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Title: Pericles, Prince Of Tyre (published 1609)
Author: William Shakespeare (died 1616)
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Summary
This episodic story, covering many years, charts the history of Pericles, who believes he has lost both his daughter and his wife, but is ultimately reunited with both. His daughter Marina, sold into prostitution, proves to be a paragon of virtue; and his wife Thaisa, recovered by a skilled doctor having been buried at sea, becomes a priestess of the goddess Diana.
Source: Wikipedia
Dramatis Personæ
Dramatis Personæ
Gower, fourteenth-century poet and Chorus of the play
Pericles, prince of Tyre
Thaisa, princess of Pentapolis and wife to Pericles
Marina, daughter of Pericles and Thaisa
Three other Lords of Tyre
Antiochus, king of Antioch
Daughter, princess of Antioch
Thaliard, nobleman of Antioch
Messenger
Cleon, governor of Tarsus
Dionyza, wife to Cleon
Leonine, servant to Dionyza
A Lord of Tarsus
Three Pirates
Simonides, king of Pentapolis
Three Fishermen
Marshal
Five Knights, suitors for the hand of Thaisa
Lords of Pentapolis
Lychorida, attendant to Thaisa and, later, to Marina
Two Sailors, mariners onboard ship from Pentapolis
Lord Cerimon, a wiseman/physician in Ephesus
Philemon, servant to Cerimon
Two Suppliants
Two Gentlemen of Ephesus
Servant
Diana, goddess of chastity
Lysimachus, governor of Mytilene
Pander, owner of brothel
Bawd, mistress of brothel and wife to Pander
Bolt, servant to Pander and Bawd
Two Gentlemen, visitors to brothel
Tyrian Sailor
Sailor from Mytilene
Gentleman of Tyre
Lord of Mytilene
Followers of Antiochus, Attendants to Pericles, Attendants to Simonides, Squires to the five Knights, Tyrian gentlemen, Citizens of Tarsus, Ladies of Pentapolis, Servants to Cerimon, Companion to Marina, Priestesses in Diana’s temple, Messenger from Tyre
ACT 1
1 Chorus
Enter Gower.
GOWER
line 0001To sing a song that old was sung,
line 0002From ashes ancient Gower is come,
line 0003Assuming man’s infirmities
line 0004To glad your ear and please your eyes.
5line 0005It hath been sung at festivals,
line 0006On ember eves and holy days,
line 0007And lords and ladies in their lives
line 0008Have read it for restoratives.
line 0009The purchase is to make men glorious,
10line 0010Et bonum quo antiquius, eo melius.
line 0011If you, born in these latter times
line 0012When wit’s more ripe, accept my rhymes,
line 0013And that to hear an old man sing
line 0014May to your wishes pleasure bring,
15line 0015I life would wish, and that I might
line 0016Waste it for you like taper light.
line 0017This Antioch, then: Antiochus the Great
line 0018Built up this city for his chiefest seat,
line 0019The fairest in all Syria.
20line 0020I tell you what mine authors say.
line 0021This king unto him took a peer,
line 0022Who died and left a female heir
Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 9
line 0023So buxom, blithe, and full of face
line 0024As heaven had lent her all his grace;
25line 0025With whom the father liking took
line 0026And her to incest did provoke.
line 0027Bad child, worse father! To entice his own
line 0028To evil should be done by none.
line 0029But custom what they did begin
30line 0030Was with long use accounted no sin.
line 0031The beauty of this sinful dame
line 0032Made many princes thither frame
line 0033To seek her as a bedfellow,
line 0034In marriage pleasures playfellow;
35line 0035Which to prevent he made a law
line 0036To keep her still, and men in awe,
line 0037That whoso asked her for his wife,
line 0038His riddle told not, lost his life.
line 0039So for her many a wight did die,
40line 0040As yon grim looks do testify.
He indicates heads above the stage.
line 0041What now ensues, to the judgment of your eye
line 0042I give my cause, who best can justify.
He exits.
Scene 1
Enter Antiochus, Prince Pericles, and followers.
ANTIOCHUS
line 0043Young Prince of Tyre, you have at large received
line 0044The danger of the task you undertake.
PERICLES
line 0045I have, Antiochus, and with a soul
line 0046Emboldened with the glory of her praise
5line 0047Think death no hazard in this enterprise.
Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 11
ANTIOCHUS
line 0048Music!Music sounds offstage.
line 0049Bring in our daughter, clothèd like a bride
line 0050For embracements even of Jove himself,
line 0051At whose conception, till Lucina reigned,
10line 0052Nature this dowry gave: to glad her presence,
line 0053The senate house of planets all did sit
line 0054To knit in her their best perfections.
Enter Antiochus’ daughter.
PERICLES
line 0055See where she comes, appareled like the spring,
line 0056Graces her subjects, and her thoughts the king
15line 0057Of every virtue gives renown to men!
line 0058Her face the book of praises, where is read
line 0059Nothing but curious pleasures, as from thence
line 0060Sorrow were ever razed, and testy wrath
line 0061Could never be her mild companion.
20line 0062You gods that made me man, and sway in love,
line 0063That have inflamed desire in my breast
line 0064To taste the fruit of yon celestial tree
line 0065Or die in th’ adventure, be my helps,
line 0066As I am son and servant to your will,
25line 0067To compass such a boundless happiness.
ANTIOCHUS
line 0068Prince Pericles—
PERICLES
line 0069That would be son to great Antiochus.
ANTIOCHUS
line 0070Before thee stands this fair Hesperides,
line 0071With golden fruit, but dangerous to be touched;
30line 0072For deathlike dragons here affright thee hard.
line 0073Her face, like heaven, enticeth thee to view
line 0074Her countless glory, which desert must gain;
line 0075And which without desert, because thine eye
line 0076Presumes to reach, all the whole heap must die.
Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 13
He points to the heads.
35line 0077Yon sometimes famous princes, like thyself,
line 0078Drawn by report, advent’rous by desire,
line 0079Tell thee with speechless tongues and semblance pale
line 0080That, without covering save yon field of stars,
line 0081Here they stand martyrs slain in Cupid’s wars,
40line 0082And with dead cheeks advise thee to desist
line 0083For going on death’s net, whom none resist.
PERICLES
line 0084Antiochus, I thank thee, who hath taught
line 0085My frail mortality to know itself,
line 0086And by those fearful objects to prepare
45line 0087This body, like to them, to what I must.
line 0088For death remembered should be like a mirror
line 0089Who tells us life’s but breath, to trust it error.
line 0090I’ll make my will, then, and as sick men do
line 0091Who know the world, see heaven but, feeling woe,
50line 0092Gripe not at earthly joys as erst they did;
line 0093So I bequeath a happy peace to you
line 0094And all good men, as every prince should do;
line 0095My riches to the earth from whence they came,
line 0096To the Daughter. But my unspotted fire of love to
55line 0097you.—
line 0098Thus ready for the way of life or death,
line 0099I wait the sharpest blow.
ANTIOCHUS
line 0100Scorning advice, read the conclusion, then:
line 0101Which read and not expounded, ’tis decreed,
60line 0102As these before thee, thou thyself shalt bleed.
DAUGHTER
line 0103Of all ’sayed yet, mayst thou prove prosperous;
line 0104Of all ’sayed yet, I wish thee happiness.
PERICLES
line 0105Like a bold champion I assume the lists,
line 0106Nor ask advice of any other thought
65line 0107But faithfulness and courage.
Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 15
He reads the Riddle:
line 0108I am no viper, yet I feed
line 0109On mother’s flesh which did me breed.
line 0110I sought a husband, in which labor
line 0111I found that kindness in a father.
70line 0112He’s father, son, and husband mild;
line 0113I mother, wife, and yet his child.
line 0114How they may be, and yet in two,
line 0115As you will live resolve it you.
line 0116Aside. Sharp physic is the last! But, O you powers
75line 0117That gives heaven countless eyes to view men’s acts,
line 0118Why cloud they not their sights perpetually
line 0119If this be true which makes me pale to read it?
line 0120Fair glass of light, I loved you, and could still
line 0121Were not this glorious casket stored with ill.
80line 0122But I must tell you now my thoughts revolt;
line 0123For he’s no man on whom perfections wait
line 0124That, knowing sin within, will touch the gate.
line 0125You are a fair viol, and your sense the strings
line 0126Who, fingered to make man his lawful music,
85line 0127Would draw heaven down and all the gods to
line 0128hearken;
line 0129But, being played upon before your time,
line 0130Hell only danceth at so harsh a chime.
line 0131Good sooth, I care not for you.
ANTIOCHUS
90line 0132Prince Pericles, touch not, upon thy life,
line 0133For that’s an article within our law
line 0134As dangerous as the rest. Your time’s expired.
line 0135Either expound now or receive your sentence.
line 0136PERICLESGreat king,
95line 0137Few love to hear the sins they love to act.
line 0138’Twould braid yourself too near for me to tell it.
line 0139Who has a book of all that monarchs do,
line 0140He’s more secure to keep it shut than shown.
line 0141For vice repeated is like the wand’ring wind,
100line 0142Blows dust in others’ eyes to spread itself;
Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 17
line 0143And yet the end of all is bought thus dear:
line 0144The breath is gone, and the sore eyes see clear
line 0145To stop the air would hurt them. The blind mole casts
line 0146Copped hills towards heaven, to tell the Earth is
105line 0147thronged
line 0148By man’s oppression, and the poor worm doth die
line 0149for ’t.
line 0150Kings are Earth’s gods; in vice their law’s their will;
line 0151And if Jove stray, who dares say Jove doth ill?
110line 0152It is enough you know; and it is fit,
line 0153What being more known grows worse, to smother it.
line 0154All love the womb that their first being bred;
line 0155Then give my tongue like leave to love my head.
ANTIOCHUSaside
line 0156Heaven, that I had thy head! He has found the
115line 0157meaning.
line 0158But I will gloze with him.—Young Prince of Tyre,
line 0159Though by the tenor of our strict edict,
line 0160Your exposition misinterpreting,
line 0161We might proceed to cancel of your days,
120line 0162Yet hope, succeeding from so fair a tree
line 0163As your fair self, doth tune us otherwise.
line 0164Forty days longer we do respite you,
line 0165If by which time our secret be undone,
line 0166This mercy shows we’ll joy in such a son.
125line 0167And until then, your entertain shall be
line 0168As doth befit our honor and your worth.
All except Pericles exit.
PERICLES
line 0169How courtesy would seem to cover sin
line 0170When what is done is like an hypocrite,
line 0171The which is good in nothing but in sight.
130line 0172If it be true that I interpret false,
line 0173Then were it certain you were not so bad
line 0174As with foul incest to abuse your soul;
line 0175Where now you’re both a father and a son
Act 1 Scene 1 - Pg 19
line 0176By your untimely claspings with your child,
135line 0177Which pleasures fits a husband, not a father,
line 0178And she an eater of her mother’s flesh
line 0179By the defiling of her parents’ bed;
line 0180And both like serpents are, who, though they feed
line 0181On sweetest flowers, yet they poison breed.
140line 0182Antioch, farewell, for wisdom sees those men
line 0183Blush not in actions blacker than the night
line 0184Will ’schew no course to keep them from the light.
line 0185One sin, I know, another doth provoke;
line 0186Murder’s as near to lust as flame to smoke.
145line 0187Poison and treason are the hands of sin,
line 0188Ay, and the targets to put off the shame.
line 0189Then, lest my life be cropped to keep you clear,
line 0190By flight I’ll shun the danger which I fear.He exits.
Enter Antiochus.
line 0191ANTIOCHUSHe hath found the meaning,
150line 0192For which we mean to have his head.
line 0193He must not live to trumpet forth my infamy,
line 0194Nor tell the world Antiochus doth sin
line 0195In such a loathèd manner.
line 0196And therefore instantly this prince must die,
155line 0197For by his fall my honor must keep high.—
line 0198Who attends us there?
Enter Thaliard.
line 0199THALIARDDoth your Highness call?
ANTIOCHUS
line 0200Thaliard, you are of our chamber, Thaliard,
line 0201And our mind partakes her private actions
160line 0202To your secrecy; and for your faithfulness
line 0203We will advance you, Thaliard. Behold,
line 0204Here’s poison, and here’s gold. He gives poison and money.
line 0205We hate the Prince
line 0206Of Tyre, and thou must kill him. It fits thee not
Act 1 Scene 2 - Pg 21
165line 0207To ask the reason why: because we bid it.
line 0208Say, is it done?
line 0209THALIARDMy lord, ’tis done.
line 0210ANTIOCHUSEnough.
Enter a Messenger.
line 0211Let your breath cool yourself, telling your haste.
170line 0212MESSENGERMy lord, Prince Pericles is fled.He exits.
line 0213ANTIOCHUSto Thaliard As thou wilt live, fly after,
line 0214and like an arrow shot from a well-experienced
line 0215archer hits the mark his eye doth level at, so thou
line 0216never return unless thou say Prince Pericles is
175line 0217dead.
line 0218THALIARDMy lord, if I can get him within my pistol’s
line 0219length, I’ll make him sure enough. So, farewell to
line 0220your Highness.
ANTIOCHUS
line 0221Thaliard, adieu. Till Pericles be dead,
180line 0222My heart can lend no succor to my head.
They exit.
Scene 2
Enter Pericles with an Attendant.
PERICLES
line 0223Let none disturb us. Attendant exits. Why should
line 0224this change of thoughts,
line 0225The sad companion dull-eyed Melancholy,
line 0226Be my so used a guest as not an hour
5line 0227In the day’s glorious walk or peaceful night,
line 0228The tomb where grief should sleep, can breed me
line 0229quiet?
line 0230Here pleasures court mine eyes, and mine eyes shun
line 0231them;
10line 0232And danger, which I feared, is at Antioch,
Act 1 Scene 2 - Pg 23
line 0233Whose arm seems far too short to hit me here.
line 0234Yet neither pleasure’s art can joy my spirits,
line 0235Nor yet the other’s distance comfort me.
line 0236Then it is thus: the passions of the mind
15line 0237That have their first conception by misdread
line 0238Have after-nourishment and life by care;
line 0239And what was first but fear what might be done
line 0240Grows elder now, and cares it be not done.
line 0241And so with me. The great Antiochus,
20line 0242’Gainst whom I am too little to contend,
line 0243Since he’s so great can make his will his act,
line 0244Will think me speaking though I swear to silence;
line 0245Nor boots it me to say I honor him
line 0246If he suspect I may dishonor him.
25line 0247And what may make him blush in being known,
line 0248He’ll stop the course by which it might be known.
line 0249With hostile forces he’ll o’er-spread the land,
line 0250And with th’ ostent of war will look so huge
line 0251Amazement shall drive courage from the state,
30line 0252Our men be vanquished ere they do resist,
line 0253And subjects punished that ne’er thought offense;
line 0254Which care of them, not pity of myself,
line 0255Who am no more but as the tops of trees
line 0256Which fence the roots they grow by and defend them,
35line 0257Makes both my body pine and soul to languish
line 0258And punish that before that he would punish.
Enter Helicanus and all the Lords to Pericles.
FIRST LORD
line 0259Joy and all comfort in your sacred breast.
SECOND LORD
line 0260And keep your mind till you return to us
line 0261Peaceful and comfortable.
HELICANUS
40line 0262Peace, peace, and give experience tongue.
line 0263They do abuse the King that flatter him,
Act 1 Scene 2 - Pg 25
line 0264For flattery is the bellows blows up sin;
line 0265The thing the which is flattered, but a spark
line 0266To which that wind gives heat and stronger glowing;
45line 0267Whereas reproof, obedient and in order,
line 0268Fits kings as they are men, for they may err.
line 0269When Signior Sooth here does proclaim peace,
line 0270He flatters you, makes war upon your life.
He kneels.
line 0271Prince, pardon me, or strike me, if you please.
50line 0272I cannot be much lower than my knees.
PERICLES
line 0273All leave us else; but let your cares o’erlook
line 0274What shipping and what lading’s in our haven,
line 0275And then return to us.The Lords exit.
line 0276Helicanus,
55line 0277Thou hast moved us. What seest thou in our looks?
line 0278HELICANUSAn angry brow, dread lord.
PERICLES
line 0279If there be such a dart in princes’ frowns,
line 0280How durst thy tongue move anger to our face?
HELICANUS
line 0281How dares the plants look up to heaven,
60line 0282From whence they have their nourishment?
PERICLES
line 0283Thou knowest I have power to take thy life from thee.
line 0284HELICANUSI have ground the ax myself;
line 0285Do but you strike the blow.
PERICLES
line 0286Rise, prithee rise.Helicanus rises.
65line 0287Sit down. Thou art no flatterer.
line 0288I thank thee for ’t; and heaven forbid
line 0289That kings should let their ears hear their faults hid.
line 0290Fit counselor and servant for a prince,
line 0291Who by thy wisdom makes a prince thy servant,
70line 0292What wouldst thou have me do?
line 0293HELICANUSTo bear with patience such griefs
line 0294As you yourself do lay upon yourself.
