Which tells me, in that glory once he was;
Had princes sit, like stars, about his throne,
And he the sun, for them to reverence.
None that beheld him, but, like lesser lights,
Did vail' their crowns to his supremacy;
Where now his son's a glow-worm in the night,
The which hath fire in darkness, none in light;
Whereby I see that time's the king of men,
For he's their parent, and he is their grave,
And gives them what he will, not what they crave.
Sim. What, are you merry, knights?

1 Knight. Who can be other, in this royal presence?

Sim. Here, with a cup that's stor'd unto the brim (As you do love, fill to your mistress' lips,) We drink this health to you.

Knights.

Sim. Yet pause a while;

We thank your grace.

Yon knight, methinks, doth sit too melancholy, As if the entertainment in our court

Had not a show might countervail his worth. Note it not you, Thaisa?

Thai.

To me, my father?

What is it

Sim.
O, attend, my daughter;
Princes, in this, should live like gods above,
Who freely give to every one that comes
To honour them: and princes, not doing so,
Are like to gnats, which make a sound, but kill'd
Are wonder'd at.

Therefore to make's entrance more sweet, here say,
We drink this standing bowl of wine to him.
Thai. Alas, my father, it befits not me,
Unto a stranger knight to be so bold;
He may my proffer take for an offence,
Since men take women's gifts for impudence.
Sim. How!

Do as I bid you, or you'll move me else.

Thai. Now, by the gods, he could not please me better. [Aside. Sim. And further tell him, we desire to know, Of whence he is, his name and parentage.

Thai. The king, my father, sir, has drunk to you. Per. I thank him.

Thai. Wishing it so much blood unto your life. Per. I thank both him and you, and pledge him freely.

Thai. And further he desires to know of you,
Of whence you are, your name and parentage.
Per. A gentleman of Tyre-(my name, Pericles;
My education being in arts and arms ;)—
Who, looking for adventures in the world,
Was by the rough seas reft of ships and men,
And, after shipwreck, driven upon this shore.
Thai. He thanks your grace; names himself
Pericles,

A gentleman of Tyre, who only by
Misfortune of the seas has been bereft
Of ships and men, and cast upon this shore.

Sim. Now by the gods, I pity his misfortune,
And will awake him from his melancholy.
Come, gentlemen, we sit too long on trifles,
And waste the time, which looks for other revels.
Even in your armours, as you are address'd,'
Will very well become a soldier's dance.

will not have excuse, with saving, this Loud music is too harsh for ladies' heads; Since they love men in arms, as well as beds. [The Knights dance. So, this was well ask'd, 'twas so well perform'd. Come, sir;

Hel. No, no, my Escanes; know this of me,Antiochus from incest liv'd not free;

For which, the most high gods not minding longer To withhold the vengeance that they had in store, Due to this heinous capital offence,

Even in the height and pride of all his glory,
When he was seated, and his daughter with him,
In a chariot of inestimable value,

A fire from heaven came, and shrivell'd up
Their bodies, even to loathing; for they so stunk,
That all those eyes ador'd them, ere their fall,
Scorn now their hand should give them burial.
Esca. 'Twas very strange.
Hel.

And yet but just; for though
This king were great, his greatness was no guard
To bar heaven's shaft, but sin had his reward.
Esca. 'Tis very true.

1 Lord. Know that our griefs are risen to the top, And now at length they overflow their banks.

Hel. Your griefs, for what? wrong not the prince you love.

1 Lord. Wrong not yourself then, noble Helicane ; But if the prince do live, let us salute him,

Or know what ground's made happy by his breath.
If in the world he live, we'll seek him out;
If in his grave he rest, we'll find him there;
And be resolv'd," he lives to govern us,
Or dead, gives cause to mourn his funeral,
And leaves us to our free election.

2 Lord. Whose death's, indeed, the strongest in our censure:"

And knowing this kingdom, if without a head (Like goodly buildings left without a roof,)

Will soon to ruin fall, your noble self,

That best know'st how to rule, and how to reign, We thus submit unto,-our sovereign.

All. Live, noble Helicane!

Hel. Try honour's cause, forbear your suffrages: If that you love prince Pericles, forbear. Take I your wish, I leap into the seas,

(4) Which adored them. (5) Satisfied. (6) Judgment, opinion.

