Enter three Fishermen.

1st Fish. What, ho, Pilche!

2nd Fish. Ho! come, and bring away the nets. 1st Fish. What Patch-breech, I say! 3rd Fish. What say you, master?

1st Fish. Look how thou stirrest now! come away, or I'll fetch thee with a wannion,

3rd Fish. 'Faith, master, I am thinking of the poor men that were cast away before us,

even now.

1st Fish. Alas, poor souls, it grieved my heart to hear what pitiful cries they made to us to help them, when, well-a-day, we could scarce help ourselves.

3rd 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 washed. Master, I marvel how the fishes live in the sea.

1st 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 have swallowed the whole parish, church, steeple, bells, and all.

Per. A pretty moral.

3rd Fish. But master, if I had been the sexton, I would have been that day in the belfry.

2nd Fish. Why, man?

3rd Fish. Because he should have swallowed me too: and when I had been in his belly, I would 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!

3rd 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 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.

2nd 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.

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

coast

2nd 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 used to beg.

1st Fish. No, friend; cannot you beg? Here's them in our country of Greece gets more with begging than we can do with working.

2nd Fish. Canst thou catch any fishes then? Per. I never practised it.

2nd 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.

1st Fish. Die, quoth-a? Now gods forbid! I have 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, fish for fasting-days, and, moreo'er, puddings, and flap-jacks; and thou shalt be welcome.

2nd Fish. But crave? Then I'll turn craver too, and so I shall 'scape whipping.

Per. Why, are all your beggars whipped then? 2nd Fish. O not all, my friend, not all; for if all your beggars were whipped, I would wish no better office than to be beadle. But, master, I'll go draw up the net.

[Exeunt two of the Fishermen. Per. How well this honest mirth becomes their labour!

1st Fish. Hark you sir! do you know where you are? Per. Not well.

1st 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?

1st Fish. Ay, sir; and he deserves to be so called, for his peaceable reign and good govern

ment.

Per. He is a happy king, since from his sub

jects

He gains the name of good by his government. How far is his court distant from this shore?

1st Fish. Marry, sir, half a day's journey; and I'll tell you he hath a fair daughter, and tomorrow 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 to make one there.

1st 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.

2nd Fish. Help, master, help! here's a fish hangs in the net like a poor man's right in the law; 't will hardly come out. Ha! bots on 't, 't is come at last, and 't is 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 heritage,
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 saved me, keep it; in like necessity,
Which gods protect thee from, it may defend thee."
It kept where I kept, I so dearly loved it;
Till the rough seas, that spare not any man,
Took it in rage, though calmed, 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.

1st Fish. What mean you, sir?

Per. To beg of you, kind friends, this coat of worth, For it was sometime target to a king;

I know it by this mark. He loved 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.

1st Fish. Why, wilt thou tourney for the lady? Per. I'll shew the virtue I have borne in arms. 1st Fish. Why, do ye take it, and the gods give thee good on 't!

2nd Fish. Ay, but hark you, my friend; 't was 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 clothed in steel;
And spite of all the rupture of the sea,
This jewel holds his biding on my arm;—
Unto thy value will I mount myself
Upon a courser, whose delightful steps
Shall make the gazer joy to see him tread.-
Only, my friend, I yet am unprovided
Of a pair of bases.

2nd 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.

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, &c.

Enter SIMONIDES, THAISA, Lords, and Attendants.

Sim. Are the knights ready to begin the triumph? 1st 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. "T is 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
perform.

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 Æthiop, reaching at the sun;
The word, "Lux tua vita mihi."

Sim. 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 armed knight that 's conquered by a lady:
The motto thus, in Spanish, "Piu per
dulcura

que per fuerca." [The third Knight passes. Sim. And what 's the third?

Thai. The third of Antioch;

And his device, a wreath of chivalry:
The word, "Me pompa provexit apex."
[The fourth Knight passes.

Sim. What is the fourth?
Thai. A burning torch, that's turnéd upside
down;

The word, "Quod me alit, me extinguit."
Sim. Which shews that beauty hath his power
and will,

Which can as well inflame as it can kill.

[The fifth Knight passes. Thai. The fifth a hand environéd with clouds, Holding out gold that 's by the touchstone tried: The motto thus, "Sic spectanda fides."

[The sixth Knight passes.

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. "T is 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.
In framing artists, art hath thus decreed,
To make some good, but others to exceed,
And 're her laboured scholar. Come, queen
o' the feast

you

(For, daughter, so you are), here take your place: Marshal the rest as they deserve their grace. Knights. We are honoured 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.

1st Knight. Contend not, sir; for we are gen-
tlemen,

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;
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?

1st Knight. Who can be other, in this royal presence?

Sim. Here, with a cup that's stored 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 awhile;

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
To honour them: and princes not doing so
Are like to gnats which make a sound, but killed
Are wondered 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 addressed,
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 asked, 'twas so well performed.
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 lived 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 shrivelled up Their bodies, even to loathing; for they so stunk, That all those eyes adored them ere their fall, Scorn now their hand should give them burial, Esca. 'T was 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.

1st Lord. See, not a man in private conference Or council has respect with him but he. 2nd Lord. It shall no longer grieve without reproof.

3rd Lord. And cursed be he that will not second it.

1st Lord. Follow me then.-Lord Helicane, a

word.

Hel. With me? and welcome: happy day, my

lords.

1st 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.

1st 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 resolved he lives to govern us,
Or dead, gives cause to mourn his funeral,
And leaves us to our free election.

2nd 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 in the absence of your king;
If in which time expired 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.

1st 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.

1st 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. 2nd Knight. May we not get access to her, my lord?

Sim. 'Faith, by no meaas; 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 vowed, And on her virgin honour will not break it. 3rd Knight. Though loath to bid farewell, we take our leaves.

[Exeunt.

Sim. So, they're well despatched; 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 't is 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 delayed..
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 my daughter?

Per. As of a most virtuous princess.
Sim. And she is fair too, is she not?

Per. As a fair day in summer; wondrous fair. Sim. My daughter, sir, thinks very well of you; Ay, so well, sir, that you must be her master, And she 'll your scholar be; therefore look to it. Per. Unworthy I to be her schoolmaster.

Sim. She thinks not so; peruse this writing else.
Per. What's here!

A letter, that she loves the knight of Tyre?—
'Tis the king's subtilty to have my life.-[Aside.
O seek not to intrap, my gracious lord,
A stranger and distresséd gentleman.
That never aimed so high to love your daughter,
But bent all offices to honour her.

Sim. Thou hast bewitched my daughter, and
thou art a villain.

Per. By the gods, I have not, sir. Never did thought of mine levy offence; Nor never did my actions yet commence A deed might gain her love, or your displeasure. Sim. Traitor, thou liest. Per. Traitor!