Act 1 Scene 2 - Pg 27
PERICLES
line 0295Thou speak’st like a physician, Helicanus,
line 0296That ministers a potion unto me
75line 0297That thou wouldst tremble to receive thyself.
line 0298Attend me, then: I went to Antioch,
line 0299Where, as thou know’st, against the face of death
line 0300I sought the purchase of a glorious beauty
line 0301From whence an issue I might propagate,
80line 0302Are arms to princes and bring joys to subjects.
line 0303Her face was to mine eye beyond all wonder,
line 0304The rest—hark in thine ear—as black as incest,
line 0305Which by my knowledge found, the sinful father
line 0306Seemed not to strike, but smooth. But thou know’st
85line 0307this:
line 0308’Tis time to fear when tyrants seems to kiss;
line 0309Which fear so grew in me I hither fled
line 0310Under the covering of a careful night,
line 0311Who seemed my good protector; and, being here,
90line 0312Bethought me what was past, what might succeed.
line 0313I knew him tyrannous, and tyrants’ fears
line 0314Decrease not but grow faster than the years;
line 0315And should he doubt, as no doubt he doth,
line 0316That I should open to the list’ning air
95line 0317How many worthy princes’ bloods were shed
line 0318To keep his bed of blackness unlaid ope,
line 0319To lop that doubt he’ll fill this land with arms,
line 0320And make pretense of wrong that I have done him;
line 0321When all, for mine—if I may call ’t—offense,
100line 0322Must feel war’s blow, who spares not innocence;
line 0323Which love to all—of which thyself art one,
line 0324Who now reproved’st me for ’t—
line 0325HELICANUSAlas, sir!
PERICLES
line 0326Drew sleep out of mine eyes, blood from my cheeks,
105line 0327Musings into my mind, with thousand doubts
line 0328How I might stop this tempest ere it came;
line 0329And finding little comfort to relieve them,
Act 1 Scene 3 - Pg 29
line 0330I thought it princely charity to grieve for them.
HELICANUS
line 0331Well, my lord, since you have given me leave to speak,
110line 0332Freely will I speak. Antiochus you fear,
line 0333And justly too, I think, you fear the tyrant,
line 0334Who either by public war or private treason
line 0335Will take away your life.
line 0336Therefore, my lord, go travel for a while,
115line 0337Till that his rage and anger be forgot,
line 0338Or till the Destinies do cut his thread of life.
line 0339Your rule direct to any. If to me,
line 0340Day serves not light more faithful than I’ll be.
line 0341PERICLESI do not doubt thy faith.
120line 0342But should he wrong my liberties in my absence?
HELICANUS
line 0343We’ll mingle our bloods together in the earth,
line 0344From whence we had our being and our birth.
PERICLES
line 0345Tyre, I now look from thee, then, and to Tarsus
line 0346Intend my travel, where I’ll hear from thee,
125line 0347And by whose letters I’ll dispose myself.
line 0348The care I had and have of subjects’ good
line 0349On thee I lay, whose wisdom’s strength can bear it.
line 0350I’ll take thy word for faith, not ask thine oath.
line 0351Who shuns not to break one will crack both.
130line 0352But in our orbs we’ll live so round and safe
line 0353That time of both this truth shall ne’er convince.
line 0354Thou showed’st a subject’s shine, I a true prince.
They exit.
Scene 3
Enter Thaliard alone.
line 0355THALIARDSo this is Tyre, and this the court. Here
line 0356must I kill King Pericles; and if I do it not, I am
Act 1 Scene 3 - Pg 31
line 0357sure to be hanged at home. ’Tis dangerous. Well, I
line 0358perceive he was a wise fellow and had good discretion
5line 0359that, being bid to ask what he would of the
line 0360king, desired he might know none of his secrets.
line 0361Now do I see he had some reason for ’t, for if a
line 0362king bid a man be a villain, he’s bound by the
line 0363indenture of his oath to be one. Husht! Here
10line 0364comes the lords of Tyre.He steps aside.
Enter Helicanus and Escanes, with other Lords.
HELICANUS
line 0365You shall not need, my fellow peers of Tyre,
line 0366Further to question me of your king’s departure.
line 0367His sealed commission left in trust with me
line 0368Does speak sufficiently he’s gone to travel.
15line 0369THALIARDaside How? The King gone?
HELICANUS
line 0370If further yet you will be satisfied
line 0371Why, as it were, unlicensed of your loves
line 0372He would depart, I’ll give some light unto you.
line 0373Being at Antioch—
20line 0374THALIARDaside What from Antioch?
HELICANUS
line 0375Royal Antiochus, on what cause I know not,
line 0376Took some displeasure at him—at least he judged so;
line 0377And doubting lest he had erred or sinned,
line 0378To show his sorrow, he’d correct himself;
25line 0379So puts himself unto the shipman’s toil,
line 0380With whom each minute threatens life or death.
line 0381THALIARDaside Well, I perceive I shall not be hanged
line 0382now, although I would; but since he’s gone, the
line 0383King’s ears it must please. He ’scaped the land to
30line 0384perish at the sea. I’ll present myself.—Peace to the
line 0385lords of Tyre!
HELICANUS
line 0386Lord Thaliard from Antiochus is welcome.
Act 1 Scene 4 - Pg 33
line 0387THALIARDFrom him I come with message unto princely
line 0388Pericles, but since my landing I have understood
35line 0389your lord has betook himself to unknown travels.
line 0390Now message must return from whence it came.
line 0391HELICANUSWe have no reason to desire it,
line 0392Commended to our master, not to us.
line 0393Yet ere you shall depart, this we desire:
40line 0394As friends to Antioch, we may feast in Tyre.
They exit.
Scene 4
Enter Cleon the Governor of Tarsus, with his wife Dionyza and others.
CLEON
line 0395My Dionyza, shall we rest us here
line 0396And, by relating tales of others’ griefs,
line 0397See if ’twill teach us to forget our own?
DIONYZA
line 0398That were to blow at fire in hope to quench it;
5line 0399For who digs hills because they do aspire
line 0400Throws down one mountain to cast up a higher.
line 0401O, my distressèd lord, even such our griefs are.
line 0402Here they are but felt, and seen with mischief’s eyes,
line 0403But like to groves, being topped, they higher rise.
10line 0404CLEONO Dionyza,
line 0405Who wanteth food, and will not say he wants it,
line 0406Or can conceal his hunger till he famish?
line 0407Our tongues and sorrows do sound deep our woes
line 0408Into the air, our eyes do weep till lungs
15line 0409Fetch breath that may proclaim them louder, that
line 0410If heaven slumber while their creatures want,
line 0411They may awake their helpers to comfort them.
line 0412I’ll then discourse our woes, felt several years,
line 0413And, wanting breath to speak, help me with tears.
Act 1 Scene 4 - Pg 35
20line 0414DIONYZAI’ll do my best, sir.
CLEON
line 0415This Tarsus, o’er which I have the government,
line 0416A city on whom Plenty held full hand,
line 0417For Riches strewed herself even in her streets;
line 0418Whose towers bore heads so high they kissed the
25line 0419clouds,
line 0420And strangers ne’er beheld but wondered at;
line 0421Whose men and dames so jetted and adorned,
line 0422Like one another’s glass to trim them by;
line 0423Their tables were stored full to glad the sight,
30line 0424And not so much to feed on as delight;
line 0425All poverty was scorned, and pride so great,
line 0426The name of help grew odious to repeat.
line 0427DIONYZAO, ’tis too true.
CLEON
line 0428But see what heaven can do by this our change:
35line 0429These mouths who but of late earth, sea, and air
line 0430Were all too little to content and please,
line 0431Although they gave their creatures in abundance,
line 0432As houses are defiled for want of use,
line 0433They are now starved for want of exercise.
40line 0434Those palates who not yet two savors younger
line 0435Must have inventions to delight the taste,
line 0436Would now be glad of bread and beg for it.
line 0437Those mothers who, to nuzzle up their babes,
line 0438Thought naught too curious, are ready now
45line 0439To eat those little darlings whom they loved.
line 0440So sharp are hunger’s teeth that man and wife
line 0441Draw lots who first shall die to lengthen life.
line 0442Here stands a lord and there a lady weeping;
line 0443Here many sink, yet those which see them fall
50line 0444Have scarce strength left to give them burial.
line 0445Is not this true?
DIONYZA
line 0446Our cheeks and hollow eyes do witness it.
Act 1 Scene 4 - Pg 37
CLEON
line 0447O, let those cities that of Plenty’s cup
line 0448And her prosperities so largely taste,
55line 0449With their superfluous riots, hear these tears.
line 0450The misery of Tarsus may be theirs.
Enter a Lord.
line 0451LORDWhere’s the Lord Governor?
line 0452CLEONHere.
line 0453Speak out thy sorrows, which thee bring’st in haste,
60line 0454For comfort is too far for us to expect.
LORD
line 0455We have descried upon our neighboring shore
line 0456A portly sail of ships make hitherward.
line 0457CLEONI thought as much.
line 0458One sorrow never comes but brings an heir
65line 0459That may succeed as his inheritor;
line 0460And so in ours. Some neighboring nation,
line 0461Taking advantage of our misery,
line 0462Hath stuffed the hollow vessels with their power
line 0463To beat us down, the which are down already,
70line 0464And make a conquest of unhappy men,
line 0465Whereas no glory’s got to overcome.
LORD
line 0466That’s the least fear, for, by the semblance
line 0467Of their white flags displayed, they bring us peace
line 0468And come to us as favorers, not as foes.
CLEON
75line 0469Thou speak’st like him’s untutored to repeat
line 0470“Who makes the fairest show means most deceit.”
line 0471But bring they what they will and what they can,
line 0472What need we fear?
line 0473The ground’s the lowest, and we are halfway there.
80line 0474Go tell their general we attend him here,
line 0475To know for what he comes and whence he comes
line 0476And what he craves.
Act 1 Scene 4 - Pg 39
line 0477LORDI go, my lord.He exits.
CLEON
line 0478Welcome is peace, if he on peace consist;
85line 0479If wars, we are unable to resist.
Enter Pericles with Attendants.
PERICLES
line 0480Lord Governor, for so we hear you are,
line 0481Let not our ships and number of our men
line 0482Be like a beacon fired t’ amaze your eyes.
line 0483We have heard your miseries as far as Tyre
90line 0484And seen the desolation of your streets;
line 0485Nor come we to add sorrow to your tears,
line 0486But to relieve them of their heavy load;
line 0487And these our ships, you happily may think
line 0488Are like the Trojan horse was stuffed within
95line 0489With bloody veins expecting overthrow,
line 0490Are stored with corn to make your needy bread
line 0491And give them life whom hunger starved half dead.
ALLkneeling
line 0492The gods of Greece protect you, and we’ll pray for
line 0493you.
100line 0494PERICLESArise, I pray you, rise.
line 0495We do not look for reverence, but for love,
line 0496And harborage for ourself, our ships, and men.
CLEONrising, with the others
line 0497The which when any shall not gratify
line 0498Or pay you with unthankfulness in thought,
105line 0499Be it our wives, our children, or ourselves,
line 0500The curse of heaven and men succeed their evils!
line 0501Till when—the which I hope shall ne’er be seen—
line 0502Your Grace is welcome to our town and us.
PERICLES
line 0503Which welcome we’ll accept, feast here awhile,
110line 0504Until our stars that frown lend us a smile.
They exit.
ACT 2
2 Chorus
Enter Gower.
GOWER
line 0505Here have you seen a mighty king
line 0506His child, iwis, to incest bring;
line 0507A better prince and benign lord
line 0508That will prove awful both in deed and word.
5line 0509Be quiet, then, as men should be,
line 0510Till he hath passed necessity.
line 0511I’ll show you those in troubles reign,
line 0512Losing a mite, a mountain gain.
line 0513The good in conversation,
10line 0514To whom I give my benison,
line 0515Is still at Tarsus, where each man
line 0516Thinks all is Writ he speken can,
line 0517And, to remember what he does,
line 0518Build his statue to make him glorious.
15line 0519But tidings to the contrary
line 0520Are 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. Pericles gives the Messenger a reward and knights him. Pericles exits at one door, and Cleon at another.
Act 2 Scene 1 - Pg 45
line 0521Good Helicane, that stayed at home—
line 0522Not to eat honey like a drone
line 0523From others’ labors, for though he strive
20line 0524To killen bad, keep good alive,
line 0525And to fulfill his prince’ desire—
line 0526Sends word of all that haps in Tyre:
line 0527How Thaliard came full bent with sin,
line 0528And had intent to murder him;
25line 0529And that in Tarsus was not best
line 0530Longer for him to make his rest.
line 0531He, doing so, put forth to seas,
line 0532Where when men been there’s seldom ease;
line 0533For now the wind begins to blow;
30line 0534Thunder above and deeps below
line 0535Makes such unquiet that the ship
line 0536Should house him safe is wracked and split,
line 0537And he, good prince, having all lost,
line 0538By waves from coast to coast is tossed.
35line 0539All perishen of man, of pelf,
line 0540Ne aught escapend but himself;
line 0541Till Fortune, tired with doing bad,
line 0542Threw him ashore to give him glad.
line 0543And here he comes. What shall be next,
40line 0544Pardon old Gower—this ’longs the text.
He exits.
Scene 1
Enter Pericles, wet.
PERICLES
line 0545Yet cease your ire, you angry stars of heaven!
line 0546Wind, rain, and thunder, remember earthly man
line 0547Is but a substance that must yield to you,
line 0548And I, as fits my nature, do obey you.
5line 0549Alas, the seas hath cast me on the rocks,
Act 2 Scene 1 - Pg 47
line 0550Washed me from shore to shore, and left my breath
line 0551Nothing to think on but ensuing death.
line 0552Let it suffice the greatness of your powers
line 0553To have bereft a prince of all his fortunes;
10line 0554And, having thrown him from your wat’ry grave,
line 0555Here to have death in peace is all he’ll crave.
Enter three Fishermen.
line 0556FIRST FISHERMANWhat ho, Pilch!
line 0557SECOND FISHERMANHa, come and bring away the nets!
line 0558FIRST FISHERMANWhat, Patchbreech, I say!
15line 0559THIRD FISHERMANWhat say you, master?
line 0560FIRST FISHERMANLook how thou stirr’st now! Come
line 0561away, or I’ll fetch thee with a wanion.
line 0562THIRD FISHERMANFaith, master, I am thinking of the
line 0563poor men that were cast away before us even now.
20line 0564FIRST FISHERMANAlas, poor souls, it grieved my heart
line 0565to hear what pitiful cries they made to us to help
line 0566them, when, welladay, we could scarce help
line 0567ourselves!
line 0568THIRD FISHERMANNay, master, said not I as much
25line 0569when I saw the porpoise how he bounced and tumbled?
line 0570They say they’re half fish, half flesh. A plague
line 0571on them! They ne’er come but I look to be washed.
line 0572Master, I marvel how the fishes live in the sea.
line 0573FIRST FISHERMANWhy, as men do a-land: the great
30line 0574ones eat up the little ones. I can compare our rich
line 0575misers to nothing so fitly as to a whale: he plays
line 0576and tumbles, driving the poor fry before him and
line 0577at last devours them all at a mouthful. Such
line 0578whales have I heard on a’ the land, who never leave
35line 0579gaping till they swallowed the whole parish—
line 0580church, steeple, bells and all.
line 0581PERICLESaside A pretty moral.
line 0582THIRD FISHERMANBut, master, if I had been the sexton,
line 0583I would have been that day in the belfry.
Act 2 Scene 1 - Pg 49
40line 0584SECOND FISHERMANWhy, man?
line 0585THIRD FISHERMANBecause he should have swallowed
line 0586me too. And when I had been in his belly, I would
line 0587have kept such a jangling of the bells that he should
line 0588never have left till he cast bells, steeple, church, and
45line 0589parish up again. But if the good King Simonides
line 0590were of my mind—
line 0591PERICLESaside Simonides?
line 0592THIRD FISHERMANWe would purge the land of these
line 0593drones that rob the bee of her honey.
PERICLESaside
50line 0594How from the finny subject of the sea
line 0595These fishers tell the infirmities of men,
line 0596And from their wat’ry empire recollect
line 0597All that may men approve or men detect!—
line 0598Peace be at your labor, honest fishermen.
55line 0599SECOND FISHERMANHonest good fellow, what’s that? If
line 0600it be a day fits you, search out of the calendar, and
line 0601nobody look after it!
PERICLES
line 0602May see the sea hath cast upon your coast—
line 0603SECOND FISHERMANWhat a drunken knave was the sea
60line 0604to cast thee in our way!
PERICLES
line 0605A man whom both the waters and the wind
line 0606In that vast tennis court hath made the ball
line 0607For them to play upon entreats you pity him.
line 0608He asks of you that never used to beg.
