Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB
[blocks in formation]

Hel. Gentlemen,

[blocks in formation]

Of gentle kind, and noble stock, I'd wish

There is some of worth would come aboard; INo better choice, and think me rarely wed.

pray you,

To greet them fairly.

The Gentlemen and the two Sailors descend, and go on board the Barge.

Enter, from thence, Lysimachus and Lords; the Tyrian Gentlemen, and the two Sailors." Tyr. Sail. Sir,

This is the man that can, in aught you would, Resolve you.

Lys. Hail, reverend sir! the gods preserve you! Hel. And you, sit, to outlive the age 1 am, Aud die as I would do.

Lys.
You wish me well.
Being on shore, honouring of Neptune's triumphs,
Seeing this goodly vessel ride before us,

I made to it, to know of whence you are.
Hel. First, sir, what is your place?

Lys. I am governor of this place you lie before.
Hel. Sir,

Our vessel is of Tyre, in it the king:

[blocks in formation]

Mar.

I am a maid,

My lord, that ne'er before invited eyes,
But have been gaz'd on, comet-like: she speaks,

A man, who for this three months hath not spoken My lord, that may be, hath endur'd a grief
To any one, nor taken sustenance,

But to prorogue his grief.

Lys. Upon what ground is his distemperature? Hel. Sir, it would be too tedious to repeat; But the main grief of all springs from the loss Of a beloved daughter and a wife. Lys. May we not see him, then? Hel. You may indeed, sir, But bootless is your sight; he will not speak

To any.

Lys. Yet, let me obtain my wish.

Hel. Behold him, sir: [Pericles discovered.] this was a goodly person,

Till the disaster, that, one mortal night

Drove him to this.

Might equal yours, if both were justly weigh'd,
Though wayward fortune did malign my state.
My derivation was from ancestors
Who stood equivalent with mighty kings:
But time hath rooted out my parentage,
And to the world and awkward casualties
Bound me in servitude.-I will desist;
But there is something glows upon my cheek,
And whispers in mine ear, Go not till he speak
[Ande

Per. My fortunes-parentage-good parent

age

To equal mine!-was it not thus? what say you?
Mar. I said, my lord, if you did know my pa
rentage,

Lys. Sir, king, all hail! the gods preserve you! You would not do me violence.
Hail,

Hail, royal sir!

Hel. It is in vain; he will not speak to you. 1 Lord. Sir, we have a maid in Mitylene, I durst wager,

Would win some words of him.

Lys. "Tis well bethought. She, questionless, with her sweet harmony And other choice attractions, would allure And make a battery through his deafen'd parts, Which now are midway stopp'd: She is all happy as the fairest of all, And, with her fellow maids, is now upon The leafy shelter that abuts against The island's side.

[He whispers one of the attendant Lords. Erit Lord, in the Barge of Lysimachus. Hel. Sure all's effectless; yet nothing we'll omit

Per.

I do think I pray you, turn your eves again upon me.You are like something that-What country, woman? Here of these shores ? Mar.

No, nor of any shores: Yet I was mortally brought forth, and am No other than I appear.

Per. I am great with wo, and shall deliver weeping.

My dearest wife was like this maid, and such a one My daughter might have been : my queen's square

brows;

Her stature to an inch; as wand-like straight
As silver voic'd; her eyes as jewel-like,
And cas'd as richly: in pace another Juno;
Who starves the ears she feeds, and makes them
hungry,

The more she gives them speech.-Where do you live?

Mar. Where I am but a stranger: from the deck
You may discern the place.
Per.
Where were you bred?
And how achiev'd you these endowments, which
You make more rich to owe?
Mar.
Should I tell my history.
"Twould seem like lies disdain'd in the reporting.
Per. 'Pr'ythee speak;

Falseness cannot come from thee, for thou look'st
Modest as justice, and thou seem's a palace
For the crown'd truth to dwell in; I'll believe
thee,

And make my senses credit thy relation,
To points that seem impossible; for thou look'st
Like one I lov'd indeed. What were thy friends?
Didst thou not say, when I did push thee back
(Which was when I perceiv'd thee,) that thou
cam'st

From good descending?
Mar.

So indeed I did.

Per. Report thy parentage. I think thou said'st Thou hadst been toss'd from wrong to injury. And that thou thought'st thy griets might equal mine,

If both were open'd. Mar.

Some such thing indeed I said, and said no more but what my thoughts Did warrant me was likely.

