Pericles, Prince of Tyre

ACT 1

1 Chorus

Enter Gower.

GOWER

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.
55It 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,
1010Et 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,
1515I 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.
2020I tell you what mine authors say.
This king unto him took a peer,
Who died and left a female heir
So buxom, blithe, and full of face
As heaven had lent her all his grace;
2525With 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
3030Was 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;
3535Which 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,
4040As 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.

Scene 1

Enter Antiochus, Prince Pericles, and followers.

ANTIOCHUS

Young Prince of Tyre, you have at large received
The danger of the task you undertake.

PERICLES

45I have, Antiochus, and with a soul
Emboldened with the glory of her praise
5Think death no hazard in this enterprise.

ANTIOCHUS

Music!Music sounds offstage.
Bring in our daughter, clothèd like a bride
50For embracements even of Jove himself,
At whose conception, till Lucina reigned,
10Nature this dowry gave: to glad her presence,
The senate house of planets all did sit
To knit in her their best perfections.

Enter Antiochus’ daughter.

PERICLES

55See where she comes, appareled like the spring,
Graces her subjects, and her thoughts the king
15Of every virtue gives renown to men!
Her face the book of praises, where is read
Nothing but curious pleasures, as from thence
60Sorrow were ever razed, and testy wrath
Could never be her mild companion.
20You gods that made me man, and sway in love,
That have inflamed desire in my breast
To taste the fruit of yon celestial tree
65Or die in th’ adventure, be my helps,
As I am son and servant to your will,
25To compass such a boundless happiness.

ANTIOCHUS

Prince Pericles—

PERICLES

That would be son to great Antiochus.

ANTIOCHUS

70Before thee stands this fair Hesperides,
With golden fruit, but dangerous to be touched;
30For deathlike dragons here affright thee hard.
Her face, like heaven, enticeth thee to view
Her countless glory, which desert must gain;
75And which without desert, because thine eye
Presumes to reach, all the whole heap must die.
He points to the heads.
35Yon sometimes famous princes, like thyself,
Drawn by report, advent’rous by desire,
Tell thee with speechless tongues and semblance pale
80That, without covering save yon field of stars,
Here they stand martyrs slain in Cupid’s wars,
40And with dead cheeks advise thee to desist
For going on death’s net, whom none resist.

PERICLES

Antiochus, I thank thee, who hath taught
85My frail mortality to know itself,
And by those fearful objects to prepare
45This 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.
90I’ll make my will, then, and as sick men do
Who know the world, see heaven but, feeling woe,
50Gripe 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;
95My riches to the earth from whence they came,
To the Daughter. But my unspotted fire of love to
55you.—
Thus ready for the way of life or death,
I wait the sharpest blow.

ANTIOCHUS

100Scorning advice, read the conclusion, then:
Which read and not expounded, ’tis decreed,
60As these before thee, thou thyself shalt bleed.

DAUGHTER

Of all ’sayed yet, mayst thou prove prosperous;
Of all ’sayed yet, I wish thee happiness.

PERICLES

105Like a bold champion I assume the lists,
Nor ask advice of any other thought
65But faithfulness and courage.
He reads the Riddle:
I am no viper, yet I feed
On mother’s flesh which did me breed.
110I sought a husband, in which labor
I found that kindness in a father.
70He’s father, son, and husband mild;
I mother, wife, and yet his child.
How they may be, and yet in two,
115As you will live resolve it you.
Aside. Sharp physic is the last! But, O you powers
75That 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?
120Fair glass of light, I loved you, and could still
Were not this glorious casket stored with ill.
80But 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.
125You are a fair viol, and your sense the strings
Who, fingered to make man his lawful music,
85Would draw heaven down and all the gods to
hearken;
But, being played upon before your time,
130Hell only danceth at so harsh a chime.
Good sooth, I care not for you.

ANTIOCHUS

90Prince Pericles, touch not, upon thy life,
For that’s an article within our law
As dangerous as the rest. Your time’s expired.
135Either expound now or receive your sentence.

PERICLES

Great king,
95Few 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,
140He’s more secure to keep it shut than shown.
For vice repeated is like the wand’ring wind,
100Blows dust in others’ eyes to spread itself;
And yet the end of all is bought thus dear:
The breath is gone, and the sore eyes see clear
145To stop the air would hurt them. The blind mole casts
Copped hills towards heaven, to tell the Earth is
105thronged
By man’s oppression, and the poor worm doth die
for ’t.
150Kings are Earth’s gods; in vice their law’s their will;
And if Jove stray, who dares say Jove doth ill?
110It 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;
155Then give my tongue like leave to love my head.

ANTIOCHUS, aside

Heaven, that I had thy head! He has found the
115meaning.
But I will gloze with him.—Young Prince of Tyre,
Though by the tenor of our strict edict,
160Your exposition misinterpreting,
We might proceed to cancel of your days,
120Yet hope, succeeding from so fair a tree
As your fair self, doth tune us otherwise.
Forty days longer we do respite you,
165If by which time our secret be undone,
This mercy shows we’ll joy in such a son.
125And until then, your entertain shall be
As doth befit our honor and your worth.

All except Pericles exit.

PERICLES

How courtesy would seem to cover sin
170When what is done is like an hypocrite,
The which is good in nothing but in sight.
130If it be true that I interpret false,
Then were it certain you were not so bad
As with foul incest to abuse your soul;
175Where now you’re both a father and a son
By your untimely claspings with your child,
135Which pleasures fits a husband, not a father,
And she an eater of her mother’s flesh
By the defiling of her parents’ bed;
180And both like serpents are, who, though they feed
On sweetest flowers, yet they poison breed.
140Antioch, farewell, for wisdom sees those men
Blush not in actions blacker than the night
Will ’schew no course to keep them from the light.
185One sin, I know, another doth provoke;
Murder’s as near to lust as flame to smoke.
145Poison 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,
190By flight I’ll shun the danger which I fear.

He exits.Enter Antiochus.

ANTIOCHUS

He hath found the meaning,
150For which we mean to have his head.
He must not live to trumpet forth my infamy,
Nor tell the world Antiochus doth sin
195In such a loathèd manner.
And therefore instantly this prince must die,
155For by his fall my honor must keep high.—
Who attends us there?

Enter Thaliard.

THALIARD

Doth your Highness call?

ANTIOCHUS

200Thaliard, you are of our chamber, Thaliard,
And our mind partakes her private actions
160To your secrecy; and for your faithfulness
We will advance you, Thaliard. Behold,
Here’s poison, and here’s gold. He gives poison and
money. 205We hate the Prince
Of Tyre, and thou must kill him. It fits thee not
165To ask the reason why: because we bid it.
Say, is it done?

THALIARD

My lord, ’tis done.

ANTIOCHUS

210Enough.

Enter a Messenger.

Let your breath cool yourself, telling your haste.

MESSENGER

170My 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
215archer hits the mark his eye doth level at, so thou
never return unless thou say Prince Pericles is
175dead.

THALIARD

My lord, if I can get him within my pistol’s
length, I’ll make him sure enough. So, farewell to
220your Highness.

ANTIOCHUS

Thaliard, adieu. Till Pericles be dead,
180My heart can lend no succor to my head.

They exit.

Scene 2

Enter Pericles with an Attendant.

PERICLES

Let none disturb us. (Attendant exits.) Why should
this change of thoughts,
225The sad companion dull-eyed Melancholy,
Be my so used a guest as not an hour
5In the day’s glorious walk or peaceful night,
The tomb where grief should sleep, can breed me
quiet?
230Here pleasures court mine eyes, and mine eyes shun
them;
10And danger, which I feared, is at Antioch,
Whose arm seems far too short to hit me here.
Yet neither pleasure’s art can joy my spirits,
235Nor yet the other’s distance comfort me.
Then it is thus: the passions of the mind
15That have their first conception by misdread
Have after-nourishment and life by care;
And what was first but fear what might be done
240Grows elder now, and cares it be not done.
And so with me. The great Antiochus,
20’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;
245Nor boots it me to say I honor him
If he suspect I may dishonor him.
25And 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,
250And with th’ ostent of war will look so huge
Amazement shall drive courage from the state,
30Our men be vanquished ere they do resist,
And subjects punished that ne’er thought offense;
Which care of them, not pity of myself,
255Who am no more but as the tops of trees
Which fence the roots they grow by and defend them,
35Makes both my body pine and soul to languish
And punish that before that he would punish.

Enter Helicanus and all the Lords to Pericles.

