Pericles

ACT II

Enter GOWER

GOWER

Here have you seen a mighty king

His child, I wis, to incest bring,

A better prince and benign lord,

That will prove awful both in deed and word.

Be quiet then as men should be,

Till he hath pass'd necessity.

I'll show you those in troubles reign,

Losing a mite, a mountain gain.

The good in conversation,

To whom I give my benison,

Is still at Tarsus, where each man

Thinks all is writ he speken can,

And, to remember what he does,

Build his statue to make him glorious:

But tidings to the contrary

Are brought your eyes, what need speak I?

DUMB SHOW.

Enter at one door PERICLES talking with CLEON, all the train with them. Enter at another door a Gentleman, with a letter to PERICLES, PERICLES shows the letter to CLEON, gives the Messenger a reward, and knights him. Exit PERICLES at one door, and CLEON at another

Good Helicane, that stay'd at home,

Not to eat honey like a drone

From others' labours, for though he strive

To killen bad, keep good alive,

And to fulfil his prince' desire,

Sends word of all that haps in Tyre:

How Thaliard came full bent with sin

And had intent to murder him,

And that in Tarsus was not best

Longer for him to make his rest.

He, doing so, put forth to seas,

Where when men been, there's seldom ease,

For now the wind begins to blow,

Thunder above and deeps below

Make such unquiet, that the ship

Should house him safe is wreck'd and split,

And he, good prince, having all lost,

By waves from coast to coast is tost:

All perishen of man, of pelf,

Ne aught escapen but himself,

Till fortune, tired with doing bad,

Threw him ashore, to give him glad:

And here he comes. What shall be next,

Pardon old Gower,--this longs the text.

Exit

SCENE I. Pentapolis. An open place by the sea-side.

Enter PERICLES, wet

PERICLES

Yet cease your ire, you angry stars of heaven!

Wind, rain, and thunder, remember, earthly man

Is but a substance that must yield to you,

And I, as fits my nature, do obey you:

Alas, the sea hath cast me on the rocks,

Wash'd me from shore to shore, and left me breath

Nothing to think on but ensuing death:

Let it suffice the greatness of your powers

To have bereft a prince of all his fortunes,

And having thrown him from your watery grave,

Here 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, Patch-breech, I say!

Third Fisherman

What say you, master?

First Fisherman

Look how thou stirrest now! come away, or I'll

fetch thee with a wanion.

Third Fisherman

Faith, master, I am thinking of the poor men that

were cast away before us even now.

First Fisherman

Alas, poor souls, it grieved my heart to hear what

pitiful cries they made to us to help them, when,

well-a-day, we could scarce help ourselves.

Third Fisherman

Nay, master, said not I as much when I saw the

porpus how he bounced and tumbled? they say

they're half fish, half flesh: a plague on them,

they ne'er come but I look to be washed. Master, I

marvel how the fishes live in the sea.

First Fisherman

Why, as men do a-land, the great ones eat up the

little ones: I can compare our rich misers to

nothing so fitly as to a whale, a' plays and

tumbles, driving the poor fry before him, and at

last devours them all at a mouthful: such whales

have I heard on o' the land, who never leave gaping

till they've swallowed the whole parish, church,

steeple, bells, and all.

PERICLES

[Aside] A pretty moral.

Third Fisherman

But, master, if I had been the sexton, I would have

been that day in the belfry.

Second Fisherman

Why, man?

Third Fisherman

Because he should have swallowed me too: and when I

had been in his belly, I would have kept such a

jangling of the bells, that he should never have

left, till he cast bells, steeple, church, and

parish up again. But if the good King Simonides

were of my mind,--

PERICLES

[Aside] Simonides!

Third Fisherman

We would purge the land of these drones, that rob

the bee of her honey.

PERICLES

[Aside] How from the finny subject of the sea

These fishers tell the infirmities of men,

And from their watery empire recollect

All that may men approve or men detect!

Peace be at your labour, honest fishermen.

Second Fisherman

Honest! good fellow, what's that? If it be a day

fits you, search out of the calendar, and nobody

look after it.

PERICLES

May see the sea hath cast upon your coast.

Second Fisherman

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

way!

