The rest (hark in thine ear) as black as incest ; Which, by my knowledge found, the sinful father Seem'd not to strike, but smooth: but thou know'st this, 'Tis time to fear, when tyrants seem to kiss. Which fear so grew in me, I hither fled, Under the covering of a careful night, Who seem'd my good protector; and being here, Bethought me what was past, what might succeed. I knew him tyrannous; and tyrants' fears How many worthy princes' bloods were shed, When all, for mine, if I may call't offence, cence: Which love to all (of which thyself art one, Who now reprov'st me for it) Hel. Alas, Sir! Per. Drew sleep out of mine eyes, blood from my cheeks, Musings into my mind; a thousand doubts Freely I'll speak. Antiochus you fear; Therefore, my lord, go travel for a while, Day serves not light more faithful than I'll be. But should he wrong my liberties in absenceHel. We'll mingle bloods together in the earth, From whence we had our being and our birth. Intend my travel, where I'll hear from thee; I'll take thy word for faith, not ask thine oath ; Who shuns not to break one, will sure crack both: But in our orbs we'll live so round and safe, That time of both this truth shall ne'er convince, t Thou show'dst a subject's shine, I a prince. true [Exeunt. SCENE III.—Tyre.-An Ante-chamber in the Palace. Enter THALIARD. Thal. So, this is Tyre, and this is the court. Here must I kill king Pericles; and if I do not, I am sure to be hanged at home: 'tis dangerous.-Well, I perceive he was a wise fellow, and had good discretion, that being bid to ask what be would of the king, desired he might know none of his secrets. Now do I see he had some reason for it; for if a king bid a man be a villain, he is bound by the indenture of his oath to be one.-Hush, here come the lords of Tyre. Enter HELICANUS, ESCANES, and other Lords. Hel. You shall not need, ry fellow peers of Tyre, Further to question of your ing's departure. + Overcome. • In our diferent spher [Aside. Hel. Royal Antiochus (on what cause I know not,) Took some displeasure at him; at least he judg'd so: And doubting lest that he had err'd or sinn'd, I shall not be hang'd now, although I would: He scap'd the land, to perish on the seas,- Tyre! Hel. Lord Thaliard from Antiochus is wel come. Thal. From him I come With message unto princely Pericles ; But, since my landing, as I have understood, SCENE IV.-Tharsus.-A Room in the Governor's House. Enter CLEO, DIONYza, and Attendants. For who digs hills because they do aspire- eyes, But like to groves, being topp'd, they higher Who wanteth food, and will not say he wants it, Into the air; our eyes do weep, till lungs If heaven slumber while their creatures want, tears. Dio. I'll do my best, Sir. Cle. This Tharsus, o'er which I have govern. ment, (A city on whom plenty held full hand, And strangers ne'er beheld, but wonder'd at; Cle. But see what heaven can do! By this our change, [air, These mouths whom but of late, earth, sea, and Were all too little to content and please, Although they gave their creatures in abundance, As houses are defiled for want of use; younger, summers Must have inventions to delight the taste, Draws lots who first shall die, to lengthen life : Dio. Our cheeks and hollow eyes do witness it. Cle. Oh let those cities, that of plenty's cup And her prosperities so largely taste, With their superfluous riots, hear these tears! The misery of Tharsus may be their's. [comes, [Exit. [sist; t Lord. I go, my lord. Cle. Welcome is peace, if he on peace conIf wars we are unable to resist. Enter PERICLES with Attendants. Per. Lord governor, (for so we hear you are) Let not our ships and number of our men, Be, like a beacen fir'd, to amaze your eyes. We have beard your miseries as far as Tyre, And seen the desolation of your streets; Nor come we to add sorrow to your tears, But to relieve them of their heavy load; And these our ships (you happily may think Are, like the Trojan horse, war-stuff'd within, With bloody views, expecting overthrow) Are stor❜d with corn, to make your needy bread, And give them life, who are hunger-starv'd, half dead. All. The gods of Greece protect you. And we'll pray for you. Per. Rise, I pray you, rise: We do not look for reverence but for love, The curse of heaven and men succced their evils ! [seen, Till when, (the which, I hope, shall ne'er be Your grace is welcome to our town and us. Per. Which welcome we'll accept: feast here a while, Until our stars, that frown, lend us a smile. ACT 11. Enter Gower. [Exeunt. Gow. Here have you seen a mighty ki g His child, I wis, to incest bring; A better prince, and benign lord, Prove awful both in deed and word. Be quiet then, as men should be, Till he hath pass'd necessity. I'll show you those in trouble's reign, Losing a mite, a mountain gain. The good in conversation t (To whom I give my benizon,) † Is still at Tharsus, where each man Thinks all is writ he spoken can : And, to remember what he does, Gild his statue glorious: But tidings to the contrary Are brought your eyes; what need speak 13 Dumb Show. Enter at one door PERICLES, talking with CLEON; all the train with them. Enter ut another door, a GENTLEMAN with a Letter to PERICLES; PERICLES shows the letter to CLEON; then gives the Messenger a reward, and knights him. Exeunt PERICLES, CLEON, &c. severally. Gow. Good Helicane hath staid at home, [split; How Thaliard came full bent with sin, SCENE I.-Pentapolis.$—An open Place by the Sea Side. To have bereft a prince of all his fortunes; And having thrown him from your wat'ry grave, Here to have death in peace, is all he'll crave. Enter three FISHERMEN. 1 Fish. What, ho, Pilche! 2 Fish. Ho! come and bring away the nets. 1 Fish. What Patch-breech I say! 3 Fish. What say you, master? 1 Fish. Look how thou stirrest now! come away, or I'll fetch thee with a wannion. 3 Fish. 'Faith, master, I am thinking of the poor men that were cast away before us, even now. 1 Fish. Alas, poor souls, it griev'd my heart to hear what pitiful cries they made to us to help them, when, well-a-day, we could scarce help ourselves. 2 Fish. Nay, master, said not I as much, when I saw the porpus, how he bounced and tumbled? they say, they are half fish half flesh : a plague on them, they ne'er come, but I look to be wash'd. Master, I marvel how the fishes live in the sea. Per. I did but crave. 2 Fish. But crave? Then I'll turn craver too, and so I shall 'scape whipping. [then? Per. Why, are all your beggars whipp'd 2 Fish. Oh! not all, my friend, not all: for if all your beggars were whipp'd, I would wish no better office than to be beadle. But, master, I'll go draw up the net. [Exeunt two of the FISHERMEN. Per. How well this honest mirth becomes their labour ! 1 Fish. Hark you, Sir! do you know where you are? Per. Not well. 1 Fish. Why, I'll tell you: this is called Pentapolis, and our king, the good Simonides. Per. The good king Simonides, do you call him? 1 Fish. Ay, Sir, and he deserves to be so call'd, for his peaceable reign and good government. 1 Fish. Why as men do a-land; the great ones eat up the little ones: I can compare our Per. He is a happy king, since from his subrich misers to nothing so fitly as to a whale; 'a jects plays and tumbles, driving the poor fry before He gains the name of good, by his government. him, and at last devours them all at a mouth-How far is his court distant from this shore? ful. Such whales have I heard on a'the land, who never leave gaping, till they've swallow'd the whole parish, church, steeple, bells, and all. Per. A pretty moral. 3 Fish. But, master, if I had been the sexton, I would have been that day in the belfry. 2 Fish. Why, man? 3 Fish. Because he should have swallow'd me too: and when I had been in his belly, I would have kept such a jangling of the bells, that he should have never have left, till he cast bells, steeple, church, and parish, up again. But if the good king Simonides were of my mindPer. Simonides! 3 Fish. We would purge the land of these drones that rob the bee of her honey. Per. How from the finny subject of the sea 2 Fish. Honest! good fellow, what's that? if it be a day fits you, scratch it out of the calendar, and no body will look after it. Per. Nay, see, the sea hath cast upon your coast 2 Fish. What a drunken knave was the sea, to cast thee in our way! Per. A man whom both the waters and the wind, In that vast tennis-court, hath made the ball For them to play upon, entreats you pity him: He asks of you, that never us'd to beg. 1 Fish. No, friend, cannot you beg? here's them in our country of Greeee gets more with begging than we can do with working. 