Whose towers bore heads so high, they kiss'd

the clouds,

And strangers ne'er beheld, but wonder'd at;
Whose men and dames so jetted and adorn'd,
Like one another's glass to trim them by :
Their tables were stor'd full, to glad the sight,
And not so much to feed on, as delight;
All poverty was scorn'd, and pride so great,
The name of help grew odious to repeat.
Dio. O, 'tis too true.

Cle. But see what heaven can do! By this

our change,

These mouths, whom but of late, earth, sea, and air,

Were all too little to content and please, Although they gave their creatures in abundance,

As houses are defil'd for want of use,
They are now starv'd for want of exercise:
Those palates, who not yet two summers

younger,

Must have inventions to delight the taste, Would now be glad of bread, and beg for it; Those mothers who, to nouslet up their babes, Thought nought too curious, are ready now, To eat those little darlings whom they lov'd. So sharp are hunger's teeth, that man and Draw lots, who first shall die to lengthen life: Here stands a lord, and there a lady weeping; Here man y sink, yet those which see them fall, Have scarce strength left to give them burial. Is not this true?

wife

Dio. Our cheeks and hollow eyes do witness it.

Cle. O, let those cities, that of Plenty's cup And her prosperities so largely taste, With their superfluous riots, hear these tears! The misery of Tharsus may be theirs.

Enter a LORD.

Lord. Where's the lord governor? Cle. Here.

[haste,

Speak out thy sorrows which thou bring'st, in For comfort is too far for us to expect.

Lord. We have descried, upon our neigh-
bouring shore

A portly sail of ships make hitherward.
Cle. I thought as much.

One sorrow never comes, but brings an heir,
That may succeed as his inheritor;
And so in ours: some neighbouring nation,
Taking advantage of our misery, [power,§
Hath stuff'd these hollow vessels with their
To beat us down, the which are down already;
And make a conquest of unhappy me,
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, [deceit.

Who makes the fairest show, means most
But bring they what they will, what need we
fear?
[there.

The ground's the low'st, and we are half way
Go tell their general, we attend him here,
To know for what he comes, and whence he
And what he craves.

Lord. I go, my lord.

Cle. Welcome is peace, if he on peace conIf wars, we are unable to resist.

[comes, [Exit.

[sist;||

Enter PERICLES, with Attendants. Let not our ships and number of our men, Per. Lord governor, for so we hear you are, Be, like a beacon fir'd, to amaze your eyes. And seen the desolation of your streets: We have heard your miseries as far as Tyre, Nor come we to add sorrow to your tears, But to relieve them of their heavy load; And these our ships you happily* 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;

And harbourage for ourself, our ships, and We do not look for reverence, but for love,

men.

Cle. The which when any shall not gratify, Be it our wives, our children, or ourselves, Or pay you with unthankfulness in thought, The curse of heaven and men succeed their Till when, (the which, I hope, shall ne'er be evils! [seen,) Your grace is welcome to our town and us. Per. Which welcome we'll accept; feast Until our stars that frown, lend us a smile. here a while, [Exeunt.

ACT II.

Enter GOWER.

Gow. Here have you seen a mighty king
His child, I wis,t to incest bring;
A better prince, and benign lord,
Prove awful both in deed and word.
Be quiet then, as men should be,
Till he hath pass'd necessity.
I'll show you those in trouble's reign,
Losing a mite, a mountain gain.
The good in conversation

(To whom I give my benizon,){
is still at Tharsus, where each man
Thinks all is writ he spoken can:
And, to remember what he does,
Gild his statue glorious :

But tidings to the contrary

Enter at one door PERICLES, talking with CLEON; all the train with them. Enter at 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,
Not to eat honey, like a drone,
From others' labours; forth he strive
To killen bad, keep good alive;
And, to fulfil his prince' desire,
Sends word of all that haps in Tyre:
How Thaliard came full bent with sin,
And hid intent, to murder him;
And that in Tharsus was not best
Longer for him to make his rest:
He knowing so, put forth to seas,
Where when men been, there's seldom
ease;

For now the wind begins to blow; Thunder above, and deeps below, Make such unquiet, that the ship [split; Should house him safe, is wreck'd and And he, good prince, having all lost, By waves from coast to coast is tost: All perishen of man, of pelf, Ne aught escapen but himself; Till fortune, tir'd with doing bad, Threw him ashore, to give him glad : And here he comes: what shall be next, Pardon old Gower; this 'longs the text. [Exit. SCENE I.-Pentapolis.—An open Place by the Sea Side.

