
    Sir, 'tis the governor of Metalin,
    Who, hearing of 2195your melancholy state,
    Did come to see you.
    Pericles
    [Greeting Lysimachus] I embrace you.
    [Attendants appear with robes.]
    Give me my robes. I am wild in my beholding.
    O heavens, bless my girl! [Music begins.] But hark! What music?
    Tell Helicanus, my Marina, tell him
    O'er point by point, for yet he seems to doubt,
    2200How sure you are my daughter. But what music?
    Helicanus
    My lord, I hear none.
    Pericles
    None?
    The music of the spheres! List, my Marina.
    Lysimachus
    [To the others] It is not good to cross him. Give him way.
    Pericles
    Rarest sounds! Do ye not hear?
    2205Lysimachus
    Music, my lord? I hear --
    Pericles
    Most heavenly music.
    It nips me unto list'ning, and thick slumber
    Hangs upon mine eyes. Let me rest.
    [He lies down and sleeps.]
    Lysimachus
    A pillow for his head. [Attendants provide a pillow.] So, leave him all.
    2210[As they withdraw] Well, my companion friends,
    If this but answer to my just belief,
    I'll well remember you.
    2211.1[All but Pericles withdraw.]
    [Music continues.] Diana [descends.]
    Diana
    My temple stands in Ephesus.Hie thee thither,
    And do upon mine altar sacrifice;
    2215There when my maiden priests are met together
    2215.1[At large discourse thy fortunes in this wise:
    With a full voice] before the people all
    Reveal how thou at sea didst lose thy wife,
    To mourn thy crosses with thy daughter's, call
    And give them repetition to the life.
    Perform my bidding, or thou liv'st in woe;
    Do't, and happy, by my silver bow.
    Awake and 2220tell thy dream. [Diana ascends.]
    Pericles
    Celestial Dian, goddess argentine,
    I will obey thee. [Calling] Helicanus!
    [Helicanus, Lysimachus and Marina appear.]
    Helicanus
    Sir?
    Pericles
    My purpose was for Tharsus, there to strike
    The inhospitable Cleon, but I am
    For other service first. 2225Toward Ephesus
    Turn our blown sails; eftsoons I'll tell thee why.
    [To Lysimachus] Shall we refresh us, sir, upon your shore,
    And give you gold for such provision
    As our intents will need.
    Lysimachus
    Sir,
    With all my heart. And when you come ashore,
    2230I have another suit.
    Pericles
    You shall prevail,
    Were it to woo my daughter, for it seems
    You have been noble towards her.
    Lysimachus
    Sir, lend me your arm.
    Pericles
    Come, my Marina.
    2235Exeunt.
    2235.1[5.2]
    [Enter Gower.]
    Gower
    Now our sands are almost run;
    More a little, and then dumb.
    This my last boon kindly give me,
    For such kindness must relieve me:
    2240That you aptly will suppose
    What pageantry, what feats, what shows,
    What minstrelsy and pretty din
    The regent made in Metalin
    To greet the king. So he thrived
    2245That he is promised to be wived
    To fair Marina, but in no wise
    Till he had done his sacrifice,
    As Dian bad. Whereto being bound,
    The interim, pray you, all confound.
    2250In feathered briefness sails are filled,
    And wishes fall out as they're willed.
    At Ephesus the temple see
    Our king and all his company.
    That he can hither come so soon
    2255Is by your fancies' thankful doom.
    [Exit.]
    2255.1[5.3]
    [Enter at one door, Thaisa, Cerimon and other temple attendants at the altar; at another door, Pericles, Marina, Lysimachus, Helicanus, Lords and attendants. Pericles makes an offering to the altar.]
    Pericles
    Hail Dian! To perform thy just command,
    I here confess myself the King of Tyre,
    Who, frighted from my country, did wed
    At Pentapolis, the fair Thaisa.
    At sea in childbed died she, but brought forth
    A 2260maid child called Marina who, o goddess,
    Wears yet thy silver livery. She at Tharsus
    Was nursed with Cleon, who at fourteen years
    He sought to murder; but her better stars
    Brought her to Metalin, 'gainst whose shore riding,
    Her fortunes brought the maid aboard us, where
    By her 2265own most clear remembrance, she
    Made known her self my daughter.
    Thaisa
    Voice and favor!
    You are, you are --! O royal Pericles![She faints.]
    Pericles
    What means the nun? She dies! Help, gen2270tlemen!
    Cerimon
    Noble sir,
    If you have told Diana's altar true,
    This is your wife.
