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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    Not Peer Reviewed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)

    The Play of
    To euill, should be done by none:
    30But custome what they did begin,
    Was with long vse, account'd no sinne;
    The beautie of this sinfull Dame,
    Made many Princes thither frame,
    To seeke her as a bedfellow,
    35In maryage pleasures, playfellow:
    Which to preuent, he made a Law,
    To keepe her still, and men in awe:
    That who so askt her for his wife,
    His Riddle tould, not lost his life:
    40So for her many of wight did die,
    As yon grimme lookes do testifie.
    What now ensues, to the iudgement of your eye,
    I giue my cause, who best can iustifie.
    Exit.

    Enter Antiochus, Prince Pericles, and followers.
    45Anti. Young Prince of Tyre, you haue at large receiued
    The danger of the taske you vndertake.
    Peri. I haue (Antiochus) and with a soule emboldned
    With the glory of her prayse, thinke death no hazard,
    In this enterprise.
    50Ant. Musicke bring in our daughter, clothed like a bride,
    For embracements euen of Ioue himselfe;
    At whose conception, till Lucina rained,
    Nature this dowry gaue; to glad her presence,
    The Seanate house of Planets all did sit,
    55To knit in her, their best perfections.

    Enter Antiochus daughter.
    Per. See where she comes, appareled like the Spring,
    Graces her subiects, and her thoughts the King,
    Of euery Vertue giues renowne to men:
    60Her face the booke of prayses, where is read,
    Nothing but curious pleasures, as from thence,
    Sorrow were euer racte, and teastie wrath
    Could neuer be her milde companion.
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