65line 0609FIRST FISHERMANNo, friend, cannot you beg? Here’s
line 0610them in our country of Greece gets more with begging
line 0611than we can do with working.
line 0612SECOND FISHERMANto Pericles Canst thou catch any
line 0613fishes, then?
70line 0614PERICLESI never practiced it.
line 0615SECOND FISHERMANNay, then, thou wilt starve sure,
line 0616for here’s nothing to be got nowadays unless thou
line 0617canst fish for ’t.
Act 2 Scene 1 - Pg 51
PERICLES
line 0618What I have been I have forgot to know,
75line 0619But what I am want teaches me to think on:
line 0620A man thronged up with cold. My veins are chill
line 0621And have no more of life than may suffice
line 0622To give my tongue that heat to ask your help—
line 0623Which, if you shall refuse, when I am dead,
80line 0624For that I am a man, pray you see me buried.
line 0625FIRST FISHERMANDie, quotha? Now gods forbid ’t, an I
line 0626have a gown. Here, come, put it on; keep thee
line 0627warm. Pericles puts on the garment. Now, afore
line 0628me, a handsome fellow! Come, thou shalt go home,
85line 0629and we’ll have flesh for holidays, fish for fasting
line 0630days, and, moreo’er, puddings and flapjacks, and
line 0631thou shalt be welcome.
line 0632PERICLESI thank you, sir.
line 0633SECOND FISHERMANHark you, my friend. You said you
90line 0634could not beg?
line 0635PERICLESI did but crave.
line 0636SECOND FISHERMANBut crave? Then I’ll turn craver
line 0637too, and so I shall ’scape whipping.
line 0638PERICLESWhy, are your beggars whipped, then?
95line 0639SECOND FISHERMANO, not all, my friend, not all; for if
line 0640all your beggars were whipped, I would wish no
line 0641better office than to be beadle.—But, master, I’ll go
line 0642draw up the net.He exits with Third Fisherman.
PERICLESaside
line 0643How well this honest mirth becomes their labor!
100line 0644FIRST FISHERMANHark you, sir, do you know where
line 0645you are?
line 0646PERICLESNot well.
line 0647FIRST FISHERMANWhy, I’ll tell you. This is called Pentapolis,
line 0648and our king the good Simonides.
105line 0649PERICLES“The good Simonides” do you call him?
line 0650FIRST FISHERMANAy, sir, and he deserves so to be called
line 0651for his peaceable reign and good government.
Act 2 Scene 1 - Pg 53
line 0652PERICLESHe is a happy king, since he gains from his
line 0653subjects the name of “good” by his government.
110line 0654How far is his court distant from this shore?
line 0655FIRST FISHERMANMarry, sir, half a day’s journey. And
line 0656I’ll tell you, he hath a fair daughter, and tomorrow
line 0657is her birthday; and there are princes and knights
line 0658come from all parts of the world to joust and tourney
115line 0659for her love.
line 0660PERICLESWere my fortunes equal to my desires, I
line 0661could wish to make one there.
line 0662FIRST FISHERMANO, sir, things must be as they may;
line 0663and what a man cannot get he may lawfully deal
120line 0664for his wife’s soul.
Enter the two other Fishermen, drawing up a net.
line 0665SECOND FISHERMANHelp, master, help! Here’s a fish
line 0666hangs in the net like a poor man’s right in the law:
line 0667’twill hardly come out. Ha! Bots on ’t, ’tis come at
line 0668last, and ’tis turned to a rusty armor.
PERICLES
125line 0669An armor, friends? I pray you let me see it.
They pull out the armor.
line 0670Thanks, Fortune, yet, that after all thy crosses
line 0671Thou givest me somewhat to repair myself;
line 0672And though it was mine own, part of my heritage
line 0673Which my dead father did bequeath to me
130line 0674With this strict charge even as he left his life,
line 0675“Keep it, my Pericles; it hath been a shield
line 0676’Twixt me and death,” and pointed to this brace,
line 0677“For that it saved me, keep it. In like necessity—
line 0678The which the gods protect thee from—may ’t
135line 0679defend thee.”
line 0680It kept where I kept, I so dearly loved it,
line 0681Till the rough seas, that spares not any man,
line 0682Took it in rage, though calmed have given ’t again.
line 0683I thank thee for ’t; my shipwrack now’s no ill
140line 0684Since I have here my father gave in his will.
Act 2 Scene 1 - Pg 55
line 0685FIRST FISHERMANWhat mean you, sir?
PERICLES
line 0686To beg of you, kind friends, this coat of worth,
line 0687For it was sometime target to a king;
line 0688I know it by this mark. He loved me dearly,
145line 0689And for his sake I wish the having of it,
line 0690And that you’d guide me to your sovereign’s court,
line 0691Where with it I may appear a gentleman.
line 0692And if that ever my low fortune’s better,
line 0693I’ll pay your bounties; till then, rest your debtor.
150line 0694FIRST FISHERMANWhy, wilt thou tourney for the lady?
PERICLES
line 0695I’ll show the virtue I have borne in arms.
line 0696FIRST FISHERMANWhy, do ’ee take it, and the gods give
line 0697thee good on ’t.
line 0698SECOND FISHERMANAy, but hark you, my friend, ’twas
155line 0699we that made up this garment through the rough
line 0700seams of the waters. There are certain condolements,
line 0701certain vails. I hope, sir, if you thrive, you’ll
line 0702remember from whence you had them.
line 0703PERICLESBelieve ’t, I will.He puts on the armor.
160line 0704By your furtherance I am clothed in steel,
line 0705And spite of all the rupture of the sea,
line 0706This jewel holds his biding on my arm.
line 0707Unto thy value I will mount myself
line 0708Upon a courser, whose delightful steps
165line 0709Shall make the gazer joy to see him tread.
line 0710Only, my friend, I yet am unprovided
line 0711Of a pair of bases.
line 0712SECOND FISHERMANWe’ll sure provide. Thou shalt have
line 0713my best gown to make thee a pair; and I’ll bring
170line 0714thee to the court myself.
PERICLES
line 0715Then honor be but a goal to my will;
line 0716This day I’ll rise or else add ill to ill.
They exit.
Act 2 Scene 2 - Pg 57
Scene 2
Enter King Simonides, with Lords, Attendants, and Thaisa.
SIMONIDES
line 0717Are the knights ready to begin the triumph?
line 0718FIRST LORDThey are, my liege,
line 0719And stay your coming to present themselves.
SIMONIDES
line 0720Return them we are ready, and our daughter here,
5line 0721In honor of whose birth these triumphs are,
line 0722Sits here like Beauty’s child, whom Nature gat
line 0723For men to see and, seeing, wonder at.
An Attendant exits.
THAISA
line 0724It pleaseth you, my royal father, to express
line 0725My commendations great, whose merit’s less.
SIMONIDES
10line 0726It’s fit it should be so, for princes are
line 0727A model which heaven makes like to itself.
line 0728As jewels lose their glory if neglected,
line 0729So princes their renowns if not respected.
line 0730’Tis now your honor, daughter, to entertain
15line 0731The labor of each knight in his device.
THAISA
line 0732Which to preserve mine honor, I’ll perform.
The first Knight passes by. His Squire presents a shield to Thaisa.
SIMONIDES
line 0733Who is the first that doth prefer himself?
THAISA
line 0734A knight of Sparta, my renownèd father,
line 0735And the device he bears upon his shield
20line 0736Is a black Ethiop reaching at the sun;
line 0737The word: Lux tua vita mihi.
Act 2 Scene 2 - Pg 59
SIMONIDES
line 0738He loves you well that holds his life of you.
The second Knight passes by. His Squire presents a shield to Thaisa.
line 0739Who is the second that presents himself?
THAISA
line 0740A prince of Macedon, my royal father,
25line 0741And the device he bears upon his shield
line 0742Is an armed knight that’s conquered by a lady.
line 0743The motto thus, in Spanish: Pue per doleera kee per
line 0744forsa.
The third Knight passes by. His Squire presents a shield to Thaisa.
SIMONIDES
line 0745And what’s the third?
30line 0746THAISAThe third, of Antioch;
line 0747And his device a wreath of chivalry;
line 0748The word: Me pompae provexit apex.
The fourth Knight passes by. His Squire presents a shield to Thaisa.
line 0749SIMONIDESWhat is the fourth?
THAISA
line 0750A burning torch that’s turnèd upside down;
35line 0751The word: Qui me alit me extinguit.
SIMONIDES
line 0752Which shows that beauty hath his power and will,
line 0753Which can as well inflame as it can kill.
The fifth Knight passes by. His Squire presents a shield to Thaisa.
THAISA
line 0754The fifth, an hand environèd with clouds,
line 0755Holding out gold that’s by the touchstone tried;
40line 0756The motto thus: Sic spectanda fides.
Act 2 Scene 2 - Pg 61
The sixth Knight, Pericles, passes by. He presents a shield to Thaisa.
SIMONIDES
line 0757And what’s the sixth and last, the which the knight
line 0758himself
line 0759With such a graceful courtesy delivered?
THAISA
line 0760He seems to be a stranger; but his present is
45line 0761A withered branch that’s only green at top,
line 0762The motto: In hac spe vivo.
line 0763SIMONIDESA pretty moral.
line 0764From the dejected state wherein he is,
line 0765He hopes by you his fortunes yet may flourish.
FIRST LORD
50line 0766He had need mean better than his outward show
line 0767Can any way speak in his just commend,
line 0768For by his rusty outside he appears
line 0769To have practiced more the whipstock than the lance.
SECOND LORD
line 0770He well may be a stranger, for he comes
55line 0771To an honored triumph strangely furnishèd.
THIRD LORD
line 0772And on set purpose let his armor rust
line 0773Until this day, to scour it in the dust.
SIMONIDES
line 0774Opinion’s but a fool that makes us scan
line 0775The outward habit by the inward man.
60line 0776But stay, the knights are coming.
line 0777We will withdraw into the gallery.
They exit.
Great shouts offstage, and all cry, “The mean knight.”
Act 2 Scene 3 - Pg 63
Scene 3
Enter the King Simonides, Thaisa, Marshal, Ladies, Lords, Attendants, and Knights in armor, from tilting.
line 0778SIMONIDESKnights,
line 0779To say you’re welcome were superfluous.
line 0780To place upon the volume of your deeds,
line 0781As in a title page, your worth in arms
5line 0782Were more than you expect or more than ’s fit,
line 0783Since every worth in show commends itself.
line 0784Prepare for mirth, for mirth becomes a feast.
line 0785You are princes and my guests.
line 0786THAISAto Pericles But you my knight and guest,
10line 0787To whom this wreath of victory I give
line 0788And crown you king of this day’s happiness.
She places a wreath on Pericles’ head.
PERICLES
line 0789’Tis more by fortune, lady, than my merit.
SIMONIDES
line 0790Call it by what you will, the day is yours,
line 0791And here, I hope, is none that envies it.
15line 0792In framing an artist, Art hath thus decreed,
line 0793To make some good but others to exceed,
line 0794And you are her labored scholar.—Come, queen o’
line 0795the feast,
line 0796For, daughter, so you are; here, take your place.—
20line 0797Marshal, the rest as they deserve their grace.
KNIGHTS
line 0798We are honored much by good Simonides.
SIMONIDES
line 0799Your presence glads our days. Honor we love,
line 0800For who hates honor hates the gods above.
line 0801MARSHALto Pericles Sir, yonder is your place.
25line 0802PERICLESSome other is more fit.
FIRST KNIGHT
line 0803Contend not, sir, for we are gentlemen
Act 2 Scene 3 - Pg 65
line 0804Have neither in our hearts nor outward eyes
line 0805Envies the great, nor shall the low despise.
PERICLES
line 0806You are right courteous knights.
30line 0807SIMONIDESSit, sir, sit.They sit.
line 0808Aside. By Jove I wonder, that is king of thoughts,
line 0809These cates resist me, he not thought upon.
THAISAaside
line 0810By Juno, that is queen of marriage,
line 0811All viands that I eat do seem unsavory,
35line 0812Wishing him my meat.—Sure, he’s a gallant
line 0813gentleman.
SIMONIDES
line 0814He’s but a country gentleman;
line 0815Has done no more than other knights have done;
line 0816Has broken a staff or so. So let it pass.
THAISAaside
40line 0817To me he seems like diamond to glass.
PERICLESaside
line 0818Yon king’s to me like to my father’s picture,
line 0819Which tells in that glory once he was—
line 0820Had princes sit like stars about his throne,
line 0821And he the sun for them to reverence.
45line 0822None that beheld him but like lesser lights
line 0823Did vail their crowns to his supremacy;
line 0824Where now his son’s like a glowworm in the night,
line 0825The which hath fire in darkness, none in light;
line 0826Whereby I see that Time’s the king of men.
50line 0827He’s both their parent, and he is their grave,
line 0828And gives them what he will, not what they crave.
line 0829SIMONIDESWhat, are you merry, knights?
KNIGHTS
line 0830Who can be other in this royal presence?
SIMONIDES
line 0831Here, with a cup that’s stored unto the brim,
55line 0832As do you love, fill to your mistress’ lips.
Act 2 Scene 3 - Pg 67
line 0833We drink this health to you.He drinks.
line 0834KNIGHTSWe thank your Grace.
SIMONIDES
line 0835Yet pause awhile. Yon knight doth sit too melancholy,
line 0836As if the entertainment in our court
60line 0837Had not a show might countervail his worth.—
line 0838Note it not you, Thaisa?
line 0839THAISAWhat is ’t to me, my father?
SIMONIDES
line 0840O, attend, my daughter. Princes in this
line 0841Should live like gods above, who freely give
65line 0842To everyone that come to honor them.
line 0843And princes not doing so are like to gnats,
line 0844Which make a sound but, killed, are wondered at.
line 0845Therefore, to make his entrance more sweet,
line 0846Here, say we drink this standing-bowl of wine to him.
He drinks.
THAISA
70line 0847Alas, my father, it befits not me
line 0848Unto a stranger knight to be so bold.
line 0849He may my proffer take for an offense,
line 0850Since men take women’s gifts for impudence.
line 0851SIMONIDESHow?
75line 0852Do as I bid you, or you’ll move me else.
THAISAaside
line 0853Now, by the gods, he could not please me better.
SIMONIDES
line 0854And furthermore tell him we desire to know of him
line 0855Of whence he is, his name and parentage.
THAISAgoing to Pericles
line 0856The King, my father, sir, has drunk to you.
80line 0857PERICLESI thank him.
THAISA
line 0858Wishing it so much blood unto your life.
PERICLES
line 0859I thank both him and you, and pledge him freely.
He drinks to Simonides.
Act 2 Scene 3 - Pg 69
THAISA
line 0860And further, he desires to know of you
line 0861Of whence you are, your name and parentage.
PERICLES
85line 0862A gentleman of Tyre, my name Pericles.
line 0863My education been in arts and arms,
line 0864Who, looking for adventures in the world,
line 0865Was by the rough seas reft of ships and men,
line 0866And after shipwrack driven upon this shore.
THAISAreturning to her place
90line 0867He thanks your Grace; names himself Pericles,
line 0868A gentleman of Tyre,
line 0869Who only by misfortune of the seas,
line 0870Bereft of ships and men, cast on this shore.
SIMONIDES
line 0871Now, by the gods, I pity his misfortune,
95line 0872And will awake him from his melancholy.—
line 0873Come, gentlemen, we sit too long on trifles
line 0874And waste the time which looks for other revels.
line 0875Even in your armors, as you are addressed,
line 0876Will well become a soldiers’ dance.
100line 0877I will not have excuse with saying this:
line 0878“Loud music is too harsh for ladies’ heads,”
line 0879Since they love men in arms as well as beds.
They dance.
line 0880So, this was well asked, ’twas so well performed.
line 0881Come, sir.He presents Pericles to Thaisa.
105line 0882Here’s a lady that wants breathing too,
line 0883And I have heard you knights of Tyre
line 0884Are excellent in making ladies trip,
line 0885And that their measures are as excellent.
PERICLES
line 0886In those that practice them they are, my lord.
SIMONIDES
110line 0887O, that’s as much as you would be denied
line 0888Of your fair courtesy.They dance.
line 0889Unclasp, unclasp!
Act 2 Scene 4 - Pg 71
line 0890Thanks, gentlemen, to all; all have done well;
line 0891To Pericles. But you the best.—Pages and lights, to
115line 0892conduct
line 0893These knights unto their several lodgings.
line 0894To Pericles. Yours, sir,
line 0895We have given order be next our own.
line 0896PERICLESI am at your Grace’s pleasure.
SIMONIDES
120line 0897Princes, it is too late to talk of love,
line 0898And that’s the mark I know you level at.
line 0899Therefore each one betake him to his rest,
line 0900Tomorrow all for speeding do their best.
They exit.
Scene 4
Enter Helicanus and Escanes.