Where's hourly trouble for a minute's case.
A twelvemonth longer, let me then entreat you
To forbear choice i'the absence of your king;
If in which time expir'd, he not return,
I shall with aged patience bear your yoke.
But if I cannot win you to this love;

Go search like noblemen, like noble subjects,
And in your search spend your adventurous worth;
Whom if you find, and win unto return,
You shall like diamonds sit about his crown.

1 Lord. To wisdom he's a fool that will not yield; And, since lord Helicane enjoineth us, We with our travels will endeavour it.

Hel. Then you love us, we you, and we'll clasp hands;

When peers thus knit, a kingdom ever stands.

[Exeunt. SCENE V-Pentapolis. A room in the palace. Enter Simonides, reading a letter, the Knights! meet him.

1 Knight. Good morrow to the good Simonides. Sim. Knights, from my daughter this I let you know,

That for this twelvemonth, she'll not undertake
A married life.

Her reason to herself is only known,
Which from herself by no means can I get.

2 Knight. May we not get access to her, my lord? Stm. Faith, by no means; she hath so strictly

tied her

letter:

She tells me here, she'll wed the stranger knight,
Or never more to view nor day nor light.
Mistress, 'tis well, your choice agrees with mine;
I like that well:-nay, how absolute she's in't,
Not minding whether I dislike or no!
Well, I commend her choice;

And will no longer have it be delay'd.
Soft, here he comes:-I must dissemble it.
Enter Pericles.

Per. All fortune to the good Simonides!
Sim. To you as much, sir! I am beholden to you,
For your sweet music this last night: my cars,
I do protest, were never better fed
With such delightful pleasing harmony.

Per. It is your grace's pleasure to commend ;
Not my desert.

Sim.
Per. The worst of all her scholars, my good lord.
Sim. Let me ask one thing. What do you think,
sir, of

Sir, you are music's master.

My daughter? Per.

As of a most virtuous princess. Sim. And she is fair too, is she not? Per. As a fair day in summer; wond'rous fair. Sim. My daughter, sir, thinks very well of you; Ay, so well, sir, that you must be her master, And she'll your scholar be; therefore, look to it. Per. Unworthy I to be her schoolmaster.

Sim. She thinks not so; peruse this writing else. Per. What's here!

A letter, that she loves the knight of Tyre?

(1) Quenched:

Per. Sim.

Traitor!

Ay, traitor, sir. Per. Even in his throat (unless it be the king,) That calls me traitor, I return the lie.

Sim. Now, by the gods, I do applaud his courage. [Aside. Per. My actions are as noble as my thoughts, That never relish'd of a base descent.

I came unto your court, for honour's cause,
And not to be a rebel to her state;
And he that otherwise accounts of me,
This sword shall prove he's honour's enemy.
Sim. No!-

Here comes my daughter, she can witness it.
Enter Thaisa.

Resolve your angry father, if my tongue
Per. Then, as you are as virtuous as fair,
Did e'er solicit, or my hand subscribe
To any syllable that made love to you?
Thai. Why, sir, say if you had,

Who takes offence at that would make me glad?
Sim. Yea, mistress, are you so peremptory ?-
I am glad of it with all my heart. [Aside.] I'll tame
you;
Will you, not having my consent, bestow
I'll bring you in subjection.-
Your love and your affections on a stranger?
(Who, for aught I know to the contrary,
Hear, therefore, mistress: frame your will to mine,-
Or think, may be as great in blood as I) [Aside.
Aud you, sir, hear you.-Either be rul'd by me,
Or I will make you-man and wife.-

Nay, come; your hands and lips must seal it too.-
And being join'd, I'll thus your hopes destroy;-
And for a further grief,-God give you joy!
What, are you both pleas'd?

Thai.
Yes, if you love me, sir.
Per. Even as my life, my blood that fosters it.
Sim. What, are you both agreed?
Both.
Yes, 'please your majesty.
Sim. It pleaseth me so well, I'll see you wed;
Then, with what haste you can, get you to bed.

ACT III.

Enter Gower.

[Exeunt.

