Internet Shakespeare Editions

About this text

  • 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    Not Peer Reviewed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)

    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.]