Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Tom Bishop
Not Peer Reviewed

Pericles, Prince of Tyre (Quarto)

The Play of
1. Sir your Queene must ouer board, the sea workes hie,
The Wind is lowd, and will not lie till the Ship
1165Be cleard of the dead.
Per. That's your superstition.
1. Pardon vs, sir; with vs at Sea it hath bin still obserued.
And we are strong in easterne, therefore briefly yeeld'er,
Per. As you thinke meet; for she must ouer board straight:
1170Most wretched Queene.
Lychor. Heere she lyes sir.
Peri. A terrible Child-bed hast thou had (my deare,
No light, no fire, th'vnfriendly elements,
Forgot thee vtterly, nor haue I time
1175To giue thee hallowd to thy graue, but straight,
Must cast thee scarcly Coffind, in oare,
Where for a monument vpon thy bones,
The ayre remayning lampes, the belching Whale,
And humming Water must orewelme thy corpes,
1180Lying with simple shels: ô Lychorida,
Bid Nestor bring me Spices, Incke, and Taper,
My Casket, and my Iewels; and bid Nicander
Bring me the Sattin Coffin: lay the Babe
Vpon the Pillow; hie thee whiles I say
1185A priestly farewell to her: sodainely, woman.
2. Sir, we haue a Chist beneath the hatches,
Caulkt and bittumed ready.
Peri. I thanke thee: Mariner say, what Coast is this?
2. Wee are neere Tharsus.
1190Peri. Thither gentle Mariner,
Alter thy course for Tyre: When canst thou reach it?
2. By breake of day, if the Wind cease.
Peri. O make for Tharsus,
There will I visit Cleon, for the Babe
1195Cannot hold out to Tyrus; there Ile leaue it
At carefull nursing: goe thy wayes good Mariner,
Ile bring the body presently. Exit..
Enter