HELICANUS
line 0901No, Escanes, know this of me:
line 0902Antiochus from incest lived not free,
line 0903For which the most high gods not minding longer
line 0904To withhold the vengeance that they had in store
5line 0905Due to this heinous capital offense,
line 0906Even in the height and pride of all his glory,
line 0907When he was seated in a chariot of
line 0908An inestimable value, and his daughter with him,
line 0909A fire from heaven came and shriveled up
10line 0910Those bodies even to loathing, for they so stunk
line 0911That all those eyes adored them, ere their fall,
line 0912Scorn now their hand should give them burial.
line 0913ESCANES’Twas very strange.
HELICANUS
line 0914And yet but justice; for though this king were great,
15line 0915His greatness was no guard to bar heaven’s shaft,
line 0916But sin had his reward.
Act 2 Scene 4 - Pg 73
line 0917ESCANES’Tis very true.
Enter two or three Lords.
FIRST LORD
line 0918See, not a man in private conference
line 0919Or counsel has respect with him but he.
SECOND LORD
20line 0920It shall no longer grieve without reproof.
THIRD LORD
line 0921And cursed be he that will not second it.
FIRST LORD
line 0922Follow me, then.—Lord Helicane, a word.
HELICANUS
line 0923With me? And welcome. Happy day, my lords.
FIRST LORD
line 0924Know that our griefs are risen to the top,
25line 0925And now at length they overflow their banks.
HELICANUS
line 0926Your griefs? For what? Wrong not your prince you
line 0927love.
FIRST LORD
line 0928Wrong not yourself, then, noble Helicane.
line 0929But if the Prince do live, let us salute him,
30line 0930Or know what ground’s made happy by his breath.
line 0931If in the world he live, we’ll seek him out;
line 0932If in his grave he rest, we’ll find him there,
line 0933And be resolved he lives to govern us,
line 0934Or dead, give ’s cause to mourn his funeral
35line 0935And leave us to our free election.
SECOND LORD
line 0936Whose death’s indeed the strongest in our censure;
line 0937And knowing this kingdom is without a head—
line 0938Like goodly buildings left without a roof
line 0939Soon fall to ruin—your noble self,
40line 0940That best know how to rule and how to reign,
line 0941We thus submit unto, our sovereign.
Act 2 Scene 5 - Pg 75
line 0942ALLLive, noble Helicane!
HELICANUS
line 0943Try honor’s cause; forbear your suffrages.
line 0944If that you love Prince Pericles, forbear.
45line 0945Take I your wish, I leap into the seas,
line 0946Where’s hourly trouble for a minute’s ease.
line 0947A twelve-month longer let me entreat you
line 0948To forbear the absence of your king;
line 0949If in which time expired, he not return,
50line 0950I shall with agèd patience bear your yoke.
line 0951But if I cannot win you to this love,
line 0952Go search like nobles, like noble subjects,
line 0953And in your search spend your adventurous worth,
line 0954Whom if you find and win unto return,
55line 0955You shall like diamonds sit about his crown.
FIRST LORD
line 0956To wisdom he’s a fool that will not yield.
line 0957And since Lord Helicane enjoineth us,
line 0958We with our travels will endeavor.
HELICANUS
line 0959Then you love us, we you, and we’ll clasp hands.
60line 0960When peers thus knit, a kingdom ever stands.
They exit.
Scene 5
Enter the King, Simonides, reading of a letter at one door; the Knights meet him.
FIRST KNIGHT
line 0961Good morrow to the good Simonides.
SIMONIDES
line 0962Knights, from my daughter this I let you know,
line 0963That for this twelvemonth she’ll not undertake
line 0964A married life. Her reason to herself is only known,
5line 0965Which from her by no means can I get.
Act 2 Scene 5 - Pg 77
SECOND KNIGHT
line 0966May we not get access to her, my lord?
SIMONIDES
line 0967Faith, by no means; she hath so strictly tied her
line 0968To her chamber that ’tis impossible.
line 0969One twelve moons more she’ll wear Diana’s livery.
10line 0970This by the eye of Cynthia hath she vowed,
line 0971And on her virgin honor will not break it.
THIRD KNIGHT
line 0972Loath to bid farewell, we take our leaves.
The Knights exit.
line 0973SIMONIDESSo,
line 0974They are well dispatched. Now to my daughter’s letter.
15line 0975She tells me here she’ll wed the stranger knight
line 0976Or never more to view nor day nor light.
line 0977’Tis well, mistress, your choice agrees with mine.
line 0978I like that well. Nay, how absolute she’s in ’t,
line 0979Not minding whether I dislike or no!
20line 0980Well, I do commend her choice, and will no longer
line 0981Have it be delayed. Soft, here he comes.
line 0982I must dissemble it.
Enter Pericles.
PERICLES
line 0983All fortune to the good Simonides.
SIMONIDES
line 0984To you as much. Sir, I am beholding to you
25line 0985For your sweet music this last night. I do
line 0986Protest, my ears were never better fed
line 0987With such delightful pleasing harmony.
PERICLES
line 0988It is your Grace’s pleasure to commend,
line 0989Not my desert.
30line 0990SIMONIDESSir, you are music’s master.
PERICLES
line 0991The worst of all her scholars, my good lord.
Act 2 Scene 5 - Pg 79
line 0992SIMONIDESLet me ask you one thing:
line 0993What do you think of my daughter, sir?
line 0994PERICLESA most virtuous princess.
35line 0995SIMONIDESAnd she is fair too, is she not?
PERICLES
line 0996As a fair day in summer, wondrous fair.
SIMONIDES
line 0997Sir, my daughter thinks very well of you,
line 0998Ay, so well that you must be her master,
line 0999And she will be your scholar. Therefore, look to it.
PERICLES
40line 1000I am unworthy for her schoolmaster.
SIMONIDES
line 1001She thinks not so. Peruse this writing else.
line 1002PERICLESaside What’s here?
line 1003A letter that she loves the knight of Tyre?
line 1004’Tis the King’s subtlety to have my life.—
45line 1005O, seek not to entrap me, gracious lord,
line 1006A stranger and distressèd gentleman
line 1007That never aimed so high to love your daughter,
line 1008But bent all offices to honor her.
SIMONIDES
line 1009Thou hast bewitched my daughter, and thou art
50line 1010A villain.
line 1011PERICLESBy the gods, I have not!
line 1012Never did thought of mine levy offense;
line 1013Nor never did my actions yet commence
line 1014A deed might gain her love or your displeasure.
SIMONIDES
55line 1015Traitor, thou liest!
line 1016PERICLESTraitor?
line 1017SIMONIDESAy, traitor.
PERICLES
line 1018Even in his throat, unless it be the King
line 1019That calls me traitor, I return the lie.
Act 2 Scene 5 - Pg 81
SIMONIDESaside
60line 1020Now, by the gods, I do applaud his courage.
PERICLES
line 1021My actions are as noble as my thoughts,
line 1022That never relished of a base descent.
line 1023I came unto your court for honor’s cause,
line 1024And not to be a rebel to her state,
65line 1025And he that otherwise accounts of me,
line 1026This sword shall prove he’s honor’s enemy.
line 1027SIMONIDESNo?
line 1028Here comes my daughter. She can witness it.
Enter Thaisa.
PERICLES
line 1029Then as you are as virtuous as fair,
70line 1030Resolve your angry father if my tongue
line 1031Did e’er solicit or my hand subscribe
line 1032To any syllable that made love to you.
THAISA
line 1033Why, sir, say if you had, who takes offense
line 1034At that would make me glad?
SIMONIDES
75line 1035Yea, mistress, are you so peremptory?
line 1036Aside. I am glad on ’t with all my heart.—
line 1037I’ll tame you! I’ll bring you in subjection.
line 1038Will you, not having my consent,
line 1039Bestow your love and your affections
80line 1040Upon a stranger? Aside. Who, for aught I know,
line 1041May be—nor can I think the contrary—
line 1042As great in blood as I myself.—
line 1043Therefore, hear you, mistress: either frame
line 1044Your will to mine—and you, sir, hear you:
85line 1045Either be ruled by me—or I’ll make you
line 1046Man and wife.
line 1047Nay, come, your hands and lips must seal it too.
line 1048And being joined, I’ll thus your hopes destroy.
Act 2 Scene 5 - Pg 83
line 1049And for further grief—God give you joy!
90line 1050What, are you both pleased?
line 1051THAISAYes, to Pericles if you love me, sir.
PERICLES
line 1052Even as my life my blood that fosters it.
line 1053SIMONIDESWhat, are you both agreed?
line 1054BOTHYes, if ’t please your Majesty.
SIMONIDES
95line 1055It pleaseth me so well that I will see you wed,
line 1056And then with what haste you can, get you to bed.
They exit.
ACT 3
3 Chorus
Enter Gower.
GOWER
line 1057Now sleep yslackèd hath the rout;
line 1058No din but snores about the house,
line 1059Made louder by the o’erfed breast
line 1060Of this most pompous marriage feast.
5line 1061The cat with eyne of burning coal
line 1062Now couches from the mouse’s hole,
line 1063And crickets sing at the oven’s mouth
line 1064Are the blither for their drouth.
line 1065Hymen hath brought the bride to bed,
10line 1066Where, by the loss of maidenhead,
line 1067A babe is molded. Be attent,
line 1068And time that is so briefly spent
line 1069With your fine fancies quaintly eche.
line 1070What’s dumb in show I’ll plain with speech.
Dumb Show.
Enter Pericles and Simonides at one door with Attendants. A Messenger meets them, kneels, and gives Pericles a letter. Pericles shows it Simonides. The Lords kneel to him; then enter Thaisa with child, with Lychorida, a nurse. The King shows her the letter. She rejoices. She and Pericles take leave of her father, and depart with Lychorida and their Attendants. Then Simonides and the others exit.
Page 89 - Pericles, Prince of Tyre - ACT 3. CHOR.
15line 1071By many a dern and painful perch
line 1072Of Pericles the careful search,
line 1073By the four opposing coigns
line 1074Which the world together joins,
line 1075Is made with all due diligence
20line 1076That horse and sail and high expense
line 1077Can stead the quest. At last from Tyre,
line 1078Fame answering the most strange enquire,
line 1079To th’ court of King Simonides
line 1080Are letters brought, the tenor these:
25line 1081Antiochus and his daughter dead,
line 1082The men of Tyrus on the head
line 1083Of Helicanus would set on
line 1084The crown of Tyre, but he will none.
line 1085The mutiny he there hastes t’ oppress,
30line 1086Says to ’em, if King Pericles
line 1087Come not home in twice six moons,
line 1088He, obedient to their dooms,
line 1089Will take the crown. The sum of this,
line 1090Brought hither to Pentapolis,
35line 1091Y-ravishèd the regions round,
line 1092And everyone with claps can sound,
line 1093“Our heir apparent is a king!
line 1094Who dreamt, who thought of such a thing?”
line 1095Brief, he must hence depart to Tyre.
40line 1096His queen, with child, makes her desire—
line 1097Which who shall cross?—along to go.
line 1098Omit we all their dole and woe.
line 1099Lychorida, her nurse, she takes,
line 1100And so to sea. Their vessel shakes
45line 1101On Neptune’s billow. Half the flood
line 1102Hath their keel cut. But Fortune, moved,
line 1103Varies again. The grizzled North
line 1104Disgorges such a tempest forth
line 1105That, as a duck for life that dives,
50line 1106So up and down the poor ship drives.
Act 3 Scene 1 - Pg 91
line 1107The lady shrieks and, well-anear,
line 1108Does fall in travail with her fear.
line 1109And what ensues in this fell storm
line 1110Shall for itself itself perform.
55line 1111I nill relate; action may
line 1112Conveniently the rest convey,
line 1113Which might not what by me is told.
line 1114In your imagination hold
line 1115This stage the ship upon whose deck
60line 1116The sea-tossed Pericles appears to speak.
He exits.
Scene 1
Enter Pericles, a-shipboard.
PERICLES
line 1117The god of this great vast, rebuke these surges,
line 1118Which wash both heaven and hell! And thou that hast
line 1119Upon the winds command, bind them in brass,
line 1120Having called them from the deep! O, still
5line 1121Thy deaf’ning dreadful thunders, gently quench
line 1122Thy nimble sulfurous flashes.—O, how, Lychorida,
line 1123How does my queen?—Then, storm, venomously
line 1124Wilt thou spit all thyself? The seaman’s whistle
line 1125Is as a whisper in the ears of death,
10line 1126Unheard.—Lychorida!—Lucina, O
line 1127Divinest patroness and midwife gentle
line 1128To those that cry by night, convey thy deity
line 1129Aboard our dancing boat, make swift the pangs
line 1130Of my queen’s travails!—Now, Lychorida!
Enter Lychorida, carrying an infant.
LYCHORIDA
15line 1131Here is a thing too young for such a place,
line 1132Who, if it had conceit, would die, as I
Act 3 Scene 1 - Pg 93
line 1133Am like to do. Take in your arms this piece
line 1134Of your dead queen.
line 1135PERICLESHow? How, Lychorida?
LYCHORIDA
20line 1136Patience, good sir. Do not assist the storm.
line 1137Here’s all that is left living of your queen,
line 1138A little daughter. For the sake of it,
line 1139Be manly and take comfort.
line 1140PERICLESO you gods!
25line 1141Why do you make us love your goodly gifts
line 1142And snatch them straight away? We here below
line 1143Recall not what we give, and therein may
line 1144Use honor with you.
line 1145LYCHORIDAPatience, good sir,
30line 1146Even for this charge.She hands him the infant.
line 1147PERICLESto the infant Now mild may be thy life,
line 1148For a more blusterous birth had never babe.
line 1149Quiet and gentle thy conditions, for
line 1150Thou art the rudeliest welcome to this world
35line 1151That ever was prince’s child. Happy what follows!
line 1152Thou hast as chiding a nativity
line 1153As fire, air, water, earth, and heaven can make
line 1154To herald thee from the womb.
line 1155Even at the first, thy loss is more than can
40line 1156Thy portage quit, with all thou canst find here.
line 1157Now the good gods throw their best eyes upon ’t.
Enter two Sailors.
line 1158FIRST SAILORWhat courage, sir? God save you.
PERICLES
line 1159Courage enough. I do not fear the flaw.
line 1160It hath done to me the worst. Yet for the love
45line 1161Of this poor infant, this fresh new seafarer,
line 1162I would it would be quiet.
line 1163FIRST SAILORSlack the bowlines there!—Thou wilt not,
line 1164wilt thou? Blow, and split thyself!
Act 3 Scene 1 - Pg 95
line 1165SECOND SAILORBut searoom, an the brine and cloudy
50line 1166billow kiss the moon, I care not.
line 1167FIRST SAILORSir, your queen must overboard. The sea
line 1168works high, the wind is loud, and will not lie till
line 1169the ship be cleared of the dead.
line 1170PERICLESThat’s your superstition.
55line 1171FIRST SAILORPardon us, sir; with us at sea it hath been
line 1172still observed, and we are strong in custom.
line 1173Therefore briefly yield ’er, for she must overboard
line 1174straight.
line 1175PERICLESAs you think meet.—Most wretched queen!
60line 1176LYCHORIDAHere she lies, sir.
PERICLES
line 1177A terrible childbed hast thou had, my dear,
line 1178No light, no fire. Th’ unfriendly elements
line 1179Forgot thee utterly. Nor have I time
line 1180To give thee hallowed to thy grave, but straight
65line 1181Must cast thee, scarcely coffined, in the ooze,
line 1182Where, for a monument upon thy bones
line 1183And e’er-remaining lamps, the belching whale
line 1184And humming water must o’erwhelm thy corpse,
line 1185Lying with simple shells.—O, Lychorida,
70line 1186Bid Nestor bring me spices, ink, and paper,
line 1187My casket and my jewels; and bid Nicander
line 1188Bring me the satin coffin. Lay the babe
line 1189Upon the pillow. Hie thee, whiles I say
line 1190A priestly farewell to her. Suddenly, woman!
Lychorida exits.
75line 1191SECOND SAILORSir, we have a chest beneath the hatches,
line 1192caulked and bitumed ready.
PERICLES
line 1193I thank thee, mariner. Say, what coast is this?
line 1194SECOND SAILORWe are near Tarsus.
line 1195PERICLESThither, gentle mariner.
80line 1196Alter thy course for Tyre. When canst thou reach it?
line 1197SECOND SAILORBy break of day if the wind cease.
Act 3 Scene 2 - Pg 97
line 1198PERICLESO, make for Tarsus!
line 1199There will I visit Cleon, for the babe
line 1200Cannot hold out to Tyrus. There I’ll leave it
85line 1201At careful nursing. Go thy ways, good mariner.
line 1202I’ll bring the body presently.
They exit.
Scene 2
Enter Lord Cerimon with two Suppliants.
line 1203CERIMONPhilemon, ho!
Enter Philemon.
line 1204PHILEMONDoth my lord call?
line 1205CERIMONGet fire and meat for these poor men.
line 1206’T has been a turbulent and stormy night.
Philemon exits.