FIRST LORD

Joy and all comfort in your sacred breast.

SECOND LORD

260And keep your mind till you return to us
Peaceful and comfortable.

HELICANUS

40Peace, peace, and give experience tongue.
They do abuse the King that flatter him,
For flattery is the bellows blows up sin;
265The thing the which is flattered, but a spark
To which that wind gives heat and stronger glowing;
45Whereas reproof, obedient and in order,
Fits kings as they are men, for they may err.
When Signior Sooth here does proclaim peace,
270He flatters you, makes war upon your life.
He kneels.
Prince, pardon me, or strike me, if you please.
50I cannot be much lower than my knees.

PERICLES

All leave us else; but let your cares o’erlook
What shipping and what lading’s in our haven,
275And then return to us.The Lords exit.
Helicanus,
55Thou hast moved us. What seest thou in our looks?

HELICANUS

An angry brow, dread lord.

PERICLES

If there be such a dart in princes’ frowns,
280How durst thy tongue move anger to our face?

HELICANUS

How dares the plants look up to heaven,
60From whence they have their nourishment?

PERICLES

Thou knowest I have power to take thy life from thee.

HELICANUS

I have ground the ax myself;
285Do but you strike the blow.

PERICLES

Rise, prithee rise.Helicanus rises.
65Sit down. Thou art no flatterer.
I thank thee for ’t; and heaven forbid
That kings should let their ears hear their faults hid.
290Fit counselor and servant for a prince,
Who by thy wisdom makes a prince thy servant,
70What wouldst thou have me do?

HELICANUS

To bear with patience such griefs
As you yourself do lay upon yourself.

PERICLES

295Thou speak’st like a physician, Helicanus,
That ministers a potion unto me
75That thou wouldst tremble to receive thyself.
Attend me, then: I went to Antioch,
Where, as thou know’st, against the face of death
300I sought the purchase of a glorious beauty
From whence an issue I might propagate,
80Are 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,
305Which by my knowledge found, the sinful father
Seemed not to strike, but smooth. But thou know’st
85this:
’Tis time to fear when tyrants seems to kiss;
Which fear so grew in me I hither fled
310Under the covering of a careful night,
Who seemed my good protector; and, being here,
90Bethought me what was past, what might succeed.
I knew him tyrannous, and tyrants’ fears
Decrease not but grow faster than the years;
315And should he doubt, as no doubt he doth,
That I should open to the list’ning air
95How 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,
320And make pretense of wrong that I have done him;
When all, for mine—if I may call ’t—offense,
100Must 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

325Alas, sir!

PERICLES

Drew sleep out of mine eyes, blood from my cheeks,
105Musings into my mind, with thousand doubts
How I might stop this tempest ere it came;
And finding little comfort to relieve them,
330I thought it princely charity to grieve for them.

HELICANUS

Well, my lord, since you have given me leave to speak,
110Freely will I speak. Antiochus you fear,
And justly too, I think, you fear the tyrant,
Who either by public war or private treason
335Will take away your life.
Therefore, my lord, go travel for a while,
115Till 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,
340Day serves not light more faithful than I’ll be.

PERICLES

I do not doubt thy faith.
120But should he wrong my liberties in my absence?

HELICANUS

We’ll mingle our bloods together in the earth,
From whence we had our being and our birth.

PERICLES

345Tyre, I now look from thee, then, and to Tarsus
Intend my travel, where I’ll hear from thee,
125And 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.
350I’ll take thy word for faith, not ask thine oath.
Who shuns not to break one will crack both.
130But 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.

THALIARD

355So this is Tyre, and this the court. Here
must I kill King Pericles; and if I do it not, I am
sure to be hanged at home. ’Tis dangerous. Well, I
perceive he was a wise fellow and had good discretion
5that, being bid to ask what he would of the
360king, 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
10comes the lords of Tyre.

He steps aside.Enter Helicanus and Escanes, with other Lords.

HELICANUS

365You 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

15How? The King gone?

HELICANUS

370If 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

20What from Antioch?

HELICANUS

375Royal 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;
25So puts himself unto the shipman’s toil,
380With 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
30perish at the sea. I’ll present myself.—Peace to the
385lords of Tyre!

HELICANUS

Lord Thaliard from Antiochus is welcome.

THALIARD

From him I come with message unto princely
Pericles, but since my landing I have understood
35your lord has betook himself to unknown travels.
390Now 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:
40As friends to Antioch, we may feast in Tyre.

They exit.

Scene 4

Enter Cleon the Governor of Tarsus, with his wife
Dionyza and others.

CLEON

395My Dionyza, shall we rest us here
And, by relating tales of others’ griefs,
See if ’twill teach us to forget our own?

DIONYZA

That were to blow at fire in hope to quench it;
5For who digs hills because they do aspire
400Throws 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

10O Dionyza,
405Who 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
15Fetch breath that may proclaim them louder, that
410If 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.

DIONYZA

20I’ll do my best, sir.

CLEON

415This 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
25clouds,
420And 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,
30And not so much to feed on as delight;
425All poverty was scorned, and pride so great,
The name of help grew odious to repeat.

DIONYZA

O, ’tis too true.

CLEON

But see what heaven can do by this our change:
35These mouths who but of late earth, sea, and air
430Were 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.
40Those palates who not yet two savors younger
435Must 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
45To eat those little darlings whom they loved.
440So 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
50Have scarce strength left to give them burial.
445Is not this true?

DIONYZA

Our cheeks and hollow eyes do witness it.

CLEON

O, let those cities that of Plenty’s cup
And her prosperities so largely taste,
55With their superfluous riots, hear these tears.
450The misery of Tarsus may be theirs.

Enter a Lord.

LORD

Where’s the Lord Governor?

CLEON

Here.
Speak out thy sorrows, which thee bring’st in haste,
60For comfort is too far for us to expect.

LORD

455We 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
65That may succeed as his inheritor;
460And 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,
70And make a conquest of unhappy men,
465Whereas no glory’s got to overcome.

LORD

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

75Thou speak’st like him’s untutored to repeat
470“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.
80Go tell their general we attend him here,
475To know for what he comes and whence he comes
And what he craves.

LORD

I go, my lord.

He exits.

CLEON

Welcome is peace, if he on peace consist;
85If wars, we are unable to resist.

Enter Pericles with Attendants.

PERICLES

480Lord 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
90And seen the desolation of your streets;
485Nor 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
95With bloody veins expecting overthrow,
490Are 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

100Arise, I pray you, rise.
495We 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,
105Be it our wives, our children, or ourselves,
500The 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.

PERICLES

Which welcome we’ll accept, feast here awhile,
110Until our stars that frown lend us a smile.

They exit.

ACT 2

2 Chorus

Enter Gower.

GOWER

505Here 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.
5Be quiet, then, as men should be,
510Till he hath passed necessity.
I’ll show you those in troubles reign,
Losing a mite, a mountain gain.
The good in conversation,
10To whom I give my benison,
515Is 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.
15But tidings to the contrary
520Are brought your eyes. What need speak I?



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.

Good Helicane, that stayed at home—
Not to eat honey like a drone
From others’ labors, for though he strive
20To killen bad, keep good alive,
525And 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;
25And that in Tarsus was not best
530Longer 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;
30Thunder above and deeps below
535Makes 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.
35All perishen of man, of pelf,
540Ne 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,
40Pardon old Gower—this ’longs the text.

He exits.

Scene 1

Enter Pericles, wet.

PERICLES

545Yet 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.
5Alas, the seas hath cast me on the rocks,
550Washed 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;
10And, having thrown him from your wat’ry grave,
555Here to have death in peace is all he’ll crave.

Enter three Fishermen.

FIRST FISHERMAN

What ho, Pilch!

SECOND FISHERMAN

Ha, come and bring away the nets!

FIRST FISHERMAN

What, Patchbreech, I say!

THIRD FISHERMAN

15What say you, master?

FIRST FISHERMAN

560Look 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

20Alas, poor souls, it grieved my heart
565to 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
25when I saw the porpoise how he bounced and tumbled?
570They 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
30ones eat up the little ones. I can compare our rich
575misers 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
35gaping till they swallowed the whole parish—
580church, 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.

SECOND FISHERMAN

40Why, man?

THIRD FISHERMAN

585Because 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
45parish up again. But if the good King Simonides
590were 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

50How from the finny subject of the sea
595These 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

55Honest good fellow, what’s that? If
600it be a day fits you, search out of the calendar, and
nobody look after it!

