So puts himself unto the shipman's toil,
With whom each minute threatens life or death.
Thal. Well, I perceive

[Aside.

I shall not be hang'd now, although I would;
But since he's gone, the king it sure must please,
He 'scap'd the land, to perish on the seas.-
But I'll present me. Peace to the lords of Tyre!
Hel. Lord Thaliard from Antiochus is welcome.
Thal. From him I come

With message unto princely Pericles:
But, since my landing, as I have understood
Your lord has took himself to unknown travels,
My message must return from whence it came.
Hel. We have no reason to desire it, since
Commended to our master, not to us:
Yet, ere you shall depart, this we desire,-
As friends to Antioch, we may feast in Tyre.
[Exeunt.

SCENE IV.-Tarsus. A Room in the Governor's
House.

Enter CLEON, DIONYZA, and Attendants.

Cle. My Dionyza, shall we rest us here, And, by relating tales of others' griefs, See if 'twill teach us to forget our own?

Dio. That were to blow at fire, in hope to quench it;

For who digs hills because they do aspire,
Throws down one mountain, to cast up a higher.
O my distressed lord, even such our griefs;
Here they're but felt, and seen with mistful eyes,
But like to groves, being topp'd, they higher rise.
Cle. O Dionyza,

Who wanteth food, and will not say he wants it,
Or can conceal his hunger, till he famish?
Our tongues and sorrows do sound deep our woes
Into the air: our eyes do weep, till lungs
Fetch breath that may proclaim them louder;
that,

If heaven slumber, while their creatures want,
They may awake their helps to comfort them.
I'll then discourse our woes, felt several years,
And wanting breath to speak, help me with tears.
Dio. I'll do my best, sir.

Cle. This Tharsus, o'er which I have government, (A city, on whom plenty held full hand,) For riches, strew'd herself even in the streets; Whose towers bore heads so high, they kiss'd the clouds,

And strangers ne'er beheld, but wonder'd at;
Whose men and dames so jetted1 and adorn'd,
Like one another's glass to trim them by:
Their tables were stor'd full, to glad the sight,
And not so much to feed on, as delight;
All poverty was scorn'd, and pride so great,
The name of help grew odious to repeat.
Dio. O, 'tis too true.

Cle. But see what heaven can do! By this our change,

These mouths, whom but of late, earth, sea, and air,
Were all too little to content and please,
Although they gave their creatures in abundance,
As houses are defil'd for want of use,
They are now starv'd for want of exercise:
Those palates, who, not yet two summers younger,
Must have inventions to delight the taste,
Would now be glad of bread, and beg for it;
Those mothers who, to nousle up their babes,
Thought naught too curious, are ready now
To eat those little darlings whom they lov'd.
So sharp are hunger's teeth, that man and wife

A portly sail of ships make hitherward.
Cle. I thought as much.

One sorrow never comes, but brings an heir,
That may succeed as his inheritor;

And so in ours: some neighboring nation,

Taking advantage of our misery,

Hath stuff d these hollow vessels with their power,
To beat us down, the which are down already;
And make a conquest of unhappy me,
Whereas no glory's got to overcome.

Lord. That's the least fear: for, by the semblance Of their white flags display'd. they bring us peace, And come to us as favorers, not as foes.

Cle. Thou speak'st like him's untutor'd to repeat; Who makes the fairest show, means most deceit. But bring they what they will, what need we fear? The ground's the low'st, and we are half-way there. Go tell their general, we attend him here, To know for what he comes, and whence he comes, And what he craves.

[Exit.

Lord. I go, my lord. Cle. Welcome is peace, if he on peace consist;7 If wars, we are unable to resist.

Enter PERICLES, with Attendants. Per. Lord governor, for so we hear you are, Let not our ships and number of our men, Be, like a beacon fir'd, to amaze your eyes. We have heard your miseries as far as Tyre, And seen the desolation of your streets: 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 Are, like the Trojan horse, war-stuff'd within, With bloody views, expecting overthrow, Are stored 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 harborage for ourself, our ships, and men. Cle. The which when any shall not gratify, Or pay you with unthankfulness in thought, Be it our wives, our children, or ourselves, The curse of heaven and men succeed their evils! Till when, (the which, I hope, shall ne'er be seen,) Your grace is welcome to our town and us. Per. Which welcome we'll accept; feast here a while,

Until our stars that frown, lend us a smile.

[Exeunt.

For it was sometime target to a king: I know it by this mark. He lov'd me dearly, And for his sake, I wish the having of it; And that you'd guide me to your sovereign's court, Where with't I may appear a gentleman; And if that ever my low fortunes better, I'll pay your bounties; till then, rest your debtor. 1 Fish. Why, wilt thou tourney for the lady? Per. I'll show the virtue I have borne in arms. 1 Fish. Why, do ye take it, and the gods give thee good on't!

