Folger Shakespeare Library
http://www.folgerdigitaltexts.org
Contents
Front
Matter
From the Director of the Folger Shakespeare
Library
Textual Introduction
Synopsis
Characters in the Play
ACT 1
Chorus
Scene 1
Scene 2
Scene 3
Scene 4
ACT 2
Chorus
Scene 1
Scene 2
Scene 3
Scene 4
Scene 5
ACT 3
Chorus
Scene 1
Scene 2
Scene 3
Scene 4
ACT 4
Chorus
Scene 1
Scene 2
Scene 3
Scene 4
Scene 5
Scene 6
ACT 5
Chorus
Scene 1
Scene 2
Scene 3
Scene 3
Epilogue
From the Director of the Folger Shakespeare Library
It is hard to imagine a world without Shakespeare. Since their
composition four hundred years ago, Shakespeare’s plays and poems
have traveled the globe, inviting those who see and read his works to
make them their own.
Readers of the New Folger Editions are part of this ongoing process
of “taking up Shakespeare,” finding our own thoughts and feelings in
language that strikes us as old or unusual and, for that very reason,
new. We still struggle to keep up with a writer who could think a mile
a minute, whose words paint pictures that shift like clouds. These
expertly edited texts are presented to the public as a resource for
study, artistic adaptation, and enjoyment. By making the classic texts
of the New Folger Editions available in electronic form as Folger
Digital Texts, we place a trusted resource in the hands of anyone who
wants them.
The New Folger Editions of Shakespeare’s plays, which are the basis
for the texts realized here in digital form, are special because of their
origin. The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, is the
single greatest documentary source of Shakespeare’s works. An
unparalleled collection of early modern books, manuscripts, and
artwork connected to Shakespeare, the Folger’s holdings have been
consulted extensively in the preparation of these texts. The Editions
also reflect the expertise gained through the regular performance of
Shakespeare’s works in the Folger’s Elizabethan Theater.
I want to express my deep thanks to editors Barbara Mowat and Paul
Werstine for creating these indispensable editions of Shakespeare’s
works, which incorporate the best of textual scholarship with a
richness of commentary that is both inspired and engaging. Readers
who want to know more about Shakespeare and his plays can follow
the paths these distinguished scholars have tread by visiting the Folger
either in-person or online, where a range of physical and digital
resources exist to supplement the material in these texts. I commend
to you these words, and hope that they inspire.
Michael Witmore
Director, Folger Shakespeare Library
Textual Introduction
By Barbara Mowat and Paul Werstine
Until now, with the release of the Folger Digital Texts, readers in
search of a free online text of Shakespeare’s plays had to be content
primarily with using the Moby™ Text, which reproduces a latenineteenth century version of the plays. What is the difference? Many
ordinary readers assume that there is a single text for the plays: what
Shakespeare wrote. But Shakespeare’s plays were not published the
way modern novels or plays are published today: as a single,
authoritative text. In some cases, the plays have come down to us in
multiple published versions, represented by various Quartos (Qq) and
by the great collection put together by his colleagues in 1623, called
the First Folio (F). There are, for example, three very different
versions of Hamlet, two of King Lear, Henry V, Romeo and Juliet,
and others. Editors choose which version to use as their base text, and
then amend that text with words, lines or speech prefixes from the
other versions that, in their judgment, make for a better or more
accurate text.
Other editorial decisions involve choices about whether an unfamiliar
word could be understood in light of other writings of the period or
whether it should be changed; decisions about words that made it into
Shakespeare’s text by accident through four hundred years of
printings and misprinting; and even decisions based on cultural
preference and taste. When the Moby™ Text was created, for
example, it was deemed “improper” and “indecent” for Miranda to
chastise Caliban for having attempted to rape her. (See The Tempest,
1.2: “Abhorred slave,/Which any print of goodness wilt not
take,/Being capable of all ill! I pitied thee…”). All Shakespeare
editors at the time took the speech away from her and gave it to her
father, Prospero.
The editors of the Moby™ Shakespeare produced their text long
before scholars fully understood the proper grounds on which to make
the thousands of decisions that Shakespeare editors face. The Folger
Library Shakespeare Editions, on which the Folger Digital Texts
depend, make this editorial process as nearly transparent as is
possible, in contrast to older texts, like the Moby™, which hide
editorial interventions. The reader of the Folger Shakespeare knows
where the text has been altered because editorial interventions are
signaled by square brackets (for example, from Othello: “ If she in
chains of magic were not bound, ”), half-square brackets (for
example, from Henry V: “With blood and sword and fire to win your
right,”), or angle brackets (for example, from Hamlet: “O farewell,
honest soldier. Who hath relieved/you?”). At any point in the text,
you can hover your cursor over a bracket for more information.
Because the Folger Digital Texts are edited in accord with twenty-first
century knowledge about Shakespeare’s texts, the Folger here
provides them to readers, scholars, teachers, actors, directors, and
students, free of charge, confident of their quality as texts of the plays
and pleased to be able to make this contribution to the study and
enjoyment of Shakespeare.
Synopsis
The nautical tale of a wandering prince, Pericles is narrated by John
Gower, a poet from the English past. Gower explains that Pericles,
Prince of Tyre, hopes to win the hand of a princess in Antioch. When
Pericles learns that she and the king, her father, are lovers, he flees for
his life.
Pericles brings grain to Tarsus during a famine, but loses his ships and
men in a storm. In Pentapolis, Pericles wins a tournament and marries
the king’s daughter, Thaisa. With Thaisa pregnant, she and Pericles
sail for Tyre. Thaisa bears a daughter, Marina, at sea, but apparently
dies. Her coffin drifts ashore at Ephesus, where she is revived and
becomes a priestess of Diana.
Pericles leaves the baby Marina with the king and queen of Tarsus.
Fourteen years later, Marina, kidnapped by pirates, is sold to a
brothel, but her eloquence protects her. Told that she has died, a griefstricken Pericles rediscovers her. Guided by a vision from the goddess
Diana, Pericles and Marina reunite with Thaisa.
Characters in the Play
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
HELICANUS
ESCANES
lords of Tyre
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
y
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
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To sing a song that old was sung,
From ashes ancient Gower is come,
Assuming man’s infirmities
To glad your ear and please your eyes.
It hath been sung at festivals,
On ember eves and holy days,
And lords and ladies in their lives
Have read it for restoratives.
The purchase is to make men glorious,
Et bonum quo antiquius, eo melius.
If you, born in these latter times
When wit’s more ripe, accept my rhymes,
And that to hear an old man sing
May to your wishes pleasure bring,
I life would wish, and that I might
Waste it for you like taper light.
This Antioch, then: Antiochus the Great
Built up this city for his chiefest seat,
The fairest in all Syria.
I tell you what mine authors say.
This king unto him took a peer,
Who died and left a female heir
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
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ACT 1. SC. 1
So buxom, blithe, and full of face
As heaven had lent her all his grace;
With whom the father liking took
And her to incest did provoke.
Bad child, worse father! To entice his own
To evil should be done by none.
But custom what they did begin
Was with long use accounted no sin.
The beauty of this sinful dame
Made many princes thither frame
To seek her as a bedfellow,
In marriage pleasures playfellow;
Which to prevent he made a law
To keep her still, and men in awe,
That whoso asked her for his wife,
His riddle told not, lost his life.
So for her many a wight did die,
As yon grim looks do testify.
He indicates heads above the stage.
What now ensues, to the judgment of your eye
I give my cause, who best can justify.
He exits.
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Scene 1
Enter Antiochus, Prince Pericles, and followers.
ANTIOCHUS
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Young Prince of Tyre, you have at large received
The danger of the task you undertake.
PERICLES
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I have, Antiochus, and with a soul
Emboldened with the glory of her praise
Think death no hazard in this enterprise.
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
ACT 1. SC. 1
ANTIOCHUS
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Music!
Music sounds offstage.
Bring in our daughter, clothèd like a bride
For embracements even of Jove himself,
At whose conception, till Lucina reigned,
Nature this dowry gave: to glad her presence,
The senate house of planets all did sit
To knit in her their best perfections.
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Enter Antiochus’ daughter.
PERICLES
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See where she comes, appareled like the spring,
Graces her subjects, and her thoughts the king
Of every virtue gives renown to men!
Her face the book of praises, where is read
Nothing but curious pleasures, as from thence
Sorrow were ever razed, and testy wrath
Could never be her mild companion.
You gods that made me man, and sway in love,
That have inflamed desire in my breast
To taste the fruit of yon celestial tree
Or die in th’ adventure, be my helps,
As I am son and servant to your will,
To compass such a boundless happiness.
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ANTIOCHUS
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Prince Pericles—
PERICLES
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That would be son to great Antiochus.
ANTIOCHUS
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Before thee stands this fair Hesperides,
With golden fruit, but dangerous to be touched;
For deathlike dragons here affright thee hard.
Her face, like heaven, enticeth thee to view
Her countless glory, which desert must gain;
And which without desert, because thine eye
Presumes to reach, all the whole heap must die.
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
ACT 1. SC. 1
He points to the heads.
Yon sometimes famous princes, like thyself,
Drawn by report, advent’rous by desire,
Tell thee with speechless tongues and semblance pale
That, without covering save yon field of stars,
Here they stand martyrs slain in Cupid’s wars,
And with dead cheeks advise thee to desist
For going on death’s net, whom none resist.
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PERICLES
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Antiochus, I thank thee, who hath taught
My frail mortality to know itself,
And by those fearful objects to prepare
This body, like to them, to what I must.
For death remembered should be like a mirror
Who tells us life’s but breath, to trust it error.
I’ll make my will, then, and as sick men do
Who know the world, see heaven but, feeling woe,
Gripe not at earthly joys as erst they did;
So I bequeath a happy peace to you
And all good men, as every prince should do;
My riches to the earth from whence they came,
To the Daughter. But my unspotted fire of love to
you.—
Thus ready for the way of life or death,
I wait the sharpest blow.
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ANTIOCHUS
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Scorning advice, read the conclusion, then:
Which read and not expounded, ’tis decreed,
As these before thee, thou thyself shalt bleed.
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DAUGHTER
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Of all ’sayed yet, mayst thou prove prosperous;
Of all ’sayed yet, I wish thee happiness.
PERICLES
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Like a bold champion I assume the lists,
Nor ask advice of any other thought
But faithfulness and courage.
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
ACT 1. SC. 1
He reads the Riddle:
I am no viper, yet I feed
On mother’s flesh which did me breed.
I sought a husband, in which labor
I found that kindness in a father.
He’s father, son, and husband mild;
I mother, wife, and yet his child.
How they may be, and yet in two,
As you will live resolve it you.
Aside. Sharp physic is the last! But, O you powers
That gives heaven countless eyes to view men’s acts,
Why cloud they not their sights perpetually
If this be true which makes me pale to read it?
Fair glass of light, I loved you, and could still
Were not this glorious casket stored with ill.
But I must tell you now my thoughts revolt;
For he’s no man on whom perfections wait
That, knowing sin within, will touch the gate.
You are a fair viol, and your sense the strings
Who, fingered to make man his lawful music,
Would draw heaven down and all the gods to
hearken;
But, being played upon before your time,
Hell only danceth at so harsh a chime.
Good sooth, I care not for you.
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ANTIOCHUS
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Prince Pericles, touch not, upon thy life,
For that’s an article within our law
As dangerous as the rest. Your time’s expired.
Either expound now or receive your sentence.
PERICLES Great king,
Few love to hear the sins they love to act.
’Twould braid yourself too near for me to tell it.
Who has a book of all that monarchs do,
He’s more secure to keep it shut than shown.
For vice repeated is like the wand’ring wind,
Blows dust in others’ eyes to spread itself;
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
ACT 1. SC. 1
And yet the end of all is bought thus dear:
The breath is gone, and the sore eyes see clear
To stop the air would hurt them. The blind mole casts
Copped hills towards heaven, to tell the Earth is
thronged
By man’s oppression, and the poor worm doth die
for ’t.
Kings are Earth’s gods; in vice their law’s their will;
And if Jove stray, who dares say Jove doth ill?
It is enough you know; and it is fit,
What being more known grows worse, to smother it.
All love the womb that their first being bred;
Then give my tongue like leave to love my head.
ANTIOCHUS , aside
Heaven, that I had thy head! He has found the
meaning.
But I will gloze with him.—Young Prince of Tyre,
Though by the tenor of our strict edict,
Your exposition misinterpreting,
We might proceed to cancel of your days,
Yet hope, succeeding from so fair a tree
As your fair self, doth tune us otherwise.
Forty days longer we do respite you,
If by which time our secret be undone,
This mercy shows we’ll joy in such a son.
And until then, your entertain shall be
As doth befit our honor and your worth.
All except Pericles exit.
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PERICLES
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How courtesy would seem to cover sin
When what is done is like an hypocrite,
The which is good in nothing but in sight.
If it be true that I interpret false,
Then were it certain you were not so bad
As with foul incest to abuse your soul;
Where now you’re both a father and a son
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
ACT 1. SC. 1
By your untimely claspings with your child,
Which pleasures fits a husband, not a father,
And she an eater of her mother’s flesh
By the defiling of her parents’ bed;
And both like serpents are, who, though they feed
On sweetest flowers, yet they poison breed.
Antioch, farewell, for wisdom sees those men
Blush not in actions blacker than the night
Will ’schew no course to keep them from the light.
One sin, I know, another doth provoke;
Murder’s as near to lust as flame to smoke.
Poison and treason are the hands of sin,
Ay, and the targets to put off the shame.
Then, lest my life be cropped to keep you clear,
By flight I’ll shun the danger which I fear.
He exits.
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Enter Antiochus.
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He hath found the meaning,
For which we mean to have his head.
He must not live to trumpet forth my infamy,
Nor tell the world Antiochus doth sin
In such a loathèd manner.
And therefore instantly this prince must die,
For by his fall my honor must keep high.—
Who attends us there?
ANTIOCHUS
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Enter Thaliard.
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THALIARD
Doth your Highness call?
ANTIOCHUS
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Thaliard, you are of our chamber, Thaliard,
And our mind partakes her private actions
To your secrecy; and for your faithfulness
We will advance you, Thaliard. Behold,
Here’s poison, and here’s gold. He gives poison and
money. We hate the Prince
Of Tyre, and thou must kill him. It fits thee not
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
ACT 1. SC. 2
To ask the reason why: because we bid it.
Say, is it done?
THALIARD
My lord, ’tis done.
ANTIOCHUS
Enough.
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Enter a Messenger.
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Let your breath cool yourself, telling your haste.
MESSENGER My lord, Prince Pericles is fled.
He exits.