PERICLES

May see the sea hath cast upon your coast—

SECOND FISHERMAN

What a drunken knave was the sea
60to cast thee in our way!

PERICLES

605A 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

65No, friend, cannot you beg? Here’s
610them 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

70I never practiced it.

SECOND FISHERMAN

615Nay, then, thou wilt starve sure,
for here’s nothing to be got nowadays unless thou
canst fish for ’t.

PERICLES

What I have been I have forgot to know,
75But what I am want teaches me to think on:
620A 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,
80For that I am a man, pray you see me buried.

FIRST FISHERMAN

625Die, 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,
85and we’ll have flesh for holidays, fish for fasting
630days, 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
90could not beg?

PERICLES

635I 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

95O, not all, my friend, not all; for if
640all 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

100Hark you, sir, do you know where
645you are?

PERICLES

Not well.

FIRST FISHERMAN

Why, I’ll tell you. This is called Pentapolis,
and our king the good Simonides.

PERICLES

105“The good Simonides” do you call him?

FIRST FISHERMAN

650Ay, sir, and he deserves so to be called
for his peaceable reign and good government.

PERICLES

He is a happy king, since he gains from his
subjects the name of “good” by his government.
110How far is his court distant from this shore?

FIRST FISHERMAN

655Marry, 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
115for her love.

PERICLES

660Were 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
120for his wife’s soul.

Enter the two other Fishermen, drawing up a net.

SECOND FISHERMAN

665Help, 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.

PERICLES

125An armor, friends? I pray you let me see it.
They pull out the armor.
670Thanks, 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
130With this strict charge even as he left his life,
675“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
135defend thee.”
680It 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
140Since I have here my father gave in his will.

FIRST FISHERMAN

685What mean you, sir?

PERICLES

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,
145And for his sake I wish the having of it,
690And 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

150Why, wilt thou tourney for the lady?

PERICLES

695I’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
155we that made up this garment through the rough
700seams 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.
160By your furtherance I am clothed in steel,
705And 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
165Shall make the gazer joy to see him tread.
710Only, 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
170thee to the court myself.

PERICLES

715Then honor be but a goal to my will;
This day I’ll rise or else add ill to ill.

They exit.

Scene 2

Enter King Simonides, with Lords, Attendants,
and Thaisa.

SIMONIDES

Are the knights ready to begin the triumph?

FIRST LORD

They are, my liege,
And stay your coming to present themselves.

SIMONIDES

720Return them we are ready, and our daughter here,
5In 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.

THAISA

It pleaseth you, my royal father, to express
725My commendations great, whose merit’s less.

SIMONIDES

10It’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.
730’Tis now your honor, daughter, to entertain
15The labor of each knight in his device.

THAISA

Which to preserve mine honor, I’ll perform.

The first Knight passes by. His Squire presents a shield
to Thaisa.

SIMONIDES

Who is the first that doth prefer himself?

THAISA

A knight of Sparta, my renownèd father,
735And the device he bears upon his shield
20Is a black Ethiop reaching at the sun;
The word: Lux tua vita mihi.

SIMONIDES

He loves you well that holds his life of you.

The second Knight passes by. His Squire presents a
shield to Thaisa.

Who is the second that presents himself?

THAISA

740A prince of Macedon, my royal father,
25And 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.

The third Knight passes by. His Squire presents a shield
to Thaisa.

SIMONIDES

745And what’s the third?

THAISA

30The third, of Antioch;
And his device a wreath of chivalry;
The word: Me pompae provexit apex.

The fourth Knight passes by. His Squire presents a
shield to Thaisa.

SIMONIDES

What is the fourth?

THAISA

750A burning torch that’s turnèd upside down;
35The word: Qui me alit me extinguit.

SIMONIDES

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

The fifth, an hand environèd with clouds,
755Holding out gold that’s by the touchstone tried;
40The motto thus: Sic spectanda fides.

The sixth Knight, Pericles, passes by. He presents a
shield to Thaisa.

SIMONIDES

And what’s the sixth and last, the which the knight
himself
With such a graceful courtesy delivered?

THAISA

760He seems to be a stranger; but his present is
45A 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,
765He hopes by you his fortunes yet may flourish.

FIRST LORD

50He 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.

SECOND LORD

770He well may be a stranger, for he comes
55To an honored triumph strangely furnishèd.

THIRD LORD

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

SIMONIDES

Opinion’s but a fool that makes us scan
775The outward habit by the inward man.
60But stay, the knights are coming.
We will withdraw into the gallery.

They exit.Great shouts offstage, and all cry, “The mean knight.”

Scene 3

Enter the King Simonides, Thaisa, Marshal, Ladies,
Lords, Attendants, and Knights in armor, from tilting.

SIMONIDES

Knights,
To say you’re welcome were superfluous.
780To place upon the volume of your deeds,
As in a title page, your worth in arms
5Were more than you expect or more than ’s fit,
Since every worth in show commends itself.
Prepare for mirth, for mirth becomes a feast.
785You are princes and my guests.

THAISA, to Pericles

But you my knight and guest,
10To whom this wreath of victory I give
And crown you king of this day’s happiness.

She places a wreath on Pericles’ head.

PERICLES

’Tis more by fortune, lady, than my merit.

SIMONIDES

790Call it by what you will, the day is yours,
And here, I hope, is none that envies it.
15In framing an artist, Art hath thus decreed,
To make some good but others to exceed,
And you are her labored scholar.—Come, queen o’
795the feast,
For, daughter, so you are; here, take your place.—
20Marshal, the rest as they deserve their grace.

KNIGHTS

We are honored much by good Simonides.

SIMONIDES

Your presence glads our days. Honor we love,
800For who hates honor hates the gods above.

MARSHAL, to Pericles

Sir, yonder is your place.

PERICLES

25Some other is more fit.

FIRST KNIGHT

Contend not, sir, for we are gentlemen
Have neither in our hearts nor outward eyes
805Envies the great, nor shall the low despise.

PERICLES

You are right courteous knights.

SIMONIDES

30Sit, sir, sit.They sit.
Aside. By Jove I wonder, that is king of thoughts,
These cates resist me, he not thought upon.

THAISA, aside

810By Juno, that is queen of marriage,
All viands that I eat do seem unsavory,
35Wishing him my meat.—Sure, he’s a gallant
gentleman.

SIMONIDES

He’s but a country gentleman;
815Has done no more than other knights have done;
Has broken a staff or so. So let it pass.

THAISA, aside

40To 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—
820Had princes sit like stars about his throne,
And he the sun for them to reverence.
45None 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,
825The which hath fire in darkness, none in light;
Whereby I see that Time’s the king of men.
50He’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?

KNIGHTS

830Who can be other in this royal presence?

SIMONIDES

Here, with a cup that’s stored unto the brim,
55As do you love, fill to your mistress’ lips.
We drink this health to you.

He drinks.

KNIGHTS

We thank your Grace.

SIMONIDES

835Yet pause awhile. Yon knight doth sit too melancholy,
As if the entertainment in our court
60Had not a show might countervail his worth.—
Note it not you, Thaisa?

THAISA

What is ’t to me, my father?

SIMONIDES

840O, attend, my daughter. Princes in this
Should live like gods above, who freely give
65To everyone that come to honor them.
And princes not doing so are like to gnats,
Which make a sound but, killed, are wondered at.
845Therefore, to make his entrance more sweet,
Here, say we drink this standing-bowl of wine to him.

He drinks.

THAISA

70Alas, my father, it befits not me
Unto a stranger knight to be so bold.
He may my proffer take for an offense,
850Since men take women’s gifts for impudence.

SIMONIDES

How?
75Do as I bid you, or you’ll move me else.

THAISA, aside

Now, by the gods, he could not please me better.

SIMONIDES

And furthermore tell him we desire to know of him
855Of whence he is, his name and parentage.

THAISA, going to Pericles

The King, my father, sir, has drunk to you.

PERICLES

80I thank him.

THAISA

Wishing it so much blood unto your life.

PERICLES

I thank both him and you, and pledge him freely.

He drinks to Simonides.

THAISA

860And further, he desires to know of you
Of whence you are, your name and parentage.

PERICLES

85A gentleman of Tyre, my name Pericles.
My education been in arts and arms,
Who, looking for adventures in the world,
865Was by the rough seas reft of ships and men,
And after shipwrack driven upon this shore.

THAISA, returning to her place

90He thanks your Grace; names himself Pericles,
A gentleman of Tyre,
Who only by misfortune of the seas,
870Bereft of ships and men, cast on this shore.

