Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Tom Bishop
Not Peer Reviewed

Pericles, Prince of Tyre (Quarto)

The Play of
What world is this?
2.Gent. Is not this strange? 1.Gent. Most rare.
Ceri. Hush (my gentle neighbours) lend me your hands,
To the next Chamber beare her: get linnen:
1310Now this matter must be lookt to for her relapse
Is mortall: come, come; and Escelapius guide vs.
They carry her away. Exeunt omnes.
Enter Pericles, Atharsus, with Cleon and Dionisa.
Per. Most honor'd Cleon, I must needs be gone, my twelue
1315months are expir'd, and Tyrus standes in a litigious peace:
You and your Lady take from my heart all thankfulnesse,
The Gods make vp the rest vpon you.
Cle. Your shakes of fortune, though they hant you mor-(tally
Yet glaunce full wondringly on vs.
1320Di. O your sweet Queene! that the strict fates had pleas'd,
you had brought her hither to haue blest mine eies with her.
Per. We cannot but obey the powers aboue vs;
Could I rage and rore as doth the sea she lies in,
Yet the end must be as tis: my gentle babe Marina,
1325Whom, for she was borne at sea, I haue named so,
Here I charge your charitie withall; leauing her
The infant of your care, beseeching you to giue her
Princely training, that she may be manere'd as she is borne.
Cle. Feare not (my Lord) but thinke your Grace,
1330That fed my Countrie with your Corne; for which,
The peoples prayers still fall vpon you, must in your child
Be thought on, if neglection should therein make me vile,
The common body by you relieu'd,
Would force me to my duety: but if to that,
1335My nature neede a spurre, the Gods reuenge it
Vpon me and mine, to the end of generation.
Per. I beleeue you, your honour and your goodnes,
Teach me too't without your vowes, till she be maried,
Madame, by bright Diana, whom we honour,
1340All vnsisterd shall this heyre of mine remayne,
Though I shew will in't; so I take my leaue:
Good Madame, make me blessed in your care
In bringing vp my Child.
Cler. I