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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    Not Peer Reviewed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)

    Enter the King reading of a letter at one doore,
    the Knightes meete him.
    9501.Knight. Good morrow to the good Simonides.
    King. Knights, from my daughter this I let you know,
    That for this twelue-month, shee'le not vndertake
    A maried life: her reason to her selfe is onely knowne,
    Which from her, by no meanes can I get.
    9552.Knight. May we not get accesse to her (my Lord?)
    king. Fayth, by no meanes, she hath so strictly
    Tyed her to her Chamber, that t'is impossible:
    One twelue Moones more shee'le weare Dianas liuerie:
    This by the eye of Cinthya hath she vowed,
    960And on her Virgin honour, will not breake it.
    3.knight. Loth to bid farewell, we take our leaues.
    king. So, they are well dispatcht:
    Now to my daughters Letter; she telles me heere,
    Shee'le wedde the stranger Knight,
    965Or neuer more to view nor day nor light.
    T'is well Mistris, your choyce agrees with mine:
    I like that well: nay how absolute she's in't,
    Not minding whether I dislike or no.
    Well, I do commend her choyce, and will no longer
    970Haue it be delayed: Soft, heere he comes,
    I must dissemble it.
    Enter Pericles.
    Peri. All fortune to the good Symonides.
    King. To you as much: Sir, I am behoulding to you
    975For your sweete Musicke this last night:
    I do protest, my eares were neuer better fedde
    With such delightfull pleasing harmonie.
    Peri. It is your Graces pleasure to commend,
    Not my desert.
    980king. Sir, you are Musickes maister.
    Peri. The worst of all her schollers (my good Lord.)
    king. Let me aske you one thing:
    What do you thinke of my Daughter, sir?
    Peri. A most vertuous Princesse.
    985king. And she is faire too, is she not?
    Peri. As a faire day in Sommer: woondrous faire.
    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 that, would make me glad?
    King. Yea Mistris, are you so peremptorie?
    1025I am glad on't with all my heart,
    Ile tame you; Ile bring you in subiection. Aside.
    Will you not, hauing my consent,
    Bestow your loue and your affections,
    Vpon a Stranger? who for ought I know,
    1030May be (nor can I thinke the contrary) Aside.
    As great in blood as I my selfe:
    Therefore, heare you Mistris, either frame
    Your will to mine: and you sir, heare you;
    Either be rul'd by mee, or Ile make you,
    1035Man and wife: nay come, your hands,
    And lippes must seale it too: and being ioynd,
    Ile thus your hopes destroy, and for further griefe:
    God giue you ioy; what are you both pleased?
    Tha. Yes, if you loue me sir?
    1040Peri. Euen as my life, my blood that fosters it.
    King. What are you both agreed?
    Ambo. Yes, if't please your Maiestie.
    King. It pleaseth me so well, that I will see you wed,
    And then with what haste you can, get you to bed. Exeunt.
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