Per.

Tell thy story; If thine consider'd prove the thousandth part Of my endurance, thou art a man, and I Have suffer'd like a girl: yet thou dost look Like Patience, gazing on king's graves, and smiling

Extremity out of act. What were thy friends? How lost thou them? Thy name, my most kind virgin?

Recount, I do beseech thee; come, sit by me.
Mar. My name, sir, is Marina.
Per.
O, I am mock'd,
And thou by some incensed god sent hither
To make the world laugh at ine.

Mar.

Or here I'll cease.

Per.

Patience, good sir,

Nay, I'll be patient;

Thou little know'st how thou dost startle me, To call thyself Marina.

Mar.

The name Marina

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors]

Per.
O, stop there a little!
This is the rarest dream that e'er dull sleep
Did mock sad fools withal this cannot be.
My daughter's buried. [Aside.] Well-where
were you bred?

I'll hear you more, to the bottom of your story,
And never interrupt you.

Mar. You'll scarce believe me; 'twere best
did give o'er.

Per. I will believe you by the syllable

Mar. The king, my father, did in Tharsus leave

me;

Till cruel Cleon, with his wicked wife,
Did seek to murder me: and having woo'd
A villain to attempt it, who having drawn,
A crew of pirates came and rescued me;
Brought me to Mitylene. But now, good sir,
Whither will you have me? Why do you weep?
It may be,

You think me an impostor; no, good faith;
I am the daughter to king Pericles,
If good king Pericles be.
Per. Ho, Helicanus !
Hel.
Calls my gracious lord?
Per. Thou art a grave and noble counsellor,
Most wise in general: Tell me, if thou canst,
What this maid is, or what is like to be,
That thus hath made me weep?
Hel.

I know not; but
Here is the regent, sir, of Mitylene,
Speaks nobly of her.
Lys.

She would never tell
Her parentage; being demanded that,
She would sit still and weep.

Per. O Helicanus, strike me, honour'd sir;
Give me a gash, put me to present pain;
Lest this great sea of joys rushing upon me,
O'erbear the shores of my mortality,

And drown me with their sweetness. O, come hither,

Thou that beget'st him that did thee beget;
Thou that wast born at sea, buried at Tharsus,
And found at sea again! O Helicanus,
Down on thy knees, thank the holy gods, as loud
As thunder threatens us; This is Marin
What was thy mother's name? tell me but that,
For truth can never be confirm'd enough,
Though doubts did ever sleep.
Mar.

First, sir, I pray,

What is your title?
Per. I am Pericles of Tyre: but tell me now
My drown'd queen's name, (as in the rest thou
hast

Been godlike perfect,) thou'rt the heir of king doms,

And another life to Pericles thy father.
Mar. Is it no more to be your daughter, than
To say, my mother's name was Thaisa 7
Thaisa was my mother, who did end,
The minute I began.

Per. Now, blessing on thee, rise; thou art my child.

Give me fresh garments. Mine own, Helicanus,
(Not dead at Tharsus, as she should have been,
By savage Cleon,) she shall tell thee all;
When thou shalt kneel and justify in knowledge
She is thy very princess.-Who is this?
Hel. Sir, 'tis the governor of Mity lene,
Who, hearing of your melancholy state,
Did come to see you.
I embrace you, sir.
Give me my robes; I am wild in my beholding.
O heavens bless my girl! But hark, what mu
sick?-

Per.

Tell Helicanus, my Marina, tell him
O'er peint by point, for yet he seems to doubt,
How sure you are my daughter.-But what mu

sick?

[blocks in formation]

Musick my lord, I hear-
Per. Most heavenly musick:
IIt nips me unto list'ning, and thick slumber
Hangs on mine eyelids; let me rest. He sleeps.
Lys. A pillow for his head;

Of what you shall deliver. Yet, give me leave:How came you in these parts? where were you bred 1

[The curtain before the Pavilion of Pericles is closed So leave him all -Well, my companion-friends,

If this but answer to my just belief,
I'll well remember you.
[Exeunt Lysimachus, Helicanus, Marina,
and attendant Lady.
SCENE II. The same.

Pericles on the Deck asleep; Diana appearing
to him as in a Vision.