2 Fish. Canst thou catch any fishes then? Per. I never practis'd it. 2 Fish. Nay, then thou wilt starve sure; for here's nothing to be got now-a-days, unless thou canst fish for't. Per. What I have been, I have forgot to know; But what I am, want teaches me to think on: And have no more of life than may suffice 1 Fish. Die quoth-a? Now gods forbid! 1 have a gown here; come, put it on; keep thee warm. Now, afore me, a handsome fellow! Come, thou shalt go home, and we'll have fiesh for holidays, fish for fasting-days, and moreo'er 1 Fish. Marry, Sir, half a day's journey; and I'll tell you he hath a fair daughter, and to-morrow is her birth-day; and there are princes and knights come from all parts of the world, to just and tourney + for her love. Per. Did but my fo. nes equal my desires, I'd wish to make one the.e. 1 Fish. O Sir, things must be as they may; and what a man canust get, he may lawfully deal for-bis wife's boul Re-enter the Two FISHERMEN, drawing up a net. 2 Fish. Help, master, help; here's a fish hangs in the net, like a poor man's right in the law; 'twill hardly come out. Ha bots on't, 'tis come at last, and 'tis turn'd to a rusty ar mour. Per. An armour, friends! I pray you, let me see it. Thanks, fortune, yet, that after all my crosses, Which my dead father did bequeath to me, For that it sav'd me, keep it ; in like necessity Which gods protect thee from ! it may dejend thee. It kept where I kept, I so dearly lov'd it; I thank thee for't; my shipwreck's now no ill, Per. To beg of you, kind friends, this coat of worth, For it was sometime target to a king; I know it by this mark. He lov'd me dearly, Where with't I may appear a gentleman; 1 Fish. Why, wilt thou tourney for the lady f Per. I'll show the virtue I have borne in arms. 1 Fish. Why, do ye take it, and the gods give thee good on't! 2 Fish. Ay, but hark you, my friend; 'twas we that made up this garment through the rough seams of the waters: there are certain condolemeuts, certain veils. I hope, Sir, if you thrive, you'll remember from whence you had it. Per. Believe't, I will. Now by your furtherance, I am cloth'd in steel; 2 Fish. We'll sure provide: thou shalt have my best gown to make thee a pair; and I'll bring thee to the court myself. Per. Then honour be but a goal to my will; This day I'll rise, or else add ill to ill. [Exeunt. SCENE II-The same.-A public Way, or Platform, leading to the Lists. A Pavilion by the Side of it, for the reception of the KING, PRINCESS, LORDS, &c. Enter SIMONIDES, THAISA, LORDS, and Atten dants. Sim. Are the knights ready to begin the triumph? 1 Lord. They are, my liege: And stay your coming to present themselves. Sim. Return them, we are ready; and our daughter, In honour of whose birth these triumphs are, Sits here, like beauty's child, whom nature gat For men to see, and seeing wonder at. [Exit a LORD. Thai. It pleaseth you, my father, to express My commendations great, whose merit's less. Sim. 'Tis fit it should be so; for princes are A model, which heaven makes like to itself: As jewels lose their glory, if neglected, So princes their renown, if not respected. 'Tis now your honour, daughter, to explain The labour of each knight, in his device. § Thai. Which, to preserve mine honour, I'll perform. Enter a Knight; he passes over the Stage. and his Squire presents his Shield to the Princess. Sim. Who is the first that doth prefer || himself? Thai. A knight of Sparta, my renowned father; And the device he bears upon his shield Sim. He loves you well, that holds his life of you. [The second Knight passes. Who is the second, that presents himself? Tha. A prince of Macedon, my royal father; And the device he bears upon his shield Is an arm'd knight, that's conquer'd by a lady: The motto thus, in Spanish, Piu per dulcura que per fuerca. ** [The third Knight passes. Sim. And what's the third ? Thai. The third, of Antioch; And his device, a wreath of chivalry: The word, Me pompa provexit apex. The fourth Knight passes. Sim. What is the fourth? Thdi. A burning torch, that's turned upside down: The word, Quod me alit, me extinguit. The brace was fastened by a jewel, which the sea had not removed from its place. of loose breaches. Emblem on a shield. 