The Dramatic Works of Shakespeare

1 Fish. Why, I'll tell you: this is called Pentapolis, and our king, the good king Simonides.

Per. The good king Simonides, do you call him? 1 Fish. Ay, sir! and he deserves to be so called, for his peaceable reign, and good government.

Per. He is a happy king, since from his subjects He gains the name of good, by his government. How far is his court distant from this shore?

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 fortunes equal my desires, I'd wish

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 turned to a rusty armour.

Per. An armour, friends! I pray you, let me see it!
Thanks, fortune, yet, that after all my crosses,
Thou giv'st me somewhat to repair myself!
And, though it was mine own, part of mine he-
ritage,

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.

Which my dead father did bequeath to me,
With this strict charge, (even as he left his life,)
Keep it, my Pericles, it hath been a shield
'Twixt me and death; (and pointed to this brace:)
For that it sav'd me, keep it! in like necessity,
Which gods protect thee from! it may defend thee!
It kept where I kept, I so dearly lov'd it;
Till the rough seas, that spare not any man,
Took it in rage, though calm'd, they give't again:
I thank thee for't! my shipwreck's now no ill,
Since I have here my father's gift by will.
1 Fish. What mean you, sir?

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, etc.
Enter SIMONIDES, THAISA, Lords, and Attendants.
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 per-

form.

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
Is a black Aethiop, reaching at the sun;
The word, Lux tua vita mihi.
Thai. He loves you well, that holds his life of you
[The second Knight passes.
Who is the second, that presents himself?
Thai. 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, Più per dulcura que
per fuerça.
[The third Knight passes.
Sim. And what's the third?
Thai. The third of Antioch;
And his device, a wreath of chivalry:

Per. To beg of you, kind friends, this coat of The word, Me pompae provexit apex.
worth,

For it was sometime target to a king;

I know it by this mark. He lov'd me dearly,
And for his sake, I wish the having of it;

And that you'd guide me to your sovereign's court,
Where with't I may appear a gentleman;
And if that ever my low fortunes better,
I'll pay your bounties; till then, rest your debtor.
1 Fish. Why, wilt thou tourney for the lady?
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 condolements, certain vails. 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;

[The fourth Knight passe

Sim. What is the fourth?

Thai. A burning torch, that's turned upside down;
The word, Quod me alit, me extinguit.
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, an 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;

SCENE III. — The same. A hall of state. quet prepared.

A ban

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. We thank your grace!
Sim. Yet pause a while;

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. What is it

To me, my father?

Sim. O, attend, my daughter!

Princes, in this, should live like gods above, Who freely give to every one that comes

Enter SIMONIDES, THAISA, Lords, Knights and At-To honour them: and princes, not doing so,

Sim. Knights!

tendants.

To say you are welcome, were superfluous.
To place upon the volume of your deeds,
As in a title-page, your worth in arms,

Were more than you expect, or more than's fit,
Since every worth in show commends itself.
Prepare for mirth, for mirth becomes a feast;
You are my guests.

Thai. But you, my knight and guest;
To whom this wreath of victory I give,
And crown you king of this day's happiness.

Per. 'Tis more by fortune, lady, than by merit!
Sim. Call it by what you will, the day is yours;
And here, I hope, is none that envies it.
Jn 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,

(For, daughter, so you are,) here take your place! 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.
Marsh. Sir, yond's your place.

Per. Some other is more fit.

1 Knight. Contend not, sir! for we are gentlemen, That neither in our hearts, nor outward eyes, Envy the great, nor do the low despise. Per. You are right courteous knights.

Sim. Sit, sit, sir; sit!

Per. By Jove, I wonder, that is king of thoughts,
These cates resist me, she not thought upon.
Thai. By Juno, that is queen

Of marriage, all the viands that I eat

Do seem unsavoury, wishing him my meat!
Sure he's a gallant gentleman.

Sim. He's but

A country gentleman;

He has done no more, than other knights have done; Broken a staff, or so; so let it pass.

Thai. To me he seems like diamond to glass. 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 beheld 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;

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 Pe-
ricles,

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,

Bawd. Pray you, come hither awhile! You have, Nor none can know, Leonine being gone. fortunes coming upon you. Mark me; you must seem She did disdain my child, and stood between to do that fearfully, which you commit willingly; to Her and her fortunes. None would look on her, despise profit, where you have most gain. To weep But cast their gazes on Marina's face; that you live as you do, makes pity in your lovers. Seldom, but that pity begets you a good opinion, and that opinion a mere profit. Mar. I understand you not.

Boult. O, take her home, mistress, take her home! these blushes of her's must be quenched with some present practice.

Bawd. Thou say'st true, i'faith, so they must: for your bride goes to that with shame, which is her way to go with warrant.

