younger, Must have inventions to delight the taste, Would now be glad of bread, and beg for it; Those mothers who, to nouslet up their babes, Thought nought too curious, are ready now, To eat those little darlings whom they lov'd. So sharp are hunger's teeth, that man and wife Draw lots, who first shall die to lengthen life : Here stands a lord, and there a lady weeping; Here many sink, yet those which see them fall, Have scarce strength left to give them burial." Is not this true? Dio. Our cheeks and hollow eyes do witness it. Cle. O, let those cities, that of Plenty's cup And her prosperities so largely taste, With their superfluous riots, hear these tears! The misery of Tharsus may be theirs. Speak out thy sorrows which thou bring'st, in For comfort is too far for us to expect. Lord. We have descried, upon our neighbouring shore A portly sail of ships make hitherward. One sorrow never comes, but brings an heir, Lord. That's the least fear: for, by the semblance [peace, Of their white flags display'd, they bring us And come to us as favourers, not as foes. Cle. Thou speak'st like him's untutor'd to repeat, [deceit. Who makes the fairest show, means most But bring they what they will, what need we fear? [there. The ground's the low'st, and we are half way Lord. I go, my lord. Cle. Welcome is peace, if he on peace conIf wars, we are unable to resist. [comes, [Exit. [sist;|| Enter PERICLES, with Attendants. Let not our ships and number of our men, Per. Lord governor, for so we hear you are, Be, like a beacon fir'd, to amaze your eyes. And seen the desolation of your streets: We have heard your miseries as far as Tyre, Nor come we to add sorrow to your tears, But to relieve them of their heavy load; And these our ships you happily may think With bloody views, expecting overthrow, Are, like the Trojan horse, war-stuff'd within, Are stor'd with corn, to make your needy bread, And give them life, who are hunger-starv'd, half dead. All. The gods of Greece protect you! And we'll pray for you. Per. Rise, I pray you, rise; We do not look for reverence, but for love, And harbourage for ourself, our ships, and Gow. Here have you seen a mighty king I'll show you those in trouble's reign, (To whom I give my benizon,){ [I? Are brought your eyes; what need speak Dumb show. Enter ut one door PERICLES, talking with CLEON; all the train with them. Enter at another door, a GENTLEMAN with a Letter to PERICLES; PERICLES shows the Letter to CLEON; then gives the Messenger a reward, and knights him. Exeunt PERICLES, CLEON, &c. severally. Gow. Good Helicane hath staid at home, For now the wind begins to blow; Thunder above, and deeps below, Make such unquiet, that the ship [split; Should house him safe, is wreck'd and And he, good prince, having all lost, By waves from coast to coast is tost: All perishen of man, of pelf, Ne aught escapen but himself; Till fortune, tir'd with doing bad, Threw him ashore, to give him glad : And here he comes: what shall be next, Pardon old Gower; this 'longs the text. [Exit. SCENE I.-Pentapolis.-An open Place by the Sea Side. Enter PERICLES, wet. heaven! Per. Yet cease your ire, ye angry stars of Nothing to think on, but ensuing death: grave, Here to have death in peace, is all he'll crave. Enter three FISHERMEN. 1 Fish. What, ho, Pilche! These fishers tell the infirmities of men; 2 Fish. Honest! good fellow, what's that? if it be a day fits you, scratch it out of the calendar, and no body will look after it. Per. Nay, see, the sea hath cast upon your coast 2 Fish. What a drunken knave was the sea; to cast thee in our way! Per. A man whom both the waters and the wind, In that vast tennis-court, hath made the ball For them to play upon, entreats you pity him; He asks of you, that never us'd to beg. 1 Fish. No, friend, cannot you beg? here's them in our country of Greece, gets more with begging, than we can do with working. 2 Fish. Canst thou catch any fishes then? Per. I never practis'd it. 2 Fish. Nay, then thou wilt starve sure; for here's nothing to be got new-a-days, unless thou canst fish for't. Per. What I have been, I have forgot to know; But what I am, want teaches me to think ca; 1 Fish. Die quoth-a? Now gods forbid! have a gown here; come, put it on; keep the 2 Fish. Ho! come, and bring away the nets. warm. Now, afore me, a handsome fellow. 