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

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    Not Peer Reviewed

    Pericles, Prince of Tyre (Quarto)

    Pericles Prince of Tyre.
    450in hast, for comfort is too farre for vs to expect.
    Lord. Wee haue descryed vpon our neighbouring
    shore, a portlie saile of ships make hitherward.
    Cleon. I thought as much.
    One sorrowe neuer comes but brings an heire,
    455That may succcede as his inheritor:
    And so in ours, some neighbouring nation,
    Taking aduantage of our miserie,
    That stuff't the hollow vessels with their power,
    To beat vs downe, the which are downe alreadie,
    460And make a conquest of vnhappie mee,
    Whereas no glories got to ouercome.
    Lord. That's the least feare.
    For by the semblance of their white flagges displayde, they
    bring vs peace, and come to vs as fauourers , not as foes.
    465Cleon. Thou speak'st like himnes vntuterd to repeat
    Who makes the fairest showe, meanes most deceipt.
    But bring they what they will, and what they can,
    What need wee leaue our grounds the lowest?
    And wee are halfe way there: Goe tell their Generall wee
    470attend him heere, to know for what he comes, and whence
    he comes, and what he craues?
    Lord. I goe my Lord.
    Cleon. Welcome is peace, if he on peace consist,
    If warres, wee are vnable to resist.

    475Enter Pericles with attendants.
    Per. Lord Gouernour, for so wee heare you are,
    Let not our Ships and number of our men,
    Be like a beacon fier'de, t'amaze your eyes,
    Wee haue heard your miseries as farre as Tyre,
    480And seene the desolation of your streets,
    Nor come we to adde sorrow to your teares,
    But to relieue them of their heauy loade,
    And these our Ships you happily may thinke,
    Are
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