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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    Not Peer Reviewed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)

    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.]
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