Per. Yon king's to me, like to my father's picture, Which tells me, in that glory once he was; Had princes sit, like stars, about his throne, And he the sun, for them to reverence. None that behold him, but like lesser lights, Did vail their crowns to his supremacy; Where now his son's a glow-worm in the night, The which hath fire in darkness, none in light; Whereby I see that Time's the king of men, For he 's their parent, and he is their grave, And gives them what he will, not what they 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.

Sim. Yet pause a while;

We thank your grace.

Yon knight, methinks, doth sit too melancholy, As if the entertainment in our court

Had not a show might countervail his worth. Note it not you, Thaisa?

Thai.

To me, my father?

Sim.

What is it

O, 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, but kill'd
Are wonder'd at.

Therefore to make's entrance more sweet, here say,
We drink this standing-bowl of wine to him.
Thai. Alas, my father, it befits not me
Unto a stranger knight to be so bold:
He may my proffer take for an offence,
Since men take women's gifts for impudence.
Sim. How!

Do as I bid you, or you'll move me else.
Thai. Now, by the gods, he could not please me
better.

[Aside. Sim. And further tell him, we desire to know, Of whence he is, his name and parentage. Thai. The king my father, sir, has drunk to you. Per. I thank him.

Thai. Wishing it so much blood unto your life. Per. I thank both him and you, and pledge him freely.

Thai. And further he desires to know of you, Of whence you are, your name and parentage. Per. A gentleman of Tyre-(my name, Pericles; My education being in arts and arms;)Who looking for adventures in the world, Was by the rough seas reft of ships and men, And, after shipwreck, driven upon this shore.

Thai. He thanks your grace; names himself Pericles, A gentleman of Tyre, who only by Misfortune of the seas has been bereft Of ships and men, and cast upon this shore.

Sim. Now by the gods, I pity his misfortune, And will awake him from his melancholy. Come, gentlemen, we sit too long on trifles, And waste the time, which looks for other revels. Even in your armours, as you are address'd, Will very well become a soldier's dance. I will not have excuse, with saying, this Loud music is too harsh for ladies' heads; Since they love men in arms, as well as beds.

[The Knights dance

So, this was well ask'd, 'twas so well perform 'd.
Come, sir;

Here is a lady that wants breathing too :
And I have often heard, you knights of Tyre

Are excellent in making ladies trip;
And that their measures are as excellent.
Per. In those that practise them, they are, my lord.
Sim. O, that's as much as you would be denied
[The Knights and Ladies dance.

Of your fair courtesy.-Unclasp, unclasp;
Thanks, gentlemen, to all; all have done well,
But you the best. [To PERICLES.] Pages and lights,
conduct

These knights unto their several lodgings: Yours, sir,
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 Governor's House. Enter HELICANUS 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.

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 reproof. 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 Helicane; 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.

[censure:

2 Lord. Whose death's, indeed, the strongest in our 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 To her chamber, that it is impossible. [her 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 farewell, we take [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!

Sim. So

our leaves.

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

Sim.
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?
Who takes offence at that would make me glad?
Thai. Why, sir, say if you had,

[you;

[Aside.

I am glad of it with all my heart. [Aside.] I'll tame
Sim. Yea, mistress, are you so peremptory?—
I'll bring you in subjection.-
Your love and your affections on a stranger?
Will you, not having my consent, bestow
(Who, for aught I know to the contrary,
Or think, may be as great in blood as I.)
Hear therefore, mistress; frame your will to mine,-
And you, sir, hear you.-Either be rul'd by me,
Or I will make you-man and wife.-
Nay, come; your hands and lips must seal it too.
And being join'd, I'll thus your hopes destroy ;-
And for a further grief,-God give you joy!
What, are you both pleas'd?

Thai.
Yes, if you love me, sir,
Per. Even as my life, my blood that fosters it.
Sim. What, are you both agreed?

Both.

Yes, 'please your majesty. Then, with what haste you can, get you to bed. [Ex. Sim. It pleaseth me so well, I'll see you wed;

ACT III.

Enter GOWER.

