Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Tom Bishop
Not Peer Reviewed

Pericles, Prince of Tyre (Quarto)

Pericles Prince of Tyre.
Hell. Hoe, Hellicanus?
2160Hel. Calls my Lord.
Per. Thou art a graue and noble Counseller,
Most wise in generall, tell me if thou canst, what this mayde
is, or what is like to bee , that thus hath made mee
weepe.
2165Hel. I know not, but heres the Regent sir of Metaline,
speakes nobly of her.
Lys. She neuer would tell her parentage,
Being demaunded, that she would sit still and weepe.
Per. Oh Hellicanus, strike me honored sir, giue mee a
2170gash, put me to present paine, least this great sea of ioyes ru-
shing vpon me, ore-beare the shores of my mortalitie, and
drowne me with their sweetnesse: Oh come hither,
thou that begetst him that did thee beget,
Thou that wast borne at sea, buried at Tharsus,
2175And found at sea agen, O Hellicanus,
Downe on thy knees, thanke the holie Gods as loud
As thunder threatens vs, this is Marina.
What was thy mothers name? tell me, but that
for truth can neuer be confirm'd inough,
2180Though doubts did euer sleepe.
Mar. Frist sir, I pray what is your title?
Per. I am Pericles of Tyre, but tell mee now my
Drownd Queenes name, as in the rest you sayd,
Thou hast beene God-like perfit, the heir of kingdomes,
2185And an other like to Pericles thy father.
Ma. Is it no more to be your daughter, then to say, my
mothers name was Thaisa, Thaisa was my mother, who did
end the minute I began.
Pe. Now blessing on thee, rise th'art my child.
2190Giue me fresh garments, mine owne Hellicanus, shee is not
dead at Tharsus as shee should haue beene by sauage Cleon,
she shall tell thee all, when thou shalt kneele, and iustifie in
knowledge, she is thy verie Princes, who is this?
Hel. Sir
I