FIRST SUPPLIANT
5line 1207I have been in many; but such a night as this,
line 1208Till now, I ne’er endured.
CERIMON
line 1209Your master will be dead ere you return.
line 1210There’s nothing can be ministered to nature
line 1211That can recover him. To Second Suppliant. Give
10line 1212this to the ’pothecary,
line 1213And tell me how it works.Suppliants exit.
Enter two Gentlemen.
line 1214FIRST GENTLEMANGood morrow.
line 1215SECOND GENTLEMANGood morrow to your Lordship.
CERIMON
line 1216Gentlemen, why do you stir so early?
15line 1217FIRST GENTLEMANSir,
line 1218Our lodgings, standing bleak upon the sea,
line 1219Shook as the earth did quake.
Act 3 Scene 2 - Pg 99
line 1220The very principals did seem to rend
line 1221And all to topple. Pure surprise and fear
20line 1222Made me to quit the house.
SECOND GENTLEMAN
line 1223That is the cause we trouble you so early.
line 1224’Tis not our husbandry.
line 1225CERIMONO, you say well.
FIRST GENTLEMAN
line 1226But I much marvel that your Lordship, having
25line 1227Rich tire about you, should at these early hours
line 1228Shake off the golden slumber of repose.
line 1229’Tis most strange
line 1230Nature should be so conversant with pain,
line 1231Being thereto not compelled.
30line 1232CERIMONI hold it ever
line 1233Virtue and cunning were endowments greater
line 1234Than nobleness and riches. Careless heirs
line 1235May the two latter darken and expend,
line 1236But immortality attends the former,
35line 1237Making a man a god. ’Tis known I ever
line 1238Have studied physic, through which secret art,
line 1239By turning o’er authorities, I have,
line 1240Together with my practice, made familiar
line 1241To me and to my aid the blessed infusions
40line 1242That dwells in vegetives, in metals, stones;
line 1243And can speak of the disturbances
line 1244That Nature works, and of her cures; which doth
line 1245give me
line 1246A more content in course of true delight
45line 1247Than to be thirsty after tottering honor,
line 1248Or tie my pleasure up in silken bags
line 1249To please the fool and death.
SECOND GENTLEMAN
line 1250Your Honor has through Ephesus poured forth
line 1251Your charity, and hundreds call themselves
50line 1252Your creatures, who by you have been restored;
Act 3 Scene 2 - Pg 101
line 1253And not your knowledge, your personal pain, but even
line 1254Your purse, still open, hath built Lord Cerimon
line 1255Such strong renown, as time shall never—
Enter two or three Servants with a chest.
SERVANT
line 1256So, lift there.
55line 1257CERIMONWhat’s that?
line 1258SERVANTSir, even now
line 1259Did the sea toss up upon our shore this chest.
line 1260’Tis of some wrack.
line 1261CERIMONSet ’t down. Let’s look upon ’t.
SECOND GENTLEMAN
60line 1262’Tis like a coffin, sir.
line 1263CERIMONWhat e’er it be,
line 1264’Tis wondrous heavy. Wrench it open straight.
line 1265If the sea’s stomach be o’ercharged with gold,
line 1266’Tis a good constraint of Fortune it belches upon us.
SECOND GENTLEMAN
65line 1267’Tis so, my lord.
line 1268CERIMONHow close ’tis caulked and bitumed!
line 1269Did the sea cast it up?
SERVANT
line 1270I never saw so huge a billow, sir,
line 1271As tossed it upon shore.
70line 1272CERIMONWrench it open.
line 1273Soft! It smells most sweetly in my sense.
line 1274SECOND GENTLEMANA delicate odor.
CERIMON
line 1275As ever hit my nostril. So, up with it.
They open the chest.
line 1276O, you most potent gods! What’s here? A corse?
75line 1277SECOND GENTLEMANMost strange!
CERIMON
line 1278Shrouded in cloth of state, balmed and entreasured
line 1279With full bags of spices. A passport too!
Act 3 Scene 2 - Pg 103
line 1280Apollo, perfect me in the characters.
He reads.
line 1281Here I give to understand,
80line 1282If e’er this coffin drives aland,
line 1283I, King Pericles, have lost
line 1284This queen, worth all our mundane cost.
line 1285Who finds her, give her burying.
line 1286She was the daughter of a king.
85line 1287Besides this treasure for a fee,
line 1288The gods requite his charity.
line 1289If thou livest, Pericles, thou hast a heart
line 1290That ever cracks for woe. This chanced tonight.
SECOND GENTLEMAN
line 1291Most likely, sir.
90line 1292CERIMONNay, certainly tonight,
line 1293For look how fresh she looks. They were too rough
line 1294That threw her in the sea.—Make a fire within;
line 1295Fetch hither all my boxes in my closet.
A servant exits.
line 1296Death may usurp on nature many hours,
95line 1297And yet the fire of life kindle again
line 1298The o’erpressed spirits. I heard of an Egyptian
line 1299That had nine hours lain dead,
line 1300Who was by good appliance recoverèd.
Enter one with boxes, napkins, and fire.
line 1301Well said, well said! The fire and cloths.
100line 1302The rough and woeful music that we have,
line 1303Cause it to sound, beseech you. Music sounds. The
line 1304viol once more!
line 1305How thou stirr’st, thou block! The music there.
Music sounds.
line 1306I pray you, give her air. Gentlemen,
105line 1307This queen will live. Nature awakes a warm breath
line 1308Out of her. She hath not been entranced
Act 3 Scene 3 - Pg 105
line 1309Above five hours. See how she gins to blow
line 1310Into life’s flower again.
line 1311FIRST GENTLEMANThe heavens, through you,
110line 1312Increase our wonder, and sets up your fame
line 1313Forever.
line 1314CERIMONShe is alive. Behold her eyelids—
line 1315Cases to those heavenly jewels which Pericles hath
line 1316lost—
115line 1317Begin to part their fringes of bright gold.
line 1318The diamonds of a most praised water doth
line 1319Appear to make the world twice rich.—Live,
line 1320And make us weep to hear your fate, fair creature,
line 1321Rare as you seem to be.
She moves.
120line 1322THAISAO dear Diana,
line 1323Where am I? Where’s my lord? What world is this?
line 1324SECOND GENTLEMANIs not this strange?
line 1325FIRST GENTLEMANMost rare!
line 1326CERIMONHush, my gentle neighbors!
125line 1327Lend me your hands. To the next chamber bear her.
line 1328Get linen. Now this matter must be looked to,
line 1329For her relapse is mortal. Come, come;
line 1330And Aesculapius guide us.
They carry her away as they all exit.
Scene 3
Enter Pericles, at Tarsus, with Cleon and Dionyza, and Lychorida with the child.
PERICLES
line 1331Most honored Cleon, I must needs be gone.
line 1332My twelve months are expired, and Tyrus stands
line 1333In a litigious peace. You and your lady
line 1334Take from my heart all thankfulness. The gods
5line 1335Make up the rest upon you.
Act 3 Scene 3 - Pg 107
CLEON
line 1336Your shakes of fortune, though they haunt you
line 1337mortally,
line 1338Yet glance full wond’ringly on us.
DIONYZA
line 1339O, your sweet queen! That the strict Fates had pleased
10line 1340You had brought her hither to have blessed mine
line 1341eyes with her!
PERICLES
line 1342We cannot but obey the powers above us.
line 1343Could I rage and roar as doth the sea
line 1344She lies in, yet the end must be as ’tis.
15line 1345My gentle babe Marina,
line 1346Whom, for she was born at sea, I have named so,
line 1347Here I charge your charity withal,
line 1348Leaving her the infant of your care,
line 1349Beseeching you to give her princely training,
20line 1350That she may be mannered as she is born.
line 1351CLEONFear not, my lord, but think
line 1352Your Grace, that fed my country with your corn,
line 1353For which the people’s prayers still fall upon you,
line 1354Must in your child be thought on. If neglection
25line 1355Should therein make me vile, the common body,
line 1356By you relieved, would force me to my duty.
line 1357But if to that my nature need a spur,
line 1358The gods revenge it upon me and mine,
line 1359To the end of generation!
30line 1360PERICLESI believe you.
line 1361Your honor and your goodness teach me to ’t
line 1362Without your vows.—Till she be married, madam,
line 1363By bright Diana, whom we honor, all
line 1364Unscissored shall this hair of mine remain,
35line 1365Though I show ill in ’t. So I take my leave.
line 1366Good madam, make me blessèd in your care
line 1367In bringing up my child.
Act 3 Scene 4 - Pg 109
line 1368DIONYZAI have one myself,
line 1369Who shall not be more dear to my respect
40line 1370Than yours, my lord.
line 1371PERICLESMadam, my thanks and prayers.
CLEON
line 1372We’ll bring your Grace e’en to the edge o’ th’ shore,
line 1373Then give you up to the maskèd Neptune
line 1374And the gentlest winds of heaven.
PERICLES
45line 1375I will embrace your offer.—Come, dearest madam.—
line 1376O, no tears, Lychorida, no tears!
line 1377Look to your little mistress, on whose grace
line 1378You may depend hereafter.—Come, my lord.
They exit.
Scene 4
Enter Cerimon and Thaisa.
CERIMON
line 1379Madam, this letter and some certain jewels
line 1380Lay with you in your coffer, which are
line 1381At your command. Know you the character?
He shows her the letter.
THAISA
line 1382It is my lord’s. That I was shipped at sea
5line 1383I well remember, even on my bearing time,
line 1384But whether there delivered, by the holy gods
line 1385I cannot rightly say. But since King Pericles,
line 1386My wedded lord, I ne’er shall see again,
line 1387A vestal livery will I take me to,
10line 1388And never more have joy.
line 1389CERIMONMadam, if this
line 1390You purpose as you speak, Diana’s temple
line 1391Is not distant far, where you may abide
Act 3 Scene 4 - Pg 111
line 1392Till your date expire. Moreover, if you
15line 1393Please, a niece of mine shall there attend you.
THAISA
line 1394My recompense is thanks, that’s all;
line 1395Yet my good will is great, though the gift small.
They exit.
ACT 4
4 Chorus
Enter Gower.
GOWER
line 1396Imagine Pericles arrived at Tyre,
line 1397Welcomed and settled to his own desire.
line 1398His woeful queen we leave at Ephesus,
line 1399Unto Diana there ’s a votaress.
5line 1400Now to Marina bend your mind,
line 1401Whom our fast-growing scene must find
line 1402At Tarsus, and by Cleon trained
line 1403In music, letters; who hath gained
line 1404Of education all the grace
10line 1405Which makes high both the art and place
line 1406Of general wonder. But, alack,
line 1407That monster envy, oft the wrack
line 1408Of earnèd praise, Marina’s life
line 1409Seeks to take off by treason’s knife.
15line 1410And in this kind our Cleon hath
line 1411One daughter and a full grown wench,
line 1412Even ripe for marriage rite. This maid
line 1413Hight Philoten, and it is said
line 1414For certain in our story she
20line 1415Would ever with Marina be.
line 1416Be ’t when they weaved the sleided silk
line 1417With fingers long, small, white as milk;
line 1418Or when she would with sharp needle wound
line 1419The cambric, which she made more sound
Act 4 Scene 1 - Pg 117
25line 1420By hurting it; or when to the lute
line 1421She sung, and made the night bird mute,
line 1422That still records with moan; or when
line 1423She would with rich and constant pen
line 1424Vail to her mistress Dian, still
30line 1425This Philoten contends in skill
line 1426With absolute Marina. So
line 1427With the dove of Paphos might the crow
line 1428Vie feathers white. Marina gets
line 1429All praises, which are paid as debts
35line 1430And not as given. This so darks
line 1431In Philoten all graceful marks
line 1432That Cleon’s wife, with envy rare,
line 1433A present murderer does prepare
line 1434For good Marina, that her daughter
40line 1435Might stand peerless by this slaughter.
line 1436The sooner her vile thoughts to stead,
line 1437Lychorida, our nurse, is dead,
line 1438And cursèd Dionyza hath
line 1439The pregnant instrument of wrath
45line 1440Prest for this blow. The unborn event
line 1441I do commend to your content.
line 1442Only I carry wingèd Time
line 1443Post on the lame feet of my rhyme,
line 1444Which never could I so convey
50line 1445Unless your thoughts went on my way.
line 1446Dionyza does appear,
line 1447With Leonine, a murderer.
He exits.
Scene 1
Enter Dionyza with Leonine.
DIONYZA
line 1448Thy oath remember. Thou hast sworn to do ’t.
line 1449’Tis but a blow which never shall be known.
Act 4 Scene 1 - Pg 119
line 1450Thou canst not do a thing in the world so soon
line 1451To yield thee so much profit. Let not conscience,
5line 1452Which is but cold in flaming, thy bosom inflame
line 1453Too nicely. Nor let pity, which even women
line 1454Have cast off, melt thee; but be a soldier
line 1455To thy purpose.
line 1456LEONINEI will do ’t; but yet
10line 1457She is a goodly creature.
line 1458DIONYZAThe fitter, then,
line 1459The gods should have her. Here she comes weeping
line 1460For her only mistress’ death. Thou art resolved?
line 1461LEONINEI am resolved.
Enter Marina with a basket of flowers.
MARINA
15line 1462No, I will rob Tellus of her weed
line 1463To strew thy green with flowers. The yellows, blues,
line 1464The purple violets and marigolds
line 1465Shall as a carpet hang upon thy grave
line 1466While summer days doth last. Ay me, poor maid,
20line 1467Born in a tempest when my mother died,
line 1468This world to me is as a lasting storm,
line 1469Whirring me from my friends.
DIONYZA
line 1470How now, Marina? Why do you keep alone?
line 1471How chance my daughter is not with you?
25line 1472Do not consume your blood with sorrowing.
line 1473Have you a nurse of me! Lord, how your favor ’s
line 1474Changed with this unprofitable woe.
line 1475Come, give me your flowers. O’er the sea marge
line 1476Walk with Leonine. The air is quick there,
30line 1477And it pierces and sharpens the stomach.—Come,
line 1478Leonine,
line 1479Take her by the arm. Walk with her.
line 1480MARINANo,
line 1481I pray you, I’ll not bereave you of your servant.
Act 4 Scene 1 - Pg 121
35line 1482DIONYZACome, come.
line 1483I love the king your father and yourself
line 1484With more than foreign heart. We every day
line 1485Expect him here. When he shall come and find
line 1486Our paragon to all reports thus blasted,
40line 1487He will repent the breadth of his great voyage,
line 1488Blame both my lord and me that we have taken
line 1489No care to your best courses. Go, I pray you,
line 1490Walk, and be cheerful once again. Reserve
line 1491That excellent complexion, which did steal
45line 1492The eyes of young and old. Care not for me.
line 1493I can go home alone.
line 1494MARINAWell, I will go,
line 1495But yet I have no desire to it.
line 1496DIONYZACome, come,
50line 1497I know ’tis good for you.—Walk half an hour,
line 1498Leonine, at the least. Remember
line 1499What I have said.
line 1500LEONINEI warrant you, madam.
DIONYZA
line 1501I’ll leave you, my sweet lady, for a while.
55line 1502Pray walk softly; do not heat your blood.
line 1503What, I must have care of you.
line 1504MARINAMy thanks, sweet madam.Dionyza exits.
line 1505Is this wind westerly that blows?
line 1506LEONINESouthwest.
MARINA
60line 1507When I was born, the wind was north.
line 1508LEONINEWas ’t so?
MARINA
line 1509My father, as nurse says, did never fear,
line 1510But cried “Good seamen!” to the sailors,
line 1511Galling his kingly hands haling ropes,
65line 1512And, clasping to the mast, endured a sea
line 1513That almost burst the deck.
line 1514LEONINEWhen was this?
Act 4 Scene 1 - Pg 123
line 1515MARINAWhen I was born.
line 1516Never was waves nor wind more violent,
70line 1517And from the ladder-tackle washes off
line 1518A canvas-climber. “Ha!” says one, “Wolt out?”
line 1519And with a dropping industry they skip
line 1520From stern to stern. The Boatswain whistles, and
line 1521The Master calls and trebles their confusion.
75line 1522LEONINECome, say your prayers.
He draws his sword.
line 1523MARINAWhat mean you?
LEONINE
line 1524If you require a little space for prayer,
line 1525I grant it. Pray, but be not tedious, for
line 1526The gods are quick of ear, and I am sworn
80line 1527To do my work with haste.
line 1528MARINAWhy will you kill me?
line 1529LEONINETo satisfy my lady.
line 1530MARINAWhy would she have me killed?
line 1531Now, as I can remember, by my troth,
85line 1532I never did her hurt in all my life.
line 1533I never spake bad word, nor did ill turn
line 1534To any living creature. Believe me, la,
line 1535I never killed a mouse, nor hurt a fly.
line 1536I trod upon a worm against my will,
90line 1537But I wept for ’t. How have I offended
line 1538Wherein my death might yield her any profit
line 1539Or my life imply her any danger?
line 1540LEONINEMy commission
line 1541Is not to reason of the deed, but do ’t.