Gow. Now sleep yslaked hath the rout;
No din but snores, the house about,
Made louder by the o'er-fed breast
Of this most pompous marriage feast.
The cat, with eyne of burning coal,
Now couches 'fore the mouse's hole;
And crickets sing at th' oven's mouth,
As the blither for their drouth.
Hymen hath brought the bride to bed,
Where, by the loss of maidenhead,
A babe is moulded ;-Be attent,
And time that is so briefly spent,
With your fine fancies quaintly eche;
What's dumb in show, I'll plain with speech.
Dumb show.

Enter PERICLES and SIMONIDES at one door, with Attendants; a Messenger meets them, kneels, and gives PERICLES a letter. PERICLES shews it to SIMONIDES; the Lords kneel to the former. Then enter THAISA with child, and LYCHORIDA. SIMONIDES shews his daughter the letter; she rejoices: she and PERICLES take leave of her father, and depart. Then SIMONIDES, &c. retire.

Gow. By many a dearn and painful perch,
Of Pericles the careful search
By the four opposing coignes,
Which the world together joins,
Is made, with all due diligence,
That horse, and sail, and high expense,
Can stead the quest. At last from Tyre
(Fame answering the most strong inquire,)
To the court of king Simonides
Are letters brought; the tenour these:
Antiochus and his daughter's dead;
The men of Tyrus, on the head
Of Helicanus would set on

The crown of Tyre, but he will none :
The mutiny there he hastes t'appease;
Says to them, if king Pericles

Come not, in twice six moons, home,
He obedient to their doom,

Will take the crown. The sum of this,

Brought hither to Pentapolis,
Y-ravished the regions round,
And every one with claps, 'gan sound,
Our heir apparent is a king:

Who dream'd, who thought of such a thing?
Brief, he must hence depart to Tyre:
His queen with child makes her desire
(Which who shall cross?) along to go;
(Omit we all their dole and woe ;)
Lychorida, her nurse, she takes,
And so to sea. Their vessel shakes
On Neptune's billow; half the flood
Hath their keel cut; but fortunes mood
Varies again; the grizzled north
Disgorges such a tempest forth,
That, as a duck for life that dives,
So up
and down the poor ship drives,
The lady shrieks, and, well-a-near!
Doth fall in travail with her fear:
And what ensues in this fell storm,
Shall, for itself, itself perform.
I nill relate, action may
Conveniently the rest convey:
Which might not what by me is told.
In your imagination hold

This stage, the ship, upon whose deck
The sea-tost prince appears to speak.
SCENE I.

Too young for such a place, who, if it had
Conceit, would die as I am like to do.

Take in your arms this piece of
Per. How! how, Lychorida!

dead your

Even for this charge.

Per.

Patience, good sir,

Now, mild may be thy life!

For a more blust'rous birth had never babe :
Quiet and gentle thy conditions!

For thou'rt the rudeliest welcom'd to this world,
That e'er was prince's child. Happy what follows!
Thou hast as chiding a nativity,

As fire, air, water, earth, and heaven can make,
To herald thee from the womb: even at the first,
Thy loss is more than can thy portage quit,
With all thou canst find here.-Now the good gods
Throw their best eyes upon it!

Enter Two Sailors.

1 Sail. What courage, sir? God save you.
Per. Courage enough: I do not fear the flaw;
It hath done to me the worst. Yet, for the love
Of this poor infant, this fresh-new sea-farer,
I would it would be quiet.

1 Sail. Slack the bolins there; thou wilt not, wilt thou? Blow, and split thyself.

2 Sail. But sea-room, an the brine and cloudy billow kiss the moon, I care not.

1 Sail. Sir, your queen must overboard; the sea works high, the wind is loud, and will not lie till the ship be cleared of the dead.

Per. That's your superstition.

1 Sail. Pardon us, sir; with us at sea it still hath been observed; and we are strong in earnest. Therefore briefly yield her; for she must overboard straight. Per. Be it as you think meet.-Most wretched Lyc. Here she lies, sir.

[queen!

