Sorrow were ever ras'd, and testy wrath Ye gods that made me man, and sway in love, Per. That would be son to great Antiochus. That, without covering, save yon field of stars, Per. Antiochus, I thank thee, who hath taught [To the Daughter of Antiochus. Thus ready for the way of life or death, I wait the sharpest blow, Antiochus, Scorning advice. Ant. Read the conclusion then; Which read and not expounded, 'tis decreed, As these before thee thou thyself shalt bleed. Daugh. In all, save that, may'st thou prove prosperous! In all, save that, I wish thee happiness! Per. Like a bold champion, I assume the lists, Nor ask advice of any other thought But faithfulness, and courage. [He reads the riddle.] I am no viper, yet I feed On mother's flesh, which did me breed: I sought a husband, in which labour, I found that kindness in a father. He's father, son, and husband mild, I mother, wife, and yet his child. How they may be, and yet in two, As you will live, resolve it you. Sharp physic is the last: but O you powers! That give heaven countless eyes to view men's acts, Why cloud they not their sights perpetually, If this be true, which makes me pale to read it? Fair glass of light, I lov'd you, and could still, [Takes hold of the hand of the princess. Were not this glorious casket stor'd with ill: But I must tell you,-now, my thoughts revolt; For he's no man on whom perfections wait, That knowing sin within, will touch the gate. You're a fair viol, and your sense the strings: Who, finger'd to make man his lawful urarsi. Would draw heaven down, and all the goas to hearken; But, being play'd upon before your time, Ant. Prince Pericles, touch not, upon thy life, For that's an article within our law, As dangerous as the rest. Your time's expir'd; Few love to hear the sins they love to act; casts Copp'd' hills towards heaven, to tell, the earth is wrong'd By man's oppression; and the poor worm doth die for't. Kings are earth's gods: in vice their law's their will; And if Jove stray, who dares say, Jove doth ill? It is enough you know; and it is fit, What being more known grows worse, to smother it. All love the womb that their first beings bred, Then give my tongue like leave to love my head. Ant. Heaven, that I had thy head! he has found the meaning But I will gloze2 with him. [Aside.] Young prince of Tyre, Though by the tenor of our strict edíct, Ant. He hath found the meaning, for the which we mean (1) Rising to a top or head. (2) Flatter, insinuate. (3) To the destruction of your life. (4) Whereas [Exit. Ant. Thaliard, adieu! till Pericles be dead, My heart can lend no succour to my head. [Exit. SCENE II-Tyre. A room in the palace. Enter Pericles, Helicanus, and other Lords. Per. Let none disturb us: Why this charge of thoughts? The sad companion, dull-ey'd melancholy, By me so us'd a guest is, not an hour, In the day's glorious walk, or peaceful night (The tomb where grief should sleep,) can breed me quiet! Here pleasures court mine eyes, and mine eyes shun them, And danger, which I feared, is at Antioch, And what may make him blush in being known, VOL. II. Makes both my body pine, and soul to languish, And punish that before, that he would punish. 1 Lord. Joy and all comfort in your sacred breast! 2 Lord. And keep your mind, till you return to us, Peaceful and comfortable! Hel. Peace, peace, my lords, and give experience tongue. They do abuse the king, that flatter him: Whereas reproof, obedient, and in order, Per. All leave us else; but let your cares o'erlook What shipping, and what lading's in our haven, And then return to us. [Exeunt Lords.] Helicanus, Hel. [Kneeling. I have ground the axe myself; Do you but strike the blow. Per. Rise, pr'ythee, rise; I thank thee for it; and high heaven forbid, Sit down, sit down; thou art no flatterer: Fit counsellor, and servant for a prince, That kings should let their ears hear their faults hid! Who by thy wisdom mak'st a prince thy servant, What would'st thou have me do? Hel. With patience bear Such griefs as you do lay upon yourself. Per. Thou speak'st like a physician, Helicanus; Who minister'st a potion unto me, That thou would'st tremble to receive thyself. Attend me then: I went to Antioch, Where, as thou know'st, against the face of death, I sought the purchase of a glorious beauty, From whence an issue I might propagate, Bring arms to princes, and to subjects joys. Her face was to mine eye beyond all wonder; 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. 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, But should he wrong my liberties in absence- Intend my travel, where I'll hear from thee; 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 hang'd at home: 'tis dangerous. Well, I perceive he was a wise fellow, and had good discretion, that being bid to ask what he 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, my fellow peers of Tyre, Further to question of your king's departure. His seal'd commission, left in trust with me, Doth speak sufficiently, he's gone to travel. Thal. How the king gone! [Aside. Hel. If further yet you will be satisfied, Why, as it were unlicens'd of your loves, He would depart, I'll give some light unto you. Being at Antioch Thal. What from Antioch? [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, To show his sorrow, would correct himself; So puts himself unto the shipman's toil, With whom each minute threatens life or death. Thal. Well, I perceive Aside. I shall not be hang'd now, although I would; (1) In our different spheres. (2) Overcome. (3) Tet is to strut, to walk proudly. Hel. Lord Thaliard from Antiochus is