To beat us down, the which are down already; Whereas no glory's got to overcome.3 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, To know for what he comes, and whence he comes, Lord. I go, my lord. [Exit. Cle. Welcome is peace, if he on peace consist ;5 If wars, we are unable to resist.. Enter PERICLES, with Attendants. Per. Lord governor, for so we hear you are, Are stor❜d with corn, to make your needy bread, 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. [3] Whereas, it has been already observed, was anciently used for where. MALONE. [4] Perhaps we should read-him who is, and regulate the metre as fol lows: Thou speak' st Like him who is untutor'd to repeat, &c. The sense is-Deluded by the pacific appearance of this navy, you talk like one, avho has never learned the common adage, "that the fairest outsides are Most to be suspected." STEEVENS. [5] If he stands on peace. A Latin sense. MALONE. Or pay you with unthankfulness in thought, The curse of heaven and men succeed their evils! Per. Which welcome we'll accept ; feast here a while, Until our stars that frown, lend us a smile. [Exeunt. ACT II. Enter GOWER. Gow. Here have you seen a mighty king (To whom I give my benizon,) 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 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, From others' labours; forth he strive To killen bad, keep good alive; [6] Thinks all is writ he spoken can: Pays as much respect to whatever Pericles says, as if it were holy writ. "As true as the gospel," is still common language. MALONE. And, to fulfil his prince' desire, How Thaliard came full bent with sin, Where when men been, there's seldom ease; Ne aught escapen but himself;7 SCENE I. [Exit. Pentapolis. An open Place by the Sea Side. Enter PERICLES, vet. Per. Yet cease your ire, ye angry stars of heaven! And I, as fits my nature, do obey you; Wash'd me from shore to shore, and left me breath Let it suffice the greatness of your powers, And having thrown him from your watry grave, [7] Our ancestors had a plural number in their tenses which is now lost out of the language; e. g. in the present tense, I escape Thou escapest We escapen But it did not, I believe, extend to the preter-imperfects, otherwise than hus: They didden [for did] escape. PERCY. [8] The meaning of this may be-Excuse old Gower from telling you what follows. The very text to it has proved of too considerable length already. STEEVENS: |