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.

1 Fish. O sir, things must be as they may; and what a man cannot get, he may lawfully deal for→ his wife's soul 17.

Re-enter the two Fishermen, drawing up a net.

2 Fish. Help, master, help; here's a fish hangs in the net, like a poor man's right in the law; 'twill hardly come out. Ha! bots on't, 'tis come at last, and 'tis turn'd 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 he ritage,

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 sav'd me, keep it; in like necessity,
Which gods protect thee from! it may defend thee.
It kept where I kept, I so dearly lov'd it;
Till the rough seas, that spare not any man,
Took it in rage, though calm'd, they giv't again:
I thank thee for't; my shipwreck's now no ill,
Since I have here my father's gift by will.

1 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 lov'd 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.

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

2 Fish. Ay, but hark you, my friend; 'twas 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 cloth'd 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 18

2 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 publick Way, or Platform, leading to the Lists. A Pavilion by the side of it, for the reception of the King, Princes, Lords, &c.

Enter SIMONIDES, THAISA, Lords, and Attendants. Sim. Are the knights ready to begin the triumph? 1 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. 'Tis 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 arm'd knight, that's conquer'd by a lady:

The motto thus, in Spanish 19, Piu per dulçura que per

fuerça.

Sim. And what's the third?
Thai.

[The third knight passes.

The third, of Antioch;

And his device, a wreath of chivalry:

The word, Me pompa provexit apex.

Sim. What is the fourth?

[The fourth knight passes.

Thai. A burning torch, that's turned upside down;

The word, Quod me alit, me extinguit.

Sim. Which shows that beauty hath his power and

will,

Which can as well inflame, as it can kill.

[The fifth knight passes.

Thai. The fifth, an hand environed with clouds;

Holding out gold, that's by the touchstone tried:
The motto thus, Sic spectanda fides.

[The sixth knight passes.

Sim. And what's the sixth and last, which the knight himself

With such a graceful courtesy deliver'd?

Thai. He seems a stranger; but his present is A wither'd branch, that's only green at top;

The motto, In hac spe vivo.

Sim. A pretty moral;

From the dejected state wherein he is,

He hopes by you his fortunes yet may flourish.

1 Lord. He had need mean better than his out

.ward show

Can any way speak in his just commend:

For, by his rusty outside, he appears

To have practis'd more the whipstock 20, than the

lance.

2 Lord. He well may be a stranger, for he comes To an honour'd triumph, strangely furnished.

3 Lord. And on set purpose let his armour rust Until this day, to scour it in the dust.

Sim. Opinion's but a fool, that makes us scan
The outward habit by the inward man.

But stay, the knights are coming; we'll withdraw
Into the gallery.'

[Exeunt. [Great shouts, and all cry, The mean knight.