[Exit.

SCENE III.-The Temple of DIANA at Ephesus; THAISA standing near the altar, 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 com-
mand,

I here confess myself the King of Tyre;
Who, frighted from my country, did wed
At Pentapolis the fair Thaisa.

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 Tarsus
Was nurs'd with Cleon, whom at fourteen

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

Per. Immortal Dian! Thai.

36

Now I know you better. When we with tears parted Pentapolis, The king my father gave you such a ring.

[Shows a ring.

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 44 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! 48
Hel. Hail, madam, and my queen!
Thai.

I know you not.

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

from Tyre,

I left behind an ancient substitute;
Can you remember what I call'd the man? 52
I have nam'd him oft.

Per. Still confirmation!

Embrace him, dear Thaisa; this is he.
Now do I long to hear how you were found, 56
How possibly preserv'd, and whom to thank,
Besides the gods, for this great miracle.

Thai. Lord Cerimon, my lord; this man,
Through whom the gods have shown their
power; that can
From first to last resolve you.

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

24

May we see them?

Cer.

60

I will, my lord. 64

52

He burns with bashful shame; she with her tears
Doth quench the maiden burning of his cheeks;
Then with her windy sighs and golden hairs
To fan and blow them dry again she seeks:
He saith she is immodest, blames her miss;
What follows more she murders with a kiss.
Even as an empty eagle, sharp by fast,
Tires with her beak on feathers, flesh and bone,
Shaking her wings, devouring all in haste,
57
Till either gorge be stuff'd or prey be gone;
Even so she kiss'd his brow, his cheek, his chin,
And where she ends she doth anew begin. 60

Forc'd to content, but never to obey,
Panting he lies, and breatheth in her face;
She feedeth on the steam, as on a prey,
And calls it heavenly moisture, air of grace; 64
Wishing her cheeks were gardens full of
flowers,

So they were dew'd with such distilling

showers.

'I have been woo'd, as I entreat thee now, Even by the stern and direful god of war, Whose sinewy neck in battle ne'er did bow, Who conquers where he comes in every jar; 100 Yet hath he been my captive and my slave, And begg'd for that which thou unask'd shalt have.

'Over my altars hath he hung his lance, His batter'd shield, his uncontrolled crest, 104 And for my sake hath learn'd to sport and dance,

To toy, to wanton, dally, smile, and jest;

109

Scorning his churlish drum and ensign red, Making my arms his field, his tent my bed. "Thus he that overrul'd I oversway'd, Leading him prisoner in a red-rose chain: Strong-temper'd steel his stronger strength Yet was he servile to my coy disdain. obey'd,

112

O! be not proud, nor brag not of thy might, For mastering her that foil'd the god of fight.

"Touch but my lips with those fair lips of

thine,

96

But having no defects, why dost abhor me?