Gow. Now sleep yslaked' hath the rout; No din but snores, the house about, Made louder by the o'er-fed breast Of this most pompous marriage-feast. The cat, with evne of burning coal, Now couches 'fore the inouse's hole; And crickets sing at the oven's mouth, As the blither for their drouth. Hymen hath brought the bride to bed, Where, by the loss of maidenhead, A babe is moulded ;-Be attent,

Must cast thee, scarcely coffin'd, in the ooze;
Where, for a monument upon thy bones,
And aye-remaining' lamps, the belching whale,
And humming water must o'erwhelm thy corpse,
Lying with simple shells. Lychorida,
Bid Nestor bring me spices, ink, and paper;
My casket, and my jewels; and bid Nicander
Bring me the satin coffer: lay the babe
Upon the pillow; hie thee, whiles I say
A priestly farewell to her: suddenly, woman.
[Exit Lychorida.

2 Sail. Sir, we have a chest beneath the hatches, caulk'd and bitum'd ready.

Per. I thank thee. Mariner, say, what coast is this?

2 Sail. We are near Tharsus.

Per. Thither, gentle mariner,

But immortality attends the former,
Making a man a god. 'Tis known, I ever
Have studied physic, through which secret art,
By turning o'er authorities, I have

(Together with my practice,) made familiar
To me and to my aid, the blest infusions
That dwell in vegetives, in metals, stones;
And I can speak of the disturbances

That nature works, and of her cures; which gives

me

A more content in course of true delight
Than to be thirsty after tottering honour,
Or tie my treasure up in silken bags,
To please the fool and death.

2 Gent. Your honour has through Ephesus pour'd forth

Your charity, and hundreds call themselves

2 Sail. By break of day, if the wind cease.

Per. O make for Tharsus.

There will I visit Cleon, for the babe
Cannot hold out to Tyrus; there I'll leave it
At careful nursing. Go thy ways, good mariner;
I'll bring the body presently.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II.-Ephesus. A room in Cerimon's house. Enter Cerimon, a Servant, and some Persons who have been shipwrecked.

Cer. Philemon, ho!

Enter Philemon.

Phil. Doth my lord call?

Cer. Get fire and meat for these poor men;

It has been a turbulent and stormy night.

And not your knowledge, personal pain, but even
Your purse, still open hath built lord Cerimon,
Such strong renown as time shall never——
Enter two Servants with a chest.
Serv. So; lift there.
Cer.

Serv.

What is that? Did the sea toss upon our shore this chest ; Sir, even now 'Tis of some wreck. Cer.

Whate'er it be,

Set 't down, let's look on it. 2 Gent. 'Tis like a coffin, sir. Cer. 'Tis wondrous heavy. Wrench it open straight; If the sea's stomach be o'ercharg'd with gold, It is a good constraint of fortune, that

2 Gent.

'Tis so, my lord.
Cer. How close 'tis caulk'd and bitum'd!-
Did the sea cast it up?

Serv. I never saw so huge a billow, sir,
As toss'd it upon shore.
Cer.

Come, wrench it open; Soft, soft!-it smells most sweetly in my sense. 2 Gent. A delicate odour.

Cer. As ever hit my nostril; so,-up with it. O you most potent god! what's here? a corse? i Gent. Most strange!

Cer. Shrouded in cloth of state; balm'd and en

treasur'd

With bags of spices full! A passport too! Apollo, perfect me i'the characters!

Here I give to understand,

[Unfolds a scroll.

[Reads.

(If e'er this coffin drive a-land,)
Iking Pericles, have lost

This queen, worth all our mundane" cost.
Who finds her, give her burying,
She was the daughter of a king:
Besides this treasure for a fee,
The gods requite his charity!

If thou liv'st, Pericles, thou hast a heart
That even cracks for wo!-This chanc'd to-night.
2 Gent. Most likely, sir.
Cer.
Nay, certainly to-night;
For look, how fresh she looks!-They were too

The overpressed spirits. I have heard
Of an Egyptian, had nine hours lien dead,
By good appliance was recovered.

Enter a Servant, with boxes, napkins, and fire.
Well said, well said; the fire and the cloths.-
The rough and woful music that we have,
Cause it to sound, 'beseech you.

The vial once more;-How thou stirr'st, thou block!

The music there.—I pray you, give her air :-
Gentlemen,

This queen will live: nature awakes; a warmth
Breathes out of her; she hath not been entranc'd
Above five hours. See, how she 'gins to blow
Into life's flower again!
The heavens, sir,
Through you, increase our wonder, and set up
Your fame for ever.