ANTIOCHUS , to Thaliard
As thou wilt live, fly after,
and like an arrow shot from a well-experienced
archer hits the mark his eye doth level at, so thou
never return unless thou say Prince Pericles is
dead.
THALIARD My lord, if I can get him within my pistol’s
length, I’ll make him sure enough. So, farewell to
your Highness.
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ANTIOCHUS
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Thaliard, adieu. Till Pericles be dead,
My heart can lend no succor to my head.
They exit.
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Scene 2
Enter Pericles with an Attendant.
PERICLES
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Let none disturb us. ( Attendant exits. ) Why should
this change of thoughts,
The sad companion dull-eyed Melancholy,
Be my so used a guest as not an hour
In the day’s glorious walk or peaceful night,
The tomb where grief should sleep, can breed me
quiet?
Here pleasures court mine eyes, and mine eyes shun
them;
And danger, which I feared, is at Antioch,
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
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ACT 1. SC. 2
Whose arm seems far too short to hit me here.
Yet neither pleasure’s art can joy my spirits,
Nor yet the other’s distance comfort me.
Then it is thus: the passions of the mind
That have their first conception by misdread
Have after-nourishment and life by care;
And what was first but fear what might be done
Grows elder now, and cares it be not done.
And so with me. The great Antiochus,
’Gainst whom I am too little to contend,
Since he’s so great can make his will his act,
Will think me speaking though I swear to silence;
Nor boots it me to say I honor him
If he suspect I may dishonor him.
And what may make him blush in being known,
He’ll stop the course by which it might be known.
With hostile forces he’ll o’er-spread the land,
And with th’ ostent of war will look so huge
Amazement shall drive courage from the state,
Our men be vanquished ere they do resist,
And subjects punished that ne’er thought offense;
Which care of them, not pity of myself,
Who am no more but as the tops of trees
Which fence the roots they grow by and defend them,
Makes both my body pine and soul to languish
And punish that before that he would punish.
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Enter Helicanus and all the Lords to Pericles.
FIRST LORD
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Joy and all comfort in your sacred breast.
SECOND LORD
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And keep your mind till you return to us
Peaceful and comfortable.
HELICANUS
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Peace, peace, and give experience tongue.
They do abuse the King that flatter him,
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
ACT 1. SC. 2
For flattery is the bellows blows up sin;
The thing the which is flattered, but a spark
To which that wind gives heat and stronger glowing;
Whereas reproof, obedient and in order,
Fits kings as they are men, for they may err.
When Signior Sooth here does proclaim peace,
He flatters you, makes war upon your life.
He kneels.
Prince, pardon me, or strike me, if you please.
I cannot be much lower than my knees.
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PERICLES
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All leave us else; but let your cares o’erlook
What shipping and what lading’s in our haven,
And then return to us.
The Lords exit.
Helicanus,
Thou hast moved us. What seest thou in our looks?
HELICANUS An angry brow, dread lord.
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PERICLES
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If there be such a dart in princes’ frowns,
How durst thy tongue move anger to our face?
HELICANUS
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How dares the plants look up to heaven,
From whence they have their nourishment?
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PERICLES
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Thou knowest I have power to take thy life from thee.
I have ground the ax myself;
Do but you strike the blow.
HELICANUS
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Rise, prithee rise.
Helicanus rises.
Sit down. Thou art no flatterer.
I thank thee for ’t; and heaven forbid
That kings should let their ears hear their faults hid.
Fit counselor and servant for a prince,
Who by thy wisdom makes a prince thy servant,
What wouldst thou have me do?
HELICANUS To bear with patience such griefs
As you yourself do lay upon yourself.
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
ACT 1. SC. 2
PERICLES
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Thou speak’st like a physician, Helicanus,
That ministers a potion unto me
That thou wouldst tremble to receive thyself.
Attend me, then: I went to Antioch,
Where, as thou know’st, against the face of death
I sought the purchase of a glorious beauty
From whence an issue I might propagate,
Are arms to princes and bring joys to subjects.
Her face was to mine eye beyond all wonder,
The rest—hark in thine ear—as black as incest,
Which by my knowledge found, the sinful father
Seemed not to strike, but smooth. But thou know’st
this:
’Tis time to fear when tyrants seems to kiss;
Which fear so grew in me I hither fled
Under the covering of a careful night,
Who seemed my good protector; and, being here,
Bethought me what was past, what might succeed.
I knew him tyrannous, and tyrants’ fears
Decrease not but grow faster than the years;
And should he doubt, as no doubt he doth,
That I should open to the list’ning air
How many worthy princes’ bloods were shed
To keep his bed of blackness unlaid ope,
To lop that doubt he’ll fill this land with arms,
And make pretense of wrong that I have done him;
When all, for mine—if I may call ’t —offense,
Must feel war’s blow, who spares not innocence;
Which love to all—of which thyself art one,
Who now reproved’st me for ’t—
HELICANUS Alas, sir!
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PERICLES
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Drew sleep out of mine eyes, blood from my cheeks,
Musings into my mind, with thousand doubts
How I might stop this tempest ere it came;
And finding little comfort to relieve them,
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
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ACT 1. SC. 3
I thought it princely charity to grieve for them.
HELICANUS
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Well, my lord, since you have given me leave to speak,
Freely will I speak. Antiochus you fear,
And justly too, I think, you fear the tyrant,
Who either by public war or private treason
Will take away your life.
Therefore, my lord, go travel for a while,
Till that his rage and anger be forgot,
Or till the Destinies do cut his thread of life.
Your rule direct to any. If to me,
Day serves not light more faithful than I’ll be.
PERICLES I do not doubt thy faith.
But should he wrong my liberties in my absence?
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HELICANUS
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We’ll mingle our bloods together in the earth,
From whence we had our being and our birth.
PERICLES
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Tyre, I now look from thee, then, and to Tarsus
Intend my travel, where I’ll hear from thee,
And by whose letters I’ll dispose myself.
The care I had and have of subjects’ good
On thee I lay, whose wisdom’s strength can bear it.
I’ll take thy word for faith, not ask thine oath.
Who shuns not to break one will crack both.
But in our orbs we’ll live so round and safe
That time of both this truth shall ne’er convince.
Thou showed’st a subject’s shine, I a true prince.
They exit.
Scene 3
Enter Thaliard alone.
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So this is Tyre, and this the court. Here
must I kill King Pericles; and if I do it not, I am
THALIARD
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ACT 1. SC. 3
sure to be hanged at home. ’Tis dangerous. Well, I
perceive he was a wise fellow and had good discretion
that, being bid to ask what he would of the
king, desired he might know none of his secrets.
Now do I see he had some reason for ’t, for if a
king bid a man be a villain, he’s bound by the
indenture of his oath to be one. Husht! Here
comes the lords of Tyre.
He steps aside.
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10
Enter Helicanus and Escanes, with other Lords.
HELICANUS
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You shall not need, my fellow peers of Tyre,
Further to question me of your king’s departure.
His sealed commission left in trust with me
Does speak sufficiently he’s gone to travel.
THALIARD , aside
How? The King gone?
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HELICANUS
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If further yet you will be satisfied
Why, as it were, unlicensed of your loves
He would depart, I’ll give some light unto you.
Being at Antioch—
THALIARD , aside
What from Antioch?
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HELICANUS
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Royal Antiochus, on what cause I know not,
Took some displeasure at him—at least he judged so;
And doubting lest he had erred or sinned,
To show his sorrow, he’d correct himself;
So puts himself unto the shipman’s toil,
With whom each minute threatens life or death.
THALIARD , aside
Well, I perceive I shall not be hanged
now, although I would; but since he’s gone, the
King’s ears it must please. He ’scaped the land to
perish at the sea. I’ll present myself.—Peace to the
lords of Tyre!
HELICANUS
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Lord Thaliard from Antiochus is welcome.
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
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ACT 1. SC. 4
From him I come with message unto princely
Pericles, but since my landing I have understood
your lord has betook himself to unknown travels.
Now message must return from whence it came.
HELICANUS We have no reason to desire it,
Commended to our master, not to us.
Yet ere you shall depart, this we desire:
As friends to Antioch, we may feast in Tyre.
They exit.
THALIARD
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Scene 4
Enter Cleon the Governor of Tarsus, with his wife
Dionyza and others.
CLEON
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My Dionyza, shall we rest us here
And, by relating tales of others’ griefs,
See if ’twill teach us to forget our own?
DIONYZA
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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 distressèd lord, even such our griefs are.
Here they are but felt, and seen with mischief’s eyes,
But like to groves, being topped, they higher rise.
CLEON 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 helpers to comfort them.
I’ll then discourse our woes, felt several years,
And, wanting breath to speak, help me with tears.
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DIONYZA
Pericles, Prince of Tyre
I’ll do my best, sir.
ACT 1. SC. 4
20
CLEON
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This Tarsus, o’er which I have the government,
A city on whom Plenty held full hand,
For Riches strewed herself even in her streets;
Whose towers bore heads so high they kissed the
clouds,
And strangers ne’er beheld but wondered at;
Whose men and dames so jetted and adorned,
Like one another’s glass to trim them by;
Their tables were stored full to glad the sight,
And not so much to feed on as delight;
All poverty was scorned, and pride so great,
The name of help grew odious to repeat.
DIONYZA O, ’tis too true.
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CLEON
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But see what heaven can do by this our change:
These mouths who 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 defiled for want of use,
They are now starved for want of exercise.
Those palates who not yet two savors younger
Must have inventions to delight the taste,
Would now be glad of bread and beg for it.
Those mothers who, to nuzzle up their babes,
Thought naught too curious, are ready now
To eat those little darlings whom they loved.
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?
DIONYZA
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Our cheeks and hollow eyes do witness it.
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
ACT 1. SC. 4
CLEON
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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 Tarsus may be theirs.
55
Enter a Lord.
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Where’s the Lord Governor?
CLEON Here.
Speak out thy sorrows, which thee bring’st in haste,
For comfort is too far for us to expect.
LORD
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We have descried upon our neighboring shore
A portly sail of ships make hitherward.
CLEON 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 stuffed the hollow vessels with their power
To beat us down, the which are down already,
And make a conquest of unhappy men,
Whereas no glory’s got to overcome.
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LORD
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That’s the least fear, for, by the semblance
Of their white flags displayed, they bring us peace
And come to us as favorers, not as foes.
CLEON
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Thou speak’st like him’s untutored to repeat
“Who makes the fairest show means most deceit.”
But bring they what they will and what they can,
What need we fear?
The ground’s the lowest, and we are halfway there.
Go tell their general we attend him here,
To know for what he comes and whence he comes
And what he craves.
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39
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LORD
I go, my lord.
ACT 1. SC. 4
He exits.
CLEON
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Welcome is peace, if he on peace consist;
If wars, we are unable to resist.
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Enter Pericles with Attendants.
PERICLES
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Lord Governor, for so we hear you are,
Let not our ships and number of our men
Be like a beacon fired t’ 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 was stuffed within
With bloody veins expecting overthrow,
Are stored with corn to make your needy bread
And give them life whom hunger starved half dead.
ALL , kneeling
The gods of Greece protect you, and we’ll pray for
you.
PERICLES Arise, I pray you, rise.
We do not look for reverence, but for love,
And harborage for ourself, our ships, and men.
CLEON , rising, with the others
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.
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PERICLES
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Which welcome we’ll accept, feast here awhile,
Until our stars that frown lend us a smile.
They exit.
110
ACT 2
2 Chorus
Enter Gower.
GOWER
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Here have you seen a mighty king
His child, iwis, to incest bring;
A better prince and benign lord
That will prove awful both in deed and word.
Be quiet, then, as men should be,
Till he hath passed necessity.
I’ll show you those in troubles reign,
Losing a mite, a mountain gain.
The good in conversation,
To whom I give my benison,
Is still at Tarsus, where each man
Thinks all is Writ he speken can,
And, to remember what he does,
Build his statue to make him glorious.
But tidings to the contrary
Are 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.
43
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
Good Helicane, that stayed at home—
Not to eat honey like a drone
From others’ labors, for though he strive
To killen bad, keep good alive,
And to fulfill his prince’ desire—
Sends word of all that haps in Tyre:
How Thaliard came full bent with sin,
And had intent to murder him;
And that in Tarsus was not best
Longer for him to make his rest.
He, doing so, put forth to seas,
Where when men been there’s seldom ease;
For now the wind begins to blow;
Thunder above and deeps below
Makes such unquiet that the ship
Should house him safe is wracked and split,
And he, good prince, having all lost,
By waves from coast to coast is tossed.
All perishen of man, of pelf,
Ne aught escapend but himself;
Till Fortune, tired 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.
ACT 2. SC. 1
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He exits.
40
Scene 1
Enter Pericles, wet.
PERICLES
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Yet cease your ire, you angry stars of heaven!
Wind, rain, and thunder, remember earthly man
Is but a substance that must yield to you,
And I, as fits my nature, do obey you.
Alas, the seas hath cast me on the rocks,
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
ACT 2. SC. 1
Washed me from shore to shore, and left my breath
Nothing to think on but ensuing death.
Let it suffice the greatness of your powers
To have bereft a prince of all his fortunes;
And, having thrown him from your wat’ry grave,
Here to have death in peace is all he’ll crave.
10
Enter three Fishermen.
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What ho, Pilch!
SECOND FISHERMAN Ha, come and bring away the nets!
FIRST FISHERMAN What, Patchbreech, I say!
THIRD FISHERMAN What say you, master?
FIRST FISHERMAN Look how thou stirr’st now! Come
away, or I’ll fetch thee with a wanion.
THIRD FISHERMAN Faith, master, I am thinking of the
poor men that were cast away before us even now.
FIRST FISHERMAN Alas, poor souls, it grieved my heart
to hear what pitiful cries they made to us to help
them, when, welladay, we could scarce help
ourselves!
THIRD FISHERMAN Nay, master, said not I as much
when I saw the porpoise how he bounced and tumbled?
They say they’re half fish, half flesh. A plague
on them! They ne’er come but I look to be washed.
Master, I marvel how the fishes live in the sea.
FIRST FISHERMAN 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: he 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 swallowed the whole parish—
church, steeple, bells and all.
PERICLES, aside
A pretty moral.
THIRD FISHERMAN But, master, if I had been the sexton,
I would have been that day in the belfry.
FIRST FISHERMAN
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
ACT 2. SC. 1
Why, man?
THIRD FISHERMAN Because he should have swallowed
me too. And when I had been in his belly, I would
have kept such a jangling of the bells that he should
never have left till he cast bells, steeple, church, and
parish up again. But if the good King Simonides
were of my mind—
PERICLES, aside
Simonides?
THIRD FISHERMAN We would purge the land of these
drones that rob the bee of her honey.
