SCENE III. The Same. A Hall of State.-A Banquet prepared. Enter SIMONIDES, THAISA, Lords, Knights, and Attendants. Sim. Knights, To say you are welcome, were superfluous. As in a title-page, your worth in arms, Were more than you expect, or more than's fit, 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. 'Tis more by fortune, lady, than my merit. And here, I hope, is none that envies it. To make some good, but others to exceed; And you're her labour'd scholar. Come, queen o'the feast, (For, daughter, so you are,) here take your place: Marshal the rest, as they deserve their grace. Knights. We are honour'd much by good Simo nides. 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. 1 Knight. Contend not, sir; for we are gentlemen, That neither in our hearts, nor outward eyes, Envy the great, nor do the low despise. 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. A country gentleman; He's but 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; For he's their parent, and he is their grave, 1 Knight. Who can be other, in this royal pres sence? Sim. Here, with a cup that's stor'd unto the brim, (As you do love, fill to your mistress' lips,) We drink this health to you. Sim. Yet pause a while; We thank your grace. 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. To me, my father? Sim. What is it O, attend, my daughter; Therefore to make's entrance more sweet, here say 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. 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, Thai. The king my father, sir, has drunk to you. life. Thui. Wishing it so much blood unto your 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, Will very well become a soldier's dance. I will not have excuse, with saying, this Since they love men in arms, as well as beds. [The Knights dance. So, this was well ask'd, 'twas so well perform'd Come, sir; Here is a lady that wants breathing too: And I have often heard, you knights of Tyre 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 deny'd [The Knights and Ladies dance. Of your fair courtesy.-Unclasp, unclasp; Thanks, gentlemen, to all; all have done well, conduct These knights unto their several lodgings: Yours, sir, 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 liv'd 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, |