1 Offer. + A kind 1 I. e. Tell them. The motta. I. c. More by sweetness than by force. Sim. Which shows that beauty hath his power and will, Which can as well inflame, as it can kill [The fifth Knight passes. Thai. The fifth, a hand environed with clouds · Holding out gold that's by the touchstone tried: The motto thus, Sic spectanda fides. [The sixth Knight passes. Sim. And what's the sixth and last, which the knight himself With such a graceful courtesy deliver❜d? Thai. He seems a stranger; but his present is A wither'd branch, that's only green at top: The motto, In hac spe vivo. Sim. A pretty moral; From the dejected state wherein he is, He hopes by you his fortunes yet may flourish. Can any way speak in his just commend: 2 Lord. He well may be a stranger, for he To say you are welcome, were superfluous. Thai. But you, my knight and guest : merit. Sim. Call it by what you will, the day is yours; And here, I hope, is none that envies it. In framing artists, art hath thus decreed, To make some good, but others to exceed ; And you're her labour'd scholar. Come, queen o'the feast, [place: (For, daughter, so you are,) here take your Marshal the rest, as they deserve their grace. Knights. We are honour'd much by good Simonides. Sim. Your presence glads our days; honour we love, For who hates honour, hates the gods above. Per. Some other is more fit. 1 Knight, Contend not, Sir; for we are gentlemen, That neither in our hearts, nor outward eyes, Per. You are right courteous knights. Per. By Jove, I wonder, that is king of thoughts, These cates resist me, she not thought upon. Of marriage, all the viands that I eat • Handle of a whip. ↑ I. c. These delicacies go against my stomach. Sim. He's but A country gentleman : He has done no more than other knights have Which teils me, in that glory once he was; None that beheld him, but, like lesser lights, crave. Sim. What, are you merry, knights? 1 Knight. Who can be other, in this royal presence? Sim. Here, with a cup that's stor'd unto the brim, (As you do love, fill to your mistress' lips,) We drink this health to you. Knights. We thank your grace. Sim. Yet pause a while: You knight, methinks, doth sit too melancholy, Had not a show might countervail his worth. Thai. What is it To me, my father? Sim. Oh! attend, my daughter; Princes, in this, should live like gods above, Who freely give to every one that comes To honour them and princes, not doing so, Are like to gnats, which make a sound, kill'd Are wonder'd at. but Therefore to inake's entrance more sweet, here say, We drink this standing bowl of wine to him. Unto a stranger knight to be so bold; Do as I bid you, or you'll move me else. Sim. And further tell him, we desire to know, Of whence he is, his name and parentage. My education being in arts and arms;)— A gentleman of Tyre, who, only by And will awake him from his melancholy. Even in your armours, as you are address'd, t Loud music is too harsh for ladies' heads; Here is a lady that wants breathing too; Sim. Oh that's as much as you would be deny'd [The KNIGHTS and LADIES dance. Of your fair conrtesy.-Unclasp, unclasp: Thanks, gentlemen, to all; all have done well; But you the best. [To PERICLES.] Pages and lights, conduct [Sir, These knights unto their several lodgings; Your's We have given order to be next our own. Per. I am at your grace's pleasure. Sim. Princes, it is too late to talk of love, For that's the mark I know you level at: Therefore each one betake him to his rest; To-morrow, all for speeding do their best. [Exeunt. SCENE IV.-Tyre.-A Room in the Gover nor's House. Enter HELICANES and ESCANES. Hel. No, no, my Escanes: know this of me,Antiochus from incest liv'd not free; For which, the most high gods not minding longer To withhold the vengeance that they had in store, Due to this heinous capital offence, Even in the height and pride of all his glory, When he was seated, and his daughter with him, In a chariot of inestimable value, A fire from heaven came, and shrivell'd up Their bodies, even to loathing; for they so stunk, That all those eyes ador'd them, ere their fall, Scorn now their hand should give them burial. Esca. 'Twas very strange. Hel. And yet but just; for though This king were great, his greatness was no guard To bar heaven's shaft, but sin had his reward. Esca. 'Tis very true. |