Per. A terrible child-bed hast thou had, my dear; No light, no fire the unfriendly elements Forgot thee utterly; nor have I time To give thee hallow'd to thy grave, but straight Must cast thee, scarcely coffin'd, in the ooze; Where, for a monument upon thy bones, And aye-remaining lamps, the belching whale And humming water must o'erwhelm thy corpse, Lying with simple shells. Lychorida, Bid Nestor bring me spices, ink and paper, My casket and my jewels; and bid Nicander Bring me the satin coffer: lay the babe Upon the pillow: hie thee, whiles I say A priestly farewell to her: suddenly, woman. [Exit LYCHORida.

2 Sail. Sir, we have a chest beneath the hatches, caulk'd and bitumed ready.

Per. I thank thee. Mariner, say what coast is this? 2 Sail. We are near Tharsus.

Per. Thither, gentle mariner,

Alter thy course for Tyre. When can'st thou reach it?
2 Sail. By break of day, if the wind cease.
Per. O make for Tharsus.

There will I visit Cleon, for the babe
Cannot hold out to Tyrus: there I'll leave it
At careful nursing. Go thy ways good mariner;
I'll bring the body presently.
[Exeunt.

SCENE II.-Ephesus. A Room in Cerimon's House. Enter CERIMON, a Servant, and some persons who have been shipwrecked.

Cer. Philemon, ho!

Our lodgings, standing bleak upon the sea, Shook, as the earth did quake;

The very principals did seem to rend,

And all to topple ; pure surprise and fear Made me to quit the house.

Come, wrench it open;

Soft, soft!-it smells most sweetly in my sense.

2 Gent. A delicate odour.

Cer. As ever hit my nostril; so,-up with it. O you most potent gods! What's here? a corse! 1 Gent. Most strange!

Cer. Shrouded in cloth of state; balm'd and enWith bags of spices full! A passport too! [treasur'd Apollo, perfect me i'the characters! [Unfolds a scroll. Here I give to understand,

(If e'er this coffin drive a-land,)

I, king Pericles, have lost

This queen, worth all our mundane cost.
Who finds her, give her burying,
She was the daughter of a king;
Besides this treasure for a fee,
The gods requite his charity!

[Reads.

If thou liv'st, Pericles, thou hast a heart
That even cracks for woe!-This chanc'd to-night.
2 Gent. Most likely, sir.
Cer.

Cer.

O, you say well.

1 Gent. But I much marvel that your lordship, Rich tire about you, should at these early hours [ing Shake off the golden slumber of repose.

It is most strange,

Nature should be so conversant with pain,
Being thereto not compell'd.

Cer.
I held it ever,
Virtue and cunning were endowments greater
Than nobleness and riches: careless heirs
May the two latter darken and expend;
But immortality attends the former,
Making a man a god. "Tis known, I ever
Have studied physic, through which secret art,
By turning o'er authorities, I have
(Together with my practice,) made familiar
To me and to my aid, the blest infusions
That dwell in vegetives, in metals, stones;
And I can speak of the disturbances

A more content in course of true delight
Than to be thirsty after tottering honour,
Or tie my treasure up in silken bags,
To please the fool and death.

Gent. Your honour has through Ephesus pour'd Your charity, and hundreds call themselves [forth Your creatures, who by you have been restor❜d: And not your knowledge, personal pain, but even Your purse, still open, hath built lord Cerimon Such strong renown as time shall never――

Enter Two Servants with a chest.

Serv. So; lift there.

Your fame for ever.

Cer.
She is alive; behold,
Her eyelids, cases to those heavenly jewels
Which Pericles hath lost,

Begin to part their fringes of bright gold;
The diamonds of a most praised water
Appear, to make the world twice rich. O live
And make us weep to hear your fate, fair crea
Rare as you seem to be!
[She

Thai. O dear Diana, Where am I? Where's my lord? What world is 2 Gent. Is not this strange? 1 Gent. Cer.

Most rare.

Hush, gentle neight

Set't down, let's look on it. 2 Gent. 'Tis like a coffin, sir. Cer.

Whate'er it be,

'Tis wondrous heavy. Wrench it open straight; If the sea's stomach be o'ercharg'd with gold, It is a good constraint of fortune, that

It belches upon us.

2 Gent.

'Tis so, my lord.

Cer. How close 'tis caulk'd and bitum'd!

[Exeunt carrying THAISA away.