PERICLES

A man whom both the waters and the wind,

In that vast tennis-court, have made the ball

For them to play upon, entreats you pity him:

He asks of you, that never used to beg.

First Fisherman

No, friend, cannot you beg? Here's them in our

country Greece gets more with begging than we can do

with working.

Second Fisherman

Canst thou catch any fishes, then?

PERICLES

I never practised it.

Second Fisherman

Nay, then thou wilt starve, sure, for here's nothing

to be got now-a-days, unless thou canst fish for't.

PERICLES

What I have been I have forgot to know,

But what I am, want teaches me to think on:

A man throng'd up with cold: my veins are chill,

And have no more of life than may suffice

To give my tongue that heat to ask your help,

Which if you shall refuse, when I am dead,

For that I am a man, pray see me buried.

First Fisherman

Die quoth-a? Now gods forbid! I have a gown here,

come, put it on, keep thee warm. Now, afore me, a

handsome fellow! Come, thou shalt go home, and

we'll have flesh for holidays, fish for

fasting-days, and moreo'er puddings and flap-jacks,

and thou shalt be welcome.

PERICLES

I thank you, sir.

Second Fisherman

Hark you, my friend, you said you could not beg.

PERICLES

I did but crave.

Second Fisherman

But crave! Then I'll turn craver too, and so I

shall 'scape whipping.

PERICLES

Why, are all your beggars whipped, then?

Second Fisherman

O, not all, my friend, not all, for if all your

beggars were whipped, I would wish no better office

than to be beadle. But, master, I'll go draw up the

net.

Exit with Third Fisherman

PERICLES

[Aside] How well this honest mirth becomes their labour!

First Fisherman

Hark you, sir, do you know where ye are?

PERICLES

Not well.

First Fisherman

Why, I'll tell you: this is called Pentapolis, and

our king the good Simonides.

PERICLES

The good King Simonides, do you call him.

First Fisherman

Ay, 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. How far is his

court distant from this shore?

First Fisherman

Marry, sir, half a day's journey: and I'll tell

you, he hath a fair daughter, and to-morrow is her

birth-day, and there are princes and knights come

from all parts of the world to just and tourney for her love.

PERICLES

Were my fortunes equal to my desires, I could wish

to make one there.

First Fisherman

O, sir, things must be as they may, and what a man

cannot get, he may lawfully deal for--his wife's soul.

Re-enter Second and Third Fishermen, drawing up a net

Second Fisherman

Help, master, help! here's a fish hangs in the net,

like a poor man's right in the law, 'twill hardly

come out. Ha! bots on't, 'tis come at last, and

'tis turned to a rusty armour.

PERICLES

An armour, friends! I pray you, let me see it.

Thanks, fortune, yet, that, after all my crosses,

Thou givest me somewhat to repair myself,

And though it was mine own, part of my heritage,

Which my dead father did bequeath to me.

With this strict charge, even as he left his life,

'Keep it, my Pericles, it hath been a shield

Twixt me and death,'--and pointed to this brace,--

'For that it saved me, keep it, in like necessity--

The which the gods protect thee from!--may

defend thee.'

It kept where I kept, I so dearly loved it,

Till the rough seas, that spare not any man,

Took it in rage, though calm'd have given't again:

I thank thee for't: my shipwreck now's no ill,

Since I have here my father's gift in's will.

First Fisherman

What 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,

And for his sake I wish the having of it,

And that you'ld guide me to your sovereign's court,

Where with it I may appear a gentleman,

And if that ever my low fortune's better,

I'll pay your bounties, till then rest your debtor.

First Fisherman

Why, wilt thou tourney for the lady?

PERICLES

I'll show the virtue I have borne in arms.

First Fisherman

Why, do 'e take it, and the gods give thee good on't!

Second Fisherman

Ay, but hark you, my friend, 'twas we that made up

this garment through the rough seams of the waters:

there are certain condolements, certain vails. I

hope, sir, if you thrive, you'll remember from

whence you had it.

PERICLES

Believe 't, I will.

By your furtherance I am clothed in steel,

And, spite of all the rapture of the sea,

This jewel holds his building on my arm:

Unto thy value I will mount myself

Upon a courser, whose delightful steps

Shall make the gazer joy to see him tread.