PERICLES, aside
How from the finny subject of the sea
These fishers tell the infirmities of men,
And from their wat’ry empire recollect
All that may men approve or men detect!—
Peace be at your labor, honest fishermen.
SECOND FISHERMAN Honest good fellow, what’s that? If
it be a day fits you, search out of the calendar, and
nobody look after it!
SECOND FISHERMAN
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PERICLES
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May see the sea hath cast upon your coast—
SECOND FISHERMAN What a drunken knave was the sea
to cast thee in our way!
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PERICLES
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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 used to beg.
FIRST FISHERMAN No, friend, cannot you beg? Here’s
them in our country of Greece gets more with begging
than we can do with working.
SECOND FISHERMAN , to Pericles
Canst thou catch any
fishes, then?
PERICLES I never practiced it.
SECOND FISHERMAN Nay, then, thou wilt starve sure,
for here’s nothing to be got nowadays unless thou
canst fish for ’t.
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
ACT 2. SC. 1
PERICLES
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What I have been I have forgot to know,
But what I am want teaches me to think on:
A man thronged up with cold. My veins are chill
And have no more of life than may suffice
To give my tongue that heat to ask your help—
Which, if you shall refuse, when I am dead,
For that I am a man, pray you see me buried.
FIRST FISHERMAN Die, quotha? Now gods forbid ’t, an I
have a gown. Here, come, put it on; keep thee
warm. Pericles puts on the garment. Now, afore
me, a handsome fellow! Come, thou shalt go home,
and we’ll have flesh for holidays, fish for fasting
days, and, moreo’er, puddings and flapjacks, and
thou shalt be welcome.
PERICLES I thank you, sir.
SECOND FISHERMAN Hark you, my friend. You said you
could not beg?
PERICLES I did but crave.
SECOND FISHERMAN But crave? Then I’ll turn craver
too, and so I shall ’scape whipping.
PERICLES Why, are your beggars whipped, then?
SECOND FISHERMAN O, not all, my friend, not all; for if
all your beggars were whipped, I would wish no
better office than to be beadle.—But, master, I’ll go
draw up the net.
He exits with Third Fisherman.
PERICLES, aside
How well this honest mirth becomes their labor!
FIRST FISHERMAN Hark you, sir, do you know where
you are?
PERICLES Not well.
FIRST FISHERMAN Why, I’ll tell you. This is called Pentapolis,
and our king the good Simonides.
PERICLES “The good Simonides” do you call him?
FIRST FISHERMAN Ay, sir, and he deserves so to be called
for his peaceable reign and good government.
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
53
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ACT 2. SC. 1
He is a happy king, since he gains from his
subjects the name of “good” by his government.
How far is his court distant from this shore?
FIRST FISHERMAN Marry, sir, half a day’s journey. And
I’ll tell you, he hath a fair daughter, and tomorrow
is her birthday; and there are princes and knights
come from all parts of the world to joust and tourney
for her love.
PERICLES Were my fortunes equal to my desires, I
could wish to make one there.
FIRST FISHERMAN O, sir, things must be as they may;
and what a man cannot get he may lawfully deal
for his wife’s soul.
PERICLES
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Enter the two other Fishermen, drawing up a net.
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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 turned to a rusty armor.
SECOND FISHERMAN
PERICLES
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An armor, friends? I pray you let me see it.
They pull out the armor.
Thanks, Fortune, yet, that after all thy crosses
Thou givest me somewhat to repair myself;
And though it was mine own, part of my heritage
Which my dead father did bequeath to me
With this strict charge even as he left his life,
“Keep it, my Pericles; it hath been a shield
’Twixt me and death,” and pointed to this brace,
“For that it saved me, keep it. In like necessity—
The which the gods protect thee from — may ’t
defend thee.”
It kept where I kept, I so dearly loved it,
Till the rough seas, that spares not any man,
Took it in rage, though calmed have given ’t again.
I thank thee for ’t; my shipwrack now’s no ill
Since I have here my father gave in his will.
125
130
135
140
55
FTLN 0685
FIRST FISHERMAN
Pericles, Prince of Tyre
ACT 2. SC. 1
What mean you, sir?
PERICLES
FTLN 0686
FTLN 0687
FTLN 0688
FTLN 0689
FTLN 0690
FTLN 0691
FTLN 0692
FTLN 0693
FTLN 0694
To beg of you, kind friends, this coat of worth,
For it was sometime target to a king;
I know it by this mark. He loved 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 it I may appear a gentleman.
And if that ever my low fortune’s better,
I’ll pay your bounties; till then, rest your debtor.
FIRST FISHERMAN Why, wilt thou tourney for the lady?
145
150
PERICLES
FTLN 0695
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FTLN 0714
I’ll show the virtue I have borne in arms.
FIRST FISHERMAN Why, do ’ee take it, and the gods give
thee good on ’t.
SECOND FISHERMAN 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 them.
PERICLES Believe ’t, I will.
He puts on the armor.
By your furtherance I am clothed in steel,
And spite of all the rupture of the sea,
This jewel holds his biding on my arm.
Unto thy value I will 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.
SECOND FISHERMAN We’ll sure provide. Thou shalt have
my best gown to make thee a pair; and I’ll bring
thee to the court myself.
PERICLES
FTLN 0715
FTLN 0716
Then honor be but a goal to my will;
This day I’ll rise or else add ill to ill.
They exit.
155
160
165
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
57
ACT 2. SC. 2
Scene 2
Enter King Simonides, with Lords, Attendants,
and Thaisa.
SIMONIDES
FTLN 0717
FTLN 0718
FTLN 0719
Are the knights ready to begin the triumph?
FIRST LORD They are, my liege,
And stay your coming to present themselves.
SIMONIDES
FTLN 0720
FTLN 0721
FTLN 0722
FTLN 0723
Return them we are ready, and our daughter here,
In honor of whose birth these triumphs are,
Sits here like Beauty’s child, whom Nature gat
For men to see and, seeing, wonder at.
An Attendant exits.
5
THAISA
FTLN 0724
FTLN 0725
It pleaseth you, my royal father, to express
My commendations great, whose merit’s less.
SIMONIDES
FTLN 0726
FTLN 0727
FTLN 0728
FTLN 0729
FTLN 0730
FTLN 0731
It’s 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 renowns if not respected.
’Tis now your honor, daughter, to entertain
The labor of each knight in his device.
10
15
THAISA
FTLN 0732
Which to preserve mine honor, I’ll perform.
The first Knight passes by. His Squire presents a shield
to Thaisa.
SIMONIDES
FTLN 0733
Who is the first that doth prefer himself?
THAISA
FTLN 0734
FTLN 0735
FTLN 0736
FTLN 0737
A knight of Sparta, my renownèd father,
And the device he bears upon his shield
Is a black Ethiop reaching at the sun;
The word: Lux tua vita mihi.
20
Pericles, Prince of Tyre
59
ACT 2. SC. 2
SIMONIDES
FTLN 0738
He loves you well that holds his life of you.
The second Knight passes by. His Squire presents a
shield to Thaisa.
FTLN 0739
Who is the second that presents himself?
THAISA
FTLN 0740
FTLN 0741
FTLN 0742
FTLN 0743
FTLN 0744
A prince of Macedon, my royal father,
And the device he bears upon his shield
Is an armed knight that’s conquered by a lady.
The motto thus, in Spanish: Pue per doleera kee per
forsa.
25
The third Knight passes by. His Squire presents a shield
to Thaisa.
SIMONIDES
FTLN 0745
FTLN 0746
FTLN 0747
FTLN 0748
And what’s the third?
The third, of Antioch;
And his device a wreath of chivalry;
The word: Me pompae provexit apex.
THAISA
30
The fourth Knight passes by. His Squire presents a
shield to Thaisa.
FTLN 0749
SIMONIDES
What is the fourth?
THAISA
FTLN 0750
FTLN 0751
A burning torch that’s turnèd upside down;
The word: Qui me alit me extinguit.
35
SIMONIDES
FTLN 0752
FTLN 0753
Which shows that beauty hath his power and will,
Which can as well inflame as it can kill.
The fifth Knight passes by. His Squire presents a shield
to Thaisa.
THAISA
FTLN 0754
FTLN 0755
FTLN 0756
The fifth, an hand environèd with clouds,
Holding out gold that’s by the touchstone tried;
The motto thus: Sic spectanda fides.
40
Pericles, Prince of Tyre
61
ACT 2. SC. 2
The sixth Knight, Pericles, passes by. He presents a
shield to Thaisa.
SIMONIDES
FTLN 0757
FTLN 0758
FTLN 0759
And what’s the sixth and last, the which the knight
himself
With such a graceful courtesy delivered?
THAISA
FTLN 0760
FTLN 0761
FTLN 0762
FTLN 0763
FTLN 0764
FTLN 0765
He seems to be a stranger; but his present is
A withered branch that’s only green at top,
The motto: In hac spe vivo.
SIMONIDES A pretty moral.
From the dejected state wherein he is,
He hopes by you his fortunes yet may flourish.
45
FIRST LORD
FTLN 0766
FTLN 0767
FTLN 0768
FTLN 0769
He had need mean better than his outward show
Can any way speak in his just commend,
For by his rusty outside he appears
To have practiced more the whipstock than the lance.
50
SECOND LORD
FTLN 0770
FTLN 0771
He well may be a stranger, for he comes
To an honored triumph strangely furnishèd.
55
THIRD LORD
FTLN 0772
FTLN 0773
And on set purpose let his armor rust
Until this day, to scour it in the dust.
SIMONIDES
FTLN 0774
FTLN 0775
FTLN 0776
FTLN 0777
Opinion’s but a fool that makes us scan
The outward habit by the inward man.
But stay, the knights are coming.
We will withdraw into the gallery.
60
They exit.
Great shouts offstage, and all cry, “The mean knight.”
63
Pericles, Prince of Tyre
ACT 2. SC. 3
Scene 3
Enter the King Simonides, Thaisa, Marshal, Ladies,
Lords, Attendants, and Knights in armor, from tilting.
FTLN 0778
FTLN 0779
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FTLN 0781
FTLN 0782
FTLN 0783
FTLN 0784
FTLN 0785
FTLN 0786
FTLN 0787
FTLN 0788
Knights,
To say you’re 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 princes and my guests.
THAISA, to Pericles
But you my knight and guest,
To whom this wreath of victory I give
And crown you king of this day’s happiness.
She places a wreath on Pericles’ head.
SIMONIDES
5
10
PERICLES
FTLN 0789
’Tis more by fortune, lady, than my merit.
SIMONIDES
FTLN 0790
FTLN 0791
FTLN 0792
FTLN 0793
FTLN 0794
FTLN 0795
FTLN 0796
FTLN 0797
Call it by what you will, the day is yours,
And here, I hope, is none that envies it.
In framing an artist, Art hath thus decreed,
To make some good but others to exceed,
And you are her labored scholar.—Come, queen o’
the feast,
For, daughter, so you are; here, take your place.—
Marshal, the rest as they deserve their grace.
15
20
KNIGHTS
FTLN 0798
We are honored much by good Simonides.
SIMONIDES
FTLN 0799
FTLN 0800
FTLN 0801
FTLN 0802
Your presence glads our days. Honor we love,
For who hates honor hates the gods above.
MARSHAL , to Pericles
Sir, yonder is your place.
PERICLES Some other is more fit.
FIRST KNIGHT
FTLN 0803
Contend not, sir, for we are gentlemen
25
65
FTLN 0804
FTLN 0805
Pericles, Prince of Tyre
ACT 2. SC. 3
Have neither in our hearts nor outward eyes
Envies the great, nor shall the low despise.
PERICLES
FTLN 0806
FTLN 0807
FTLN 0808
FTLN 0809
FTLN 0810
FTLN 0811
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FTLN 0813
You are right courteous knights.
Sit, sir, sit.
They sit.
Aside. By Jove I wonder, that is king of thoughts,
These cates resist me, he not thought upon.
THAISA, aside
By Juno, that is queen of marriage,
All viands that I eat do seem unsavory,
Wishing him my meat.—Sure, he’s a gallant
gentleman.
SIMONIDES
30
35
SIMONIDES
FTLN 0814
FTLN 0815
FTLN 0816
FTLN 0817
FTLN 0818
FTLN 0819
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FTLN 0829
He’s but a country gentleman;
Has done no more than other knights have done;
Has broken a staff or so. So let it pass.
THAISA, aside
To me he seems like diamond to glass.
PERICLES, aside
Yon king’s to me like to my father’s picture,
Which tells 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 like a glowworm in the night,
The which hath fire in darkness, none in light;
Whereby I see that Time’s the king of men.
He’s both their parent, and he is their grave,
And gives them what he will, not what they crave.
SIMONIDES What, are you merry, knights?
40
45
50
KNIGHTS
FTLN 0830
Who can be other in this royal presence?
SIMONIDES
FTLN 0831
FTLN 0832
Here, with a cup that’s stored unto the brim,
As do you love, fill to your mistress’ lips.
55
67
FTLN 0833
FTLN 0834
Pericles, Prince of Tyre
We drink this health to you.
KNIGHTS
ACT 2. SC. 3
He drinks.
We thank your Grace.
SIMONIDES
FTLN 0835
FTLN 0836
FTLN 0837
FTLN 0838
FTLN 0839
Yet pause awhile. Yon knight doth sit too melancholy,
As if the entertainment in our court
Had not a show might countervail his worth.—
Note it not you, Thaisa?
THAISA What is ’t to me, my father?
60
SIMONIDES
FTLN 0840
FTLN 0841
FTLN 0842
FTLN 0843
FTLN 0844
FTLN 0845
FTLN 0846
O, attend, my daughter. Princes in this
Should live like gods above, who freely give
To everyone that come to honor them.
And princes not doing so are like to gnats,
Which make a sound but, killed, are wondered at.
Therefore, to make his entrance more sweet,
Here, say we drink this standing-bowl of wine to him.
He drinks.
65
THAISA
FTLN 0847
FTLN 0848
FTLN 0849
FTLN 0850
FTLN 0851
FTLN 0852
FTLN 0853
Alas, my father, it befits not me
Unto a stranger knight to be so bold.
He may my proffer take for an offense,
Since men take women’s gifts for impudence.
SIMONIDES How?
Do as I bid you, or you’ll move me else.
THAISA, aside
Now, by the gods, he could not please me better.
70
75
SIMONIDES
FTLN 0854
FTLN 0855
FTLN 0856
FTLN 0857
And furthermore tell him we desire to know of him
Of whence he is, his name and parentage.
THAISA, going to Pericles
The King, my father, sir, has drunk to you.
PERICLES I thank him.
THAISA
FTLN 0858
Wishing it so much blood unto your life.
