For who digs hills because they do aspire, Here they're but felt, and seen with mistful eyes, Who wanteth food, and will not say, he wants it, Our tongues and sorrows do sound deep our woes 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; clouds, And strangers ne'er beheld, but wonder'd at; Like one another's glass to trim them by : All poverty was scorn'd, and pride so great, The name of help grew odious to repeat. 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, 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! Enter a Lord. Lord. Where's the lord governor ? Cle. Here. Speak out thy sorrows which thou bring'st, in haste, For comfort is too far for us to expect. 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, That may succeed as his inheritor; And so in our's: some neighbouring nation, Taking advantage of our misery, Hath stuff'd these hollow vessels with their power, 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, 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 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. way [Exit. Cle. Welcome is peace, if he on peace consist; 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, dead. All. The gods of Greece protect you! And we'll pray for you. Per. Rise, I pray you, rise; 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 His child, I wis, to incest bring; I'll show you those in troubles reign, (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. |