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.

Enter three Lords.

1 Lord. See, not a man in private conference, Or council, has respect with him but he.

2 Lord. It shall no longer grieve, without re

proof.

3 Lord. And curs'd be he that will not second

it.

1 Lord. Follow me then: Lord Helicane, a

word.

Hel. With me? and welcome: Happy day, my

lords.

1 Lord. Know, that our griefs are risen to the

top,

And now at length they overflow their banks.

Hel. Your griefs, for what? wrong not the prince you love.

1 Lord. Wrong not yourself then, noble Heli

cane;

But if the prince do live, let us salute him,

Or know what ground's made happy by his breath.
If in the world he live, we'll seek him out;
If in his grave he rest, we'll find him there;
And be resolv'd, he lives to govern us,

Or dead, gives cause to mourn his funeral,
And leaves us to our free election.

2 Lord. Whose death's, indeed, the strongest in

Our censure:

And knowing this kingdom, if without a head, (Like goodly buildings left without a roof,) Will soon to ruin fall, your noble self,

That best know'st how to rule, and how to reign, We thus submit unto,-our sovereign.

All. Live, noble Helicane!

Hel. Try honour's cause; forbear your suffrages:
If that you love prince Pericles, forbear.
Take I your wish, I leap into the seas,

Where's hourly trouble, for a minute's ease.
A twelvemonth longer, let me then entreat you
To forbear choice i'the absence of your king;
If in which time expir'd, he not return,
I shall with aged patience bear your yoke.
But if I cannot win you to this love,

Go search like noblemen, like noble subjects,
And in your search, spend your adventurous worth;
Whom if you find, and win unto return,

You shall like diamonds sit about his crown.

1 Lord. To wisdom he's a fool that will not

yield;

And, since lord Helicane enjoineth us,

We with our travels will endeavour it.

Hel. Then you love us, we you, and we'll clasp

hands;

When peers thus knit, a kingdom ever stands.

[Exeunt.

SCENE V

PENTAPOLIS. A ROOM IN THE PALACE.

Enter Simonides, reading a Letter; the Knights meet

him.

1 Knight. Good morrow to the good Simonides. Sim. Knights, from my daughter this I let you know,

That for this twelvemonth, she'll not undertake
A married life.

Her reason to herself is only known,

Which from herself by no means can I get.

2 Knight. May we not get access to her, my lord?

Sim. 'Faith, by no means; she hath so strictly

tied her

To her chamber, that it is impossible.

One twelve moons more she'll wear Diana's livery; This by the eye of Cynthia hath she vow'd,

And on her virgin honour will not break it.

3 Knight. Though loath to bid farewel, we take our leaves.

Sim. So

[Exeunt.

They're well despatch'd; now to my daughter's letter:

She tells me here, she'll wed the stranger knight, Or never more to view nor day nor light. Mistress, 'tis well, your choice agrees with mine; I like that well:-nay, how absolute she's in't, Not minding whether I dislike or no!

Well, I commend her choice;

And will no longer have it be delay'd.
Soft, here he comes:-I must dissemble it.

Enter Pericles.

Per. All fortune to the good Simonides!

Sim. To you as much, sir! I am beholden to

you,

For your sweet musick this last night: my ears, I do protest, were never better fed

With such delightful pleasing harmony.

Per. It is your grace's pleasure to commend; Not my desert.

Sim.

Sir, you are musick's master. Per. The worst of all her scholars, my good lord. Sim. Let me ask one thing. What do you think, sir, of

My daughter?

Per.

As of a most virtuous princess. Sim. And she is fair too, is she not? Per. As a fair day in summer; wond'rous fair. Sim. My daughter, sir, thinks very well of you; Ay, so well, sir, that you must be her master, And she'll your scholar be; therefore look to it. Per. Unworthy I to be her schoolmaster. Sim. She thinks not so; peruse this writing else. Per. What's here!

A letter, that she loves the knight of Tyre? 'Tis the king's subtilty, to have my life.

[Aside.

O, seek not to entrap, my gracious lord,

A stranger and distressed gentleman,

That never aim'd so high, to love your daughter,

But bent all offices to honour her.

Sim. Thou hast bewitch'd my daughter, and thou

A villain.

Per.

art

By the gods, I have not, sir. Never did thought of mine levy offence;

Nor never did my actions yet commence

A deed might gain her love, or your displeasure. Sim. Traitor, thou liest.

Per.

Sim.

Traitor!

Ay, traitor, sir.

Per. Even in his throat, (unless it be the king,) That calls me traitor, I return the lie.

Sim. Now, by the gods, I do applaud his courage. [Aside. Per. My actions are as noble as my thoughts, That never relish'd of a base descent.

I came unto your court, for honour's cause,
And not to be a rebel to her state;

And he that otherwise accounts of me,

This sword shall prove, he's honour's enemy.
Sim. No!-

Here comes my daughter, she can witness it.

Enter Thaisa.

Per. Then, as you are as virtuous as fair,
Resolve your angry father, if my tongue
Did e'er solicit, or my hand subscribe
To any syllable that made love to you?
Thai. Why, sir, say if you had,

Who takes offence at that would make me glad?

Sim. Yea, mistress, are you so peremptory?—