1 Fish. What Patch-breech, I say! 3 Fish. What say you, master? 1 Fish. Look how thou stirrest now! come away, or I'll fetch thee with a wannion. 3 Fish. 'Faith, master, I am thinking of the poor men that were cast away before us, even now. 1 Fish. Alas, poor souls, it griev'd my heart to hear what pitiful cries they made to us, to help them, when, well-a-day, we could scarce help ourselves. 3 Fish. Nay, master, said not I as much, when I saw the porpus, how he bounced and tumbled? they say, they are half fish, half flesh: a plague on them, they ne'er come, but I look to be wash'd. Master, I marvel how the fishes live in the sea. 1 Fish. Why as men do a-land; the great ones eat up the little ones: I can compare our rich misers to nothing so fitly as to a whale; 'a plays and tumbles, driving the poor fry before him, and at last devours them all at a mouthful. Such whales have I heard on a'the land, who never leave gaping, till they've swallow'd the whole parish, church, steeple, bells, and all. Come, thou shalt go home, and we'll have flesh for holidays, fish for fasting-days, and moreo'er puddings and flap-jacks, and thou shalt be welcome. 1 Fish. Why, I'll tell you: this is called Pentapolis, and our king, the good Simonides. Per. The good king Simonides, do you call him? 1 Fish. Ay, Sir; and he deserves to be so call'd, for his peaceable reign, and good gov ernment. Per. He is a happy king, since from his subjects He gains the name of good, by his government. How far is his court distant from this shore? 1 Fish. Marry, Sir, half a day's journey; and I'll tell you, he hath a fair daughter, and to-morrow is her birth-day; and there are princes and knights come from all parts of the world, to just and tourneyt for her love. Per. Did but my fortunes equal my desires, I'd wish to make one there. 1 Fish. O, Sir, things must be as they may; and what a man cannot get, he may lawfully deal for his wife's soul. Re-enter the Two FISHERMEN, drawing up a net. 2 Fish. Help, master, help; here's a fish hangs in the net, like a poor man's right in the law; 'twill hardly come out. Ha! bots on't, 'tis come at last, and 'tis turn'd to a rusty ar mour. Per. An armour, friends! I pray you, let me see it. Thanks, fortune, yet, that after all my crosses, Thou giv'st me somewhat to repair myself; And, though it was mine own, part of mine heritage, Which my dead father did bequeath to me, With this strict charge, (even as he left his Keep it, my Pericles, it hath been a shield [life,) 'Twixt me and death; (and pointed to this brace :)* For that it sav'd me, keep it; in like necessity, I thank thee for't; my shipwreck's now no ill, Per. To beg of you, kind friends, this coat For it was sometime target to a king; court, Where with't I may appear a gentleman; 1 Fish. Why, wilt thou tourney for the lady? Per. I'll show the virtue I have borne in arms. 1 Fish. Why, do ye take it, and the gods give thee good on't! 2 Fish. Ay, but hark you, my friend; 'twas we that made up this garment through the rough seams of the waters: there are certain condolements, certain veils. I hope, Sir, if you thrive, you'll remember from whence you had it. Per. Believe't, I will. Now, by your furtherance, I am cloth'd in steel; 2 Fish. We'll sure provide: thou shalt have my best gown to make thee a pair; and I'll bring thee to the court myself. Per. Then honour be but a goal to my will; This day I'll rise, or else add ill to ill. [Exeunt. SCENE II-The same.