Dia. My temple stands in Ephesus; hie thee thither,

And do upon mine altar sacrifice,

There, when my maiden priests are met together,
Before the people all,

Reveal how thou at sea didst lose thy wife;

To mourn thy crosses, with thy daughter's, call,
And give thein repetition to the life.

erform my bidding, or thou liv'st in wo: Do 't, and be happy, by my silver bow. Awake, and tell thy dream.

[Diana disappears.
Per. Celestial Dian, goddess argentine,
I will obey thee !-Helicanus!

Enter Lysimachus, Helicanus, and Marina.
Hel.

Sir.

Per. My purpose was for Tharsus, there to strike

The inhospitable Cleon; but I am

For other service first: toward Ephesus
Turn our blown sails; eftsoons I'll tell thee
why.-
[To Helicanus.
Shall we refresh us, sir, upon your shore,
And give you gold for such provision
As our intents will need?

[blocks in formation]

If he be none of mine, my sanctity
Will to my sense bend no licentious ear,
But curb it, spite of seeing. O, my lord,
Are you not Pericles? Like him you speak,
Like him you are: Did you not name a tempest,

Lys. With all my heart, sir; and when you A birth, and death?

come ashore,

I have another suit.

Per.

You shall prevail,

Were it to woo my daughter; for it seems
You have been noble towards her.

Lys.

Per.

The voice of dead Thaisa!
Thai. That Thaisa am I, supposed dead,
And drown'd.

Per. Immortal Dian!
Thai.

Now I know you better. Sir, lend your arm. When we with tears parted Pentapolis, Per. Come, my Marina. [Exeunt. The king, my father, gave you such a ring. [Shows a Ring. Enter Gower, before the Temple of Diana at Per. This, this; no more, you gods! your Ephesus.

Gow. Now our sands are almost run;

More a little, and then done.

This, as my last boon, give me

(For such kindness must relieve me,)

That you aptly will suppose

What pagear try, what feats, what shows,
What minstrelsy, and pretty din,

The regent made in Mitylin,

To greet the king. So he has thriv'd,
That he is promis'd to be wiv'd
To fair Marina; but in no wise
Till he had done his sacrifice,

As Dian bade: whereto being bound,
The interim, pray you, all confound.
In feather'd briefness sails are fill'd,
And wishes fall out as they're will'd.
At Ephesus, the temple see,
Our king, and all his company.
That he can hither come so soon,
Is by your fancy's thankful boon.
SCENE III.

present kindness

Makes my past miseries sport: You shall do well,
That on the touching of her lips, I may

Melt, and no more be seen. O come, be buried
A second time within these arms.

Mar.

My heart

Leaps to be gone into my mother's bosom.

[Kneels to Thaisa.

Per. Look, who kneels here! Flesh of thy flesh,

Thaisa;

Thy burden at the sea, and call'd Marina,
For she was yielded there.

Thai.

Bless'd and mine own!

I know you not

Hel. Hail, madam, and my queen!

Thai.

Per. You have heard me say, when I did ty

from Tyre,

I left behind an ancient substitute.

Can you remember what I call'd the man?
I have nam'd him oft.

[Exit Thai.

The Temple of Diana at Ephesus: Thaisa
standing near the Allar, as High Priestess;
a number of Virgins on each side; Cerimon
and other Inhabitants of Ephesus attending.
Enter Pericles, with his Train; Lysimachus,
Helicanus, Marina, and a Lady.

Per. Hail Dian! to perform thy just command,
I here confess myself the king of Tyre;
Who, frighted from my country did wed
The fair Thaisa, at Pentapolis.

At sea in childbed died she, but brought forth
A maid-child call'd Marina; who, O goddess,
Wears yet thy silver livery. She at Tharsus
Was nurs'd with Cleon; whom at fourteen years

'Twas Helicanus then

Per. Still confirmation:
Embrace him, dear Thaisa: this is he.
Now do I long to hear how you were found;
How possibly preserv'd, and whom to thank,
Resides the gods, for this great miracle.
Thai. Lord Cerimon, my lord; this man
Through whom the gods have shown their power,
From first to last resolve you.

Per.

that can

Reverend str,

The gods can have no mortal officer
More like a god than you. Will you deliver
How this dead queen re-lives?

Cer.
I will, my lo
Beseech you, first go with me to my house,
Where shall be shown you all was found with
ber;

[blocks in formation]

1 bless thee for thy vision, and will offer
My night oblations to thee. Thaisa,
This prince, the fair-betrothed of your daughter,
Shall marry her at Pentapolis. And now,
This ornament that makes me look so dismal,
Will I, my lov'd Marina, clip to form;
And what this fourteen years no razor touch'd
To grace thy marriage-day, I'll beautify.
Thai. Lord Cerimon hath letters of good credit,
Sir, that my father's dead.