SIMONIDES

Now, by the gods, I pity his misfortune,
95And will awake him from his melancholy.—
Come, gentlemen, we sit too long on trifles
And waste the time which looks for other revels.
875Even in your armors, as you are addressed,
Will well become a soldiers’ dance.
100I 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.
880So, this was well asked, ’twas so well performed.
Come, sir.He presents Pericles to Thaisa.
105Here’s a lady that wants breathing too,
And I have heard you knights of Tyre
Are excellent in making ladies trip,
885And that their measures are as excellent.

PERICLES

In those that practice them they are, my lord.

SIMONIDES

110O, that’s as much as you would be denied
Of your fair courtesy.They dance.
Unclasp, unclasp!
890Thanks, gentlemen, to all; all have done well;
To Pericles. But you the best.—Pages and lights, to
115conduct
These knights unto their several lodgings. To
Pericles. Yours, sir,
895We have given order be next our own.

PERICLES

I am at your Grace’s pleasure.

SIMONIDES

120Princes, 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,
900Tomorrow all for speeding do their best.

They exit.

Scene 4

Enter Helicanus and Escanes.

HELICANUS

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
5905Due 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
10910Those 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.

HELICANUS

And yet but justice; for though this king were great,
15915His greatness was no guard to bar heaven’s shaft,
But sin had his reward.

ESCANES

’Tis very true.

Enter two or three Lords.

FIRST LORD

See, not a man in private conference
Or counsel has respect with him but he.

SECOND LORD

20920It shall no longer grieve without reproof.

THIRD LORD

And cursed be he that will not second it.

FIRST LORD

Follow me, then.—Lord Helicane, a word.

HELICANUS

With me? And welcome. Happy day, my lords.

FIRST LORD

Know that our griefs are risen to the top,
25925And now at length they overflow their banks.

HELICANUS

Your griefs? For what? Wrong not your prince you
love.

FIRST LORD

Wrong not yourself, then, noble Helicane.
But if the Prince do live, let us salute him,
30930Or 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
35935And leave us to our free election.

SECOND LORD

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,
40940That best know how to rule and how to reign,
We thus submit unto, our sovereign.

ALL

Live, noble Helicane!

HELICANUS

Try honor’s cause; forbear your suffrages.
If that you love Prince Pericles, forbear.
45945Take 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,
50950I 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,
55955You shall like diamonds sit about his crown.

FIRST LORD

To wisdom he’s a fool that will not yield.
And since Lord Helicane enjoineth us,
We with our travels will endeavor.

HELICANUS

Then you love us, we you, and we’ll clasp hands.
60960When peers thus knit, a kingdom ever stands.

They exit.

Scene 5

Enter the King, Simonides, reading of a letter at one
door; the Knights meet him.

FIRST KNIGHT

Good morrow to the good Simonides.

SIMONIDES

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,
5965Which from her by no means can I get.

SECOND KNIGHT

May we not get access to her, my lord?

SIMONIDES

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.
10970This by the eye of Cynthia hath she vowed,
And on her virgin honor will not break it.

THIRD KNIGHT

Loath to bid farewell, we take our leaves.

The Knights exit.

SIMONIDES

So,
They are well dispatched. Now to my daughter’s letter.
15975She 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!
20980Well, I do commend her choice, and will no longer
Have it be delayed. Soft, here he comes.
I must dissemble it.

Enter Pericles.

PERICLES

All fortune to the good Simonides.

SIMONIDES

To you as much. Sir, I am beholding to you
25985For your sweet music this last night. I do
Protest, my ears were never better fed
With such delightful pleasing harmony.

PERICLES

It is your Grace’s pleasure to commend,
Not my desert.

SIMONIDES

30990Sir, you are music’s master.

PERICLES

The worst of all her scholars, my good lord.

SIMONIDES

Let me ask you one thing:
What do you think of my daughter, sir?

PERICLES

A most virtuous princess.

SIMONIDES

35995And she is fair too, is she not?

PERICLES

As a fair day in summer, wondrous fair.

SIMONIDES

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

401000I am unworthy for her schoolmaster.

SIMONIDES

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.—
451005O, 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.

SIMONIDES

Thou hast bewitched my daughter, and thou art
501010A 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.

SIMONIDES

551015Traitor, thou liest!

PERICLES

Traitor?

SIMONIDES

Ay, traitor.

PERICLES

Even in his throat, unless it be the King
That calls me traitor, I return the lie.

SIMONIDES, aside

601020Now, by the gods, I do applaud his courage.

PERICLES

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,
651025And 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.

Enter Thaisa.

PERICLES

Then as you are as virtuous as fair,
701030Resolve your angry father if my tongue
Did e’er solicit or my hand subscribe
To any syllable that made love to you.

THAISA

Why, sir, say if you had, who takes offense
At that would make me glad?

SIMONIDES

751035Yea, 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
801040Upon 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:
851045Either 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.
And for further grief—God give you joy!
901050What, are you both pleased?

THAISA

Yes, (to Pericles) if you love me, sir.

PERICLES

Even as my life my blood that fosters it.

SIMONIDES

What, are you both agreed?

BOTH

Yes, if ’t please your Majesty.

SIMONIDES

951055It pleaseth me so well that I will see you wed,
And then with what haste you can, get you to bed.

They exit.

ACT 3

3 Chorus

Enter Gower.

GOWER

Now sleep yslackèd hath the rout;
No din but snores about the house,
Made louder by the o’erfed breast
1060Of this most pompous marriage feast.
5The 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.
1065Hymen hath brought the bride to bed,
10Where, by the loss of maidenhead,
A babe is molded. Be attent,
And time that is so briefly spent
With your fine fancies quaintly eche.
1070What’s dumb in show I’ll plain with speech.



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.


15By many a dern and painful perch
Of Pericles the careful search,
By the four opposing coigns
Which the world together joins,
1075Is made with all due diligence
20That 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
1080Are letters brought, the tenor these:
25Antiochus and his daughter dead,
The men of Tyrus on the head
Of Helicanus would set on
The crown of Tyre, but he will none.
1085The mutiny he there hastes t’ oppress,
30Says 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,
1090Brought hither to Pentapolis,
35Y-ravishèd the regions round,
And everyone with claps can sound,
“Our heir apparent is a king!
Who dreamt, who thought of such a thing?”
1095Brief, he must hence depart to Tyre.
40His 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,
1100And so to sea. Their vessel shakes
45On Neptune’s billow. Half the flood
Hath their keel cut. But Fortune, moved,
Varies again. The grizzled North
Disgorges such a tempest forth
1105That, as a duck for life that dives,
50So up and down the poor ship drives.
The lady shrieks and, well-anear,
Does fall in travail with her fear.
And what ensues in this fell storm
1110Shall for itself itself perform.
55I nill relate; action may
Conveniently the rest convey,
Which might not what by me is told.
In your imagination hold
1115This stage the ship upon whose deck
60The sea-tossed Pericles appears to speak.

He exits.

Scene 1

Enter Pericles, a-shipboard.

PERICLES

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,
1120Having called them from the deep! O, still
5Thy 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
1125Is as a whisper in the ears of death,
10Unheard.—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
1130Of my queen’s travails!—Now, Lychorida!

Enter Lychorida, carrying an infant.

LYCHORIDA

15Here is a thing too young for such a place,
Who, if it had conceit, would die, as I
Am like to do. Take in your arms this piece
Of your dead queen.

PERICLES

1135How? How, Lychorida?

LYCHORIDA

20Patience, 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

1140O you gods!
25Why 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

1145Patience, good sir,
30Even 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
1150Thou art the rudeliest welcome to this world
35That 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.
1155Even at the first, thy loss is more than can
40Thy portage quit, with all thou canst find here.
Now the good gods throw their best eyes upon ’t.

Enter two Sailors.

FIRST SAILOR

What courage, sir? God save you.

PERICLES

Courage enough. I do not fear the flaw.
1160It hath done to me the worst. Yet for the love
45Of 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!

SECOND SAILOR

1165But searoom, an the brine and cloudy
50billow 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

1170That’s your superstition.

FIRST SAILOR

55Pardon 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

1175As you think meet.—Most wretched queen!

LYCHORIDA

60Here she lies, sir.

PERICLES

A terrible childbed hast thou had, my dear,
No light, no fire. Th’ unfriendly elements
Forgot thee utterly. Nor have I time
1180To give thee hallowed to thy grave, but straight
65Must 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,
1185Lying with simple shells.—O, Lychorida,
70Bid 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
1190A priestly farewell to her. Suddenly, woman!