-A public Way, or Platform, leading to the Lists. A Pavilion by the Side of it, for the reception of the KING, PRINCESS, LORDS, &c. Enter SIMONIDES, THAISA, LORDS, and Attendunts. Sim. Are the knights ready to begin the triumph? Thai. A knight of Sparta, my renowned father; And the device he bears upon his shield Sim. He loves you well, that holds his life of you. [The second Knight passes. Who is the second, that presents himself? Sim. And what's the third? [The fourth Knight passes. Sim. What is the fourth? Thai. A burning torch, that's turned upside down; The word. Quod me alit, me extinguit. Sim. Which shows that beauty hath his power and will, Which can as well inflame, as it can kill. With such a graceful courtesy deliver'd? Sim. A pretty moral; From the dejected state wherein he is, Can any way speak in his just commend: the lance. Sim. Knights, [fit, To say you are welcome, were superfluous. Thai. But you, my knight and guest; Sim. Call it by what you will, the day is yours; And here, I hope, is none that envies it. In framing artists, art hath thus decreed, To make some good, but others to exceed; And you're her labour'd scholar. Come, queen o'the feast, [place: (For, daughter, so you are,) here take your Marshal the rest, as they deserve their grace. Knights. We are honour'd much by good Simonides. Sim. Your presence glads our days; honour we love, For who hates honour, hates the gods above. Marsh. Sir, yond's your place. Per. Some other is more fit. 1 Knight. Contend not, Sir; for we are gentlemen, That neither in our hearts, nor outward eyes, Per. You are right courteous knights. Per. By Jove, I wonder, that is king of thoughts, These cates resist me, she not thought upon. Thai. By Juno, that is queen Of marriage, all the viands that I eat Do seem unsavoury, wishing him my meat; Sim. He's but A country gentleman; He has done no more than other knights have Which tells me, in that glory once he was; Where now his son's a glow-worm in the night, crave. Sim. What, are you merry, knights! I. c. These delicacies go against my stomach. + Lower. 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;)— A gentleman of Tyre, who only by tune, Come, gentlemen, we sit 'too long on triffes, vels. Even in your armours, as you are address'd,* So, this was well ask'd, 'twas so well per Here is a lady that wants breathing too: Sim. O, that's as much, as you would be deny'd [The KNIGHTS and LADIES dance. Of your fair courtesy.-Unclasp, unclasp; Thanks, gentlemen, to all; all have done well; But you the best. [To PERICLES.] Pages and lights, conduct These knights unto their several lodgings: We have given order to be next our own. Sim. Princes, it is too late to talk of love, For that's the mark I know you level at: Therefore each one betake him to his rest; To-morrow, all for speeding do their best. [Exeunt. SCENE IV-Tyre.-A Room in the Governor's House. Enter HELICANES and ESCANES. Hel. No, no, my Escanes; know this of Antiochus from incest liv'd not free; [me,For which, the most high gods not minding longer [store, To withhold the vengeance that they had in [him, All. Live, noble Helicane! If that you love prince Pericles, forbear. you To forbear choice i'the absence of your king; Whom if you find, and win unto return, 1 Lord. To wisdom he's a fool that will not And, since lord Helicane enjoineth us, [yield; 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. meet him. When he was seated, and his daughter with Enter SIMONIDES, reading a Letter, the KNIGHTS 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 [guard This king were great, his greatness was no To bar heaven's shaft, but sin had his reward. Esca. 'Tis very true. Enter three LORDS. 1 Lord. See, not a man in private conference, Or council, has respect with him but he. 2 Lord. It shall no longer grieve without reproof. 3 Lord. And curs'd be he that will not second it. 1 Lord. Follow me, then: Lord Helicane, a word. Hel. With me? and welcome: Happy day, my lords. '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 Heli cane; But if the prince do live, let us salute him, ⚫ breath. 1 Knight. Good morrow to the good Simon ides. Sim. Knights, from my daughter this I let That for this twelvemonth, she'll not undertake you know, 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? Sim. 'Faith, by no means; she hath so strictTo her chamber, that it is impossible. ly tied her One twelve moons more she'll wear Diana's livery; This by the eye of Cynthia hath she vow'd, And on her virgin honour will not break it. 3 Knight. Though loath to bid farewell, we take our leaves. [Exeunt. Sim. So |