Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Tom Bishop
Not Peer Reviewed

Pericles, Prince of Tyre (Quarto)

Pericles Prince of Tyre.
king. Sir, my Daughter thinkes very well of you,
I so well, that you must be her Maister,
And she will be your Scholler; therefore looke to it.
990Peri. I am vnworthy for her Scholemaister.
king. She thinkes not so: peruse this writing else.
Per. What's here, a letter that she loues the knight of Tyre?
T'is the Kings subtiltie to haue my life:
Oh seeke not to intrappe me, gracious Lord,
995A Stranger, and distressed Gentleman,
That neuer aymed so hie, to loue your Daughter,
But bent all offices to honour her.
king. Thou hast bewitcht my daughter,
And thou art a villaine.
1000Peri. By the Gods I haue not; neuer did thought
Of mine leuie offence; nor neuer did my actions
Yet commence a deed might gaine her loue,
Or your displeasure.
king. Traytor, thou lyest.
1005Peri. Traytor?
king. I, traytor.
Peri. Euen in his throat, vnlesse it be the King,
That cals me Traytor, I returne the lye.
king. Now by the Gods, I do applaude his courage.
1010Peri. My actions are as noble as my thoughts,
That neuer relisht of a base discent:
I came vnto your Court for Honours cause,
And not to be a Rebell to her state:
And he that otherwise accountes of mee,
1015This Sword shall prooue, hee's Honours enemie.
king. No? heere comes my Daughter, she can witnesse it.

Enter Thaisa.
Peri. Then as you are as vertuous, as faire,
Resolue your angry Father, if my tongue
1020Did ere solicite, or my hand subscribe
To any sillable that made loue to you?
Thai. Why sir, say if you had, who takes offence?
At