Lychorida exits.

SECOND SAILOR

75Sir, we have a chest beneath the hatches,
caulked and bitumed ready.

PERICLES

I thank thee, mariner. Say, what coast is this?

SECOND SAILOR

We are near Tarsus.

PERICLES

1195Thither, gentle mariner.
80Alter thy course for Tyre. When canst thou reach it?

SECOND SAILOR

By break of day if the wind cease.

PERICLES

O, make for Tarsus!
There will I visit Cleon, for the babe
1200Cannot hold out to Tyrus. There I’ll leave it
85At careful nursing. Go thy ways, good mariner.
I’ll bring the body presently.

They exit.

Scene 2

Enter Lord Cerimon with two Suppliants.

CERIMON

Philemon, ho!

Enter Philemon.

PHILEMON

Doth my lord call?

CERIMON

1205Get fire and meat for these poor men.
’T has been a turbulent and stormy night.

Philemon exits.

FIRST SUPPLIANT

5I have been in many; but such a night as this,
Till now, I ne’er endured.

CERIMON

Your master will be dead ere you return.
1210There’s nothing can be ministered to nature
That can recover him. To Second Suppliant. Give
10this to the ’pothecary,
And tell me how it works.

Suppliants exit.Enter two Gentlemen.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

Good morrow.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

1215Good morrow to your Lordship.

CERIMON

Gentlemen, why do you stir so early?

FIRST GENTLEMAN

15Sir,
Our lodgings, standing bleak upon the sea,
Shook as the earth did quake.
1220The very principals did seem to rend
And all to topple. Pure surprise and fear
20Made me to quit the house.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

That is the cause we trouble you so early.
’Tis not our husbandry.

CERIMON

1225O, you say well.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

But I much marvel that your Lordship, having
25Rich tire about you, should at these early hours
Shake off the golden slumber of repose.
’Tis most strange
1230Nature should be so conversant with pain,
Being thereto not compelled.

CERIMON

30I hold it ever
Virtue and cunning were endowments greater
Than nobleness and riches. Careless heirs
1235May the two latter darken and expend,
But immortality attends the former,
35Making a man a god. ’Tis known I ever
Have studied physic, through which secret art,
By turning o’er authorities, I have,
1240Together with my practice, made familiar
To me and to my aid the blessed infusions
40That dwells in vegetives, in metals, stones;
And can speak of the disturbances
That Nature works, and of her cures; which doth
1245give me
A more content in course of true delight
45Than to be thirsty after tottering honor,
Or tie my pleasure up in silken bags
To please the fool and death.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

1250Your Honor has through Ephesus poured forth
Your charity, and hundreds call themselves
50Your creatures, who by you have been restored;
And not your knowledge, your personal pain, but even
Your purse, still open, hath built Lord Cerimon
1255Such strong renown, as time shall never—

Enter two or three Servants with a chest.

SERVANT

So, lift there.

CERIMON

55What’s that?

SERVANT

Sir, even now
Did the sea toss up upon our shore this chest.
1260’Tis of some wrack.

CERIMON

Set ’t down. Let’s look upon ’t.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

60’Tis like a coffin, sir.

CERIMON

What e’er it be,
’Tis wondrous heavy. Wrench it open straight.
1265If the sea’s stomach be o’ercharged with gold,
’Tis a good constraint of Fortune it belches upon us.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

65’Tis so, my lord.

CERIMON

How close ’tis caulked and bitumed!
Did the sea cast it up?

SERVANT

1270I never saw so huge a billow, sir,
As tossed it upon shore.

CERIMON

70Wrench it open.
Soft! It smells most sweetly in my sense.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

A delicate odor.

CERIMON

1275As ever hit my nostril. So, up with it.
They open the chest.
O, you most potent gods! What’s here? A corse?

SECOND GENTLEMAN

75Most strange!

CERIMON

Shrouded in cloth of state, balmed and entreasured
With full bags of spices. A passport too!
1280Apollo, perfect me in the characters.
He reads.
Here I give to understand,
80If e’er this coffin drives aland,
I, King Pericles, have lost
This queen, worth all our mundane cost.
1285Who finds her, give her burying.
She was the daughter of a king.
85Besides this treasure for a fee,
The gods requite his charity.
If thou livest, Pericles, thou hast a heart
1290That ever cracks for woe. This chanced tonight.

SECOND GENTLEMAN

Most likely, sir.

CERIMON

90Nay, certainly tonight,
For look how fresh she looks. They were too rough
That threw her in the sea.—Make a fire within;
1295Fetch hither all my boxes in my closet.
A servant exits.
Death may usurp on nature many hours,
95And yet the fire of life kindle again
The o’erpressed spirits. I heard of an Egyptian
That had nine hours lain dead,
1300Who was by good appliance recoverèd.

Enter one with boxes, napkins, and fire.

Well said, well said! The fire and cloths.
100The rough and woeful music that we have,
Cause it to sound, beseech you. Music sounds. The
viol once more!
1305How thou stirr’st, thou block! The music there.
Music sounds.
I pray you, give her air. Gentlemen,
105This queen will live. Nature awakes a warm breath
Out of her. She hath not been entranced
Above five hours. See how she gins to blow
1310Into life’s flower again.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

The heavens, through you,
110Increase our wonder, and sets up your fame
Forever.

CERIMON

She is alive. Behold her eyelids—
1315Cases to those heavenly jewels which Pericles hath
lost—
115Begin to part their fringes of bright gold.
The diamonds of a most praised water doth
Appear to make the world twice rich.—Live,
1320And make us weep to hear your fate, fair creature,
Rare as you seem to be.

She moves.

THAISA

120O dear Diana,
Where am I? Where’s my lord? What world is this?

SECOND GENTLEMAN

Is not this strange?

FIRST GENTLEMAN

1325Most rare!

CERIMON

Hush, my gentle neighbors!
125Lend 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;
1330And Aesculapius guide us.

They carry her away as they all exit.

Scene 3

Enter Pericles, at Tarsus, with Cleon and Dionyza, and
Lychorida with the child.

PERICLES

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
51335Make up the rest upon you.

CLEON

Your shakes of fortune, though they haunt you
mortally,
Yet glance full wond’ringly on us.

DIONYZA

O, your sweet queen! That the strict Fates had pleased
101340You had brought her hither to have blessed mine
eyes with her!

PERICLES

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.
151345My 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,
201350That 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
251355Should 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

301360I 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,
351365Though I show ill in ’t. So I take my leave.
Good madam, make me blessèd in your care
In bringing up my child.

DIONYZA

I have one myself,
Who shall not be more dear to my respect
401370Than yours, my lord.

PERICLES

Madam, my thanks and prayers.

CLEON

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

451375I 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.

Scene 4

Enter Cerimon and Thaisa.

CERIMON

Madam, this letter and some certain jewels
1380Lay with you in your coffer, which are
At your command. Know you the character?

He shows her the letter.

THAISA

It is my lord’s. That I was shipped at sea
5I well remember, even on my bearing time,
But whether there delivered, by the holy gods
1385I cannot rightly say. But since King Pericles,
My wedded lord, I ne’er shall see again,
A vestal livery will I take me to,
10And never more have joy.

CERIMON

Madam, if this
1390You purpose as you speak, Diana’s temple
Is not distant far, where you may abide
Till your date expire. Moreover, if you
15Please, a niece of mine shall there attend you.

THAISA

My recompense is thanks, that’s all;
1395Yet my good will is great, though the gift small.

They exit.

ACT 4

4 Chorus

Enter Gower.

GOWER

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.
51400Now 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
101405Which 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.
151410And 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
201415Would 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
251420By 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
301425This 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
351430And 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
401435Might 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
451440Prest 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
501445Unless your thoughts went on my way.
Dionyza does appear,
With Leonine, a murderer.

He exits.

Scene 1

Enter Dionyza with Leonine.

DIONYZA

Thy oath remember. Thou hast sworn to do ’t.
’Tis but a blow which never shall be known.
1450Thou canst not do a thing in the world so soon
To yield thee so much profit. Let not conscience,
5Which 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
1455To thy purpose.

LEONINE

I will do ’t; but yet
10She is a goodly creature.

DIONYZA

The fitter, then,
The gods should have her. Here she comes weeping
1460For her only mistress’ death. Thou art resolved?

LEONINE

I am resolved.

Enter Marina with a basket of flowers.