MARINA
95line 1542You will not do ’t for all the world, I hope.
line 1543You are well-favored, and your looks foreshow
line 1544You have a gentle heart. I saw you lately
line 1545When you caught hurt in parting two that fought.
line 1546Good sooth, it showed well in you. Do so now.
Act 4 Scene 2 - Pg 125
100line 1547Your lady seeks my life. Come you between,
line 1548And save poor me, the weaker.
line 1549LEONINEI am sworn
line 1550And will dispatch.He seizes her.
Enter Pirates.
line 1551FIRST PIRATEHold, villain!Leonine runs offstage.
105line 1552SECOND PIRATEA prize, a prize!He seizes Marina.
line 1553THIRD PIRATEHalf-part, mates, half-part. Come, let’s
line 1554have her aboard suddenly.
They exit, carrying Marina.
Enter Leonine.
LEONINE
line 1555These roguing thieves serve the great pirate Valdes,
line 1556And they have seized Marina. Let her go.
110line 1557There’s no hope she will return. I’ll swear she’s dead,
line 1558And thrown into the sea. But I’ll see further.
line 1559Perhaps they will but please themselves upon her,
line 1560Not carry her aboard. If she remain,
line 1561Whom they have ravished must by me be slain.
He exits.
Scene 2
Enter Pander, Bawd, and Bolt.
line 1562PANDERBolt!
line 1563BOLTSir?
line 1564PANDERSearch the market narrowly. Mytilene is full
line 1565of gallants. We lost too much money this mart by
5line 1566being too wenchless.
line 1567BAWDWe were never so much out of creatures. We
line 1568have but poor three, and they can do no more than
line 1569they can do; and they with continual action are
line 1570even as good as rotten.
Act 4 Scene 2 - Pg 127
10line 1571PANDERTherefore let’s have fresh ones, whate’er we
line 1572pay for them. If there be not a conscience to be
line 1573used in every trade, we shall never prosper.
line 1574BAWDThou sayst true. ’Tis not our bringing up of poor
line 1575bastards—as I think I have brought up some
15line 1576eleven—
line 1577BOLTAy, to eleven, and brought them down again. But
line 1578shall I search the market?
line 1579BAWDWhat else, man? The stuff we have, a strong
line 1580wind will blow it to pieces, they are so pitifully
20line 1581sodden.
line 1582PANDERThou sayst true. There’s two unwholesome, a’
line 1583conscience. The poor Transylvanian is dead that
line 1584lay with the little baggage.
line 1585BOLTAy, she quickly pooped him. She made him
25line 1586roast-meat for worms. But I’ll go search the
line 1587market.He exits.
line 1588PANDERThree or four thousand chequins were as
line 1589pretty a proportion to live quietly, and so give over.
line 1590BAWDWhy to give over, I pray you? Is it a shame to get
30line 1591when we are old?
line 1592PANDERO, our credit comes not in like the commodity,
line 1593nor the commodity wages not with the danger.
line 1594Therefore, if in our youths we could pick up some
line 1595pretty estate, ’twere not amiss to keep our door
35line 1596hatched. Besides, the sore terms we stand upon
line 1597with the gods will be strong with us for giving o’er.
line 1598BAWDCome, other sorts offend as well as we.
line 1599PANDERAs well as we? Ay, and better too; we offend
line 1600worse. Neither is our profession any trade; it’s no
40line 1601calling. But here comes Bolt.
Enter Bolt with the Pirates and Marina.
line 1602BOLTCome your ways, my masters. You say she’s a
line 1603virgin?
line 1604PIRATEO, sir, we doubt it not.
Act 4 Scene 2 - Pg 129
line 1605BOLTMaster, I have gone through for this piece you
45line 1606see. If you like her, so; if not, I have lost my
line 1607earnest.
line 1608BAWDBolt, has she any qualities?
line 1609BOLTShe has a good face, speaks well, and has excellent
line 1610good clothes. There’s no farther necessity of
50line 1611qualities can make her be refused.
line 1612BAWDWhat’s her price, Bolt?
line 1613BOLTI cannot be bated one doit of a thousand pieces.
line 1614PANDERWell, follow me, my masters; you shall have
line 1615your money presently.—Wife, take her in. Instruct
55line 1616her what she has to do, that she may not be raw in
line 1617her entertainment.He exits with Pirates.
line 1618BAWDBolt, take you the marks of her: the color of her
line 1619hair, complexion, height, her age, with warrant of
line 1620her virginity, and cry “He that will give most shall
60line 1621have her first.” Such a maidenhead were no cheap
line 1622thing, if men were as they have been. Get this done
line 1623as I command you.
line 1624BOLTPerformance shall follow.He exits.
MARINA
line 1625Alack that Leonine was so slack, so slow!
65line 1626He should have struck, not spoke. Or that these
line 1627pirates,
line 1628Not enough barbarous, had but o’erboard thrown me
line 1629For to seek my mother.
line 1630BAWDWhy lament you, pretty one?
70line 1631MARINAThat I am pretty.
line 1632BAWDCome, the gods have done their part in you.
line 1633MARINAI accuse them not.
line 1634BAWDYou are light into my hands, where you are like
line 1635to live.
75line 1636MARINAThe more my fault, to ’scape his hands where
line 1637I was to die.
line 1638BAWDAy, and you shall live in pleasure.
line 1639MARINANo.
Act 4 Scene 2 - Pg 131
line 1640BAWDYes, indeed shall you, and taste gentlemen of all
80line 1641fashions. You shall fare well; you shall have the
line 1642difference of all complexions. What, do you stop
line 1643your ears?
line 1644MARINAAre you a woman?
line 1645BAWDWhat would you have me be, an I be not a
85line 1646woman?
line 1647MARINAAn honest woman, or not a woman.
line 1648BAWDMarry, whip the gosling! I think I shall have
line 1649something to do with you. Come, you’re a young
line 1650foolish sapling, and must be bowed as I would
90line 1651have you.
line 1652MARINAThe gods defend me!
line 1653BAWDIf it please the gods to defend you by men, then
line 1654men must comfort you, men must feed you, men
line 1655stir you up. Bolt’s returned.
Enter Bolt.
95line 1656Now, sir, hast thou cried her through the market?
line 1657BOLTI have cried her almost to the number of her
line 1658hairs. I have drawn her picture with my voice.
line 1659BAWDAnd I prithee tell me, how dost thou find the inclination
line 1660of the people, especially of the younger
100line 1661sort?
line 1662BOLTFaith, they listened to me as they would have
line 1663hearkened to their father’s testament. There was a
line 1664Spaniard’s mouth watered an he went to bed to her
line 1665very description.
105line 1666BAWDWe shall have him here tomorrow with his best
line 1667ruff on.
line 1668BOLTTonight, tonight! But, mistress, do you know the
line 1669French knight that cowers i’ the hams?
line 1670BAWDWho? Monsieur Verolles?
110line 1671BOLTAy, he. He offered to cut a caper at the proclamation,
line 1672but he made a groan at it and swore he would
line 1673see her tomorrow.
Act 4 Scene 2 - Pg 133
line 1674BAWDWell, well, as for him, he brought his disease
line 1675hither; here he does but repair it. I know he will
115line 1676come in our shadow, to scatter his crowns in the
line 1677sun.
line 1678BOLTWell, if we had of every nation a traveler, we
line 1679should lodge them with this sign.
line 1680BAWDto Marina Pray you, come hither awhile. You
120line 1681have fortunes coming upon you. Mark me: you
line 1682must seem to do that fearfully which you commit
line 1683willingly, despise profit where you have most gain.
line 1684To weep that you live as you do makes pity in your
line 1685lovers. Seldom but that pity begets you a good
125line 1686opinion, and that opinion a mere profit.
line 1687MARINAI understand you not.
line 1688BOLTO, take her home, mistress, take her home!
line 1689These blushes of hers must be quenched with
line 1690some present practice.
130line 1691BAWDThou sayst true, i’ faith, so they must, for your
line 1692bride goes to that with shame which is her way to
line 1693go with warrant.
line 1694BOLTFaith, some do and some do not. But, mistress,
line 1695if I have bargained for the joint—
135line 1696BAWDThou mayst cut a morsel off the spit.
line 1697BOLTI may so.
line 1698BAWDWho should deny it? Come, young one, I like
line 1699the manner of your garments well.
line 1700BOLTAy, by my faith, they shall not be changed yet.
140line 1701BAWDBolt, spend thou that in the town. She gives him money.
line 1702Report what a sojourner we have. You’ll
line 1703lose nothing by custom. When Nature framed this
line 1704piece, she meant thee a good turn. Therefore say
line 1705what a paragon she is, and thou hast the harvest
145line 1706out of thine own report.
line 1707BOLTI warrant you, mistress, thunder shall not so
line 1708awake the beds of eels as my giving out her beauty
line 1709stirs up the lewdly inclined. I’ll bring home some
line 1710tonight.
Act 4 Scene 3 - Pg 135
150line 1711BAWDto Marina Come your ways. Follow me.
MARINA
line 1712If fires be hot, knives sharp, or waters deep,
line 1713Untied I still my virgin knot will keep.
line 1714Diana aid my purpose!
line 1715BAWDWhat have we to do with Diana, pray you? Will
155line 1716you go with us?
They exit.
Scene 3
Enter Cleon and Dionyza.
DIONYZA
line 1717Why, are you foolish? Can it be undone?
CLEON
line 1718O Dionyza, such a piece of slaughter
line 1719The sun and moon ne’er looked upon!
line 1720DIONYZAI think you’ll turn a child again.
CLEON
5line 1721Were I chief lord of all this spacious world,
line 1722I’d give it to undo the deed. A lady
line 1723Much less in blood than virtue, yet a princess
line 1724To equal any single crown o’ th’ Earth
line 1725I’ the justice of compare. O villain Leonine,
10line 1726Whom thou hast poisoned too!
line 1727If thou hadst drunk to him, ’t had been a kindness
line 1728Becoming well thy face. What canst thou say
line 1729When noble Pericles shall demand his child?
DIONYZA
line 1730That she is dead. Nurses are not the Fates.
15line 1731To foster is not ever to preserve.
line 1732She died at night; I’ll say so. Who can cross it
line 1733Unless you play the impious innocent
line 1734And, for an honest attribute, cry out
line 1735“She died by foul play!”
Act 4 Scene 3 - Pg 137
20line 1736CLEONO, go to. Well, well,
line 1737Of all the faults beneath the heavens, the gods
line 1738Do like this worst.
line 1739DIONYZABe one of those that thinks
line 1740The petty wrens of Tarsus will fly hence
25line 1741And open this to Pericles. I do shame
line 1742To think of what a noble strain you are,
line 1743And of how coward a spirit.
line 1744CLEONTo such proceeding
line 1745Whoever but his approbation added,
30line 1746Though not his prime consent, he did not flow
line 1747From honorable courses.
line 1748DIONYZABe it so, then.
line 1749Yet none does know but you how she came dead,
line 1750Nor none can know, Leonine being gone.
35line 1751She did distain my child and stood between
line 1752Her and her fortunes. None would look on her,
line 1753But cast their gazes on Marina’s face,
line 1754Whilst ours was blurted at and held a malkin
line 1755Not worth the time of day. It pierced me through,
40line 1756And though you call my course unnatural,
line 1757You not your child well loving, yet I find
line 1758It greets me as an enterprise of kindness
line 1759Performed to your sole daughter.
line 1760CLEONHeavens forgive it.
45line 1761DIONYZAAnd as for Pericles,
line 1762What should he say? We wept after her hearse,
line 1763And yet we mourn. Her monument is
line 1764Almost finished, and her epitaphs
line 1765In glitt’ring golden characters express
50line 1766A general praise to her, and care in us
line 1767At whose expense ’tis done.
line 1768CLEONThou art like the Harpy,
line 1769Which, to betray, dost with thine angel’s face
line 1770Seize with thine eagle’s talons.
Act 4 Scene 4 - Pg 139
DIONYZA
55line 1771You’re like one that superstitiously
line 1772Do swear to the gods that winter kills the flies.
line 1773But yet I know you’ll do as I advise.
They exit.
Scene 4
Enter Gower.
GOWER
line 1774Thus time we waste, and long leagues make short,
line 1775Sail seas in cockles, have and wish but for ’t,
line 1776Making to take our imagination
line 1777From bourn to bourn, region to region.
5line 1778By you being pardoned, we commit no crime
line 1779To use one language in each several clime
line 1780Where our scenes seems to live. I do beseech you
line 1781To learn of me, who stand in the gaps to teach you
line 1782The stages of our story. Pericles
10line 1783Is now again thwarting the wayward seas,
line 1784Attended on by many a lord and knight,
line 1785To see his daughter, all his life’s delight.
line 1786Old Helicanus goes along. Behind
line 1787Is left to govern it, you bear in mind,
15line 1788Old Escanes, whom Helicanus late
line 1789Advanced in time to great and high estate.
line 1790Well-sailing ships and bounteous winds have brought
line 1791This king to Tarsus—think his pilot thought;
line 1792So with his steerage shall your thoughts go on—
20line 1793To fetch his daughter home, who first is gone.
line 1794Like motes and shadows see them move awhile;
line 1795Your ears unto your eyes I’ll reconcile.
Dumb Show.
Enter Pericles at one door, with all his train, Cleon and Dionyza at the other. Cleon shows Pericles the tomb, (cont’d)
Act 4 Scene 4 - Pg 141
(cont’d) whereat Pericles makes lamentation, puts on sackcloth, and in a mighty passion departs. Cleon and Dionyza exit.
line 1796See how belief may suffer by foul show!
line 1797This borrowed passion stands for true old woe.
25line 1798And Pericles, in sorrow all devoured,
line 1799With sighs shot through and biggest tears
line 1800o’ershowered,
line 1801Leaves Tarsus and again embarks. He swears
line 1802Never to wash his face nor cut his hairs.
30line 1803He puts on sackcloth, and to sea. He bears
line 1804A tempest which his mortal vessel tears,
line 1805And yet he rides it out. Now please you wit
line 1806The epitaph is for Marina writ
line 1807By wicked Dionyza:
35line 1808The fairest, sweetest, and best lies here,
line 1809Who withered in her spring of year.
line 1810She was of Tyrus, the King’s daughter,
line 1811On whom foul death hath made this slaughter.
line 1812Marina was she called, and at her birth,
40line 1813Thetis, being proud, swallowed some part o’ th’ earth.
line 1814Therefore the Earth, fearing to be o’erflowed,
line 1815Hath Thetis’ birth-child on the heavens bestowed.
line 1816Wherefore she does—and swears she’ll never stint—
line 1817Make raging battery upon shores of flint.
45line 1818No visor does become black villainy
line 1819So well as soft and tender flattery.
line 1820Let Pericles believe his daughter’s dead,
line 1821And bear his courses to be orderèd
line 1822By Lady Fortune, while our scene must play
50line 1823His daughter’s woe and heavy welladay
line 1824In her unholy service. Patience, then,
line 1825And think you now are all in Mytilene.He exits.
Act 4 Scene 6 - Pg 143
Scene 5
Enter two Gentlemen.
line 1826FIRST GENTLEMANDid you ever hear the like?
line 1827SECOND GENTLEMANNo, nor never shall do in such a
line 1828place as this, she being once gone.
line 1829FIRST GENTLEMANBut to have divinity preached there!
5line 1830Did you ever dream of such a thing?
line 1831SECOND GENTLEMANNo, no. Come, I am for no more
line 1832bawdy houses. Shall ’s go hear the vestals sing?
line 1833FIRST GENTLEMANI’ll do anything now that is virtuous,
line 1834but I am out of the road of rutting forever.
They exit.
Scene 6
Enter Bawd, Pander, and Bolt.
line 1835PANDERWell, I had rather than twice the worth of her
line 1836she had ne’er come here.
line 1837BAWDFie, fie upon her! She’s able to freeze the god
line 1838Priapus and undo a whole generation. We must
5line 1839either get her ravished or be rid of her. When she
line 1840should do for clients her fitment and do me the
line 1841kindness of our profession, she has me her quirks,
line 1842her reasons, her master reasons, her prayers, her
line 1843knees, that she would make a puritan of the devil if
10line 1844he should cheapen a kiss of her.
line 1845BOLTFaith, I must ravish her, or she’ll disfurnish us of
line 1846all our cavalleria, and make our swearers priests.
line 1847PANDERNow the pox upon her greensickness for me!
line 1848BAWDFaith, there’s no way to be rid on ’t but by the
15line 1849way to the pox.
Enter Lysimachus.
line 1850Here comes the Lord Lysimachus disguised.