Boult. 'Faith, some do, and some do not. But, mistress, if I have bargained for the joint,

Bawd. Thou may'st cut a morsel off the spit.
Boult. I may so.

Bawd. Who should deny it? Come, young one, like the manner of your garments well. Boult. Ay, by my faith, they shall not be changed yet. Bawd. Boult, spend thou that in the town: report what a sojourner we have: you'll lose nothing by custom. When nature framed this piece, she meant thee a good turn; therefore say what a paragon she is, and thou hast the harvest out of thine own report. Boult. I warrant you, mistress, thunder shall not so awake the beds of eels, as my giving out her beauty stir up the lewdly-inclined. I'll bring home some to-night.

Bawd. Come your ways; follow me!

Whilst ours was blurted at, and held a malkin,
Not worth the time of day. It pierc'd me thorough
And though you call my course unnatural,
You not your child well loving, yet I find,
It greets me, as an enterprize of kindness,
Perform'd to your sole daughter.
Cle. Heavens forgive it!
Dion. And as for Pericles,

What should he say? We wept after her hearse,
And even yet we mourn: her monument
Is almost finish'd, and her epitaphs
In glittering golden characters express
A general praise to her, and care in us
At whose expence 'tis done.

Cle. Thou art like the harpy,
Which, to betray, doth wear an angel's face,
Seize with an eagle's talons.

Dion. You are like one, that superstitiously
Doth swear to the gods, that winter kills the s
But yet I know you'll do as I advise.
Enter GOWER, before the monument of Max

Tharsus.

Exet

Gow. Thus time we waste, and longest leagues make
short

Sail seas in cockles, have, and wish but fort;
Making, (to take your imagination,)
From bourn to bourn, region to region.

Mar. If fires be hot, knives sharp, or waters deep, By you being pardon'd, we commit no crime
Untied I still my virgin knot will keep.
Diana, aid my purpose!

Bawd. What have we to do with Diana? Pray you,
will you go with us?
[Exeunt.

SCENE IV. — Tharsus. A room in CLEON's house.
Enter CLEON and DIONYZA.

Dion. Why, are you foolish? Can it be undone?
Cle. O Dionyza, such a piece of slaughter
The sun and moon ne'er look'd upon!

Dion. I think

You'll turn a child again.

Cle. Were I chief lord of all the spacious world,
I'd give it to undo the deed. O lady,

Much less in blood than virtue, yet a princess
To equal any single crown o'the earth,
I'the justice of compare! O villain Leonine,
Whom thou hast poison'd too!

If thou hadst drunk to him, it had been a kindness
Becoming well thy feat: what canst thou say,
When noble Pericles shall demand his child?
Dion. That she is dead. Nurses are not the fates,
To foster it, nor ever to preserve.

She died by night; I'll say so. Who can cross it?
Unless you play the impious innocent,
And for an honest attribute, cry out,

She died by foul play.

Cle. O, go to! Well, well,

Of all the faults beneath the heavens, the gods
Do like this worst.

Dion. Be one of those, that think

The petty wrens of Tharsus will fly hence,
this to Pericles. I do shame
And open

To think of what a noble strain you are,
And of how cow'd a spirit.

Cle. To such proceeding

Who ever but his approbation added,

Though not his pre-consent, he did not flow
From honourable courses.

To use one language, in each several clime,
Where our scenes seem to live. I do beseech you
To learn of me, who stand i'the gaps to teach you
The stages of our story. Pericles
Is now again thwarting the wayward seas,
(Attended on by many a lord and knight,)
To see his daughter, all his life's delight.
Old Escanes, whom Helicanus late
Advanc'd in time to great and high estate,
Is left to govern. Bear you it in mind,
Old Helicanus goes along behind.
Well-sailing ships, and bounteous winds, have brought
This king to Tharsus, (think his pilot thought:
So with his steerage shall your thoughts grow
To fetch his daughter home, who first is gone.
Like motes and shadows see them move awhile;
Your ears unto your eyes I'll reconcile.
Dumb show.

Enter at one door, PERICLES with his train; CLE
and DIONYZA at the other. CLEON shows PERICLES
the tomb of MARINA; whereat PERICLES makes it-
mentation, puts on sackcloth, and in a
raghy
passion departs. Then CLEON and DIONYZA retire.
Gow. See how belief may suffer by foul show!
This borrow'd passion stands for true old woe;
And Pericles, in sorrow all devour'd,

With sighs shot through, and biggest tears o'ershor

er'd,

Leaves Tharsus, and again embarks. He swears
Never to wash his face, nor cut his hairs;
He puts on sackcloth, and to sea. He bears
A tempest, which his mortal vessel tears,
wit
And yet he rides it out. Now please you
The epitaph is for Marina writ
By wicked Dionyza.