welcome. With message unto princely Pericles; SCENE IV-Tharsus. A room in the Governor's house. Enter Cleon, Dionyza, and Attendants. Cle. My Dionyza, shall we rest us here, Dio. That were to blow at fire, in hope to quench it; For who digs hills because they do aspire, Who wanteth food, and will not say he wants it, Cle. This Tharsus, o'er which I have government (A city, on whom plenty held full hand,) For riches, strew'd herself even in the streets; Whose towers bore heads so high, they kiss'd the clouds, And strangers ne'er beheld, but wonder'd at ; Cle. But see what heaven can do! By this our change, These mouths, whom but of late, earth, sea, and air, Dio. Our cheeks and hollow eyes do witness it (4) To dress them by. (5) Nurse fondly. The misery of Tharsus may be theirs. Lord. Where's the lord governor? Speak out thy sorrows which thou bring'st, in haste, Lord. We have descried, upon our neighbouring shore, A portly sail of ships make hitherward. Cle. I thought as much. One sorrow never comes, but brings an heir, And so in ours: some neighbouring nation, Hath stuff'd these hollow vessels with their power,' Whereas no glory's got to overcome. Lord. That's the least fear: for, by the semblance Of their white flags display'd, they bring us peace, And come to us as favourers, not as foes. Cle. Thou speak'st like him's untutor'd to repeat, Who makes the fairest show, means most deceit. But bring they what they will, what need we fear? The ground's the low'st, and we are half way there. Go tell their general, we attend him here, To know for what he comes, and whence he comes, And what he craves. Lord. I go, my lord. [Exit. Cle. Welcome is peace, if he on peace consist ;2 If 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 beacon fir'd, to amaze your eyes. We have heard 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 happilys 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, And harbourage for ourself, our ships, and men. Cle. The which when any shall not gratify, Or pay you with unthankfulness in thought, Be it our wives, our children, or ourselves, The curse of Heaven and men succeed their evils! Till when (the which, I hope, shall ne'er be seen,)|| 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 II. Enter Gower. [Exe. Prove awful both in deed and word. But tidings to the contrary Are brought your eyes; what need speak I? Dumb show. Enter at one door Pericles, talking with Cleon; all the train with them. Enter a 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, Ne aught escapen but himself; SCENE I-Pentapolis. An open place by the sea-side. Enter Pericles, wet. Per. Yet cease your ire, ye angry stars of heaven! Wind, rain, and thunder, remember, earthly man Is but a substance that must yield to you; And I, as fits my nature, do obey you; Alas, the sea hath cast me on the rocks, Wash'd me from shore to shore, and left me breath Nothing to think on, but ensuing death: Let it suffice the greatness of your powers, 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 out selves. labour! 3 Fish. Nay, master, said not I as much, when || draw up the net. [Exeunt two of the Fishermen. I saw the porpus, how he bounced and tumbled? Per. How well this honest mirth becomes their 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. 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. Per. He is a happy king, since from his subjects He gains the name of good, by his governinent. 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 tour. Per. Did but my fortunes equal my desires, I'd wish to make one there. 3 Fish. Because he should have swallow'd me too: and when I had been in his belly, I wouldney2 for her love. have kept such a jangling of the bells, that he should never have left, till he cast bells, steeple, church, and parish, up again. But if the good king Simonides were of my mind Per. 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 nobody will look after it. 1 Fish. O, sir, things must be as they may; and what a man cannot get, he may lawfully deal for— his wife's soul. 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 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; Per. Nay, see, the sea hath cast upon your coast-And, though it was mine own, part of mine heritage, 2 Fish. What a drunken knave was the sea, to Which my dead father did bequeath to me, cast thee in our way! With this strict charge (even as he left his life,) Per. A man whom both the waters and the wind,|| Keep it, my Pericles, it hath been a shield In that vast tennis-court, hath made the ball 1 Fish. No, friend, cannot you beg? here's them in our country of Greece, 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; 'Twixt me and death (and pointed to this brace :) Per. To beg of you, kind friends, this coat of For it was sometime target to a king; I know it by this mark. He lov'd me dearly, 1 Fish. Die, quoth-a? Now gods forbid! I 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 flesh for holidays.thee good on't! fish for fasting-days, and moreo'er puddings and flap-jacks, and thou shalt be welcome. Per. I thank you, sir. 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, cer 2 Fish. Hark you, my friend, you said you could tain vails. I hope, sir, if you thrive, you'll remem not beg. Per. I did but crave. 2 Fish. But crave? Then I'll turn craver too, and so I shall 'scape whipping. ber from whence you had it. Per. Believe't, I will. Now, by your furtherance, I am cloth'd in steel; Per. Why, are all your beggars whipp'd then? (1) Pancakes. (2) To tilt, mock-fight. (3) Armour for the arm. (4) Keeping. |