PERICLES
FTLN 0859
I thank both him and you, and pledge him freely.
He drinks to Simonides.
80
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
ACT 2. SC. 3
THAISA
FTLN 0860
FTLN 0861
And further, he desires to know of you
Of whence you are, your name and parentage.
PERICLES
FTLN 0862
FTLN 0863
FTLN 0864
FTLN 0865
FTLN 0866
FTLN 0867
FTLN 0868
FTLN 0869
FTLN 0870
A gentleman of Tyre, my name Pericles.
My education been in arts and arms,
Who, looking for adventures in the world,
Was by the rough seas reft of ships and men,
And after shipwrack driven upon this shore.
THAISA, returning to her place
He thanks your Grace; names himself Pericles,
A gentleman of Tyre,
Who only by misfortune of the seas,
Bereft of ships and men, cast on this shore.
85
90
SIMONIDES
FTLN 0871
FTLN 0872
FTLN 0873
FTLN 0874
FTLN 0875
FTLN 0876
FTLN 0877
FTLN 0878
FTLN 0879
FTLN 0880
FTLN 0881
FTLN 0882
FTLN 0883
FTLN 0884
FTLN 0885
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 addressed,
Will well become a soldiers’ dance.
I will not have excuse with saying this:
“Loud music is too harsh for ladies’ heads,”
Since they love men in arms as well as beds.
They dance.
So, this was well asked, ’twas so well performed.
Come, sir.
He presents Pericles to Thaisa.
Here’s a lady that wants breathing too,
And I have heard you knights of Tyre
Are excellent in making ladies trip,
And that their measures are as excellent.
95
100
105
PERICLES
FTLN 0886
In those that practice them they are, my lord.
SIMONIDES
FTLN 0887
FTLN 0888
FTLN 0889
O, that’s as much as you would be denied
Of your fair courtesy.
Unclasp, unclasp!
They dance.
110
71
FTLN 0890
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
ACT 2. SC. 4
Thanks, gentlemen, to all; all have done well;
To Pericles. But you the best.—Pages and lights, to
conduct
These knights unto their several lodgings. To
Pericles. Yours, sir,
We have given order be next our own.
PERICLES I am at your Grace’s pleasure.
115
SIMONIDES
FTLN 0897
FTLN 0898
FTLN 0899
FTLN 0900
Princes, it is too late to talk of love,
And that’s the mark I know you level at.
Therefore each one betake him to his rest,
Tomorrow all for speeding do their best.
120
They exit.
Scene 4
Enter Helicanus and Escanes.
HELICANUS
FTLN 0901
FTLN 0902
FTLN 0903
FTLN 0904
FTLN 0905
FTLN 0906
FTLN 0907
FTLN 0908
FTLN 0909
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FTLN 0913
No, Escanes, know this of me:
Antiochus from incest lived 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 offense,
Even in the height and pride of all his glory,
When he was seated in a chariot of
An inestimable value, and his daughter with him,
A fire from heaven came and shriveled up
Those bodies even to loathing, for they so stunk
That all those eyes adored them, ere their fall,
Scorn now their hand should give them burial.
ESCANES ’Twas very strange.
5
10
HELICANUS
FTLN 0914
FTLN 0915
FTLN 0916
And yet but justice; for though this king were great,
His greatness was no guard to bar heaven’s shaft,
But sin had his reward.
15
73
FTLN 0917
ESCANES
Pericles, Prince of Tyre
ACT 2. SC. 4
’Tis very true.
Enter two or three Lords.
FIRST LORD
FTLN 0918
FTLN 0919
See, not a man in private conference
Or counsel has respect with him but he.
SECOND LORD
FTLN 0920
It shall no longer grieve without reproof.
20
THIRD LORD
FTLN 0921
And cursed be he that will not second it.
FIRST LORD
FTLN 0922
Follow me, then.—Lord Helicane, a word.
HELICANUS
FTLN 0923
With me? And welcome. Happy day, my lords.
FIRST LORD
FTLN 0924
FTLN 0925
Know that our griefs are risen to the top,
And now at length they overflow their banks.
25
HELICANUS
FTLN 0926
FTLN 0927
Your griefs? For what? Wrong not your prince you
love.
FIRST LORD
FTLN 0928
FTLN 0929
FTLN 0930
FTLN 0931
FTLN 0932
FTLN 0933
FTLN 0934
FTLN 0935
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 resolved he lives to govern us,
Or dead, give ’s cause to mourn his funeral
And leave us to our free election.
30
35
SECOND LORD
FTLN 0936
FTLN 0937
FTLN 0938
FTLN 0939
FTLN 0940
FTLN 0941
Whose death’s indeed the strongest in our censure;
And knowing this kingdom is without a head—
Like goodly buildings left without a roof
Soon fall to ruin—your noble self,
That best know how to rule and how to reign,
We thus submit unto, our sovereign.
40
Pericles, Prince of Tyre
75
FTLN 0942
ALL
ACT 2. SC. 5
Live, noble Helicane!
HELICANUS
FTLN 0943
FTLN 0944
FTLN 0945
FTLN 0946
FTLN 0947
FTLN 0948
FTLN 0949
FTLN 0950
FTLN 0951
FTLN 0952
FTLN 0953
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FTLN 0955
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 twelve-month longer let me entreat you
To forbear the absence of your king;
If in which time expired, he not return,
I shall with agèd patience bear your yoke.
But if I cannot win you to this love,
Go search like nobles, 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.
45
50
55
FIRST LORD
FTLN 0956
FTLN 0957
FTLN 0958
To wisdom he’s a fool that will not yield.
And since Lord Helicane enjoineth us,
We with our travels will endeavor.
HELICANUS
FTLN 0959
FTLN 0960
Then you love us, we you, and we’ll clasp hands.
When peers thus knit, a kingdom ever stands.
They exit.
60
Scene 5
Enter the King, Simonides, reading of a letter at one
door; the Knights meet him.
FIRST KNIGHT
FTLN 0961
Good morrow to the good Simonides.
SIMONIDES
FTLN 0962
FTLN 0963
FTLN 0964
FTLN 0965
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 her by no means can I get.
5
77
Pericles, Prince of Tyre
ACT 2. SC. 5
SECOND KNIGHT
FTLN 0966
May we not get access to her, my lord?
SIMONIDES
FTLN 0967
FTLN 0968
FTLN 0969
FTLN 0970
FTLN 0971
Faith, by no means; she hath so strictly tied her
To her chamber that ’tis impossible.
One twelve moons more she’ll wear Diana’s livery.
This by the eye of Cynthia hath she vowed,
And on her virgin honor will not break it.
10
THIRD KNIGHT
FTLN 0972
FTLN 0973
FTLN 0974
FTLN 0975
FTLN 0976
FTLN 0977
FTLN 0978
FTLN 0979
FTLN 0980
FTLN 0981
FTLN 0982
Loath to bid farewell, we take our leaves.
The Knights exit.
SIMONIDES So,
They are well dispatched. Now to my daughter’s letter.
She tells me here she’ll wed the stranger knight
Or never more to view nor day nor light.
’Tis well, mistress, 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 do commend her choice, and will no longer
Have it be delayed. Soft, here he comes.
I must dissemble it.
15
20
Enter Pericles.
PERICLES
FTLN 0983
All fortune to the good Simonides.
SIMONIDES
FTLN 0984
FTLN 0985
FTLN 0986
FTLN 0987
To you as much. Sir, I am beholding to you
For your sweet music this last night. I do
Protest, my ears were never better fed
With such delightful pleasing harmony.
25
PERICLES
FTLN 0988
FTLN 0989
FTLN 0990
It is your Grace’s pleasure to commend,
Not my desert.
SIMONIDES
Sir, you are music’s master.
PERICLES
FTLN 0991
The worst of all her scholars, my good lord.
30
79
FTLN 0992
FTLN 0993
FTLN 0994
FTLN 0995
Pericles, Prince of Tyre
Let me ask you one thing:
What do you think of my daughter, sir?
PERICLES A most virtuous princess.
SIMONIDES And she is fair too, is she not?
ACT 2. SC. 5
SIMONIDES
35
PERICLES
FTLN 0996
As a fair day in summer, wondrous fair.
SIMONIDES
FTLN 0997
FTLN 0998
FTLN 0999
Sir, my daughter thinks very well of you,
Ay, so well that you must be her master,
And she will be your scholar. Therefore, look to it.
PERICLES
FTLN 1000
I am unworthy for her schoolmaster.
40
SIMONIDES
FTLN 1001
FTLN 1002
FTLN 1003
FTLN 1004
FTLN 1005
FTLN 1006
FTLN 1007
FTLN 1008
She thinks not so. Peruse this writing else.
PERICLES, aside
What’s here?
A letter that she loves the knight of Tyre?
’Tis the King’s subtlety to have my life.—
O, seek not to entrap me, gracious lord,
A stranger and distressèd gentleman
That never aimed so high to love your daughter,
But bent all offices to honor her.
45
SIMONIDES
FTLN 1009
FTLN 1010
FTLN 1011
FTLN 1012
FTLN 1013
FTLN 1014
Thou hast bewitched my daughter, and thou art
A villain.
PERICLES By the gods, I have not!
Never did thought of mine levy offense;
Nor never did my actions yet commence
A deed might gain her love or your displeasure.
50
SIMONIDES
FTLN 1015
Traitor, thou liest!
FTLN 1016
PERICLES
FTLN 1017
SIMONIDES
PERICLES
FTLN 1018
FTLN 1019
Traitor?
55
Ay, traitor.
Even in his throat, unless it be the King
That calls me traitor, I return the lie.
81
Pericles, Prince of Tyre
SIMONIDES,
FTLN 1020
aside
Now, by the gods, I do applaud his courage.
ACT 2. SC. 5
60
PERICLES
FTLN 1021
FTLN 1022
FTLN 1023
FTLN 1024
FTLN 1025
FTLN 1026
FTLN 1027
FTLN 1028
My actions are as noble as my thoughts,
That never relished of a base descent.
I came unto your court for honor’s cause,
And not to be a rebel to her state,
And he that otherwise accounts of me,
This sword shall prove he’s honor’s enemy.
SIMONIDES No?
Here comes my daughter. She can witness it.
65
Enter Thaisa.
PERICLES
FTLN 1029
FTLN 1030
FTLN 1031
FTLN 1032
Then as you are as virtuous as fair,
Resolve your angry father if my tongue
Did e’er solicit or my hand subscribe
To any syllable that made love to you.
70
THAISA
FTLN 1033
FTLN 1034
Why, sir, say if you had, who takes offense
At that would make me glad?
SIMONIDES
FTLN 1035
FTLN 1036
FTLN 1037
FTLN 1038
FTLN 1039
FTLN 1040
FTLN 1041
FTLN 1042
FTLN 1043
FTLN 1044
FTLN 1045
FTLN 1046
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FTLN 1048
Yea, mistress, are you so peremptory?
(Aside.) I am glad on ’t with all my heart.—
I’ll tame you! I’ll bring you in subjection.
Will you, not having my consent,
Bestow your love and your affections
Upon a stranger? (Aside.) Who, for aught I know,
May be—nor can I think the contrary—
As great in blood as I myself.—
Therefore, hear you, mistress: either frame
Your will to mine—and you, sir, hear you:
Either be ruled by me—or I’ll make you
Man and wife.
Nay, come, your hands and lips must seal it too.
And being joined, I’ll thus your hopes destroy.
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
ACT 2. SC. 5
And for further grief—God give you joy!
What, are you both pleased?
THAISA Yes, ( to Pericles ) if you love me, sir.
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PERICLES
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Even as my life my blood that fosters it.
SIMONIDES What, are you both agreed?
BOTH Yes, if ’t please your Majesty.
SIMONIDES
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It pleaseth me so well that I will see you wed,
And then with what haste you can, get you to bed.
They exit.
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ACT 3
3 Chorus
Enter Gower.
GOWER
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Now sleep yslackèd hath the rout;
No din but snores about the house,
Made louder by the o’erfed breast
Of this most pompous marriage feast.
The cat with eyne of burning coal
Now couches from the mouse’s hole,
And crickets sing at the oven’s mouth
Are the blither for their drouth.
Hymen hath brought the bride to bed,
Where, by the loss of maidenhead,
A babe is molded. 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 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.
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
By many a dern and painful perch
Of Pericles the careful search,
By the four opposing coigns
Which the world together joins,
Is made with all due diligence
That horse and sail and high expense
Can stead the quest. At last from Tyre,
Fame answering the most strange enquire,
To th’ court of King Simonides
Are letters brought, the tenor these:
Antiochus and his daughter dead,
The men of Tyrus on the head
Of Helicanus would set on
The crown of Tyre, but he will none.
The mutiny he there hastes t’ oppress,
Says to ’em, if King Pericles
Come not home in twice six moons,
He, obedient to their dooms,
Will take the crown. The sum of this,
Brought hither to Pentapolis,
Y-ravishèd the regions round,
And everyone with claps can sound,
“Our heir apparent is a king!
Who dreamt, 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 woe.
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, moved,
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.
ACT 3. CHOR.
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
The lady shrieks and, well-anear,
Does fall in travail with her fear.
And what ensues in this fell storm
Shall for itself itself perform.
I nill 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-tossed Pericles appears to speak.
ACT 3. SC. 1
55
He exits.
60
Scene 1
Enter Pericles, a-shipboard.
PERICLES
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The god of this great vast, rebuke these surges,
Which wash both heaven and hell! And thou that hast
Upon the winds command, bind them in brass,
Having called them from the deep! O, still
Thy deaf’ning dreadful thunders, gently quench
Thy nimble sulfurous flashes.—O, how, Lychorida,
How does my queen?—Then, storm, venomously
Wilt thou spit all thyself? The seaman’s whistle
Is as a whisper in the ears of death,
Unheard.—Lychorida!—Lucina, O
Divinest patroness and midwife gentle
To those that cry by night, convey thy deity
Aboard our dancing boat, make swift the pangs
Of my queen’s travails!—Now, Lychorida!
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10
Enter Lychorida, carrying an infant.
LYCHORIDA
FTLN 1131
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Here is a thing too young for such a place,
Who, if it had conceit, would die, as I
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93
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
ACT 3. SC. 1
Am like to do. Take in your arms this piece
Of your dead queen.
PERICLES
How? How, Lychorida?
LYCHORIDA
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Patience, good sir. Do not assist the storm.
Here’s all that is left living of your queen,
A little daughter. For the sake of it,
Be manly and take comfort.
PERICLES
O you gods!
Why do you make us love your goodly gifts
And snatch them straight away? We here below
Recall not what we give, and therein may
Use honor with you.
LYCHORIDA
Patience, good sir,
Even for this charge.
She hands him the infant.