Only, my friend, I yet am unprovided

Of a pair of bases.

Second Fisherman

We'll sure provide: thou shalt have my best gown to

make thee a pair, and I'll bring thee to the court myself.

PERICLES

Then honour be but a goal to my will,

This day I'll rise, or else add ill to ill.

Exeunt

SCENE II. The same. A public way or platform leading to the

lists. A pavilion by the side of it for the

reception of King, Princess, Lords, and c.

Enter SIMONIDES, THAISA, Lords, and Attendants

SIMONIDES

Are the knights ready to begin the triumph?

First Lord

They are, my liege,

And stay your coming to present themselves.

SIMONIDES

Return them, we are ready, and our daughter,

In honour of whose birth these triumphs are,

Sits here, like beauty's child, whom nature gat

For men to see, and seeing wonder at.

Exit a Lord

THAISA

It pleaseth you, my royal father, to express

My commendations great, whose merit's less.

SIMONIDES

It's fit it should be so, for princes are

A model which heaven makes like to itself:

As jewels lose their glory if neglected,

So princes their renowns if not respected.

'Tis now your honour, daughter, to explain

The labour of each knight in his device.

THAISA

Which, to preserve mine honour, I'll perform.

Enter a Knight, he passes over, and his Squire presents his shield to the Princess

SIMONIDES

Who is the first that doth prefer himself?

THAISA

A knight of Sparta, my renowned father,

And the device he bears upon his shield

Is a black Ethiope 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 over

Who is the second that presents himself?

THAISA

A prince of Macedon, my royal father,

And the device he bears upon his shield

Is an arm'd knight that's conquer'd by a lady,

The motto thus, in Spanish, 'Piu por dulzura que por fuerza.'

The Third Knight passes over

SIMONIDES

And what's the third?

THAISA

The third of Antioch,

And his device, a wreath of chivalry,

The word, 'Me pompae provexit apex.'

The Fourth Knight passes over

SIMONIDES

What is the fourth?

THAISA

A burning torch that's turned upside down,

The word, 'Quod 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 over

THAISA

The fifth, an hand environed with clouds,

Holding out gold that's by the touchstone tried,

The motto thus, 'Sic spectanda fides.'

The Sixth Knight, PERICLES, passes over

SIMONIDES

And what's

The sixth and last, the which the knight himself

With such a graceful courtesy deliver'd?

THAISA

He seems to be a stranger, but his present is

A wither'd branch, that's only green at top,

The motto, 'In hac spe vivo.'

SIMONIDES

A pretty moral,

From the dejected state wherein he is,

He hopes by you his fortunes yet may flourish.

First Lord

He had need mean better than his outward show

Can any way speak in his just commend,

For by his rusty outside he appears

To have practised more the whipstock than the lance.

Second Lord

He well may be a stranger, for he comes

To an honour'd triumph strangely furnished.

Third Lord

And on set purpose let his armour rust

Until this day, to scour it in the dust.

SIMONIDES

Opinion's but a fool, that makes us scan

The outward habit by the inward man.

But stay, the knights are coming: we will withdraw

Into the gallery.

Exeunt

Great shouts within and all cry 'The mean knight!'

SCENE III. The same. A hall of state: a banquet prepared.

Enter SIMONIDES, THAISA, Lords, Attendants, and Knights, from tilting

Knights,

To say you're welcome were superfluous.

To place upon the volume of your deeds,

As in a title-page, your worth in arms,

Were more than you expect, or more than's fit,

Since every worth in show commends itself.

Prepare for mirth, for mirth becomes a feast:

You are princes and my guests.

THAISA

But you, my knight and guest,

To whom this wreath of victory I give,

And crown you king of this day's happiness.

PERICLES

'Tis more by fortune, lady, than by merit.

SIMONIDES

Call it by what you will, the day is yours,

And here, I hope, is none that envies it.

In framing an artist, art hath thus decreed,

To make some good, but others to exceed,

And you are her labour'd scholar. Come, queen o'

the feast,--

For, daughter, so you are,--here take your place:

Marshal the rest, as they deserve their grace.

KNIGHTS

We are honour'd much by good Simonides.

SIMONIDES

Your presence glads our days: honour we love,

For who hates honour hates the gods above.