    Pericles
    Reverend appearer, no.
    I threw her overboard with these very arms.
    2275Cerimon
    Upon this coast, I warrant you.
    Pericles
    'Tis most certain.
    Cerimon
    Look to the lady! [Examining Thaisa.] Oh, she's but over-joyed.
    Early one blustering morn this lady was
    Thrown upon this shore. 2280I ope'd the coffin,
    Found there rich jewels, recovered her, and placed her
    Here in Diana's temple.
    Pericles
    May we see them?
    Cerimon
    Great sir, they shall be brought you to my house,
    Whither I invite you. Look, Thaisa is
    Recoverèd.
    2285Thaisa
    [Rising] Oh, let me look!
    If he be none of mine, my sanctity
    Will to my sense bend no licentious ear,
    But curb it, spite of seeing. O my lord,
    Are you not Pericles? Like him you spake,
    Like him you are. Did you not name a tempest,
    A birth, and death?
    2290Pericles
    The voice of dead Thaisa!
    Thaisa
    That Thaisa am I, supposèd dead and drowned.
    Pericles
    Immortal Dian!
    Thaisa
    Now I know you better.
    When we with tears parted Pentapolis,
    The king my father gave you such a ring.[She points to his ring.]
    2295Pericles
    This, this! No more, you gods! Your present kindness
    Makes my past miseries sports. You shall do well
    That on the touching of her lips I may
    Melt, and no more be seen. Oh, come! Be buried
    A second time within these arms. [They embrace.]
    Marina
    [Kneeling] My heart
    Leaps to be gone into my mother's bo2300som.
    Pericles
    Look who kneels here: flesh of thy flesh, Thaisa.
    Thy burden at the sea, and called Marina,
    For she was yielded there.
    Thaisa
    Blest, and mine own!
    2305Helicanus
    Hail, madam, and my queen.
    Thaisa
    I know you not.
    Pericles
    You have heard me say, when I did fly from Tyre,
    I left behind an ancient substitute.
    Can you remember what I called the man?
    I have named him oft.
    2310Thaisa
    'Twas Helicanus then.
    Pericles
    Still confirmation!
    Embrace him, dear Thaisa, this is he.
    Now do I long to hear how you were found,
    How possibly preserved, and who to thank,
    Besides the gods, for this great miracle.
    2315Thaisa
    Lord Cerimon, my lord, this man through whom
    The gods have shown their power, that can from first
    To last resolve you.
    Pericles
    Reverend sir,
    The gods can have no mortal officer
    More like a god then you. Will you deliver
    How this dead 2320queen re-lives?
    Cerimon
    I will, my lord.
    Beseech you, first go with me to my house,
    Where shall be shown you all was found with her,
    How she came placèd here in the temple,
    Noneedful thing omitted.
    2325Pericles
    Pure Dian,
    I bless thee for thy vision, and will offer
    Night oblations to thee. Thaisa,
    This prince, the fair betrothèd of your daughter,
    Shall marry her at Pentapolis.
    And now this ornament
    Makes me look dismal, will I clip to form,
    And what this fourteen years no razor touched,
    [To Marina] To 2330grace thy marriage-day, I'll beautify.
    Thaisa
    Lord Cerimon hath letters of good credit, sir,
    My father's dead.
    Pericles
    Heavens make a star of him, yet there, my queen,
    We'll celebrate their nuptials; and ourselves
    2335Will in that kingdom spend our following days.
    Our son and daughter shall in Tyrus reign.
    Lord Cerimon, we do our longing stay
    To hear the rest untold. Sir, lead's the way.
    [Exeunt.]
    2339.1[Epilogue]
    [Enter Gower.]
    2340Gower
    In Antiochus and his daughter you have heard
    Of monstrous lust, the due and just reward.
    In Pericles, his queen, and daughter seen,
    Although assailed with fortune fierce and keen,
    2345Virtue preserved from fell destruction's blast,
    Led on by heaven, and crowned with joy at last.
    In Helicanus may you well descry,
    A figure of truth, of faith, of loyalty.
    In reverend Cerimon there well appears
    2350The worth that learnèd charity ay wears.
    For wicked Cleon and his wife, when Fame
    Had spread his cursèd deed to th'honored name
    Of Pericles, to rage the city turn,
    That him and his they in his palace burn:
    2355The gods for murder seemèd so content
    To punish, although not done, but meant.
    So on your patience evermore attending,
    New joy wait on you; here our play has ending.
    [Exit.]
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