PERICLES, to the infant
Now mild may be thy life,
For a more blusterous birth had never babe.
Quiet and gentle thy conditions, for
Thou art the rudeliest welcome to this world
That ever was prince’s child. Happy what follows!
Thou hast as chiding a nativity
As fire, air, water, earth, and heaven can make
To herald thee from the womb.
Even at the first, thy loss is more than can
Thy portage quit, with all thou canst find here.
Now the good gods throw their best eyes upon ’t.
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40
Enter two Sailors.
FTLN 1158
FIRST SAILOR
What courage, sir? God save you.
PERICLES
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Courage enough. I do not fear the flaw.
It hath done to me the worst. Yet for the love
Of this poor infant, this fresh new seafarer,
I would it would be quiet.
FIRST SAILOR Slack the bowlines there!—Thou wilt not,
wilt thou? Blow, and split thyself!
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
ACT 3. SC. 1
But searoom, an the brine and cloudy
billow kiss the moon, I care not.
FIRST SAILOR Sir, your queen must overboard. The sea
works high, the wind is loud, and will not lie till
the ship be cleared of the dead.
PERICLES That’s your superstition.
FIRST SAILOR Pardon us, sir; with us at sea it hath been
still observed, and we are strong in custom.
Therefore briefly yield ’er, for she must overboard
straight.
PERICLES As you think meet.—Most wretched queen!
LYCHORIDA Here she lies, sir.
SECOND SAILOR
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PERICLES
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A terrible childbed hast thou had, my dear,
No light, no fire. Th’ unfriendly elements
Forgot thee utterly. Nor have I time
To give thee hallowed to thy grave, but straight
Must cast thee, scarcely coffined, in the ooze,
Where, for a monument upon thy bones
And e’er-remaining lamps, the belching whale
And humming water must o’erwhelm thy corpse,
Lying with simple shells.—O, Lychorida,
Bid Nestor bring me spices, ink, and paper,
My casket and my jewels; and bid Nicander
Bring me the satin coffin. Lay the babe
Upon the pillow. Hie thee, whiles I say
A priestly farewell to her. Suddenly, woman!
Lychorida exits.
SECOND SAILOR Sir, we have a chest beneath the hatches,
caulked and bitumed ready.
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PERICLES
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I thank thee, mariner. Say, what coast is this?
SECOND SAILOR We are near Tarsus.
PERICLES Thither, gentle mariner.
Alter thy course for Tyre. When canst thou reach it?
SECOND SAILOR By break of day if the wind cease.
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
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O, make for Tarsus!
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.
ACT 3. SC. 2
PERICLES
85
They exit.
Scene 2
Enter Lord Cerimon with two Suppliants.
FTLN 1203
CERIMON
Philemon, ho!
Enter Philemon.
Doth my lord call?
Get fire and meat for these poor men.
’T has been a turbulent and stormy night.
Philemon exits.
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PHILEMON
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CERIMON
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FIRST SUPPLIANT
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I have been in many; but such a night as this,
Till now, I ne’er endured.
5
CERIMON
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Your master will be dead ere you return.
There’s nothing can be ministered to nature
That can recover him. To Second Suppliant. Give
this to the ’pothecary,
And tell me how it works.
Suppliants exit.
10
Enter two Gentlemen.
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FIRST GENTLEMAN
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SECOND GENTLEMAN
Good morrow.
Good morrow to your Lordship.
CERIMON
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Gentlemen, why do you stir so early?
Sir,
Our lodgings, standing bleak upon the sea,
Shook as the earth did quake.
FIRST GENTLEMAN
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
The very principals did seem to rend
And all to topple. Pure surprise and fear
Made me to quit the house.
ACT 3. SC. 2
20
SECOND GENTLEMAN
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That is the cause we trouble you so early.
’Tis not our husbandry.
CERIMON
O, you say well.
FIRST GENTLEMAN
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But I much marvel that your Lordship, having
Rich tire about you, should at these early hours
Shake off the golden slumber of repose.
’Tis most strange
Nature should be so conversant with pain,
Being thereto not compelled.
CERIMON
I hold it ever
Virtue and cunning were endowments greater
Than nobleness and riches. Careless heirs
May the two latter darken and expend,
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 blessed infusions
That dwells in vegetives, in metals, stones;
And can speak of the disturbances
That Nature works, and of her cures; which doth
give me
A more content in course of true delight
Than to be thirsty after tottering honor,
Or tie my pleasure up in silken bags
To please the fool and death.
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SECOND GENTLEMAN
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Your Honor has through Ephesus poured forth
Your charity, and hundreds call themselves
Your creatures, who by you have been restored;
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
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ACT 3. SC. 2
And not your knowledge, your personal pain, but even
Your purse, still open, hath built Lord Cerimon
Such strong renown, as time shall never—
Enter two or three Servants with a chest.
SERVANT
FTLN 1256
So, lift there.
FTLN 1257
CERIMON
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SERVANT
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What’s that?
Sir, even now
Did the sea toss up upon our shore this chest.
’Tis of some wrack.
CERIMON
Set ’t down. Let’s look upon ’t.
55
SECOND GENTLEMAN
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’Tis like a coffin, sir.
What e’er it be,
’Tis wondrous heavy. Wrench it open straight.
If the sea’s stomach be o’ercharged with gold,
’Tis a good constraint of Fortune it belches upon us.
60
CERIMON
SECOND GENTLEMAN
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’Tis so, my lord.
How close ’tis caulked and bitumed!
Did the sea cast it up?
65
CERIMON
SERVANT
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I never saw so huge a billow, sir,
As tossed it upon shore.
CERIMON
Wrench it open.
Soft! It smells most sweetly in my sense.
SECOND GENTLEMAN A delicate odor.
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CERIMON
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As ever hit my nostril. So, up with it.
They open the chest.
O, you most potent gods! What’s here? A corse?
SECOND GENTLEMAN Most strange!
CERIMON
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Shrouded in cloth of state, balmed and entreasured
With full bags of spices. A passport too!
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
ACT 3. SC. 2
Apollo, perfect me in the characters.
He reads.
Here I give to understand,
If e’er this coffin drives aland,
I, King 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 livest, Pericles, thou hast a heart
That ever cracks for woe. This chanced tonight.
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SECOND GENTLEMAN
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Most likely, sir.
Nay, certainly tonight,
For look how fresh she looks. They were too rough
That threw her in the sea.—Make a fire within;
Fetch hither all my boxes in my closet.
A servant exits.
Death may usurp on nature many hours,
And yet the fire of life kindle again
The o’erpressed spirits. I heard of an Egyptian
That had nine hours lain dead,
Who was by good appliance recoverèd.
CERIMON
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Enter one with boxes, napkins, and fire.
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Well said, well said! The fire and cloths.
The rough and woeful music that we have,
Cause it to sound, beseech you. Music sounds. The
viol once more!
How thou stirr’st, thou block! The music there.
Music sounds.
I pray you, give her air. Gentlemen,
This queen will live. Nature awakes a warm breath
Out of her. She hath not been entranced
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
ACT 3. SC. 3
Above five hours. See how she gins to blow
Into life’s flower again.
FIRST GENTLEMAN
The heavens, through you,
Increase our wonder, and sets up your fame
Forever.
CERIMON 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 doth
Appear to make the world twice rich.—Live,
And make us weep to hear your fate, fair creature,
Rare as you seem to be.
She moves.
THAISA
O dear Diana,
Where am I? Where’s my lord? What world is this?
SECOND GENTLEMAN Is not this strange?
FIRST GENTLEMAN Most rare!
CERIMON Hush, my gentle neighbors!
Lend me your hands. To the next chamber bear her.
Get linen. Now this matter must be looked to,
For her relapse is mortal. Come, come;
And Aesculapius guide us.
They carry her away as they all exit.
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125
Scene 3
Enter Pericles, at Tarsus, with Cleon and Dionyza, and
Lychorida with the child.
PERICLES
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FTLN 1335
Most honored Cleon, I must needs be gone.
My twelve months are expired, 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.
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
ACT 3. SC. 3
CLEON
FTLN 1336
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FTLN 1338
Your shakes of fortune, though they haunt you
mortally,
Yet glance full wond’ringly on us.
DIONYZA
FTLN 1339
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FTLN 1341
O, your sweet queen! That the strict Fates had pleased
You had brought her hither to have blessed mine
eyes with her!
10
PERICLES
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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 gentle babe Marina,
Whom, for she was born at sea, I have named so,
Here I charge your charity withal,
Leaving her the infant of your care,
Beseeching you to give her princely training,
That she may be mannered as she is born.
CLEON Fear not, my lord, but think
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,
By you relieved, 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!
PERICLES
I believe you.
Your honor and your goodness teach me to ’t
Without your vows.—Till she be married, madam,
By bright Diana, whom we honor, all
Unscissored shall this hair of mine remain,
Though I show ill in ’t. So I take my leave.
Good madam, make me blessèd in your care
In bringing up my child.
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
ACT 3. SC. 4
I have one myself,
Who shall not be more dear to my respect
Than yours, my lord.
PERICLES
Madam, my thanks and prayers.
DIONYZA
40
CLEON
FTLN 1372
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We’ll bring your Grace e’en to the edge o’ th’ shore,
Then give you up to the maskèd Neptune
And the gentlest winds of heaven.
PERICLES
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FTLN 1378
I will embrace your offer.—Come, dearest madam.—
O, no tears, Lychorida, no tears!
Look to your little mistress, on whose grace
You may depend hereafter.—Come, my lord.
They exit.
45
Scene 4
Enter Cerimon and Thaisa.
CERIMON
FTLN 1379
FTLN 1380
FTLN 1381
Madam, this letter and some certain jewels
Lay with you in your coffer, which are
At your command. Know you the character?
He shows her the letter.
THAISA
FTLN 1382
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It is my lord’s. That I was shipped at sea
I well remember, even on my bearing time,
But whether there delivered, 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.
CERIMON
Madam, if this
You purpose as you speak, Diana’s temple
Is not distant far, where you may abide
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ACT 3. SC. 4
Till your date expire. Moreover, if you
Please, a niece of mine shall there attend you.
THAISA
FTLN 1394
Pericles, Prince of Tyre
My recompense is thanks, that’s all;
Yet my good will is great, though the gift small.
They exit.
15
ACT 4
4 Chorus
Enter Gower.
GOWER
FTLN 1396
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FTLN 1400
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FTLN 1403
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Imagine Pericles arrived at Tyre,
Welcomed and settled to his own desire.
His woeful queen we leave at Ephesus,
Unto Diana there ’s a votaress.
Now to Marina bend your mind,
Whom our fast-growing scene must find
At Tarsus, and by Cleon trained
In music, letters; who hath gained
Of education all the grace
Which makes high both the art and place
Of general wonder. But, alack,
That monster envy, oft the wrack
Of earnèd praise, Marina’s life
Seeks to take off by treason’s knife.
And in this kind our Cleon hath
One daughter and a full grown wench,
Even ripe for marriage rite. This maid
Hight Philoten, and it is said
For certain in our story she
Would ever with Marina be.
Be ’t when they weaved the sleided silk
With fingers long, small, white as milk;
Or when she would with sharp needle wound
The cambric, which she made more sound
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
By hurting it; or when to the lute
She sung, and made the night bird mute,
That still records with moan; or when
She would with rich and constant pen
Vail to her mistress Dian, still
This Philoten contends in skill
With absolute Marina. So
With the dove of Paphos might the crow
Vie feathers white. Marina gets
All praises, which are paid as debts
And not as given. This so darks
In Philoten all graceful marks
That Cleon’s wife, with envy rare,
A present murderer does prepare
For good Marina, that her daughter
Might stand peerless by this slaughter.
The sooner her vile thoughts to stead,
Lychorida, our nurse, is dead,
And cursèd Dionyza hath
The pregnant instrument of wrath
Prest for this blow. The unborn event
I do commend to your content.
Only I carry wingèd Time
Post on the lame feet of my rhyme,
Which never could I so convey
Unless your thoughts went on my way.
Dionyza does appear,
With Leonine, a murderer.
Scene 1
Enter Dionyza with Leonine.
DIONYZA
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Thy oath remember. Thou hast sworn to do ’t.
’Tis but a blow which never shall be known.
ACT 4. SC. 1
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He exits.
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
ACT 4. SC. 1
Thou canst not do a thing in the world so soon
To yield thee so much profit. Let not conscience,
Which is but cold in flaming, thy bosom inflame
Too nicely. Nor let pity, which even women
Have cast off, melt thee; but be a soldier
To thy purpose.
LEONINE
I will do ’t; but yet
She is a goodly creature.
DIONYZA
The fitter, then,
The gods should have her. Here she comes weeping
For her only mistress’ death. Thou art resolved?
LEONINE I am resolved.
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Enter Marina with a basket of flowers.
MARINA
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No, I will rob Tellus of her weed
To strew thy green with flowers. The yellows, blues,
The purple violets and marigolds
Shall as a carpet hang upon thy grave
While summer days doth last. Ay me, poor maid,
Born in a tempest when my mother died,
This world to me is as a lasting storm,
Whirring me from my friends.
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DIONYZA
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How now, Marina? Why do you keep alone?
How chance my daughter is not with you?
Do not consume your blood with sorrowing.
Have you a nurse of me! Lord, how your favor ’s
Changed with this unprofitable woe.
Come, give me your flowers. O’er the sea marge
Walk with Leonine. The air is quick there,
And it pierces and sharpens the stomach.—Come,
Leonine,
Take her by the arm. Walk with her.
MARINA
No,
I pray you, I’ll not bereave you of your servant.
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
ACT 4. SC. 1
Come, come.
I love the king your father and yourself
With more than foreign heart. We every day
Expect him here. When he shall come and find
Our paragon to all reports thus blasted,
He will repent the breadth of his great voyage,
Blame both my lord and me that we have taken
No care to your best courses. Go, I pray you,
Walk, and be cheerful once again. Reserve
That excellent complexion, which did steal
The eyes of young and old. Care not for me.
I can go home alone.
MARINA
Well, I will go,
But yet I have no desire to it.
DIONYZA
Come, come,
I know ’tis good for you.—Walk half an hour,
Leonine, at the least. Remember
What I have said.
LEONINE
I warrant you, madam.
DIONYZA
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DIONYZA
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I’ll leave you, my sweet lady, for a while.
Pray walk softly; do not heat your blood.
What, I must have care of you.
MARINA My thanks, sweet madam.
Dionyza exits.
Is this wind westerly that blows?
LEONINE
Southwest.
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MARINA
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When I was born, the wind was north.
LEONINE
Was ’t so?