Marshal

Sir, yonder is your place.

PERICLES

Some other is more fit.

First Knight

Contend not, sir, for we are gentlemen

That neither in our hearts nor outward eyes

Envy the great nor do the low despise.

PERICLES

You are right courteous knights.

SIMONIDES

Sit, sir, sit.

PERICLES

By Jove, I wonder, that is king of thoughts,

These cates resist me, she but thought upon.

THAISA

By Juno, that is queen of marriage,

All viands that I eat do seem unsavoury.

Wishing him my meat. Sure, he's a gallant gentleman.

SIMONIDES

He's but a country gentleman,

Has done no more than other knights have done,

Has broken a staff or so, so let it pass.

THAISA

To me he seems like diamond to glass.

PERICLES

Yon king's to me like to my father's picture,

Which tells me in that glory once he was,

Had princes sit, like stars, about his throne,

And he the sun, for them to reverence,

None that beheld him, but, like lesser lights,

Did vail their crowns to his supremacy:

Where now his son's like a glow-worm in the night,

The which hath fire in darkness, none in light:

Whereby I see that Time's the king of men,

He's both their parent, and he is their grave,

And gives them what he will, not what they crave.

SIMONIDES

What, are you merry, knights?

Knights

Who can be other in this royal presence?

SIMONIDES

Here, with a cup that's stored unto the brim,--

As you do love, fill to your mistress' lips,--

We drink this health to you.

KNIGHTS

We thank your grace.

SIMONIDES

Yet pause awhile:

Yon knight doth sit too melancholy,

As if the entertainment in our court

Had not a show might countervail his worth.

Note it not you, Thaisa?

THAISA

What is it

To me, my father?

SIMONIDES

O, attend, my daughter:

Princes in this should live like gods above,

Who freely give to every one that comes

To honour them:

And princes not doin g so are like to gnats,

Which make a sound, but kill'd are wonder'd at.

Therefore to make his entrance more sweet,

Here, say we drink this standing-bowl of wine to him.

THAISA

Alas, my father, it befits not me

Unto a stranger knight to be so bold:

He may my proffer take for an offence,

Since men take women's gifts for impudence.

SIMONIDES

How!

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

THAISA

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

SIMONIDES

And furthermore tell him, we desire to know of him,

Of whence he is, his name and parentage.

THAISA

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

PERICLES

I thank him.

THAISA

Wishing it so much blood unto your life.

PERICLES

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

THAISA

And further he desires to know of you,

Of whence you are, your name and parentage.

PERICLES

A gentleman of Tyre, my name, Pericles,

My education been in arts and arms,

Who, looking for adventures in the world,

Was by the rough seas reft of ships and men,

And after shipwreck driven upon this shore.

THAISA

He thanks your grace, names himself Pericles,

A gentleman of Tyre,

Who only by misfortune of the seas

Bereft of ships and men, cast on this shore.

SIMONIDES

Now, by the gods, I pity his misfortune,

And will awake him from his melancholy.

Come, gentlemen, we sit too long on trifles,

And waste the time, which looks for other revels.

Even in your armours, as you are address'd,

Will very well become a soldier's dance.

I will not have excuse, with saying this

Loud music is too harsh for ladies' heads,

Since they love men in arms as well as beds.

The Knights dance

So, this was well ask'd,'twas so well perform'd.

Come, sir,

Here is a lady that wants breathing too:

And I have heard, you knights of Tyre

Are excellent in making ladies trip,

And that their measures are as excellent.

PERICLES

In those that practise them they are, my lord.

SIMONIDES

O, that's as much as you would be denied

Of your fair courtesy.

The Knights and Ladies dance

Unclasp, unclasp:

Thanks, gentlemen, to all, all have done well.

To PERICLES

But you the best. Pages and lights, to conduct

These knights unto their several lodgings!

To PERICLES

Yours, sir,

We have given order to be next our own.

PERICLES

I am at your grace's pleasure.

SIMONIDES

Princes, it is too late to talk of love,

And that's the mark I know you level at:

Therefore each one betake him to his rest,

To-morrow all for speeding do their best.

Exeunt

SCENE IV. Tyre. A room in the Governor's house.

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,

Due to this heinous capital offence,

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 shrivell'd up

Their 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, his 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 council has respect with him but he.