MARINA

15No, I will rob Tellus of her weed
To strew thy green with flowers. The yellows, blues,
The purple violets and marigolds
1465Shall as a carpet hang upon thy grave
While summer days doth last. Ay me, poor maid,
20Born in a tempest when my mother died,
This world to me is as a lasting storm,
Whirring me from my friends.

DIONYZA

1470How now, Marina? Why do you keep alone?
How chance my daughter is not with you?
25Do not consume your blood with sorrowing.
Have you a nurse of me! Lord, how your favor ’s
Changed with this unprofitable woe.
1475Come, give me your flowers. O’er the sea marge
Walk with Leonine. The air is quick there,
30And it pierces and sharpens the stomach.—Come,
Leonine,
Take her by the arm. Walk with her.

MARINA

1480No,
I pray you, I’ll not bereave you of your servant.

DIONYZA

35Come, come.
I love the king your father and yourself
With more than foreign heart. We every day
1485Expect him here. When he shall come and find
Our paragon to all reports thus blasted,
40He 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,
1490Walk, and be cheerful once again. Reserve
That excellent complexion, which did steal
45The eyes of young and old. Care not for me.
I can go home alone.

MARINA

Well, I will go,
1495But yet I have no desire to it.

DIONYZA

Come, come,
50I know ’tis good for you.—Walk half an hour,
Leonine, at the least. Remember
What I have said.

LEONINE

1500I warrant you, madam.

DIONYZA

I’ll leave you, my sweet lady, for a while.
55Pray walk softly; do not heat your blood.
What, I must have care of you.

MARINA

My thanks, sweet madam.Dionyza exits.
1505Is this wind westerly that blows?

LEONINE

Southwest.

MARINA

60When I was born, the wind was north.

LEONINE

Was ’t so?

MARINA

My father, as nurse says, did never fear,
1510But cried “Good seamen!” to the sailors,
Galling his kingly hands haling ropes,
65And, clasping to the mast, endured a sea
That almost burst the deck.

LEONINE

When was this?

MARINA

1515When I was born.
Never was waves nor wind more violent,
70And from the ladder-tackle washes off
A canvas-climber. “Ha!” says one, “Wolt out?”
And with a dropping industry they skip
1520From stern to stern. The Boatswain whistles, and
The Master calls and trebles their confusion.

LEONINE

75Come, say your prayers.

He draws his sword.

MARINA

What mean you?

LEONINE

If you require a little space for prayer,
1525I grant it. Pray, but be not tedious, for
The gods are quick of ear, and I am sworn
80To do my work with haste.

MARINA

Why will you kill me?

LEONINE

To satisfy my lady.

MARINA

1530Why would she have me killed?
Now, as I can remember, by my troth,
85I never did her hurt in all my life.
I never spake bad word, nor did ill turn
To any living creature. Believe me, la,
1535I never killed a mouse, nor hurt a fly.
I trod upon a worm against my will,
90But I wept for ’t. How have I offended
Wherein my death might yield her any profit
Or my life imply her any danger?

LEONINE

1540My commission
Is not to reason of the deed, but do ’t.

MARINA

95You 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
1545When you caught hurt in parting two that fought.
Good sooth, it showed well in you. Do so now.
100Your lady seeks my life. Come you between,
And save poor me, the weaker.

LEONINE

I am sworn
1550And will dispatch.

He seizes her.Enter Pirates.

FIRST PIRATE

Hold, villain!

Leonine runs offstage.

SECOND PIRATE

105A prize, a prize!

He seizes Marina.

THIRD PIRATE

Half-part, mates, half-part. Come, let’s
have her aboard suddenly.

They exit, carrying Marina.Enter Leonine.

LEONINE

1555These roguing thieves serve the great pirate Valdes,
And they have seized Marina. Let her go.
110There’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,
1560Not carry her aboard. If she remain,
Whom they have ravished must by me be slain.

He exits.

Scene 2

Enter Pander, Bawd, and Bolt.

PANDER

Bolt!

BOLT

Sir?

PANDER

Search the market narrowly. Mytilene is full
1565of gallants. We lost too much money this mart by
5being 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
1570even as good as rotten.

PANDER

10Therefore 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
1575bastards—as I think I have brought up some
15eleven—

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
1580wind will blow it to pieces, they are so pitifully
20sodden.

PANDER

Thou sayst true. There’s two unwholesome, a’
conscience. The poor Transylvanian is dead that
lay with the little baggage.

BOLT

1585Ay, she quickly pooped him. She made him
25roast-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

1590Why to give over, I pray you? Is it a shame to get
30when 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
1595pretty estate, ’twere not amiss to keep our door
35hatched. 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
1600worse. Neither is our profession any trade; it’s no
40calling. But here comes Bolt.

Enter Bolt with the Pirates and Marina.

BOLT

Come your ways, my masters. You say she’s a
virgin?

PIRATE

O, sir, we doubt it not.

BOLT

1605Master, I have gone through for this piece you
45see. 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
1610good clothes. There’s no farther necessity of
50qualities 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
1615your money presently.—Wife, take her in. Instruct
55her 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
1620her virginity, and cry “He that will give most shall
60have 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.

MARINA

1625Alack that Leonine was so slack, so slow!
65He should have struck, not spoke. Or that these
pirates,
Not enough barbarous, had but o’erboard thrown me
For to seek my mother.

BAWD

1630Why lament you, pretty one?

MARINA

70That 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
1635to live.

MARINA

75The more my fault, to ’scape his hands where
I was to die.

BAWD

Ay, and you shall live in pleasure.

MARINA

No.

BAWD

1640Yes, indeed shall you, and taste gentlemen of all
80fashions. You shall fare well; you shall have the
difference of all complexions. What, do you stop
your ears?

MARINA

Are you a woman?

BAWD

1645What would you have me be, an I be not a
85woman?

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
1650foolish sapling, and must be bowed as I would
90have 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
1655stir you up. Bolt’s returned.

Enter Bolt.

95Now, 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
1660of the people, especially of the younger
100sort?

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
1665very description.

BAWD

105We 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

1670Who? Monsieur Verolles?

BOLT

110Ay, he. He offered to cut a caper at the proclamation,
but he made a groan at it and swore he would
see her tomorrow.

BAWD

Well, well, as for him, he brought his disease
1675hither; here he does but repair it. I know he will
115come 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

1680Pray you, come hither awhile. You
120have 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
1685lovers. Seldom but that pity begets you a good
125opinion, 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
1690some present practice.

BAWD

130Thou sayst true, i’ faith, so they must, for your
bride goes to that with shame which is her way to
go with warrant.

BOLT

Faith, some do and some do not. But, mistress,
1695if I have bargained for the joint—

BAWD

135Thou 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

1700Ay, by my faith, they shall not be changed yet.

BAWD

140Bolt, 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
1705what a paragon she is, and thou hast the harvest
145out 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
1710tonight.

BAWD, to Marina

150Come your ways. Follow me.

MARINA

If fires be hot, knives sharp, or waters deep,
Untied I still my virgin knot will keep.
Diana aid my purpose!

BAWD

1715What have we to do with Diana, pray you? Will
155you go with us?

They exit.

Scene 3

Enter Cleon and Dionyza.

DIONYZA

Why, are you foolish? Can it be undone?

CLEON

O Dionyza, such a piece of slaughter
The sun and moon ne’er looked upon!

DIONYZA

1720I think you’ll turn a child again.

CLEON

5Were 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
1725I’ the justice of compare. O villain Leonine,
10Whom 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?

DIONYZA

1730That she is dead. Nurses are not the Fates.
15To 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
1735“She died by foul play!”

CLEON

20O, go to. Well, well,
Of all the faults beneath the heavens, the gods
Do like this worst.

DIONYZA

Be one of those that thinks
1740The petty wrens of Tarsus will fly hence
25And 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
1745Whoever but his approbation added,
30Though 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,
1750Nor none can know, Leonine being gone.
35She 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
1755Not worth the time of day. It pierced me through,
40And 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

1760Heavens forgive it.

DIONYZA

45And as for Pericles,
What should he say? We wept after her hearse,
And yet we mourn. Her monument is
Almost finished, and her epitaphs
1765In glitt’ring golden characters express
50A 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
1770Seize with thine eagle’s talons.

DIONYZA

55You’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.

They exit.

Scene 4

Enter Gower.