Enter PERICLES, wet.

heaven!

Per. Yet cease your ire, ye angry stars of
[man
Wind, rain, and thunder, remember, earthly
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 ourselves.

3 Fish. Nay, master, said not I as much, when I saw the porpus, how he bounced and tumbled? 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. Why as men do a-land; the great ones eat up the little ones: I can compare our rich misers to nothing so fitly as to a whale; 'a plays and tumbles, driving the poor fry before him, and at last devours them all at a mouthful. Such whales have I heard on a'the land, who never leave gaping, till they've swallow'd the whole parish, church, steeple, bells, and all.

These fishers tell the infirmities of men;
And from their wat'ry empire recollect
All that may men approve, or men detect!
Peace be at your labour, honest fishermen.

2 Fish. Honest! good fellow, what's that? if it be a day fits you, scratch it out of the calendar, and no body will look after it.

Per. Nay, see, the sea hath cast upon your

coast

2 Fish. What a drunken knave was the sea; to cast thee in our way!

Per. A man whom both the waters and the wind,

In that vast tennis-court, hath made the ball For them to play upon, entreats you pity him; He asks of you, that never us'd to beg.

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;

But what I am, want teaches me to think on;
A man shrunk up with cold: my veins are
chill,
And have no more of life than may suffice
To give my tongue that heat, to ask your help;
Which if you shall refuse, when I am dead,
For I am a man, pray see me buried.

1 Fish. Die quoth-a? Now gods forbid! have a gown here; come, put it on; keep the warm. Now, afore me, a handsome fellow. Come, thou shalt go home, and we'll have flesh for holidays, fish for fasting-days, and moreo'er puddings and flap-jacks, and thou shalt be welcome.

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 gov. ernment.

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 tourneyt for her love.

Per. Did but my fortunes equal my desires, I'd wish to make one there.

Sim. Knights,

To say you are welcome, were superfluous.
To place upon the volume of your deeds,
As in a title-page, your worth in arms, [fit,
Were more than you expect, or more than's
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 my
merit.

Sim. Call it by what you will, the day is yours;

And here, I hope, is none that envies it. In 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, [place: (For, daughter, so you are,) here take your 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
Broken a staff, or so; so let it pass. [done;
Thai. To me he seems like diamond to a 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 veilt their crown 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!

I. c. These delicacies go against my stomach. + Lower.

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,

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 misfor-

tune,

And will awake him from his melancholy. Come, gentlemen, we sit too long on triffes, And waste the time, which looks for other re

vels.

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
Come, Sir;
So, this was well ask'd, 'twas so well per-
Here is a lady that wants breathing too:
[form'd.
And I have often beard, you knights of Tyre
Are excellent in making ladies trip;
And that their measurest are as excellent.
Per. In those that practise them, they are
my lord.

Sim. O, that's as much, as you would be deny'd

[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 HELICANES and ESCANES. Hel. No, no, my Escanes; know this of Antiochus from incest liv'd not free; [me,For which, the most high gods not minding longer [store,

To withhold the vengeance that they had in
Due to this heinous capital offence,
Even in the height and pride of all his glory,

[him,

All. Live, noble Helicane!
Hel. Try honour's cause, forbear your suff-
rages:

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 And, since lord Helicane enjoineth us, [yield; 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.

meet him.

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 [guard This king were great, his greatness was no 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 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.

Which adored them." + Satisfied. Judgement, opinion.

1 Knight. Good morrow to the good Simon

ides.

Sim. Knights, from my daughter this I let That for this twelvemonth, she'll not undertake you know,

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 farewell, we take our leaves. [Exeunt.

Sim. So They're well despatch'd; now to my daughter's letter: [knight, She tells me here, she'll wed the stranger 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.