Per. Heavens make a star of him! Yet there,
my queen,.

We'll celebrate their nuptials, and ourselves
Will in that kingdom spend our following days;
Our son and daughter shall in Tyrus reign.
Lord Ceriinon, we do our longing stay,
To hear the rest untold.-Sir, lead the way.
[Exeunt.

[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

Of monstrous Inst the due and just reward:
In Pericles, his queen and daughter, seen
(Although assail'd with fortune fierce and keen,)
Virtue preserv'd from fell destruction's blast,
Led on by heaven and crown'd with joy at last.
In Helicanus may you well desery
A figure of truth, of faith, of loyalty:
In reverend Cerimon there well appears,
The worth that learned charity aye wears.
For wicked Cleon and his wife, when fame
Had spread their cursed deed, and honour'd
Of Pericles, o rage the city turn; [name
That him and his they in his palace burn.
The gods for murder seemed so content
To punish them; although not done, but meant.
So on your patience evermore attending,
New joy wait on you! Here our play has ending.
[Exeunt.

KING LEAR.

PERSONS REPRESENTED.

EDMUND, Bastard Son to Gloster.

CURAN, a Courtier.

Old Man, Tenant to Gloster.

Physiciang

[blocks in formation]

ACT I.

SCENE 1.

A Room of State in King Lear's Palace.

Enter Kent, Gloster, and Edmund. Kent. I thought the king had more affected the duke of Albany, than Cornwall.

Glo. It did always seem so to ns: but now, in the division of the kingdom, it appears not which of the dukes he values most; for equalities are so weigh'd, that curiosity in neither can make choice of either's moiety.

Kent. Is not this your son, my lord?
Glo. His breeding, sir, hath been at my charge:
I have so often blush'd to acknowledge him, that
now I am brazed to it.

Kent. I cannot conceive you.

Glo. Sir, this young fellow's mother could: whereupon she grew round-wombed; and had, indeed, sir, a son for her cradle, ere she had a husband for her bed. Do you smell a fault?

Kent. I cannot wish the fault undone, the issue of it being so proper.

Glo. But I have, sir, a son by order of law, some year elder than this, who yet is no dearer in my account: though this knave came somewhat saucily into the world before he was sent for, yet was his mother fair; there was good sport at his making, and the whoreson must be acknowledged.-Do you know this noble gentleman, Edmund ?

Edm. No, my lord.

Edm. My services to your lordship.

Kent. I must love you, and sue to know you better.

Edm. Sir, I shall study deserving.

Glo. He hath been out nine years, and away he shall again :-The king is coming.

[Trumpets sound within.

Enter Lear. Cornwall, Albany, Goneril, Regan,
Cordelia, and Attendants.
Lear. Attend the lords of France and Burgundy,
Gloster.
Glo. I shall, my liege.

[Exeunt Gloster and Edmund. Lear. Mean time we shall express our darker purpose,

Give me the map there.-Know, that we have
divided,

In three, our kingdom; and 'tis our fast intent
To shake all cares and business from our age;
Conferring them on younger strengths, while w
Unburden'd crawl toward death.-Our son of
Cornwall,

And you, our no less loving son of Albany,
We have this hour a constant will to publish
Our daughters' several dowers, that future strife
May be prevented now. The princes, France
and Burgundy,

Great rivals in our youngest daughter's love,
Long in our court have made their amorous
sojourn,

And here are to be answer'd.-Tell me, my
daughters,

Glo. My lord of Kent: remember him here- (Since now we will divest us, both of rule,
after as my honourable friend.
Interest of territory, cares of state,)

Scythian,

Which of you, shall we say, doth love us most? Hold thee, from this, for ever. The barbarous
That we our largest bounty may extend
Where merit doth most challenge it.-Goneril,
Our eldest-born, speak first.

Gon.