2 Fish. Ay, but hark you, my friend: 'twas we that made up this garment through the rough seams of the waters: there are certain condolements, certain vails. I hope, sir, if you thrive, you'll remember from whence you had it.

Per. Believe't, I will.

Now, by your furtherance, I am cloth'd in steel; And spite of all the rupture of the sea,

This jewel holds his bidding2 on my arm;

Unto thy value will I mount myself

Upon a courser, whose delightful steps
Shall make the gazer joy to see him tread.-
Only, my friend, I yet am unprovided
Of a pair of bases.3

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 honor 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 Attendants. Sim. Are the knights ready to begin the triumph? 1 Lord. They are, my liege;

And stay your coming to present themselves.

Sim. Return them, we are ready; and our daughter,

In honor of whose birth these triumphs are,
Sits here, like beauty's child, whom nature gat
For me to see, and seeing, wonder at.

[Exit a Lord.
Thai. It pleaseth you, my father, to express
My commendations great, whose merit's less.
Sim. 'Tis fit it should be so; for princes are
A model, which heaven makes like to itself:
As jewels lose their glory, if neglected,
So princes their renown, if not respected.
'Tis now your honor, daughter, to explain
The labor of each knight, in his device.

Thai. Which, to preserve mine honor, I'll perform.

Enter a Knight; he passes over the Stage, and his
Squire presents his Shield to the Princess.
Sim. Who is the first that doth prefer himself?
Thai. A knight of Sparta, my renowned father;
And the device he bears upon his shield,
Is a black Æthiop, reaching at the sun;
The word, Lux fua-vita mihi.

Sim. He loves you well, that holds his life of you.
[The second Knight passes.
Who is the second, that presents himself?
Thai. A prince of Macedon, my royal father;
And the device he bears upon his shield
Is an arm'd knight, that's conquer'd by a lady:
The motto thus, in Spanish, Piu per du çura que
per fuerça.b
[The third Knight passes.
Sim. And what's the third?
Thai.
The third, of Antioch;
And his device, a wreath of chivalry:
The word, Me pompa provexit apex.
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.
[The fifth Knight passes.
Thai. The fifth, a hand environed with clouds;
Holding out gold, that's by the touchstone tried:
The motto thus, Sic spectunda fides.

a Keeping.

A kind of loose breeches.

i.e Return them notice. i. e. More by sweetness than by force.

With such a graceful courtesy deliver'd?
Thai. He seems a stranger; but his present is
A wither'd branch, that's only green at top;
The motto, In hac spe vivo.

Sim. A pretty moral;

From the dejected state wherein he is,

He hopes by you his fortunes yet may flourish.
1 Lord. He had need mean better than his out-
ward show

Can any way speak in his just commend:
For, by his rusty outside, he appears

To have practis'd more the whipstock, than the lance.

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

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

Sim. Opinion's but a fool, that makes us scan The outward habit by the inward man. But stay, the knights are coming; we'll withdraw Into the gallery. [Exeunt. [Great shouts; and all cry, The mean knight!

SCENE III.-The same. A Hall of State.-A Banquet prepared.

Enter SIMONIDES, THAISA, Lords, Knights, and
Attendants.

Sim. Knights,
To say you are welcome, were superfluous.
To place upon the volume of your deeds,
As in a title-page, your worth in arms,
Were more than you expect, or more than's fit,
Since every worth in show commends itself.
Prepare for mirth, for mirth becomes a feast:
You are my guests.

Thai.
But you, my knight and guest,
To whom this wreath of victory I give,
And crown you king of this day's happiness.
Per. 'Tis more by fortune, lady, than by merit.
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 labor'd scholar. Come, queen o

the feast,

(For, daughter, so you are,) here take your place: Marshal the rest, as they deserve their grace. Knights. We are honor'd much by good Simo

nides.

Sim. Your presence glads our days; honor we love,

For who hates honor, hates the gods above.
Marsh. Sir, yond's your place.

Per.

Some other is more fit. 1 Knight. Contend not, sir; for we are gentle

men,
That neither in our hearts, nor outward eyes,
Envy the great, nor do the low despise.
Per. You are right courteous knights.
Sim.

Sit, sit, sir; sit. Per. By Jove, I wonder, that is king of thoughts, These cates resist me,6 she not thought upon. Thai. By Juno, that is queen

Of marriage, all the viands that I eat
Do seem unsavory, wishing him my meat;
Sure he's a gallant gentleman.

Sim.

A country gentleman;

He's but

He has done no more than other knights have done, Broken a staff, or so; so let it pass.

Thai. To me he seems like diamond to glass. Per. Yon king's to me, like to my father's picture,

Which tells me, in that glory once he was;
Had princes sit, like stars, about his throne,
None that beheld him, but, like lesser lights,
And he the sun, for them to reverence.
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?

i. e. These delicacies go against my stomach.