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MARINA
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My father, as nurse says, did never fear,
But cried “Good seamen!” to the sailors,
Galling his kingly hands haling ropes,
And, clasping to the mast, endured a sea
That almost burst the deck.
LEONINE
When was this?
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
ACT 4. SC. 1
When I was born.
Never was waves nor wind more violent,
And from the ladder-tackle washes off
A canvas-climber. “Ha!” says one, “Wolt out?”
And with a dropping industry they skip
From stern to stern. The Boatswain whistles, and
The Master calls and trebles their confusion.
LEONINE Come, say your prayers.
He draws his sword.
MARINA What mean you?
MARINA
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LEONINE
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If you require a little space for prayer,
I grant it. Pray, but be not tedious, for
The gods are quick of ear, and I am sworn
To do my work with haste.
MARINA Why will you kill me?
LEONINE To satisfy my lady.
MARINA Why would she have me killed?
Now, as I can remember, by my troth,
I never did her hurt in all my life.
I never spake bad word, nor did ill turn
To any living creature. Believe me, la,
I never killed a mouse, nor hurt a fly.
I trod upon a worm against my will,
But I wept for ’t. How have I offended
Wherein my death might yield her any profit
Or my life imply her any danger?
LEONINE My commission
Is not to reason of the deed, but do ’t.
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MARINA
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You will not do ’t for all the world, I hope.
You are well-favored, and your looks foreshow
You have a gentle heart. I saw you lately
When you caught hurt in parting two that fought.
Good sooth, it showed well in you. Do so now.
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
ACT 4. SC. 2
Your lady seeks my life. Come you between,
And save poor me, the weaker.
LEONINE
I am sworn
And will dispatch.
He seizes her.
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Enter Pirates.
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Hold, villain!
Leonine runs offstage.
SECOND PIRATE A prize, a prize!
He seizes Marina.
THIRD PIRATE Half-part, mates, half-part. Come, let’s
have her aboard suddenly.
They exit, carrying Marina.
FIRST PIRATE
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Enter Leonine.
LEONINE
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These roguing thieves serve the great pirate Valdes,
And they have seized Marina. Let her go.
There’s no hope she will return. I’ll swear she’s dead,
And thrown into the sea. But I’ll see further.
Perhaps they will but please themselves upon her,
Not carry her aboard. If she remain,
Whom they have ravished must by me be slain.
He exits.
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Scene 2
Enter Pander, Bawd, and Bolt.
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Bolt!
BOLT Sir?
PANDER Search the market narrowly. Mytilene is full
of gallants. We lost too much money this mart by
being too wenchless.
BAWD We were never so much out of creatures. We
have but poor three, and they can do no more than
they can do; and they with continual action are
even as good as rotten.
PANDER
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
ACT 4. SC. 2
Therefore let’s have fresh ones, whate’er we
pay for them. If there be not a conscience to be
used in every trade, we shall never prosper.
BAWD Thou sayst true. ’Tis not our bringing up of poor
bastards—as I think I have brought up some
eleven—
BOLT Ay, to eleven, and brought them down again. But
shall I search the market?
BAWD What else, man? The stuff we have, a strong
wind will blow it to pieces, they are so pitifully
sodden.
PANDER
Thou sayst true. There’s two unwholesome, a’
conscience. The poor Transylvanian is dead that
lay with the little baggage.
BOLT Ay, she quickly pooped him. She made him
roast-meat for worms. But I’ll go search the
market.
He exits.
PANDER
Three or four thousand chequins were as
pretty a proportion to live quietly, and so give over.
BAWD Why to give over, I pray you? Is it a shame to get
when we are old?
PANDER
O, our credit comes not in like the commodity,
nor the commodity wages not with the danger.
Therefore, if in our youths we could pick up some
pretty estate, ’twere not amiss to keep our door
hatched. Besides, the sore terms we stand upon
with the gods will be strong with us for giving o’er.
BAWD Come, other sorts offend as well as we.
PANDER
As well as we? Ay, and better too; we offend
worse. Neither is our profession any trade; it’s no
calling. But here comes Bolt.
PANDER
Enter Bolt with the Pirates and Marina.
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Come your ways, my masters. You say she’s a
virgin?
O, sir, we doubt it not.
PIRATE
BOLT
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
ACT 4. SC. 2
Master, I have gone through for this piece you
see. If you like her, so; if not, I have lost my
earnest.
BAWD Bolt, has she any qualities?
BOLT She has a good face, speaks well, and has excellent
good clothes. There’s no farther necessity of
qualities can make her be refused.
BAWD What’s her price, Bolt?
BOLT I cannot be bated one doit of a thousand pieces.
PANDER Well, follow me, my masters; you shall have
your money presently.—Wife, take her in. Instruct
her what she has to do, that she may not be raw in
her entertainment.
He exits with Pirates.
BAWD Bolt, take you the marks of her: the color of her
hair, complexion, height, her age, with warrant of
her virginity, and cry “He that will give most shall
have her first.” Such a maidenhead were no cheap
thing, if men were as they have been. Get this done
as I command you.
BOLT Performance shall follow.
He exits.
BOLT
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MARINA
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Alack that Leonine was so slack, so slow!
He should have struck, not spoke. Or that these
pirates,
Not enough barbarous, had but o’erboard thrown me
For to seek my mother.
BAWD Why lament you, pretty one?
MARINA That I am pretty.
BAWD Come, the gods have done their part in you.
MARINA I accuse them not.
BAWD You are light into my hands, where you are like
to live.
MARINA The more my fault, to ’scape his hands where
I was to die.
BAWD Ay, and you shall live in pleasure.
MARINA No.
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
ACT 4. SC. 2
Yes, indeed shall you, and taste gentlemen of all
fashions. You shall fare well; you shall have the
difference of all complexions. What, do you stop
your ears?
MARINA Are you a woman?
BAWD What would you have me be, an I be not a
woman?
MARINA An honest woman, or not a woman.
BAWD Marry, whip the gosling! I think I shall have
something to do with you. Come, you’re a young
foolish sapling, and must be bowed as I would
have you.
MARINA The gods defend me!
BAWD If it please the gods to defend you by men, then
men must comfort you, men must feed you, men
stir you up. Bolt’s returned.
BAWD
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Enter Bolt.
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Now, sir, hast thou cried her through the market?
BOLT I have cried her almost to the number of her
hairs. I have drawn her picture with my voice.
BAWD And I prithee tell me, how dost thou find the inclination
of the people, especially of the younger
sort?
BOLT Faith, they listened to me as they would have
hearkened to their father’s testament. There was a
Spaniard’s mouth watered an he went to bed to her
very description.
BAWD We shall have him here tomorrow with his best
ruff on.
BOLT Tonight, tonight! But, mistress, do you know the
French knight that cowers i’ the hams?
BAWD Who? Monsieur Verolles?
BOLT Ay, he. He offered to cut a caper at the proclamation,
but he made a groan at it and swore he would
see her tomorrow.
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
ACT 4. SC. 2
Well, well, as for him, he brought his disease
hither; here he does but repair it. I know he will
come in our shadow, to scatter his crowns in the
sun.
BOLT Well, if we had of every nation a traveler, we
should lodge them with this sign.
BAWD, to Marina
Pray you, come hither awhile. You
have fortunes coming upon you. Mark me: you
must seem to do that fearfully which you commit
willingly, despise profit where you have most gain.
To weep that you live as you do makes pity in your
lovers. Seldom but that pity begets you a good
opinion, and that opinion a mere profit.
MARINA I understand you not.
BOLT O, take her home, mistress, take her home!
These blushes of hers must be quenched with
some present practice.
Thou sayst true, i’ faith, so they must, for your
BAWD
bride goes to that with shame which is her way to
go with warrant.
BOLT Faith, some do and some do not. But, mistress,
if I have bargained for the joint—
BAWD Thou mayst cut a morsel off the spit.
BOLT I may so.
BAWD Who should deny it? Come, young one, I like
the manner of your garments well.
BOLT Ay, by my faith, they shall not be changed yet.
BAWD Bolt, spend thou that in the town. ( She gives him
money. ) Report what a sojourner we have. You’ll
lose nothing by custom. When Nature framed this
piece, she meant thee a good turn. Therefore say
what a paragon she is, and thou hast the harvest
out of thine own report.
BOLT I warrant you, mistress, thunder shall not so
awake the beds of eels as my giving out her beauty
stirs up the lewdly inclined. I’ll bring home some
tonight.
BAWD
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
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BAWD,
to Marina
ACT 4. SC. 3
Come your ways. Follow me.
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MARINA
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If fires be hot, knives sharp, or waters deep,
Untied I still my virgin knot will keep.
Diana aid my purpose!
BAWD What have we to do with Diana, pray you? Will
you go with us?
They exit.
155
Scene 3
Enter Cleon and Dionyza.
DIONYZA
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Why, are you foolish? Can it be undone?
CLEON
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O Dionyza, such a piece of slaughter
The sun and moon ne’er looked upon!
DIONYZA I think you’ll turn a child again.
CLEON
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Were I chief lord of all this spacious world,
I’d give it to undo the deed. A lady
Much less in blood than virtue, yet a princess
To equal any single crown o’ th’ Earth
I’ the justice of compare. O villain Leonine,
Whom thou hast poisoned too!
If thou hadst drunk to him, ’t had been a kindness
Becoming well thy face. What canst thou say
When noble Pericles shall demand his child?
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DIONYZA
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That she is dead. Nurses are not the Fates.
To foster is not ever to preserve.
She died at night; I’ll say so. Who can cross it
Unless you play the impious innocent
And, for an honest attribute, cry out
“She died by foul play!”
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
ACT 4. SC. 3
O, go to. Well, well,
Of all the faults beneath the heavens, the gods
Do like this worst.
DIONYZA
Be one of those that thinks
The petty wrens of Tarsus will fly hence
And open this to Pericles. I do shame
To think of what a noble strain you are,
And of how coward a spirit.
CLEON
To such proceeding
Whoever but his approbation added,
Though not his prime consent, he did not flow
From honorable courses.
DIONYZA
Be it so, then.
Yet none does know but you how she came dead,
Nor none can know, Leonine being gone.
She did distain my child and stood between
Her and her fortunes. None would look on her,
But cast their gazes on Marina’s face,
Whilst ours was blurted at and held a malkin
Not worth the time of day. It pierced me through,
And though you call my course unnatural,
You not your child well loving, yet I find
It greets me as an enterprise of kindness
Performed to your sole daughter.
CLEON
Heavens forgive it.
DIONYZA And as for Pericles,
What should he say? We wept after her hearse,
And yet we mourn. Her monument is
Almost finished, and her epitaphs
In glitt’ring golden characters express
A general praise to her, and care in us
At whose expense ’tis done.
CLEON
Thou art like the Harpy,
Which, to betray, dost with thine angel’s face
Seize with thine eagle’s talons.
CLEON
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
ACT 4. SC. 4
DIONYZA
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You’re like one that superstitiously
Do swear to the gods that winter kills the flies.
But yet I know you’ll do as I advise.
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They exit.
Scene 4
Enter Gower.
GOWER
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Thus time we waste, and long leagues make short,
Sail seas in cockles, have and wish but for ’t,
Making to take our imagination
From bourn to bourn, region to region.
By you being pardoned, we commit no crime
To use one language in each several clime
Where our scenes seems to live. I do beseech you
To learn of me, who stand in the gaps to teach you
The stages of our story. Pericles
Is now again thwarting the wayward seas,
Attended on by many a lord and knight,
To see his daughter, all his life’s delight.
Old Helicanus goes along. Behind
Is left to govern it, you bear in mind,
Old Escanes, whom Helicanus late
Advanced in time to great and high estate.
Well-sailing ships and bounteous winds have brought
This king to Tarsus—think his pilot thought;
So with his steerage shall your thoughts go on —
To fetch his daughter home, who first is gone.
Like motes and shadows see them move awhile;
Your ears unto your eyes I’ll reconcile.
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Dumb Show.
Enter Pericles at one door, with all his train, Cleon and
Dionyza at the other. Cleon shows Pericles the tomb,
141
Pericles, Prince of Tyre
ACT 4. SC. 4
whereat Pericles makes lamentation, puts on sackcloth,
and in a mighty passion departs. Cleon and Dionyza exit.
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See how belief may suffer by foul show!
This borrowed passion stands for true old woe.
And Pericles, in sorrow all devoured,
With sighs shot through and biggest tears
o’ershowered,
Leaves Tarsus and again embarks. He swears
Never to wash his face nor cut his hairs.
He puts on sackcloth, and to sea. He bears
A tempest which his mortal vessel tears,
And yet he rides it out. Now please you wit
The epitaph is for Marina writ
By wicked Dionyza:
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The fairest, sweetest, and best lies here,
Who withered in her spring of year.
She was of Tyrus, the King’s daughter,
On whom foul death hath made this slaughter.
Marina was she called, and at her birth,
Thetis, being proud, swallowed some part o’ th’ earth.
Therefore the Earth, fearing to be o’erflowed,
Hath Thetis’ birth-child on the heavens bestowed.
Wherefore she does—and swears she’ll never stint—
Make raging battery upon shores of flint.
No visor does become black villainy
So well as soft and tender flattery.
Let Pericles believe his daughter’s dead,
And bear his courses to be orderèd
By Lady Fortune, while our scene must play
His daughter’s woe and heavy welladay
In her unholy service. Patience, then,
And think you now are all in Mytilene.
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He exits.
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
ACT 4. SC. 6
Scene 5
Enter two Gentlemen.
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Did you ever hear the like?
SECOND GENTLEMAN No, nor never shall do in such a
place as this, she being once gone.
FIRST GENTLEMAN But to have divinity preached there!
Did you ever dream of such a thing?
SECOND GENTLEMAN No, no. Come, I am for no more
bawdy houses. Shall ’s go hear the vestals sing?
FIRST GENTLEMAN I’ll do anything now that is virtuous,
but I am out of the road of rutting forever.
They exit.
FIRST GENTLEMAN
5
Scene 6
Enter Bawd, Pander, and Bolt.
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Well, I had rather than twice the worth of her
she had ne’er come here.
BAWD Fie, fie upon her! She’s able to freeze the god
Priapus and undo a whole generation. We must
either get her ravished or be rid of her. When she
should do for clients her fitment and do me the
kindness of our profession, she has me her quirks,
her reasons, her master reasons, her prayers, her
knees, that she would make a puritan of the devil if
he should cheapen a kiss of her.
BOLT Faith, I must ravish her, or she’ll disfurnish us of
all our cavalleria, and make our swearers priests.
PANDER
Now the pox upon her greensickness for me!
BAWD Faith, there’s no way to be rid on ’t but by the
way to the pox.
PANDER
Enter Lysimachus.
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Here comes the Lord Lysimachus disguised.