Act 4 Scene 6 - Pg 145
line 1851BOLTWe should have both lord and lown, if the peevish
line 1852baggage would but give way to customers.
line 1853LYSIMACHUSremoving his disguise How now! How a
20line 1854dozen of virginities?
line 1855BAWDNow the gods to-bless your Honor!
line 1856BOLTI am glad to see your Honor in good health.
line 1857LYSIMACHUSYou may so. ’Tis the better for you that
line 1858your resorters stand upon sound legs. How now?
25line 1859Wholesome iniquity have you that a man may deal
line 1860withal and defy the surgeon?
line 1861BAWDWe have here one, sir, if she would—but there
line 1862never came her like in Mytilene.
line 1863LYSIMACHUSIf she’d do the deeds of darkness, thou
30line 1864wouldst say?
line 1865BAWDYour Honor knows what ’tis to say, well enough.
line 1866LYSIMACHUSWell, call forth, call forth.Pander exits.
line 1867BOLTFor flesh and blood, sir, white and red, you shall
line 1868see a rose; and she were a rose indeed, if she had
35line 1869but—
line 1870LYSIMACHUSWhat, prithee?
line 1871BOLTO, sir, I can be modest.
line 1872LYSIMACHUSThat dignifies the renown of a bawd no
line 1873less than it gives a good report to a number to be
40line 1874chaste.
Enter Pander with Marina.
line 1875BAWDHere comes that which grows to the stalk, never
line 1876plucked yet, I can assure you. Is she not a fair
line 1877creature?
line 1878LYSIMACHUSFaith, she would serve after a long voyage
45line 1879at sea. Well, there’s for you.He gives money.
line 1880Leave us.
line 1881BAWDI beseech your Honor, give me leave a word, and
line 1882I’ll have done presently.
line 1883LYSIMACHUSI beseech you, do.He moves aside.
50line 1884BAWDto Marina First, I would have you note this is
line 1885an honorable man.
Act 4 Scene 6 - Pg 147
line 1886MARINAI desire to find him so, that I may worthily
line 1887note him.
line 1888BAWDNext, he’s the governor of this country and a
55line 1889man whom I am bound to.
line 1890MARINAIf he govern the country, you are bound to him
line 1891indeed, but how honorable he is in that I know
line 1892not.
line 1893BAWDPray you, without any more virginal fencing,
60line 1894will you use him kindly? He will line your apron
line 1895with gold.
line 1896MARINAWhat he will do graciously, I will thankfully
line 1897receive.
line 1898LYSIMACHUScoming forward Ha’ you done?
65line 1899BAWDMy lord, she’s not paced yet. You must take some
line 1900pains to work her to your manage.—Come, we will
line 1901leave his Honor and her together. Go thy ways.
Bawd, Pander, and Bolt exit.
line 1902LYSIMACHUSNow, pretty one, how long have you been
line 1903at this trade?
70line 1904MARINAWhat trade, sir?
line 1905LYSIMACHUSWhy, I cannot name ’t but I shall offend.
line 1906MARINAI cannot be offended with my trade. Please
line 1907you to name it.
line 1908LYSIMACHUSHow long have you been of this profession?
75line 1909MARINAE’er since I can remember.
line 1910LYSIMACHUSDid you go to ’t so young? Were you a
line 1911gamester at five or at seven?
line 1912MARINAEarlier too, sir, if now I be one.
line 1913LYSIMACHUSWhy, the house you dwell in proclaims
80line 1914you to be a creature of sale.
line 1915MARINADo you know this house to be a place of such
line 1916resort, and will come into ’t? I hear say you’re of
line 1917honorable parts and are the governor of this place.
line 1918LYSIMACHUSWhy, hath your principal made known
85line 1919unto you who I am?
line 1920MARINAWho is my principal?
Act 4 Scene 6 - Pg 149
line 1921LYSIMACHUSWhy, your herbwoman, she that sets
line 1922seeds and roots of shame and iniquity. O, you have
line 1923heard something of my power, and so stand aloof
90line 1924for more serious wooing. But I protest to thee,
line 1925pretty one, my authority shall not see thee, or else
line 1926look friendly upon thee. Come, bring me to some
line 1927private place. Come, come.
MARINA
line 1928If you were born to honor, show it now;
95line 1929If put upon you, make the judgment good
line 1930That thought you worthy of it.
LYSIMACHUS
line 1931How’s this? How’s this? Some more. Be sage.
line 1932MARINAFor me
line 1933That am a maid, though most ungentle Fortune
100line 1934Have placed me in this sty, where, since I came,
line 1935Diseases have been sold dearer than physic—
line 1936That the gods
line 1937Would set me free from this unhallowed place,
line 1938Though they did change me to the meanest bird
105line 1939That flies i’ the purer air!
line 1940LYSIMACHUSI did not think
line 1941Thou couldst have spoke so well, ne’er dreamt thou
line 1942couldst.
line 1943Had I brought hither a corrupted mind,
110line 1944Thy speech had altered it. Hold, here’s gold for thee.
line 1945Persevere in that clear way thou goest
line 1946And the gods strengthen thee!He gives her money.
line 1947MARINAThe good gods preserve you.
line 1948LYSIMACHUSFor me, be you thoughten
115line 1949That I came with no ill intent, for to me
line 1950The very doors and windows savor vilely.
line 1951Fare thee well. Thou art a piece of virtue,
line 1952And I doubt not but thy training hath been noble.
line 1953Hold, here’s more gold for thee.He gives her money.
120line 1954A curse upon him, die he like a thief,
Act 4 Scene 6 - Pg 151
line 1955That robs thee of thy goodness! If thou dost
line 1956Hear from me, it shall be for thy good.
He begins to exit.
line 1957BOLTat the door I beseech your Honor, one piece
line 1958for me.
125line 1959LYSIMACHUSAvaunt, thou damnèd doorkeeper!
line 1960Your house, but for this virgin that doth prop it,
line 1961Would sink and overwhelm you. Away!He exits.
line 1962BOLTHow’s this? We must take another course with
line 1963you! If your peevish chastity, which is not worth a
130line 1964breakfast in the cheapest country under the cope,
line 1965shall undo a whole household, let me be gelded
line 1966like a spaniel. Come your ways.
line 1967MARINAWhither would you have me?
line 1968BOLTI must have your maidenhead taken off, or the
135line 1969common hangman shall execute it. Come your
line 1970way. We’ll have no more gentlemen driven away.
line 1971Come your ways, I say.
Enter Bawd and Pander.
line 1972BAWDHow now, what’s the matter?
line 1973BOLTWorse and worse, mistress. She has here spoken
140line 1974holy words to the Lord Lysimachus!
line 1975BAWDO, abominable!
line 1976BOLTHe makes our profession as it were to stink afore
line 1977the face of the gods.
line 1978BAWDMarry, hang her up forever.
145line 1979BOLTThe nobleman would have dealt with her like a
line 1980nobleman, and she sent him away as cold as a
line 1981snowball, saying his prayers too.
line 1982BAWDBolt, take her away, use her at thy pleasure,
line 1983crack the glass of her virginity, and make the rest
150line 1984malleable.
line 1985BOLTAn if she were a thornier piece of ground than
line 1986she is, she shall be plowed.
line 1987MARINAHark, hark, you gods!
Act 4 Scene 6 - Pg 153
line 1988BAWDShe conjures. Away with her! Would she had
155line 1989never come within my doors.—Marry, hang you!—
line 1990She’s born to undo us.—Will you not go the way of
line 1991womenkind? Marry come up, my dish of chastity
line 1992with rosemary and bays!Bawd and Pander exit.
line 1993BOLTCome, mistress, come your way with me.
160line 1994MARINAWhither wilt thou have me?
line 1995BOLTTo take from you the jewel you hold so dear.
line 1996MARINAPrithee, tell me one thing first.
line 1997BOLTCome, now, your one thing.
MARINA
line 1998What canst thou wish thine enemy to be?
165line 1999BOLTWhy, I could wish him to be my master, or
line 2000rather, my mistress.
MARINA
line 2001Neither of these are so bad as thou art,
line 2002Since they do better thee in their command.
line 2003Thou hold’st a place for which the pained’st fiend
170line 2004Of hell would not in reputation change.
line 2005Thou art the damnèd doorkeeper to every
line 2006Coistrel that comes enquiring for his Tib.
line 2007To the choleric fisting of every rogue
line 2008Thy ear is liable. Thy food is such
175line 2009As hath been belched on by infected lungs.
line 2010BOLTWhat would you have me do? Go to the wars,
line 2011would you, where a man may serve seven years for
line 2012the loss of a leg, and have not money enough in the
line 2013end to buy him a wooden one?
MARINA
180line 2014Do anything but this thou dost. Empty
line 2015Old receptacles, or common shores, of filth;
line 2016Serve by indenture to the common hangman.
line 2017Any of these ways are yet better than this.
line 2018For what thou professest, a baboon, could he speak,
185line 2019Would own a name too dear. That the gods
line 2020Would safely deliver me from this place!
Act 4 Scene 6 - Pg 155
line 2021Here, here’s gold for thee.She gives him money.
line 2022If that thy master would gain by me,
line 2023Proclaim that I can sing, weave, sew, and dance,
190line 2024With other virtues which I’ll keep from boast,
line 2025And will undertake all these to teach.
line 2026I doubt not but this populous city
line 2027Will yield many scholars.
line 2028BOLTBut can you teach all this you speak of?
MARINA
195line 2029Prove that I cannot, take me home again
line 2030And prostitute me to the basest groom
line 2031That doth frequent your house.
line 2032BOLTWell, I will see what I can do for thee. If I can
line 2033place thee, I will.
200line 2034MARINABut amongst honest women.
line 2035BOLTFaith, my acquaintance lies little amongst them.
line 2036But since my master and mistress hath bought
line 2037you, there’s no going but by their consent. Therefore
line 2038I will make them acquainted with your
205line 2039purpose, and I doubt not but I shall find them
line 2040tractable enough. Come, I’ll do for thee what I can.
line 2041Come your ways.
They exit.
ACT 5
Enter Gower.
GOWER
line 2042Marina thus the brothel ’scapes, and chances
line 2043Into an honest house, our story says.
line 2044She sings like one immortal, and she dances
line 2045As goddesslike to her admirèd lays.
5line 2046Deep clerks she dumbs, and with her neele composes
line 2047Nature’s own shape, of bud, bird, branch, or berry,
line 2048That even her art sisters the natural roses.
line 2049Her inkle, silk, twin with the rubied cherry,
line 2050That pupils lacks she none of noble race,
10line 2051Who pour their bounty on her, and her gain
line 2052She gives the cursèd bawd. Here we her place,
line 2053And to her father turn our thoughts again,
line 2054Where we left him, on the sea. We there him lost,
line 2055Where, driven before the winds, he is arrived
15line 2056Here where his daughter dwells; and on this coast
line 2057Suppose him now at anchor. The city strived
line 2058God Neptune’s annual feast to keep, from whence
line 2059Lysimachus our Tyrian ship espies,
line 2060His banners sable, trimmed with rich expense,
20line 2061And to him in his barge with fervor hies.
line 2062In your supposing once more put your sight
line 2063Of heavy Pericles. Think this his bark,
line 2064Where what is done in action—more, if might—
line 2065Shall be discovered. Please you sit and hark.
He exits.
Act 5 Scene 1 - Pg 161
Scene 1
Enter Helicanus, to him two Sailors, one from the Tyrian ship and one from Mytilene.
TYRIAN SAILORto Sailor from Mytilene
line 2066Where is Lord Helicanus? He can resolve you.
line 2067O, here he is.—
line 2068Sir, there is a barge put off from Mytilene,
line 2069And in it is Lysimachus, the Governor,
5line 2070Who craves to come aboard. What is your will?
HELICANUS
line 2071That he have his.Sailor from Mytilene exits.
line 2072Call up some gentlemen.
line 2073TYRIAN SAILORHo, gentlemen, my lord calls.
Enter two or three Gentlemen.
GENTLEMAN
line 2074Doth your Lordship call?
10line 2075HELICANUSGentlemen,
line 2076There is some of worth would come aboard.
line 2077I pray, greet him fairly.
Enter Lysimachus, with Lords and Sailor from Mytilene.
line 2078SAILOR FROM MYTILENEto Lysimachus Sir,
line 2079This is the man that can, in aught you would,
15line 2080Resolve you.
LYSIMACHUSto Helicanus
line 2081Hail, reverend sir. The gods preserve you.
line 2082HELICANUSAnd you, to outlive the age I am,
line 2083And die as I would do.
line 2084LYSIMACHUSYou wish me well.
20line 2085Being on shore, honoring of Neptune’s triumphs,
line 2086Seeing this goodly vessel ride before us,
line 2087I made to it to know of whence you are.
line 2088HELICANUSFirst, what is your place?
LYSIMACHUS
line 2089I am the governor of this place you lie before.
Act 5 Scene 1 - Pg 163
25line 2090HELICANUSSir,
line 2091Our vessel is of Tyre, in it the King,
line 2092A man who for this three months hath not spoken
line 2093To anyone, nor taken sustenance
line 2094But to prorogue his grief.
LYSIMACHUS
30line 2095Upon what ground is his distemperature?
line 2096HELICANUS’Twould be too tedious to repeat,
line 2097But the main grief springs from the loss
line 2098Of a belovèd daughter and a wife.
line 2099LYSIMACHUSMay we not see him?
35line 2100HELICANUSYou may,
line 2101But bootless is your sight. He will not speak
line 2102To any.
line 2103LYSIMACHUSYet let me obtain my wish.
HELICANUS
line 2104Behold him. Pericles is revealed. This was a goodly
40line 2105person,
line 2106Till the disaster that one mortal night
line 2107Drove him to this.
LYSIMACHUS
line 2108Sir king, all hail! The gods preserve you. Hail,
line 2109Royal sir!
HELICANUS
45line 2110It is in vain; he will not speak to you.
LORD
line 2111Sir, we have a maid in Mytilene,
line 2112I durst wager would win some words of him.
line 2113LYSIMACHUS’Tis well bethought.
line 2114She, questionless, with her sweet harmony
50line 2115And other chosen attractions, would allure
line 2116And make a batt’ry through his defended ports,
line 2117Which now are midway stopped.
line 2118She is all happy as the fairest of all,
line 2119And, with her fellow maid, is now upon
55line 2120The leafy shelter that abuts against
line 2121The island’s side.
Act 5 Scene 1 - Pg 165
HELICANUS
line 2122Sure, all effectless; yet nothing we’ll omit
line 2123That bears recovery’s name.
Lysimachus signals to a Lord, who exits.
line 2124But since your kindness
60line 2125We have stretched thus far, let us beseech you
line 2126That for our gold we may provision have,
line 2127Wherein we are not destitute for want,
line 2128But weary for the staleness.
line 2129LYSIMACHUSO, sir, a courtesy
65line 2130Which, if we should deny, the most just God
line 2131For every graft would send a caterpillar,
line 2132And so inflict our province. Yet once more
line 2133Let me entreat to know at large the cause
line 2134Of your king’s sorrow.
HELICANUS
70line 2135Sit, sir, I will recount it to you. But see,
line 2136I am prevented.
Enter Lord with Marina and her companion.
line 2137LYSIMACHUSO, here’s the lady that I sent for.—
line 2138Welcome, fair one.—Is ’t not a goodly presence?
line 2139HELICANUSShe’s a gallant lady.
LYSIMACHUS
75line 2140She’s such a one that, were I well assured
line 2141Came of a gentle kind and noble stock,
line 2142I’d wish no better choice, and think me rarely wed.—
line 2143Fair one, all goodness that consists in beauty:
line 2144Expect even here, where is a kingly patient,
80line 2145If that thy prosperous and artificial feat
line 2146Can draw him but to answer thee in aught,
line 2147Thy sacred physic shall receive such pay
line 2148As thy desires can wish.
line 2149MARINASir, I will use
85line 2150My utmost skill in his recovery, provided
line 2151That none but I and my companion maid
line 2152Be suffered to come near him.
Act 5 Scene 1 - Pg 167
line 2153LYSIMACHUSCome, let us
line 2154Leave her, and the gods make her prosperous.
Lysimachus, Helicanus and others move aside.
MARINAsings
The Song.
LYSIMACHUScoming forward
90line 2155Marked he your music?
line 2156MARINANo, nor looked on us.
LYSIMACHUSmoving aside
line 2157See, she will speak to him.
line 2158MARINAto Pericles Hail, sir! My lord, lend ear.
line 2159PERICLESHum, ha!He pushes her away.
95line 2160MARINAI am a maid, my lord,
line 2161That ne’er before invited eyes, but have
line 2162Been gazed on like a comet. She speaks,
line 2163My lord, that may be hath endured a grief
line 2164Might equal yours, if both were justly weighed.
100line 2165Though wayward Fortune did malign my state,
line 2166My derivation was from ancestors
line 2167Who stood equivalent with mighty kings.
line 2168But time hath rooted out my parentage,
line 2169And to the world and awkward casualties
105line 2170Bound me in servitude. Aside. I will desist,
line 2171But there is something glows upon my cheek,
line 2172And whispers in mine ear “Go not till he speak.”