To me, my father? Sim.

What is it

O, attend, my daughter;
Princes, in this, should live like gods above,
Who freely give to every one that comes
To honor 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 armors, as you are address'd,
Will very well become a soldier's dance.
I will not have excuse, with saying, this
Loud music is too harsh for ladies' heads;
Since they love men in arins, as well as beds.
[The Knights dance.
So, this was well ask'd, 'twas so well perform'd.
Come, sir;

Here is a lady that wants breathing too:
And I have often heard, you knights of Tyre
Are excellent in making ladies trip;

And that their measures are as excellent.

Per. In those that practise them, they are, my lord.

Sim. O, that's as much as you would be deny'd
[The Knights and Ladies dance.

Of your fair courtesy.-Unclasp, unclasp;
Thanks, gentlemen, to all; all have done well,
But you the best. [TO PERICLES.] Pages and lights,

conduct

These knights unto their several lodgings: Yours, sir,

We have given orders to be next our own.
Per. I am at your grace's pleasure.

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 HELICANUS and ESCANES.

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

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

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 was great, his greatness was no guard
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. 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 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 nobie self,
That best know'st how to rule, and how to reign,
We thus submit unto, our sovereign.

All. Live, Lord Helicane!

Hel. Try honor's cause, forbear your suffrages, If that you love prince Pericles, forbear. Take I your wish, I leap into the seas, Where's hourly trouble for a minute's ease. A twelvemonth longer let me then entreat you To forbear choice i' the absence o' the 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 his 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 endeavor 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?

Sim. 'Faith, by no means; she hath so strictly tied her

To her chamber, that it is impossible.
One twelve moons more she'll wear Diana's livery;
This by the eye of Cynthia hath she vow'd,
And on her virgin honor will not break it.

3 Knight. Though loath to bid farewell, we take our leaves. [Exeunt. They're well despatch'd; now to my daughter's

Sim. So

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;

For your sweet music this last night: my ears, 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.

Sir, you are music's master.

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

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; wondrous 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?
'Tis the king's subtilty, to have my life.
O, seek not to intrap, my gracious lord,
A stranger and distressed gentleman,

[Aside.

That never aim'd so high to love your daughter, But bent all offices to honor her.

Sim. Thou hast bewitch'd my daughter, and thou art

rage.

you;

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. [Exeunt.

Enter GOWER.

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 eyne of burning coal, Now crouches 'fore the mouse'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, And time that is so briefly spent, With your fine fancies quaintly eche What's dumb in show, I'll plain with speech. Dumb show. Enter PERICLES and SIMONIDES at one door, with Attendants; a Messenger meets him, kneels, and gives PERICLES a Letter. PERICLES shows it to SIMONIDES; the Lords kneel to the former. Then enter THAISA with child, and LYCHORIDA. SIMONIDES Shows his Daughter the Letter; she rejoices: she and PERICLES take leave of her Father, and depart. Then SIMONIDES, &c. retire.

Gow. By many a dearn and painful perch,' Of Pericles the careful search,

By the four opposing coignes,2
Which the world together joins,
Is made with all due diligence,

That horse, and sail, and high expense,
Can stead the quest.3 At last from Tyre,
(Fame answering the most strong inquire,)
To the court of king Simonides
Are letters brought; the tenor these
Antiochus and his daughter's dead;
The men of Tyrus, on the head
Of Helicanus would set on

The crown of Tyre, but he will none:
Quenched. • Eke out.

2 Corners.

⚫ Lonely. 1 A measure.

Help, or assist the search.

The mutiny there he hastes t'appease:
Says to them, if king Pericles

Come not, in twice six moons, home,
He, obedient to their doom,

Will take the crown. The sum of this,
Brought hither to Pentapolis,
Y-ravished the regions round,

And every one with claps 'gan sound,
Our heir apparent is a king;

Who dream'd, who thought of such a thing?
Brief, he must hence depart to Tyre:
His queen, with child, makes her desire
(Which who shall cross?) along to go;
(Omit we all their dole and wo;)
Lychorida, her nurse, she takes,
And so to sea. Their vessel shakes
On Neptune's billow; half the flood
Hath their keel cut; but fortune's mood
Varies again; the grizzled north
Disgorges such a tempest forth,
That, as a duck for life that dives,
So up and down the poor ship drives.
The lady shrieks, and, well-a-near!4
Doth fall in travail with her fear:
And what ensues in this fell storm,
Shall, for itself, itself perform.
I nills relate; action may
Conveniently the rest convey;
Which might not what by me is told.
In your imagination hold

This stage, the ship, upon whose deck
The sea-tost prince appears to speak.

SCENE I.

Enter PERICLES, on a Ship at Sea.

[Exit.