1 Gent.

Cer.
She is alive; behold,
Her eyelids, cases to those heavenly jewels
Which Pericles hath lost,

Begin to part their fringes of bright gold;
The diamonds of a most praised water
Appear, to make the world twice rich. O live,
And make us weep to hear your fate, fair creature,
Rare as you seem to be!
[She moves.
Thai.
O dear Diana,
Where am I? Where's my lord? What world is this?
2 Gent. Is not this strange?
1 Gent.

Cer.

Most rare.

Hush, gentle neighbours; Lend me your hands: to the next chamber bear her. Get linen; now this matter must be look'd to, For her relapse is mortal. Come, come, come; And Esculapius guide us!

[Exeunt, carrying Thaisa away. SCENE III.-Tharsus. A room in Cleon's house. Enter Pericles, Cleon, Dionyza, Lychorida, and Marina.

Per. Most honour'd Cleon, I must needs be gone; My twelve months are expir'd, and Tyrus stands In a litigious peace. You, and your lady, Take from my heart all thankfulness! The gods Make up the rest upon you!

Cle. Your shafts of fortune, though they hurt you mortally,

Yet glance full wand'ringly on us.

Dion.

O your sweet queen! That the strict fates had pleas'd you had brought

her hither,

To have bless'd mine eyes!

Per.

We cannot but obey The powers above us. Could I rage and roar As doth the sea she lies in, yet the end Must be as 'tis. My babe Marina (whom, For she was born at sea, I have nam'd so,) here I charge your charity withal, and leave her The infant of your care; beseeching you To give her princely training, that she may be Manner'd as she is born.

Cle. Fear not, my lord: Your grace,' that fed my country with your corn (For which the people's prayers still fall upon you,) Must in your child be thought on. If neglection Should therein make me vile, the common body,2 By you reliev'd, would force me to my duty: But if to that my nature need a spur, The gods revenge it upon me and mine, To the end of generation!

(1) Favour. (2) The common people. (3) Appear wilful, perverse by such conduct.

I believe you,

Per. Your honour and your goodness teach me credit, Without your vows. Till she be married, madam, By bright Diana, whom we honour all, Unscissar'd shall this hair of mine remain, Though I show will' in't. So I take my leave. Good madam, make me blessed in your care In bringing up my child. Dion. I have one myself, Who shall not be more dear to my respect, Than yours, my lord.

Per.

Madam, my thanks and prayers. Cle. We'll bring your grace even to the edge o'the shore;

Then give you up to the mask'd Neptune,* and
The gentlest winds of heaven.
Per.
I will embrace
Your offer. Come, dear'st madam.-O, no tears,
Lychorida, no tears:

Look to your little mistress, on whose grace
You may depend hereafter.-Come, my lord.
[Exeunt.
SCENE IV.-Ephesus. A room in Cerimon's
house. Enter Cerimon and Thaisa.
Cer. Madam, this letter, and some certain jewels,
Lay with you in your coffer: which are now
At your command. Know you the character ?
Thai. It is my lord's.

That I was shipp'd at sea, I well remember,
Even on my yearning' time; but whether there
Delivered or no, by the holy gods,

I cannot rightly say: But since king Pericles,
My wedded lord, I ne'er shall see again,
A vestal livery will I take me to,
And never more have joy.

Cer. Madam, if this you purpose as you speak, Diana's temple is not distant far,

Moreover, if you please, a niece of mine
Where you may 'bide until your date expire.
Shall there attend you.

Thai. My recompense is thanks, that's all; Yet my good will is great, though the gift small. [Exeunt.

ACT IV.

Enter Gower.

Gow. Imagine Pericles at Tyre,
Welcom'd to his own desire.
His woful queen leave at Ephess,
To Dian there a votaress.

Now to Marina bend your mind,

Whom our fast growing scene must find
At Tharsus, and by Cleon train'd
In music, letters; who hath gain'd
Of education all the grace,

Which makes her both the heart and place
Of general wonder. But alack!
That monster envy, oft the wrack
Of earned praise, Marina's life
Seeks to take off by treason's knife.
And in this kind hath our Cleon
One daughter, and a wench full grown.
Even ripe for marriage fight; this maid
Hight Philoten: and it is said
For certain in our story, she
Would ever with Marina be:

Be't when she weav'd the sleided" silk

(4) Insidious waves that wear a treacherous smile. (5) Groaning. (6) Called. (7) Untwisted.