SCENE III.-Tharsus. A Room in Cleon's House. Enter PERICLES, CLEON, DIONYZA, LYCHORIDA, and MARINA.

Per. Most honour'd Cleon, I must needs be gone; My twelve months are expir'd, and Tyrus stands

Cle.

Fear not, my lord: Your grace, that fed my country with your corn, (For which the people's prayers still fall upon you,) Must in your child be thought on. If neglection Should therein make me vile, the common body, By you reliev'd, would force me to my duty: But if to that my nature need a spur, The gods revenge it upon me and mine, To the end of generation!

Per. I believe you; Your honour and your goodness teach me credit, Without your vows. Till she be married, madam, By bright Diana, whom we honour all, Unscissar'd shall this hair of mine remain, Though I shew will in't. So I take my leave. Good madam, make me blessed in your care In bringing up my child.

Dion.

I have one myself, Who shall not be more dear to my respect, Than yours, my lord.

Per.

Madam, my thanks and prayers.

Cle. We'll bring your grace even to the edge o'the

shore

Ephesus. A Room in Cerimon's House.

Enter CERIMON and THAISA.

Cer. Madam, this letter, and some certain jewels,
Lay with you in your coffer: which are now
At your command. Know you the character?
Thai. It is my lord's.

That I was shipp'd at sea, I well remember,
Even on my yearning time; but whether there
Delivered or no, by the holy gods,

I cannot rightly say: But since king Pericles,
My wedded lord, I ne'er shall see again,
A vestal livery will I take me to,

And never more have joy.

Cer. Madam, if this you purpose as you speak,
Diana's temple is not distant far,

Where you may 'bide until your date expire.
Moreover, if you please, a niece of mine
Shall there attend you.

Thai. My recompense is thanks, that's all;
Yet my good will great, though the gift small.

[Exeunt.

ACT IV.

Enter GoWER.

Gow. Imagine Pericles at Tyre,
Welcom'd to his own desire.
His woful queen leave at Ephess,
To Dian there a votaress.

Now to Marina bend your mind,
Whom our fast growing scene must find
At Tharsus, and by Cleon train'd
In music, letters; who hath gain'd
Of education all the grace,

Which makes her both the heart and place
Of general wonder. But alack!
That monster envy, oft the wrack
Of earned praise, Marina's life
Seeks to take off by treason's knife.
And in this kind hath our Cleon
One daughter, and a wench full grown,
Even ripe for marriage fight; this maid
Hight Philoten; and it is said

For certain in our story, she
Would ever with Marina be:

Be't when she weav'd the sleided silk
With fingers, long, small, white as milk;
Or when she would with sharp neeld wound
The cambric, which she made more sound
By hurting it; or when to the lute
She sung, and made the night-bird mute,
That still records with moan; or when
She would with rich and constant pen
Vail to her mistress Dian; still
This Philoten contends in skill
With absolute Marina: so
With the dove of Paphos might the crow
Vie feathers white. Marina gets
All praises, which are paid as debts,
And not as given. This so darks
In Philoten all graceful marks,
That Cleon's wife, with envy rare,
A present murderer does prepare
For good Marina, that her daughter
Might stand peerless by this slaughter.
The sooner her vile thoughts to stead,
Lychorida, our nurse, is dead;
And cursed Dionyza hath

The pregnant instrument of wrath

Prest for this blow. The unborn event

I do commend to your content:

Only I carry winged time

Post on the lame feet of my rhyme;

Which never could I so convey,

Unless your thoughts went on my way.---
Dionyza doth appear,

With Leonine, a murderer.

SCENE 1.

[Exit.

Tharsus. An open Place, near the Sea-shore.

Enter DIONYZA and LEONINE.

Dion. Thy oath remember; thou hast sworn to do it. 'Tis but a blow, which never shall be known. Thou canst not do a thing i'the world so soon, To yield thee so much profit. Let not conscience, Which is but cold, inflame love in thy bosom, Inflame too nicely; nor let pity, which Even women have cast off, melt thee, but be A soldier to thy purpose.

Leon. I'll do't; but yet she is a goodly creature. Dion. The fitter then the gods should have her. Here weeping she comes for her old nurse's death. Thou art resolv'd?