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
ACT 4. SC. 6
We should have both lord and lown, if the peevish
baggage would but give way to customers.
LYSIMACHUS , removing his disguise
How now! How a
dozen of virginities?
BAWD Now the gods to-bless your Honor!
BOLT I am glad to see your Honor in good health.
LYSIMACHUS You may so. ’Tis the better for you that
your resorters stand upon sound legs. How now?
Wholesome iniquity have you that a man may deal
withal and defy the surgeon?
BAWD We have here one, sir, if she would—but there
never came her like in Mytilene.
LYSIMACHUS If she’d do the deeds of darkness, thou
wouldst say?
BAWD Your Honor knows what ’tis to say, well enough.
LYSIMACHUS Well, call forth, call forth.
Pander exits.
BOLT For flesh and blood, sir, white and red, you shall
see a rose; and she were a rose indeed, if she had
but—
LYSIMACHUS What, prithee?
BOLT O, sir, I can be modest.
LYSIMACHUS That dignifies the renown of a bawd no
less than it gives a good report to a number to be
chaste.
BOLT
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Enter Pander with Marina.
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Here comes that which grows to the stalk, never
plucked yet, I can assure you. Is she not a fair
creature?
LYSIMACHUS Faith, she would serve after a long voyage
at sea. Well, there’s for you.
He gives money.
Leave us.
BAWD I beseech your Honor, give me leave a word, and
I’ll have done presently.
LYSIMACHUS I beseech you, do.
He moves aside.
BAWD, to Marina
First, I would have you note this is
an honorable man.
BAWD
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
ACT 4. SC. 6
I desire to find him so, that I may worthily
note him.
BAWD Next, he’s the governor of this country and a
man whom I am bound to.
MARINA If he govern the country, you are bound to him
indeed, but how honorable he is in that I know
not.
BAWD Pray you, without any more virginal fencing,
will you use him kindly? He will line your apron
with gold.
MARINA What he will do graciously, I will thankfully
receive.
LYSIMACHUS , coming forward
Ha’ you done?
BAWD My lord, she’s not paced yet. You must take some
pains to work her to your manage.—Come, we will
leave his Honor and her together. Go thy ways.
Bawd, Pander, and Bolt exit.
LYSIMACHUS Now, pretty one, how long have you been
at this trade?
MARINA What trade, sir?
LYSIMACHUS Why, I cannot name ’t but I shall offend.
MARINA I cannot be offended with my trade. Please
you to name it.
LYSIMACHUS How long have you been of this profession?
MARINA E’er since I can remember.
LYSIMACHUS Did you go to ’t so young? Were you a
gamester at five or at seven?
MARINA Earlier too, sir, if now I be one.
LYSIMACHUS Why, the house you dwell in proclaims
you to be a creature of sale.
MARINA Do you know this house to be a place of such
resort, and will come into ’t? I hear say you’re of
honorable parts and are the governor of this place.
LYSIMACHUS Why, hath your principal made known
unto you who I am?
MARINA Who is my principal?
MARINA
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
ACT 4. SC. 6
Why, your herbwoman, she that sets
seeds and roots of shame and iniquity. O, you have
heard something of my power, and so stand aloof
for more serious wooing. But I protest to thee,
pretty one, my authority shall not see thee, or else
look friendly upon thee. Come, bring me to some
private place. Come, come.
LYSIMACHUS
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MARINA
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If you were born to honor, show it now;
If put upon you, make the judgment good
That thought you worthy of it.
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LYSIMACHUS
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How’s this? How’s this? Some more. Be sage.
MARINA
For me
That am a maid, though most ungentle Fortune
Have placed me in this sty, where, since I came,
Diseases have been sold dearer than physic—
That the gods
Would set me free from this unhallowed place,
Though they did change me to the meanest bird
That flies i’ the purer air!
LYSIMACHUS
I did not think
Thou couldst have spoke so well, ne’er dreamt thou
couldst.
Had I brought hither a corrupted mind,
Thy speech had altered it. Hold, here’s gold for thee.
Persevere in that clear way thou goest
And the gods strengthen thee!
He gives her money.
MARINA The good gods preserve you.
LYSIMACHUS For me, be you thoughten
That I came with no ill intent, for to me
The very doors and windows savor vilely.
Fare thee well. Thou art a piece of virtue,
And I doubt not but thy training hath been noble.
Hold, here’s more gold for thee.
He gives her money.
A curse upon him, die he like a thief,
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
ACT 4. SC. 6
That robs thee of thy goodness! If thou dost
Hear from me, it shall be for thy good.
He begins to exit.
BOLT, at the door
I beseech your Honor, one piece
for me.
LYSIMACHUS Avaunt, thou damnèd doorkeeper!
Your house, but for this virgin that doth prop it,
Would sink and overwhelm you. Away!
He exits.
BOLT How’s this? We must take another course with
you! If your peevish chastity, which is not worth a
breakfast in the cheapest country under the cope,
shall undo a whole household, let me be gelded
like a spaniel. Come your ways.
MARINA Whither would you have me?
BOLT I must have your maidenhead taken off, or the
common hangman shall execute it. Come your
way. We’ll have no more gentlemen driven away.
Come your ways, I say.
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Enter Bawd and Pander.
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How now, what’s the matter?
BOLT Worse and worse, mistress. She has here spoken
holy words to the Lord Lysimachus!
BAWD O, abominable!
BOLT He makes our profession as it were to stink afore
the face of the gods.
BAWD Marry, hang her up forever.
BOLT The nobleman would have dealt with her like a
nobleman, and she sent him away as cold as a
snowball, saying his prayers too.
BAWD Bolt, take her away, use her at thy pleasure,
crack the glass of her virginity, and make the rest
malleable.
BOLT An if she were a thornier piece of ground than
she is, she shall be plowed.
MARINA Hark, hark, you gods!
BAWD
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
ACT 4. SC. 6
She conjures. Away with her! Would she had
never come within my doors.—Marry, hang you!—
She’s born to undo us.—Will you not go the way of
womenkind? Marry come up, my dish of chastity
with rosemary and bays!
Bawd and Pander exit.
BOLT Come, mistress, come your way with me.
MARINA Whither wilt thou have me?
BOLT To take from you the jewel you hold so dear.
MARINA Prithee, tell me one thing first.
BOLT Come, now, your one thing.
BAWD
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MARINA
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What canst thou wish thine enemy to be?
BOLT Why, I could wish him to be my master, or
rather, my mistress.
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MARINA
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Neither of these are so bad as thou art,
Since they do better thee in their command.
Thou hold’st a place for which the pained’st fiend
Of hell would not in reputation change.
Thou art the damnèd doorkeeper to every
Coistrel that comes enquiring for his Tib.
To the choleric fisting of every rogue
Thy ear is liable. Thy food is such
As hath been belched on by infected lungs.
BOLT What would you have me do? Go to the wars,
would you, where a man may serve seven years for
the loss of a leg, and have not money enough in the
end to buy him a wooden one?
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MARINA
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Do anything but this thou dost. Empty
Old receptacles, or common shores, of filth;
Serve by indenture to the common hangman.
Any of these ways are yet better than this.
For what thou professest, a baboon, could he speak,
Would own a name too dear. That the gods
Would safely deliver me from this place!
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
ACT 4. SC. 6
Here, here’s gold for thee.
She gives him money.
If that thy master would gain by me,
Proclaim that I can sing, weave, sew, and dance,
With other virtues which I’ll keep from boast,
And will undertake all these to teach.
I doubt not but this populous city
Will yield many scholars.
BOLT But can you teach all this you speak of?
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MARINA
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Prove that I cannot, take me home again
And prostitute me to the basest groom
That doth frequent your house.
BOLT Well, I will see what I can do for thee. If I can
place thee, I will.
MARINA But amongst honest women.
BOLT Faith, my acquaintance lies little amongst them.
But since my master and mistress hath bought
you, there’s no going but by their consent. Therefore
I will make them acquainted with your
purpose, and I doubt not but I shall find them
tractable enough. Come, I’ll do for thee what I can.
Come your ways.
They exit.
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ACT 5
Enter Gower.
GOWER
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Marina thus the brothel ’scapes, and chances
Into an honest house, our story says.
She sings like one immortal, and she dances
As goddesslike to her admirèd lays.
Deep clerks she dumbs, and with her neele composes
Nature’s own shape, of bud, bird, branch, or berry,
That even her art sisters the natural roses.
Her inkle, silk, twin with the rubied cherry,
That pupils lacks she none of noble race,
Who pour their bounty on her, and her gain
She gives the cursèd bawd. Here we her place,
And to her father turn our thoughts again,
Where we left him, on the sea. We there him lost,
Where, driven before the winds, he is arrived
Here where his daughter dwells; and on this coast
Suppose him now at anchor. The city strived
God Neptune’s annual feast to keep, from whence
Lysimachus our Tyrian ship espies,
His banners sable, trimmed with rich expense,
And to him in his barge with fervor hies.
In your supposing once more put your sight
Of heavy Pericles. Think this his bark,
Where what is done in action—more, if might—
Shall be discovered. Please you sit and hark.
He exits.
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ACT 5. SC. 1
Scene 1
Enter Helicanus, to him two Sailors, one from the
Tyrian ship and one from Mytilene.
TYRIAN SAILOR ,
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(to Sailor from Mytilene)
Where is Lord Helicanus? He can resolve you.
O, here he is.—
Sir, there is a barge put off from Mytilene,
And in it is Lysimachus, the Governor,
Who craves to come aboard. What is your will?
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HELICANUS
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That he have his.
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TYRIAN SAILOR
Sailor from Mytilene exits.
Call up some gentlemen.
Ho, gentlemen, my lord calls.
Enter two or three Gentlemen.
GENTLEMAN
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Doth your Lordship call?
Gentlemen,
There is some of worth would come aboard.
I pray, greet him fairly.
HELICANUS
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Enter Lysimachus, with Lords and Sailor from Mytilene.
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SAILOR FROM MYTILENE,
to Lysimachus
Sir,
This is the man that can, in aught you would,
Resolve you.
LYSIMACHUS , to Helicanus
Hail, reverend sir. The gods preserve you.
HELICANUS And you, to outlive the age I am,
And die as I would do.
LYSIMACHUS
You wish me well.
Being on shore, honoring of Neptune’s triumphs,
Seeing this goodly vessel ride before us,
I made to it to know of whence you are.
HELICANUS First, what is your place?
LYSIMACHUS
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I am the governor of this place you lie before.
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
ACT 5. SC. 1
Sir,
Our vessel is of Tyre, in it the King,
A man who for this three months hath not spoken
To anyone, nor taken sustenance
But to prorogue his grief.
HELICANUS
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Upon what ground is his distemperature?
HELICANUS ’Twould be too tedious to repeat,
But the main grief springs from the loss
Of a belovèd daughter and a wife.
LYSIMACHUS May we not see him?
HELICANUS You may,
But bootless is your sight. He will not speak
To any.
Yet let me obtain my wish.
LYSIMACHUS
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HELICANUS
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Behold him. Pericles is revealed. This was a goodly
person,
Till the disaster that one mortal night
Drove him to this.
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LYSIMACHUS
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Sir king, all hail! The gods preserve you. Hail,
Royal sir!
HELICANUS
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It is in vain; he will not speak to you.
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LORD
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Sir, we have a maid in Mytilene,
I durst wager would win some words of him.
LYSIMACHUS ’Tis well bethought.
She, questionless, with her sweet harmony
And other chosen attractions, would allure
And make a batt’ry through his defended ports,
Which now are midway stopped.
She is all happy as the fairest of all,
And, with her fellow maid, is now upon
The leafy shelter that abuts against
The island’s side.
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ACT 5. SC. 1
HELICANUS
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Sure, all effectless; yet nothing we’ll omit
That bears recovery’s name.
Lysimachus signals to a Lord, who exits.
But since your kindness
We have stretched thus far, let us beseech you
That for our gold we may provision have,
Wherein we are not destitute for want,
But weary for the staleness.
LYSIMACHUS
O, sir, a courtesy
Which, if we should deny, the most just God
For every graft would send a caterpillar,
And so inflict our province. Yet once more
Let me entreat to know at large the cause
Of your king’s sorrow.
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HELICANUS
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Sit, sir, I will recount it to you. But see,
I am prevented.
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Enter Lord with Marina and her companion.
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O, here’s the lady that I sent for.—
Welcome, fair one.—Is ’t not a goodly presence?
HELICANUS She’s a gallant lady.
LYSIMACHUS
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She’s such a one that, were I well assured
Came of a gentle kind and noble stock,
I’d wish no better choice, and think me rarely wed.—
Fair one, all goodness that consists in beauty:
Expect even here, where is a kingly patient,
If that thy prosperous and artificial feat
Can draw him but to answer thee in aught,
Thy sacred physic shall receive such pay
As thy desires can wish.
MARINA
Sir, I will use
My utmost skill in his recovery, provided
That none but I and my companion maid
Be suffered to come near him.
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Come, let us
Leave her, and the gods make her prosperous.
Lysimachus, Helicanus and others move aside.
MARINA sings
The Song.
LYSIMACHUS
LYSIMACHUS ,
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ACT 5. SC. 1
coming forward
Marked he your music?
MARINA
No, nor looked on us.
LYSIMACHUS , moving aside
See, she will speak to him.
MARINA, to Pericles
Hail, sir! My lord, lend ear.
PERICLES Hum, ha!
He pushes her away.
MARINA I am a maid, my lord,
That ne’er before invited eyes, but have
Been gazed on like a comet. She speaks,
My lord, that may be hath endured a grief
Might equal yours, if both were justly weighed.
Though wayward Fortune did malign my state,
My derivation was from ancestors
Who stood equivalent with mighty kings.
But time hath rooted out my parentage,
And to the world and awkward casualties
Bound me in servitude. Aside. I will desist,
But there is something glows upon my cheek,
And whispers in mine ear “Go not till he speak.”
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PERICLES
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My fortunes—parentage—good parentage,
To equal mine! Was it not thus? What say you?
MARINA
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I said, my lord, if you did know my parentage,
You would not do me violence.
PERICLES
I do think so.
Pray you turn your eyes upon me.
You’re like something that—What
countrywoman?
Here of these shores?
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ACT 5. SC. 1
No, nor of any shores.
Yet I was mortally brought forth, and am
No other than I appear.
MARINA
PERICLES
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I am great with woe, and shall deliver weeping.
My dearest wife was like this maid, and such
A one my daughter might have been: my queen’s
Square brows, her stature to an inch;
As wandlike straight, as silver-voiced; her eyes
As jewel-like, and cased as richly; in pace
Another Juno; who starves the ears she feeds
And makes them hungry the more she gives them
speech.—
Where do you live?