[Reads the inscription on Marina's monument.
The fairest, sweet'st, and best, lies here,
Who wither'd in her spring of year.
She was of Tyrus, the king's daughter,
On whom foul death hath made this slaughter
Marina was she call'd; and at her birth,

ACT IV.]

Thetis, being proud, swallow'd some part o' the less than it gives a good report to a number to be earth;

Therefore the earth, fearing to be o'erflow'd,
Hath Thetis' birth-child on the heavens bestow'd:
Wherefore she does, (and swears she'll never
stint,)

Make raging battery upon shores of flint.
No visor does become black villainy,
So well as soft and tender flattery.
Let Pericles believe his daughter's dead,

And bear his courses to be ordered

By lady fortune; while our scenes display
His daughter's woe, and heavy well-a-day,
In her unholy service. Patience then,
And think you now are all in Mitylen.

[Exit.

SCENE V. - Mitylene. A street before the brothel.

Enter, from the brothel, two Gentlemen. 1 Gent. Did you ever hear the like? 2 Gent. No, nor never shall do in such a place as

this, she being once gone.

1 Gent. But to have divinity preached there! did you ever dream of such a thing?

chaste.

Enter MARINA.

Bawd. First, I would have you note, that this is an honourable man.

[To Marina, whom she takes aside. Mar. I desire to find him so, that I may worthily note him.

Bawd. Next, he's the governor of this country, and a man whom I am bound to.

Mar. If he govern this country, you are bound to him indeed; but how honourable he is in that, I

know not.

Bawd. 'Pray you, without any more virginal fencing, will you use him kindly? he will line your apron with gold.

2 Gent. No, no. Come, I am for no more bawdy-Mar. What he will do graciously, I will thankfully houses. Shall we go hear the vestals sing?

1 Gent. I'll do any thing now that is virtuous; but I am out of the road of rutting, for ever. [Exeunt.

SCENE VI. The same. A room in the brothel.
Enter PANDER, Bawd, and BOULT.
Pand. Well, I had rather than twice the worth of
her, she had ne'er come here.

Bawd. Fye, fye upon her! she is able to freeze the god Priapus, and undo a whole generation. We must either get her ravished, or be rid of her. When she should do for clients her fitment, and do me the

her

kindness of our profession, she has me her quirks, her reasons, her master-reasons, her prayers, knees; that she would make a puritan of the devil, if he should cheapen a kiss of her.

the

sickness for

Boult. 'Faith, I must ravish her, or she'll disfurnish us of all our cavaliers, and make all our swearers priests. Pand. Now, her pox upon green me! Bawd. 'Faith, there's no way to be rid on't, but by the way to the pox. Here comes the lord Lysimachus, disguised. Boult. We should have both lord and lown, if the peevish baggage would but give way to customers. Enter LYSIMACHUS.

Bawd. My lord, she's not paced yet; you must take some pains to work her to your manage. Come, we will leave his honour and her together.

[Exeunt Bawd, Pander, and Boult. Lys. Go thy ways! Now, pretty one, how long have you been at this trade? Mar. What trade, sir?

Lys. What I cannot name but I shall offend. Mar. I cannot be offended with my trade. Please you to name it.

Lys. How long have you been of this profession?

Mar. Ever since I can remember.

Lys. Did you go to it so young? Were you a gamester at five, or at seven?

Mar. Earlier too, sir, if now I be one. Lys. Why, the house you dwell in, proclaims you to be a creature of sale.

Mar. Do you know this house to be a place of such resort, and will come into it? I hear say, you ure of honourable parts, and are the governor of this place.

Lys. Why, hath your principal made known unto you who I am?

Mar. Who is my principal?

Lys. Why, your herb-woman; she that sets seeds and roots of shame and iniquity. O, you have heard Lys. How now? how a dozen of virginities? something of my power, and so stand aloof for more Bawd. Now, the gods to bless your honour! Boult. I am glad to see your honour in good health. serious wooing. But I protest to thee, pretty one, Lys. You may so; 'tis the better for you that your my authority shall not see thee, or else, look friendly resorters stand upon sound legs. How now, whole-, upon thee. Come, bring me to some private place. some iniquity? Have you that a man may deal with-Come, come! al, and defy the surgeon?

Lys. That dignifies the renown of a bawd, no Lys. I did not think

90*

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. 8 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.

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 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, mylard?
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 farewell, we take
our leaves.
Sim. So,
They're well dispatch'd; now to my daughter's lefter
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 music 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 music's master.

Per. The worst of all her scholars, my good lord! Sim. Let me ask one thing. What do you think, sir, of

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

1 Lord. To wisdom he's a fool that will not yield; Sim. Now, by the gods, I do applaud his courage. [Aside

And, since lord Helicane enjoineth us,

We with our travels will endeavour it.

Per. My actions are as noble, as my thoughts,

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