GOWER

Thus time we waste, and long leagues make short,
1775Sail seas in cockles, have and wish but for ’t,
Making to take our imagination
From bourn to bourn, region to region.
5By you being pardoned, we commit no crime
To use one language in each several clime
1780Where 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
10Is now again thwarting the wayward seas,
Attended on by many a lord and knight,
1785To see his daughter, all his life’s delight.
Old Helicanus goes along. Behind
Is left to govern it, you bear in mind,
15Old Escanes, whom Helicanus late
Advanced in time to great and high estate.
1790Well-sailing ships and bounteous winds have brought
This king to Tarsus—think his pilot thought;
So with his steerage shall your thoughts go on—
20To fetch his daughter home, who first is gone.
Like motes and shadows see them move awhile;
1795Your ears unto your eyes I’ll reconcile.



Enter Pericles at one door, with all his train, Cleon and
Dionyza at the other. Cleon shows Pericles the tomb,
whereat Pericles makes lamentation, puts on sackcloth,
and in a mighty passion departs. Cleon and Dionyza exit.

See how belief may suffer by foul show!
This borrowed passion stands for true old woe.
25And Pericles, in sorrow all devoured,
With sighs shot through and biggest tears
1800o’ershowered,
Leaves Tarsus and again embarks. He swears
Never to wash his face nor cut his hairs.
30He puts on sackcloth, and to sea. He bears
A tempest which his mortal vessel tears,
1805And yet he rides it out. Now please you wit
The epitaph is for Marina writ
By wicked Dionyza:

35The fairest, sweetest, and best lies here,
Who withered in her spring of year.
1810She was of Tyrus, the King’s daughter,
On whom foul death hath made this slaughter.
Marina was she called, and at her birth,
40Thetis, being proud, swallowed some part o’ th’ earth.
Therefore the Earth, fearing to be o’erflowed,
1815Hath Thetis’ birth-child on the heavens bestowed.
Wherefore she does—and swears she’ll never stint—
Make raging battery upon shores of flint.

45No visor does become black villainy
So well as soft and tender flattery.
1820Let Pericles believe his daughter’s dead,
And bear his courses to be orderèd
By Lady Fortune, while our scene must play
50His daughter’s woe and heavy welladay
In her unholy service. Patience, then,
1825And think you now are all in Mytilene.

He exits.

Scene 5

Enter two Gentlemen.

FIRST GENTLEMAN

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!
51830Did 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.

Scene 6

Enter Bawd, Pander, and Bolt.

PANDER

1835Well, 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
5either get her ravished or be rid of her. When she
1840should 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
10he should cheapen a kiss of her.

BOLT

1845Faith, 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
15way to the pox.

Enter Lysimachus.

1850Here comes the Lord Lysimachus disguised.

BOLT

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
20dozen of virginities?

BAWD

1855Now 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?
25Wholesome iniquity have you that a man may deal
1860withal 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
30wouldst say?

BAWD

1865Your 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
35but—

LYSIMACHUS

1870What, 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
40chaste.

Enter Pander with Marina.

BAWD

1875Here 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
45at sea. Well, there’s for you.He gives money.
1880Leave 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

50First, I would have you note this is
1885an honorable man.

MARINA

I desire to find him so, that I may worthily
note him.

BAWD

Next, he’s the governor of this country and a
55man whom I am bound to.

MARINA

1890If 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,
60will you use him kindly? He will line your apron
1895with gold.

MARINA

What he will do graciously, I will thankfully
receive.

LYSIMACHUS, coming forward

Ha’ you done?

BAWD

65My lord, she’s not paced yet. You must take some
1900pains 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

70What trade, sir?

LYSIMACHUS

1905Why, 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

75E’er since I can remember.

LYSIMACHUS

1910Did 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
80you to be a creature of sale.

MARINA

1915Do 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
85unto you who I am?

MARINA

1920Who is my principal?

LYSIMACHUS

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
90for more serious wooing. But I protest to thee,
1925pretty one, my authority shall not see thee, or else
look friendly upon thee. Come, bring me to some
private place. Come, come.

MARINA

If you were born to honor, show it now;
95If put upon you, make the judgment good
1930That thought you worthy of it.

LYSIMACHUS

How’s this? How’s this? Some more. Be sage.

MARINA

For me
That am a maid, though most ungentle Fortune
100Have placed me in this sty, where, since I came,
1935Diseases 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
105That flies i’ the purer air!

LYSIMACHUS

1940I did not think
Thou couldst have spoke so well, ne’er dreamt thou
couldst.
Had I brought hither a corrupted mind,
110Thy speech had altered it. Hold, here’s gold for thee.
1945Persevere 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
115That I came with no ill intent, for to me
1950The 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.
120A curse upon him, die he like a thief,
1955That 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

125Avaunt, thou damnèd doorkeeper!
1960Your 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
130breakfast in the cheapest country under the cope,
1965shall 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
135common hangman shall execute it. Come your
1970way. We’ll have no more gentlemen driven away.
Come your ways, I say.

Enter Bawd and Pander.

BAWD

How now, what’s the matter?

BOLT

Worse and worse, mistress. She has here spoken
140holy words to the Lord Lysimachus!

BAWD

1975O, abominable!

BOLT

He makes our profession as it were to stink afore
the face of the gods.

BAWD

Marry, hang her up forever.

BOLT

145The nobleman would have dealt with her like a
1980nobleman, 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
150malleable.

BOLT

1985An if she were a thornier piece of ground than
she is, she shall be plowed.

MARINA

Hark, hark, you gods!

BAWD

She conjures. Away with her! Would she had
155never come within my doors.—Marry, hang you!—
1990She’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

160Whither wilt thou have me?

BOLT

1995To take from you the jewel you hold so dear.

MARINA

Prithee, tell me one thing first.

BOLT

Come, now, your one thing.

MARINA

What canst thou wish thine enemy to be?

BOLT

165Why, I could wish him to be my master, or
2000rather, my mistress.

MARINA

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
170Of hell would not in reputation change.
2005Thou 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
175As hath been belched on by infected lungs.

BOLT

2010What 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?

MARINA

180Do anything but this thou dost. Empty
2015Old 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,
185Would own a name too dear. That the gods
2020Would safely deliver me from this place!
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,
190With other virtues which I’ll keep from boast,
2025And 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?

MARINA

195Prove that I cannot, take me home again
2030And 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

200But amongst honest women.

BOLT

2035Faith, 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
205purpose, and I doubt not but I shall find them
2040tractable enough. Come, I’ll do for thee what I can.
Come your ways.

They exit.

ACT 5

Chorus

Enter Gower.

GOWER

Marina thus the brothel ’scapes, and chances
Into an honest house, our story says.
She sings like one immortal, and she dances
2045As goddesslike to her admirèd lays.
5Deep 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,
2050That pupils lacks she none of noble race,
10Who 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,
2055Where, driven before the winds, he is arrived
15Here 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,
2060His banners sable, trimmed with rich expense,
20And 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—
2065Shall be discovered. Please you sit and hark.

He exits.

Scene 1

Enter Helicanus, to him two Sailors, one from the
Tyrian ship and one from Mytilene.

TYRIAN SAILOR, (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,
52070Who craves to come aboard. What is your will?

HELICANUS

That he have his.Sailor from Mytilene exits.
Call up some gentlemen.

TYRIAN SAILOR

Ho, gentlemen, my lord calls.

Enter two or three Gentlemen.

GENTLEMAN

Doth your Lordship call?

HELICANUS

102075Gentlemen,
There is some of worth would come aboard.
I pray, greet him fairly.

Enter Lysimachus, with Lords and Sailor from Mytilene.

SAILOR FROM MYTILENE, to Lysimachus

Sir,
This is the man that can, in aught you would,
152080Resolve 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.
202085Being 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

I am the governor of this place you lie before.

HELICANUS

252090Sir,
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.

LYSIMACHUS

302095Upon 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

352100You may,
But bootless is your sight. He will not speak
To any.

LYSIMACHUS

Yet let me obtain my wish.

HELICANUS

Behold him. Pericles is revealed. This was a goodly
402105person,
Till the disaster that one mortal night
Drove him to this.

LYSIMACHUS

Sir king, all hail! The gods preserve you. Hail,
Royal sir!

HELICANUS

452110It is in vain; he will not speak to you.

LORD

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
502115And 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
552120The leafy shelter that abuts against
The island’s side.

HELICANUS

Sure, all effectless; yet nothing we’ll omit
That bears recovery’s name.
Lysimachus signals to a Lord, who exits.
But since your kindness
602125We 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
652130Which, 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.

HELICANUS

702135Sit, sir, I will recount it to you. But see,
I am prevented.