Sir, I

Or he that makes his generation messes
To gorge his appetite, shall to my bosom
Be as well neighbour'd, pitied, and reliev'd,

Do love you more than words can wield the As thou my sometime daughter.

matter,

Dearer than eye-sight, space, and liberty;
Beyond what can be valued, rich or rare;
No less than life, with grace, health, beauty,
honour:

As much as child e'er lov'd, or father found.
A love that inakes breath poor, and speech un-
able:

Beyond all manner of so much I love you. Cor. What shall Cordelia do? Love, and be silent. [Aside. Lear. Of all these bounds, even from this line to this,

With shadowy forests and with champains rich'd,

With plenteous rivers, and wide-skirted meads, We make thee lady: To thine and Albany's issue Be this perpetual.-What says our second daugh

[blocks in formation]

sesses;

And find, I am alone felicitate
In your dear highness' love.
Cor.

Then poor Cordelia! [Aside. And yet not so; since, I am sure, my love's More richer than my tongue.

Lear. To thee, and thine, hereditary ever, Remain this aniple third of our fair kingdom; No less in space, validity, and pleasure, Than that conferr'd on Goneril.-Now, our joy, Although the last, not least: to whose young love The vines of France, and milk of Burgundy, Strive to be interess'd: what can you say, to draw A third more opulent than your sisters Speak. Cor. Nothing, my lord. Lear. Nothing?

Cor. Nothing.

Lear. Nothing can come of nothing: speak again.

Cor. Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave
My heart into my mouth: I love your majesty
According to my bond; nor more, nor less.
Lear. How, how, Cordelia? mend your speech
a little,

Lest it may mar your fortunes.
Cor.
Good my lord,
You have begot me, bred me, lov'd me: I
Return those duties back as are right fit,
Obey you, love you, and most honour you.
Why have my sisters husbands, if they say.
They love you, all? Haply, when I shall wed,
That lord, whose hand must take my plight, shall
carry

Half my love with him, half my care, and duty:
Sure, I shall never marry like my sisters,
To love my father all.

Lear. But goes this with thy heart?
Cor.

Kent.

Lear. Peace, Kent!

Good my liege,

Come not between the dragon and his wrath:
I lov'd her most, and thought to set my rest
On her kind nursery.-Hence, and avoid my
sight!-
[To Cordelia

So be my grave my peace, as here give
Her father's heart from her 1-Calf France -
Who stirs ?

Call Burgundy.-Cornwall, and Albany,
With my two daughters dowers digest this third
Let pride, which she calls plainness, marry her
do invest you jointly with my power,
Pre-eminence, and all the large effects
That troop with majesty.-Ourself, by monthly

I

[blocks in formation]

The name, and all the additions to a king:
The sway,

Revenue, execution of the rest,
Beloved sons, be yours: which to confirra,
This coronet part between you.

[Giving the Crown.
Kent.
Royal Lear,
Whom I have ever honour'd as my king,
Lov'd as my father, as my master follow'd,
As my great patron thought on in my prayers,-
Lear. The bow is bent and drawn, make from
the shaft.

Kent. Let it fall rather, though the fork invade The region of my heart be Kent unmannerly When Lear is mad. What would'st thou do, old man ?

Think'st thou, that duty shall have dread to speak,

When power to flattery bows? To plainnes honour's bound,

When majesty stoops to folly. Reverse thy doom;

And, in thy best consideration, check

This hideons rashness: answer my life my judg

ment,

Thy youngest daughter does not love thee least, Nor are those empty hearted, whose low sound Reverbs no hollowness.

Lear. Kent, on thy life, no more. Kent. My life I never held but as a pawn To wage against thine enemies, nor fear to lose t Thy safety being the motive.

Lear
Out of my sight.
Kent. See better, Lear, and let me still remais
The true blank of thine eye.
Lear. Now, by Apollo,-
Kent.

Thou swear'st thy gods in vain.
Lear.

Now, by Apollo, king,

O, vassal! miscreant! [Laying his Hand on his Sword Alb. Corn. Dear sir, forbear. Kent.

Do;

Kill thy physician, and the fee bestow
Upon the foul disease. Revoke thy gift;

Ay, good my lord. Or, whilst I can vent clamour from my throat,
I'll tell thee, thou dost evil.
Lear.

Hear me, recreant i

Lear. So young, and so untender?
Cor. So young, my lord, and true.
Lear. Let it be so.-Thy truth then be thy On thine allegiance hear me !-

dower :

For, by the sacred radiance of the sun;
The mysteries of Hecate, and the night;
By all the operations of the orbs,

From whom we do exist, and cease to be;
Here I disclaim all my paternal care,
Propinquity and property of blood,
And as a stranger to my heart and me

[blocks in formation]
« ZurückWeiter »