PERICLES
line 2173My fortunes—parentage—good parentage,
line 2174To equal mine! Was it not thus? What say you?
MARINA
110line 2175I said, my lord, if you did know my parentage,
line 2176You would not do me violence.
line 2177PERICLESI do think so.
line 2178Pray you turn your eyes upon me.
line 2179You’re like something that—What
115line 2180countrywoman?
line 2181Here of these shores?
Act 5 Scene 1 - Pg 169
line 2182MARINANo, nor of any shores.
line 2183Yet I was mortally brought forth, and am
line 2184No other than I appear.
PERICLES
120line 2185I am great with woe, and shall deliver weeping.
line 2186My dearest wife was like this maid, and such
line 2187A one my daughter might have been: my queen’s
line 2188Square brows, her stature to an inch;
line 2189As wandlike straight, as silver-voiced; her eyes
125line 2190As jewel-like, and cased as richly; in pace
line 2191Another Juno; who starves the ears she feeds
line 2192And makes them hungry the more she gives them
line 2193speech.—
line 2194Where do you live?
130line 2195MARINAWhere I am but a stranger.
line 2196From the deck you may discern the place.
PERICLES
line 2197Where were you bred? And how achieved you these
line 2198Endowments which you make more rich to owe?
MARINA
line 2199If I should tell my history, it would seem
135line 2200Like lies disdained in the reporting.
line 2201PERICLESPrithee, speak.
line 2202Falseness cannot come from thee, for thou lookest
line 2203Modest as Justice, and thou seemest a palace
line 2204For the crownèd Truth to dwell in. I will believe thee
140line 2205And make my senses credit thy relation
line 2206To points that seem impossible, for thou lookest
line 2207Like one I loved indeed. What were thy friends?
line 2208Didst thou not say, when I did push thee back—
line 2209Which was when I perceived thee—that thou cam’st
145line 2210From good descending?
line 2211MARINASo indeed I did.
PERICLES
line 2212Report thy parentage. I think thou said’st
line 2213Thou hadst been tossed from wrong to injury,
Act 5 Scene 1 - Pg 171
line 2214And that thou thought’st thy griefs might equal mine,
150line 2215If both were opened.
line 2216MARINASome such thing I said,
line 2217And said no more but what my thoughts
line 2218Did warrant me was likely.
line 2219PERICLESTell thy story.
155line 2220If thine considered prove the thousand part
line 2221Of my endurance, thou art a man, and I
line 2222Have suffered like a girl. Yet thou dost look
line 2223Like Patience gazing on kings’ graves and smiling
line 2224Extremity out of act. What were thy friends?
160line 2225How lost thou them? Thy name, my most kind
line 2226virgin,
line 2227Recount, I do beseech thee. Come, sit by me.
She sits.
MARINA
line 2228My name is Marina.
line 2229PERICLESO, I am mocked,
165line 2230And thou by some incensèd god sent hither
line 2231To make the world to laugh at me!
line 2232MARINAPatience, good sir,
line 2233Or here I’ll cease.
line 2234PERICLESNay, I’ll be patient.
170line 2235Thou little know’st how thou dost startle me
line 2236To call thyself Marina.
line 2237MARINAThe name
line 2238Was given me by one that had some power—
line 2239My father, and a king.
175line 2240PERICLESHow, a king’s daughter?
line 2241And called Marina?
line 2242MARINAYou said you would believe me.
line 2243But not to be a troubler of your peace,
line 2244I will end here.
180line 2245PERICLESBut are you flesh and blood?
line 2246Have you a working pulse, and are no fairy
line 2247Motion? Well, speak on. Where were you born?
line 2248And wherefore called Marina?
Act 5 Scene 1 - Pg 173
line 2249MARINACalled Marina
185line 2250For I was born at sea.
line 2251PERICLESAt sea? What mother?
MARINA
line 2252My mother was the daughter of a king,
line 2253Who died the minute I was born,
line 2254As my good nurse Lychorida hath oft
190line 2255Delivered weeping.
line 2256PERICLESO, stop there a little!
line 2257Aside. This is the rarest dream that e’er dull sleep
line 2258Did mock sad fools withal. This cannot be
line 2259My daughter, buried.—Well, where were you bred?
195line 2260I’ll hear you more, to the bottom of your story,
line 2261And never interrupt you.
MARINA
line 2262You scorn. Believe me, ’twere best I did give o’er.
PERICLES
line 2263I will believe you by the syllable
line 2264Of what you shall deliver. Yet give me leave:
200line 2265How came you in these parts? Where were you bred?
MARINA
line 2266The King my father did in Tarsus leave me,
line 2267Till cruel Cleon with his wicked wife
line 2268Did seek to murder me; and having wooed a villain
line 2269To attempt it, who, having drawn to do ’t,
205line 2270A crew of pirates came and rescued me,
line 2271Brought me to Mytilene—But, good sir,
line 2272Whither will you have me? Why do you weep?
line 2273It may be you think me an impostor.
line 2274No, good faith.
210line 2275I am the daughter to King Pericles,
line 2276If good King Pericles be.
line 2277PERICLESHo, Helicanus!
line 2278HELICANUSCalls my lord?
PERICLES
line 2279Thou art a grave and noble counselor,
Act 5 Scene 1 - Pg 175
215line 2280Most wise in general. Tell me, if thou canst,
line 2281What this maid is, or what is like to be,
line 2282That thus hath made me weep.
line 2283HELICANUSI know not;
line 2284But here’s the regent, sir, of Mytilene
220line 2285Speaks nobly of her.
line 2286LYSIMACHUSShe never would tell
line 2287Her parentage. Being demanded that,
line 2288She would sit still and weep.
PERICLES
line 2289O, Helicanus! Strike me, honored sir.
225line 2290Give me a gash, put me to present pain,
line 2291Lest this great sea of joys rushing upon me
line 2292O’erbear the shores of my mortality
line 2293And drown me with their sweetness.—O, come hither,
line 2294Thou that beget’st him that did thee beget,
230line 2295Thou that wast born at sea, buried at Tarsus,
line 2296And found at sea again!—O, Helicanus,
line 2297Down on thy knees! Thank the holy gods as loud
line 2298As thunder threatens us. This is Marina.—
line 2299What was thy mother’s name? Tell me but that,
235line 2300For truth can never be confirmed enough,
line 2301Though doubts did ever sleep.
MARINA
line 2302First, sir, I pray, what is your title?
PERICLES
line 2303I am Pericles of Tyre. But tell me now
line 2304My drowned queen’s name, as in the rest you said
240line 2305Thou hast been godlike perfect, the heir of kingdoms,
line 2306And another life to Pericles thy father.
MARINA
line 2307Is it no more to be your daughter than
line 2308To say my mother’s name was Thaisa?
line 2309Thaisa was my mother, who did end
245line 2310The minute I began.
Act 5 Scene 1 - Pg 177
PERICLES
line 2311Now, blessing on thee! Rise. Thou ’rt my child.—
line 2312Give me fresh garments.—Mine own Helicanus,
line 2313She is not dead at Tarsus, as she should
line 2314Have been, by savage Cleon. She shall tell thee all,
250line 2315When thou shalt kneel, and justify in knowledge
line 2316She is thy very princess. Who is this?
HELICANUS
line 2317Sir, ’tis the Governor of Mytilene,
line 2318Who, hearing of your melancholy state,
line 2319Did come to see you.
255line 2320PERICLESto Lysimachus I embrace you.—
line 2321Give me my robes.—I am wild in my beholding.
They put fresh garments on him.
line 2322O heavens bless my girl! But hark, what music?
line 2323Tell Helicanus, my Marina, tell him o’er
line 2324Point by point, for yet he seems to doubt,
260line 2325How sure you are my daughter.—But what music?
line 2326HELICANUSMy lord, I hear none.
line 2327PERICLESNone?
line 2328The music of the spheres!—List, my Marina.
LYSIMACHUS
line 2329It is not good to cross him. Give him way.
265line 2330PERICLESRarest sounds! Do you not hear?
LYSIMACHUS
line 2331Music, my lord? I hear—
line 2332PERICLESMost heavenly music.
line 2333It nips me unto list’ning, and thick slumber
line 2334Hangs upon mine eyes. Let me rest.He sleeps.
LYSIMACHUS
270line 2335A pillow for his head. So, leave him all.
Lysimachus and others begin to exit.
line 2336Well, my companion friends, if this but answer
line 2337To my just belief, I’ll well remember you.
All but Pericles exit.
Act 5 Scene 1 - Pg 179
Diana descends.
DIANA
line 2338My temple stands in Ephesus. Hie thee thither
line 2339And do upon mine altar sacrifice.
275line 2340There, when my maiden priests are met together,
line 2341Before the people all,
line 2342Reveal how thou at sea didst lose thy wife.
line 2343To mourn thy crosses, with thy daughter’s, call,
line 2344And give them repetition to the life.
280line 2345Or perform my bidding, or thou livest in woe;
line 2346Do ’t, and happy, by my silver bow.
line 2347Awake, and tell thy dream.She ascends.
line 2348PERICLESCelestial Dian,
line 2349Goddess argentine, I will obey thee.—
285line 2350Helicanus!
Enter Helicanus, Lysimachus, Marina, and Attendants.
line 2351HELICANUSSir.
PERICLES
line 2352My purpose was for Tarsus, there to strike
line 2353The inhospitable Cleon, but I am
line 2354For other service first. Toward Ephesus
290line 2355Turn our blown sails. Eftsoons I’ll tell thee why.—
line 2356Shall we refresh us, sir, upon your shore,
line 2357And give you gold for such provision
line 2358As our intents will need?
line 2359LYSIMACHUSSir,
295line 2360With all my heart. And when you come ashore,
line 2361I have another suit.
line 2362PERICLESYou shall prevail
line 2363Were it to woo my daughter, for it seems
line 2364You have been noble towards her.
LYSIMACHUS
300line 2365Sir, lend me your arm.
line 2366PERICLESCome, my Marina.
They exit.
Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 181
Scene 2
Enter Gower.
GOWER
line 2367Now our sands are almost run,
line 2368More a little, and then dumb.
line 2369This my last boon give me—
line 2370For such kindness must relieve me—
5line 2371That you aptly will suppose
line 2372What pageantry, what feats, what shows,
line 2373What minstrelsy and pretty din
line 2374The regent made in Mytilene
line 2375To greet the King. So he thrived
10line 2376That he is promised to be wived
line 2377To fair Marina, but in no wise
line 2378Till he had done his sacrifice
line 2379As Dian bade, whereto being bound,
line 2380The interim, pray you, all confound.
15line 2381In feathered briefness sails are filled,
line 2382And wishes fall out as they’re willed.
line 2383At Ephesus the temple see
line 2384Our king and all his company.
line 2385That he can hither come so soon
20line 2386Is by your fancies’ thankful doom.
He exits.
Scene 3
Enter Cerimon and Diana’s Priestesses, including Thaisa; at another door enter Pericles, Marina, Helicanus, Lysimachus, and Attendants.
PERICLES
line 2387Hail, Dian! To perform thy just command,
line 2388I here confess myself the King of Tyre,
line 2389Who, frighted from my country, did wed
Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 183
line 2390At Pentapolis the fair Thaisa.
5line 2391At sea in childbed died she, but brought forth
line 2392A maid child called Marina, whom, O goddess,
line 2393Wears yet thy silver livery. She at Tarsus
line 2394Was nursed with Cleon, who at fourteen years
line 2395He sought to murder. But her better stars
10line 2396Brought her to Mytilene, ’gainst whose shore riding,
line 2397Her fortunes brought the maid aboard us, where,
line 2398By her own most clear remembrance, she made known
line 2399Herself my daughter.
line 2400THAISAVoice and favor!
15line 2401You are, you are—O royal Pericles!
She falls in a faint.
PERICLES
line 2402What means the nun? She dies! Help, gentlemen!
line 2403CERIMONNoble sir,
line 2404If you have told Diana’s altar true,
line 2405This is your wife.
20line 2406PERICLESReverend appearer, no.
line 2407I threw her overboard with these very arms.
CERIMON
line 2408Upon this coast, I warrant you.
line 2409PERICLES’Tis most certain.
CERIMON
line 2410Look to the lady. O, she’s but overjoyed.
25line 2411Early one blustering morn this lady was
line 2412Thrown upon this shore. I oped the coffin,
line 2413Found there rich jewels, recovered her, and placed her
line 2414Here in Diana’s temple.
line 2415PERICLESMay we see them?
CERIMON
30line 2416Great sir, they shall be brought you to my house,
line 2417Whither I invite you. Look, Thaisa
line 2418Is recoverèd.Thaisa rises.
line 2419THAISAO, let me look!
line 2420If he be none of mine, my sanctity
Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 185
35line 2421Will to my sense bend no licentious ear,
line 2422But curb it, spite of seeing.—O, my lord,
line 2423Are you not Pericles? Like him you spake,
line 2424Like him you are. Did you not name a tempest,
line 2425A birth and death?
40line 2426PERICLESThe voice of dead Thaisa!
THAISA
line 2427That Thaisa am I, supposèd dead
line 2428And drowned.
PERICLES
line 2429Immortal Dian!
line 2430THAISANow I know you better.
She points to the ring on his hand.
45line 2431When we with tears parted Pentapolis,
line 2432The king my father gave you such a ring.
PERICLES
line 2433This, this! No more, you gods! Your present kindness
line 2434Makes my past miseries sports. You shall do well
line 2435That on the touching of her lips I may
50line 2436Melt and no more be seen.—O, come, be buried
line 2437A second time within these arms!They embrace.
line 2438MARINAkneeling My heart
line 2439Leaps to be gone into my mother’s bosom.
PERICLES
line 2440Look who kneels here, flesh of thy flesh, Thaisa,
55line 2441Thy burden at the sea, and called Marina
line 2442For she was yielded there.
line 2443THAISAembracing Marina Blessed, and mine own!
HELICANUS
line 2444Hail, madam, and my queen.
line 2445THAISAI know you not.
PERICLES
60line 2446You have heard me say, when I did fly from Tyre
line 2447I left behind an ancient substitute.
line 2448Can you remember what I called the man?
line 2449I have named him oft.
line 2450THAISA’Twas Helicanus then.
Act 5 Scene 3 - Pg 187
65line 2451PERICLESStill confirmation!
line 2452Embrace him, dear Thaisa. This is he.
They embrace.
line 2453Now do I long to hear how you were found,
line 2454How possibly preserved, and who to thank,
line 2455Besides the gods, for this great miracle.
70line 2456THAISALord Cerimon, my lord, this man
line 2457Through whom the gods have shown their power,
line 2458that can
line 2459From first to last resolve you.
line 2460PERICLESReverend sir,
75line 2461The gods can have no mortal officer
line 2462More like a god than you. Will you deliver
line 2463How this dead queen relives?
line 2464CERIMONI will, my lord.
line 2465Beseech you, first go with me to my house,
80line 2466Where shall be shown you all was found with her,
line 2467How she came placed here in the temple,
line 2468No needful thing omitted.
PERICLES
line 2469Pure Dian, I bless thee for thy vision, and
line 2470Will offer night oblations to thee.—Thaisa,
85line 2471This prince, the fair betrothèd of your daughter,
line 2472Shall marry her at Pentapolis.—And now this
line 2473ornament
line 2474Makes me look dismal will I clip to form,
line 2475And what this fourteen years no razor touched,
90line 2476To grace thy marriage day I’ll beautify.
THAISA
line 2477Lord Cerimon hath letters of good credit, sir,
line 2478My father’s dead.
PERICLES
line 2479Heavens make a star of him! Yet there, my queen,
line 2480We’ll celebrate their nuptials, and ourselves
95line 2481Will in that kingdom spend our following days.
line 2482Our son and daughter shall in Tyrus reign.—
Page 189 - Pericles, Prince of Tyre - EPILOGUE
line 2483Lord Cerimon, we do our longing stay
line 2484To hear the rest untold. Sir, lead ’s the way.
They exit.
EPILOGUE
Enter Gower.
GOWER
line 2485In Antiochus and his daughter you have heard
line 2486Of monstrous lust the due and just reward.
line 2487In Pericles, his queen, and daughter seen,
line 2488Although assailed with fortune fierce and keen,
5line 2489Virtue preserved from fell destruction’s blast,
line 2490Led on by heaven, and crowned with joy at last.
line 2491In Helicanus may you well descry
line 2492A figure of truth, of faith, of loyalty.
line 2493In reverend Cerimon there well appears
10line 2494The worth that learnèd charity aye wears.
line 2495For wicked Cleon and his wife, when fame
line 2496Had spread his cursèd deed to the honored name
line 2497Of Pericles, to rage the city turn,
line 2498That him and his they in his palace burn.
15line 2499The gods for murder seemèd so content
line 2500To punish, although not done, but meant.
line 2501So on your patience evermore attending,
line 2502New joy wait on you. Here our play has ending.
He exits.