MARINA
Where I am but a stranger.
From the deck you may discern the place.
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PERICLES
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Where were you bred? And how achieved you these
Endowments which you make more rich to owe?
MARINA
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If I should tell my history, it would seem
Like lies disdained in the reporting.
PERICLES
Prithee, speak.
Falseness cannot come from thee, for thou lookest
Modest as Justice, and thou seemest a palace
For the crownèd Truth to dwell in. I will believe thee
And make my senses credit thy relation
To points that seem impossible, for thou lookest
Like one I loved indeed. What were thy friends?
Didst thou not say, when I did push thee back—
Which was when I perceived thee—that thou cam’st
From good descending?
MARINA
So indeed I did.
PERICLES
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Report thy parentage. I think thou said’st
Thou hadst been tossed from wrong to injury,
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
ACT 5. SC. 1
And that thou thought’st thy griefs might equal mine,
If both were opened.
MARINA
Some such thing I said,
And said no more but what my thoughts
Did warrant me was likely.
PERICLES
Tell thy story.
If thine considered prove the thousand part
Of my endurance, thou art a man, and I
Have suffered like a girl. Yet thou dost look
Like Patience gazing on kings’ graves and smiling
Extremity out of act. What were thy friends?
How lost thou them? Thy name, my most kind
virgin,
Recount, I do beseech thee. Come, sit by me.
She sits.
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MARINA
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My name is Marina.
O, I am mocked,
And thou by some incensèd god sent hither
To make the world to laugh at me!
MARINA
Patience, good sir,
Or here I’ll cease.
PERICLES
Nay, I’ll be patient.
Thou little know’st how thou dost startle me
To call thyself Marina.
MARINA The name
Was given me by one that had some power—
My father, and a king.
PERICLES
How, a king’s daughter?
And called Marina?
MARINA
You said you would believe me.
But not to be a troubler of your peace,
I will end here.
PERICLES
But are you flesh and blood?
Have you a working pulse, and are no fairy
Motion? Well, speak on. Where were you born?
And wherefore called Marina?
PERICLES
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173
FTLN 2249
FTLN 2250
FTLN 2251
MARINA
Pericles, Prince of Tyre
For I was born at sea.
PERICLES
ACT 5. SC. 1
Called Marina
At sea? What mother?
185
MARINA
FTLN 2252
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My mother was the daughter of a king,
Who died the minute I was born,
As my good nurse Lychorida hath oft
Delivered weeping.
PERICLES
O, stop there a little!
Aside. This is the rarest dream that e’er dull sleep
Did mock sad fools withal. This cannot be
My daughter, buried.—Well, where were you bred?
I’ll hear you more, to the bottom of your story,
And never interrupt you.
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MARINA
FTLN 2262
You scorn. Believe me, ’twere best I did give o’er.
PERICLES
FTLN 2263
FTLN 2264
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I will believe you by the syllable
Of what you shall deliver. Yet give me leave:
How came you in these parts? Where were you bred?
200
MARINA
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The King my father did in Tarsus leave me,
Till cruel Cleon with his wicked wife
Did seek to murder me; and having wooed a villain
To attempt it, who, having drawn to do ’t,
A crew of pirates came and rescued me,
Brought me to Mytilene—But, good sir,
Whither will you have me? Why do you weep?
It may be you think me an impostor.
No, good faith.
I am the daughter to King Pericles,
If good King Pericles be.
Ho, Helicanus!
PERICLES
HELICANUS Calls my lord?
PERICLES
FTLN 2279
Thou art a grave and noble counselor,
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175
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
ACT 5. SC. 1
Most wise in general. Tell me, if thou canst,
What this maid is, or what is like to be,
That thus hath made me weep.
HELICANUS
I know not;
But here’s the regent, sir, of Mytilene
Speaks nobly of her.
LYSIMACHUS
She never would tell
Her parentage. Being demanded that,
She would sit still and weep.
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220
PERICLES
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O, Helicanus! Strike me, honored sir.
Give me a gash, put me to present pain,
Lest this great sea of joys rushing upon me
O’erbear the shores of my mortality
And drown me with their sweetness.—O, come hither,
Thou that beget’st him that did thee beget,
Thou that wast born at sea, buried at Tarsus,
And found at sea again!—O, Helicanus,
Down on thy knees! Thank the holy gods as loud
As thunder threatens us. This is Marina.—
What was thy mother’s name? Tell me but that,
For truth can never be confirmed enough,
Though doubts did ever sleep.
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MARINA
FTLN 2302
First, sir, I pray, what is your title?
PERICLES
FTLN 2303
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FTLN 2306
I am Pericles of Tyre. But tell me now
My drowned queen’s name, as in the rest you said
Thou hast been godlike perfect, the heir of kingdoms,
And another life to Pericles thy father.
240
MARINA
FTLN 2307
FTLN 2308
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FTLN 2310
Is it no more to be your daughter than
To say my mother’s name was Thaisa?
Thaisa was my mother, who did end
The minute I began.
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
ACT 5. SC. 1
PERICLES
FTLN 2311
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Now, blessing on thee! Rise. Thou ’rt my child.—
Give me fresh garments.—Mine own Helicanus,
She is not dead at Tarsus, as she should
Have been, by savage Cleon. She shall tell thee all,
When thou shalt kneel, and justify in knowledge
She is thy very princess. Who is this?
250
HELICANUS
FTLN 2317
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Sir, ’tis the Governor of Mytilene,
Who, hearing of your melancholy state,
Did come to see you.
PERICLES, to Lysimachus
I embrace you.—
Give me my robes.—I am wild in my beholding.
They put fresh garments on him.
O heavens bless my girl! But hark, what music?
Tell Helicanus, my Marina, tell him o’er
Point by point, for yet he seems to doubt,
How sure you are my daughter.—But what music?
HELICANUS My lord, I hear none.
PERICLES None?
The music of the spheres!—List, my Marina.
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260
LYSIMACHUS
FTLN 2329
FTLN 2330
It is not good to cross him. Give him way.
Rarest sounds! Do you not hear?
PERICLES
265
LYSIMACHUS
FTLN 2331
FTLN 2332
FTLN 2333
FTLN 2334
Music, my lord? I hear—
Most heavenly music.
It nips me unto list’ning, and thick slumber
Hangs upon mine eyes. Let me rest.
He sleeps.
PERICLES
LYSIMACHUS
FTLN 2335
FTLN 2336
FTLN 2337
A pillow for his head. So, leave him all.
Lysimachus and others begin to exit.
Well, my companion friends, if this but answer
To my just belief, I’ll well remember you.
All but Pericles exit.
270
Pericles, Prince of Tyre
179
ACT 5. SC. 1
Diana descends.
DIANA
FTLN 2338
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My temple stands in Ephesus. Hie thee thither
And do upon mine altar sacrifice.
There, when my maiden priests are met together,
Before the people all,
Reveal how thou at sea didst lose thy wife.
To mourn thy crosses, with thy daughter’s, call,
And give them repetition to the life.
Or perform my bidding, or thou livest in woe;
Do ’t, and happy, by my silver bow.
Awake, and tell thy dream.
She ascends.
PERICLES
Celestial Dian,
Goddess argentine, I will obey thee.—
Helicanus!
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285
Enter Helicanus, Lysimachus, Marina, and
Attendants.
FTLN 2351
HELICANUS
Sir.
PERICLES
FTLN 2352
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My purpose was for Tarsus, there to strike
The inhospitable Cleon, but I am
For other service first. Toward Ephesus
Turn our blown sails. Eftsoons I’ll tell thee why.—
Shall we refresh us, sir, upon your shore,
And give you gold for such provision
As our intents will need?
LYSIMACHUS Sir,
With all my heart. And when you come ashore,
I have another suit.
PERICLES
You shall prevail
Were it to woo my daughter, for it seems
You have been noble towards her.
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295
LYSIMACHUS
FTLN 2365
FTLN 2366
Sir, lend me your arm.
PERICLES
Come, my Marina.
300
They exit.
Pericles, Prince of Tyre
181
ACT 5. SC. 3
Scene 2
Enter Gower.
GOWER
FTLN 2367
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Now our sands are almost run,
More a little, and then dumb.
This my last boon give me—
For such kindness must relieve me—
That you aptly will suppose
What pageantry, what feats, what shows,
What minstrelsy and pretty din
The regent made in Mytilene
To greet the King. So he thrived
That he is promised to be wived
To fair Marina, but in no wise
Till he had done his sacrifice
As Dian bade, whereto being bound,
The interim, pray you, all confound.
In feathered briefness sails are filled,
And wishes fall out as they’re willed.
At Ephesus the temple see
Our king and all his company.
That he can hither come so soon
Is by your fancies’ thankful doom.
5
10
15
He exits.
Scene 3
Enter Cerimon and Diana’s Priestesses, including
Thaisa; at another door enter Pericles, Marina,
Helicanus, Lysimachus, and Attendants.
PERICLES
FTLN 2387
FTLN 2388
FTLN 2389
Hail, Dian! To perform thy just command,
I here confess myself the King of Tyre,
Who, frighted from my country, did wed
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183
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
ACT 5. SC. 3
At Pentapolis the fair Thaisa.
At sea in childbed died she, but brought forth
A maid child called Marina, whom, O goddess,
Wears yet thy silver livery. She at Tarsus
Was nursed with Cleon, who at fourteen years
He sought to murder. But her better stars
Brought her to Mytilene, ’gainst whose shore riding,
Her fortunes brought the maid aboard us, where,
By her own most clear remembrance, she made known
Herself my daughter.
THAISA Voice and favor!
You are, you are—O royal Pericles!
She falls in a faint.
5
10
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PERICLES
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What means the nun? She dies! Help, gentlemen!
CERIMON Noble sir,
If you have told Diana’s altar true,
This is your wife.
PERICLES
Reverend appearer, no.
I threw her overboard with these very arms.
20
CERIMON
FTLN 2408
FTLN 2409
Upon this coast, I warrant you.
PERICLES
’Tis most certain.
CERIMON
FTLN 2410
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FTLN 2415
Look to the lady. O, she’s but overjoyed.
Early one blustering morn this lady was
Thrown upon this shore. I oped the coffin,
Found there rich jewels, recovered her, and placed her
Here in Diana’s temple.
PERICLES
May we see them?
25
CERIMON
FTLN 2416
FTLN 2417
FTLN 2418
FTLN 2419
FTLN 2420
Great sir, they shall be brought you to my house,
Whither I invite you. Look, Thaisa
Is recoverèd.
Thaisa rises.
THAISA
O, let me look!
If he be none of mine, my sanctity
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
ACT 5. SC. 3
Will to my sense bend no licentious ear,
But curb it, spite of seeing.—O, my lord,
Are you not Pericles? Like him you spake,
Like him you are. Did you not name a tempest,
A birth and death?
PERICLES
The voice of dead Thaisa!
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40
THAISA
FTLN 2427
FTLN 2428
That Thaisa am I, supposèd dead
And drowned.
PERICLES
FTLN 2429
FTLN 2430
FTLN 2431
FTLN 2432
Immortal Dian!
Now I know you better.
She points to the ring on his hand.
When we with tears parted Pentapolis,
The king my father gave you such a ring.
THAISA
45
PERICLES
FTLN 2433
FTLN 2434
FTLN 2435
FTLN 2436
FTLN 2437
FTLN 2438
FTLN 2439
This, this! No more, you gods! Your present kindness
Makes my past miseries sports. You shall do well
That on the touching of her lips I may
Melt and no more be seen.—O, come, be buried
A second time within these arms!
They embrace.
MARINA, kneeling
My heart
Leaps to be gone into my mother’s bosom.
50
PERICLES
FTLN 2440
FTLN 2441
FTLN 2442
FTLN 2443
Look who kneels here, flesh of thy flesh, Thaisa,
Thy burden at the sea, and called Marina
For she was yielded there.
THAISA, embracing Marina
Blessed, and mine own!
55
HELICANUS
FTLN 2444
FTLN 2445
Hail, madam, and my queen.
THAISA
I know you not.
PERICLES
FTLN 2446
FTLN 2447
FTLN 2448
FTLN 2449
FTLN 2450
You have heard me say, when I did fly from Tyre
I left behind an ancient substitute.
Can you remember what I called the man?
I have named him oft.
THAISA
’Twas Helicanus then.
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187
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
Still confirmation!
Embrace him, dear Thaisa. This is he.
ACT 5. SC. 3
PERICLES
They embrace.
Now do I long to hear how you were found,
How possibly preserved, and who to thank,
Besides the gods, for this great miracle.
THAISA Lord Cerimon, my lord, this man
Through whom the gods have shown their power,
that can
From first to last resolve you.
PERICLES
Reverend sir,
The gods can have no mortal officer
More like a god than you. Will you deliver
How this dead queen relives?
CERIMON
I will, my lord.
Beseech you, first go with me to my house,
Where shall be shown you all was found with her,
How she came placed here in the temple,
No needful thing omitted.
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70
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80
PERICLES
FTLN 2469
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Pure Dian, I bless thee for thy vision, and
Will offer night oblations to thee.—Thaisa,
This prince, the fair betrothèd of your daughter,
Shall marry her at Pentapolis.—And now this
ornament
Makes me look dismal will I clip to form,
And what this fourteen years no razor touched,
To grace thy marriage day I’ll beautify.
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90
THAISA
FTLN 2477
FTLN 2478
Lord Cerimon hath letters of good credit, sir,
My father’s dead.
PERICLES
FTLN 2479
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FTLN 2481
FTLN 2482
Heavens make a star of him! Yet there, my queen,
We’ll celebrate their nuptials, and ourselves
Will in that kingdom spend our following days.
Our son and daughter shall in Tyrus reign.—
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189
FTLN 2483
FTLN 2484
Pericles, Prince of Tyre
Lord Cerimon, we do our longing stay
To hear the rest untold. Sir, lead ’s the way.
EPILOGUE
They exit.
EPILOGUE
Enter Gower.
GOWER
FTLN 2485
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In Antiochus and his daughter you have heard
Of monstrous lust the due and just reward.
In Pericles, his queen, and daughter seen,
Although assailed with fortune fierce and keen,
Virtue preserved from fell destruction’s blast,
Led on by heaven, and crowned with joy at last.
In Helicanus may you well descry
A figure of truth, of faith, of loyalty.
In reverend Cerimon there well appears
The worth that learnèd charity aye wears.
For wicked Cleon and his wife, when fame
Had spread his cursèd deed to the honored name
Of Pericles, to rage the city turn,
That him and his they in his palace burn.
The gods for murder seemèd so content
To punish, although not done, but meant.
So on your patience evermore attending,
New joy wait on you. Here our play has ending.
He exits.
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