Second Lord

It 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,

And 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,

Or know what ground's made happy by his breath.

If in the world he live, we'll seek him out,

If in his grave he rest, we'll find him there,

And be resolved he lives to govern us,

Or dead, give's cause to mourn his funeral,

And leave us to our free election.

Second Lord

Whose death indeed's the strongest in our censure:

And knowing this kingdom is without a head,--

Like goodly buildings left without a roof

Soon fall to ruin,--your noble self,

That best know how to rule and how to reign,

We thus submit unto,--our sovereign.

All

Live, noble Helicane!

HELICANUS

For honour's cause, forbear your suffrages:

If that you love Prince Pericles, forbear.

Take I your wish, I leap into the seas,

Where's hourly trouble for a minute's ease.

A twelvemonth longer, let me entreat you to

Forbear the absence of your king:

If in which time expired, he not return,

I shall with aged patience bear your yoke.

But if I cannot win you to this love,

Go search like nobles, like noble subjects,

And in your search spend your adventurous worth,

Whom if you find, and win unto return,

You shall like diamonds sit about his crown.

First Lord

To wisdom he's a fool that will not yield,

And since Lord Helicane enjoineth us,

We with our travels will endeavour us.

HELICANUS

Then you love us, we you, and we'll clasp hands:

When peers thus knit, a kingdom ever stands.

Exeunt

SCENE V. Pentapolis. A room in the palace.

Enter SIMONIDES, reading a letter, 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,

Which yet 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 has so strictly tied

Her to her chamber, that 'tis impossible.

One twelve moons more she'll wear Diana's livery,

This by the eye of Cynthia hath she vow'd

And on her virgin honour will not break it.

Third Knight

Loath to bid farewell, we take our leaves.

Exeunt Knights

SIMONIDES

So,

They are well dispatch'd, now to my daughter's letter:

She tells me here, she'd wed the stranger knight,

Or never more to view nor day nor light.

'Tis well, mistress, your choice agrees with mine,

I like that well: nay, how absolute she's in't,

Not minding whether I dislike or no!

Well, I do commend her choice,

And will no longer have it be delay'd.

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

For 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

Sir, 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

And 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

I 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.

O, seek not to entrap me, gracious lord,

A stranger and distressed gentleman,

That never aim'd so high to love your daughter,

But bent all offices to honour her.

SIMONIDES

Thou hast bewitch'd my daughter, and thou art

A villain.

PERICLES

By the gods, I have not:

Never did thought of mine levy offence,

Nor never did my actions yet commence

A deed might gain her love or your displeasure.

SIMONIDES

Traitor, 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] Now, by the gods, I do applaud his courage.

PERICLES

My actions are as noble as my thoughts,

That never relish'd of a base descent.

I came unto your court for honour's cause,

And not to be a rebel to her state,

And he that otherwise accounts of me,

This sword shall prove he's honour's enemy.

SIMONIDES

No?

Here comes my daughter, she can witness it.

Enter THAISA

PERICLES

Then, as you are as virtuous as fair,

Resolve your angry father, if my tongue

Did ere solicit, or my hand subscribe

To any syllable that made love to you.

THAISA

Why, sir, say if you had,

Who takes offence at that would make me glad?

SIMONIDES

Yea, mistress, are you so peremptory?

Aside

I am glad on't with all my heart.--

I'll tame you, I'll bring you in subjection.

Will you, not having my consent,

Bestow your love and your affections

Upon a stranger?

Aside

who, for aught I know,

May be, nor can I think the contrary,

As great in blood as I myself.--

Therefore hear you, mistress, either frame

Your will to mine,--and you, sir, hear you,

Either be ruled by me, or I will make you--

Man and wife:

Nay, come, your hands and lips must seal it too:

And being join'd, I'll thus your hopes destroy,

And for a further grief,--God give you joy!--

What, are you both pleased?

THAISA

Yes, if you love me, sir.

PERICLES

Even as my life, or blood that fosters it.

SIMONIDES

What, are you both agreed?

BOTH

Yes, if it please your majesty.

SIMONIDES

It pleaseth me so well, that I will see you wed,

And then with what haste you can get you to bed.

Exeunt