gaping till they've swallow'd the whole parish, church, steeple, bells, and all. Per. [aside.] A pretty moral. 3 Fish. But, master, if I had been the sexton, I would have been that day in the belfry. 2 Fish. Why, man? 3 Fish. 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,— Per. [aside.] Simonides! 3 Fish. He would purge the land of these drones that rob the bee of her honey. Per. [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. 2 Fish. Honest! good fellow, what's that? if it be not a day fits you, scratch it out of the calendar, and nobody will look after it. Per. Nay, see the sea hath cast upon your coast, 2 Fish. What a drunken knave was the sea to cast thee in our way. Per. A man, whom both the waters and the wind In that vast tennis-court hath made the ball For them to play upon, entreats you pity him; He asks of you that never used to beg. 1 Fish. No, friend, cannot you beg? here's them in our country of Greece gets more with begging than we can do with working. 2 Fish. Canst thou catch any fishes, then? Per. I never practised it. 2 Fish. Nay, then thou wilt starve, sure; for here's nothing to be got now-a-days unless thou canst fish for't. Per. What I have been I have forgot to know; But what I am want teaches me to think on: 1 Fish. 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 flapjacks; and thou shalt be welcome. Per. I thank you, sir. 2 Fish. Hark you, my friend, you said you could not beg. Per. I did but crave. 2 Fish. But crave! shall scape whipping. Then I'll turn craver too, and so I Per. Why, are all your beggars whipped, then? 2 Fish. 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. [Exeunt with Third Fisherman. Per. [aside.] How well this honest mirth becomes their labour! 1 Fish. Hark you, sir, do you know where ye are? Per. Not well. 1 Fish. Why, I'll tell you: this is called Pentapolis, and our king the good Simonides. Per. The good King Simonides, do you call him? 1 Fish. Ay, sir; and he deserves so to be called for his peaceable reign and good government. Per. 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? 1 Fish. Marry, sir, half a day's journey: and I'll tell you, he hath a fair daughter, and to-morrow is her birthday; and there are princes and knights come from all parts of the world to joust and tourney for her love. Per. Were but my fortunes equal my desires I could wish to make one there. 1 Fish. O, sir, things must be as they may; and what a man cannot get he may lawfully deal for-his wife's soul. Re-enter Second and Third Fishermen, drawing up a net. 2 Fish. Help, master, help! here's a fish hangs in the net like a poor man's right in the law; 'twill hardly come out. Ha! bots on't, 'tis come at last, and 'tis turned to a rusty armour. Per. An armour, friends! I pray you, let me see it.— Thanks, fortune, yet, that after all my crosses Thou giv'st me somewhat to repair myself; And though it was mine own, part of 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 sav'd me, keep it; in like necessity,- Till the rough seas, that spare not any man, 1 Fish. What mean you, sir? Per. 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 lov'd me dearly, And for his sake I wish the having of it; And that you'd guide me to your sovereign's court, I'll pay your bounties; till then rest your debtor. 1 Fish. Why, wilt thou tourney for the lady? Per. I'll show the virtue I have borne in arms. 1 Fish. Why, do you take it, and the gods give thee good on't! 2 Fish. Ay, but hark you, my friend; 'twas we that made up this garment through the rough seams of the waters: there are certain condolements, certain vails. I hope, sir, if you thrive, you'll remember from whence you had it. Per. Believe't, I will. By your furtherance I am cloth'd in steel; 2 Fish. We'll sure provide: thou shalt have my best gown to make thee a pair; and I'll bring thee to the court myself. Per. Then honour be but a goal to my will; This day I'll rise, or else add ill to ill. [Exeunt. SCENE II.-PINTAPOLIS. A public Way or Platform leading to the Lists. A Pavilion by the side of it for the reception of the King, Princess, Lords, &c. Enter SIMONIDES, THAISA, Lords, and Attendants. Sim. Are the knights ready to begin the triumph? 1 Lord. They are, my liege; And stay your coming to present themselves. Sim. Return them, we are ready; and our daughter, Sits here, like beauty's child, whom nature gat [Exit a Lord. Thai. It pleaseth you, my royal father, to express My commendations great, whose merit's less. Sim. It's fit it should be so; for princes are Thai. Which, to preserve mine honour, I'll perform. Enter a Knight; he passes over, and his Squire presents his shield to the Princess. Sim. Who is the first that doth prefer himself? Is a black Æthiop reaching at the sun; Sim. He loves you well that holds his life of you. [The Second Knight passes. Who is the second that presents himself? Thai. A prince of Macedon, my royal father; And the device he bears upon his shield Is an arm'd knight that's conquer'd by a lady; The motto thus, in Spanish, Piu por dulzura que por fuerza. Sim. And what's the third? [The Third Knight passes. And his device a wreath of chivalry; The third of Antioch; [The Fourth Knight passes. The word, Me pompa provexit apex. Sim. What is the fourth? Thai. A burning torch that's turned upside down; The word, Quod me alit, me extinguit. Sim. Which shows that beauty hath his power and will, Which can as well enflame as it can kill. [The Fifth Knight passes. Thai. 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. Sim. And what's the sixth and last, the which the knight himself With such a graceful courtesy deliver❜d? Thai. He seems to be a stranger; but his present is Sim. A pretty moral; From the dejected state wherein he is, He hopes by you his fortunes yet may flourish. 1 Lord. He had need mean better than his outward show Can any way speak in his just commend; For, by his rusty outside, he appears To have practis'd more the whipstock than the lance. 2 Lord. He well may be a stranger, for he comes To an honour'd triumph strangely furnished. 3 Lord. And on set purpose let his armour rust Until this day, to scour it in the dust. Sim. Opinion's but a fool, that makes us scan But stay, the knights are coming: we will withdraw [Exeunt. [Great shouts within, all crying "The mean knight!" SCENE III-PENTAPOLIS. A Hall of State: a Banquet prepared. Enter SIMONIDES, THAISA, Lords, Knights, and Sim. Knights, Attendants. To say you are welcome were superfluous. To place upon the volume of your deeds, Were more than you expect, or more than's fit, Thai. But you my knight and guest; To whom this wreath of victory I give, And crown you king of this day's happiness. Per. 'Tis more by fortune, lady, than by merit. 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're her labour'd scholar.-Come, queen o' the feast,— |