Enter Lord with Marina and her companion.

LYSIMACHUS

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

752140She’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,
802145If 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
852150My utmost skill in his recovery, provided
That none but I and my companion maid
Be suffered to come near him.

LYSIMACHUS

Come, let us
Leave her, and the gods make her prosperous.

Lysimachus, Helicanus and others move aside.

MARINA sings

The Song.

LYSIMACHUS, coming forward

902155Marked 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

952160I 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.
1002165Though 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
1052170Bound 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.”

PERICLES

My fortunes—parentage—good parentage,
To equal mine! Was it not thus? What say you?

MARINA

1102175I 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
1152180countrywoman?
Here of these shores?

MARINA

No, nor of any shores.
Yet I was mortally brought forth, and am
No other than I appear.

PERICLES

1202185I 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
1252190As 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

1302195Where I am but a stranger.
From the deck you may discern the place.

PERICLES

Where were you bred? And how achieved you these
Endowments which you make more rich to owe?

MARINA

If I should tell my history, it would seem
1352200Like 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
1402205And 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
1452210From good descending?

MARINA

So indeed I did.

PERICLES

Report thy parentage. I think thou said’st
Thou hadst been tossed from wrong to injury,
And that thou thought’st thy griefs might equal mine,
1502215If 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.
1552220If 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?
1602225How lost thou them? Thy name, my most kind
virgin,
Recount, I do beseech thee. Come, sit by me.

She sits.

MARINA

My name is Marina.

PERICLES

O, I am mocked,
1652230And 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.
1702235Thou 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

1752240How, 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

1802245But 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?

MARINA

Called Marina
1852250For I was born at sea.

PERICLES

At sea? What mother?

MARINA

My mother was the daughter of a king,
Who died the minute I was born,
As my good nurse Lychorida hath oft
1902255Delivered 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?
1952260I’ll hear you more, to the bottom of your story,
And never interrupt you.

MARINA

You scorn. Believe me, ’twere best I did give o’er.

PERICLES

I will believe you by the syllable
Of what you shall deliver. Yet give me leave:
2002265How came you in these parts? Where were you bred?

MARINA

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,
2052270A 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.
2102275I am the daughter to King Pericles,
If good King Pericles be.

PERICLES

Ho, Helicanus!

HELICANUS

Calls my lord?

PERICLES

Thou art a grave and noble counselor,
2152280Most 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
2202285Speaks nobly of her.

LYSIMACHUS

She never would tell
Her parentage. Being demanded that,
She would sit still and weep.

PERICLES

O, Helicanus! Strike me, honored sir.
2252290Give 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,
2302295Thou 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,
2352300For truth can never be confirmed enough,
Though doubts did ever sleep.

MARINA

First, sir, I pray, what is your title?

PERICLES

I am Pericles of Tyre. But tell me now
My drowned queen’s name, as in the rest you said
2402305Thou hast been godlike perfect, the heir of kingdoms,
And another life to Pericles thy father.

MARINA

Is it no more to be your daughter than
To say my mother’s name was Thaisa?
Thaisa was my mother, who did end
2452310The minute I began.

PERICLES

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,
2502315When thou shalt kneel, and justify in knowledge
She is thy very princess. Who is this?

HELICANUS

Sir, ’tis the Governor of Mytilene,
Who, hearing of your melancholy state,
Did come to see you.

PERICLES, to Lysimachus

2552320I 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,
2602325How sure you are my daughter.—But what music?

HELICANUS

My lord, I hear none.

PERICLES

None?
The music of the spheres!—List, my Marina.

LYSIMACHUS

It is not good to cross him. Give him way.

PERICLES

2652330Rarest sounds! Do you not hear?

LYSIMACHUS

Music, my lord? I hear—

PERICLES

Most heavenly music.
It nips me unto list’ning, and thick slumber
Hangs upon mine eyes. Let me rest.

He sleeps.

LYSIMACHUS

2702335A 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.Diana descends.

DIANA

My temple stands in Ephesus. Hie thee thither
And do upon mine altar sacrifice.
2752340There, 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.
2802345Or 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.—
2852350Helicanus!

Enter Helicanus, Lysimachus, Marina, and
Attendants.

HELICANUS

Sir.

PERICLES

My purpose was for Tarsus, there to strike
The inhospitable Cleon, but I am
For other service first. Toward Ephesus
2902355Turn 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,
2952360With 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.

LYSIMACHUS

3002365Sir, lend me your arm.

PERICLES

Come, my Marina.

They exit.

Scene 2

Enter Gower.

GOWER

Now our sands are almost run,
More a little, and then dumb.
This my last boon give me—
2370For such kindness must relieve me—
5That you aptly will suppose
What pageantry, what feats, what shows,
What minstrelsy and pretty din
The regent made in Mytilene
2375To greet the King. So he thrived
10That 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,
2380The interim, pray you, all confound.
15In feathered briefness sails are filled,
And wishes fall out as they’re willed.
At Ephesus the temple see
Our king and all his company.
2385That he can hither come so soon
20Is by your fancies’ thankful doom.

He exits.

Scene 3

Enter Cerimon and Diana’s Priestesses, including
Thaisa; at another door enter Pericles, Marina,
Helicanus, Lysimachus, and Attendants.

PERICLES

Hail, Dian! To perform thy just command,
I here confess myself the King of Tyre,
Who, frighted from my country, did wed
2390At Pentapolis the fair Thaisa.
5At 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
2395He sought to murder. But her better stars
10Brought 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

2400Voice and favor!
15You are, you are—O royal Pericles!

She falls in a faint.

PERICLES

What means the nun? She dies! Help, gentlemen!

CERIMON

Noble sir,
If you have told Diana’s altar true,
2405This is your wife.

PERICLES

20Reverend appearer, no.
I threw her overboard with these very arms.

CERIMON

Upon this coast, I warrant you.

PERICLES

’Tis most certain.

CERIMON

2410Look to the lady. O, she’s but overjoyed.
25Early 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

2415May we see them?

CERIMON

30Great sir, they shall be brought you to my house,
Whither I invite you. Look, Thaisa
Is recoverèd.

Thaisa rises.

THAISA

O, let me look!
2420If he be none of mine, my sanctity
35Will 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,
2425A birth and death?

PERICLES

40The voice of dead Thaisa!

THAISA

That Thaisa am I, supposèd dead
And drowned.

PERICLES

Immortal Dian!

THAISA

2430Now I know you better.
She points to the ring on his hand.
45When we with tears parted Pentapolis,
The king my father gave you such a ring.

PERICLES

This, this! No more, you gods! Your present kindness
Makes my past miseries sports. You shall do well
2435That on the touching of her lips I may
50Melt 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.

PERICLES

2440Look who kneels here, flesh of thy flesh, Thaisa,
55Thy burden at the sea, and called Marina
For she was yielded there.

THAISA, embracing Marina

Blessed, and mine own!

HELICANUS

Hail, madam, and my queen.

THAISA

2445I know you not.

PERICLES

60You 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

2450’Twas Helicanus then.

PERICLES

65Still confirmation!
Embrace him, dear Thaisa. This is he.
They embrace.
Now do I long to hear how you were found,
How possibly preserved, and who to thank,
2455Besides the gods, for this great miracle.

THAISA

70Lord Cerimon, my lord, this man
Through whom the gods have shown their power,
that can
From first to last resolve you.

PERICLES

2460Reverend sir,
75The 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.
2465Beseech you, first go with me to my house,
80Where shall be shown you all was found with her,
How she came placed here in the temple,
No needful thing omitted.

PERICLES

Pure Dian, I bless thee for thy vision, and
2470Will offer night oblations to thee.—Thaisa,
85This 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,
2475And what this fourteen years no razor touched,
90To grace thy marriage day I’ll beautify.

THAISA

Lord Cerimon hath letters of good credit, sir,
My father’s dead.

PERICLES

Heavens make a star of him! Yet there, my queen,
2480We’ll celebrate their nuptials, and ourselves
95Will in that kingdom spend our following days.
Our son and daughter shall in Tyrus reign.—
Lord Cerimon, we do our longing stay
To hear the rest untold. Sir, lead ’s the way.

They exit.

EPILOGUE

Enter Gower.

GOWER

2485In 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,
5Virtue preserved from fell destruction’s blast,
2490Led 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
10The worth that learnèd charity aye wears.
2495For 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.
15The gods for murder seemèd so content
2500To punish, although not done, but meant.
So on your patience evermore attending,
New joy wait on you. Here our play has ending.

He exits.