For, daughter, so you are,—here take your place Knights. We are honour'd much by good Simonides. Per. Some other is more fit. 1 Knight. Contend not, sir; for we are gentlemen That neither in our hearts nor outward eyes Envy the great, nor do the low despise. Sim. Sit, sir, sit. Per. By Jove, I wonder, that is king of thoughts, These cates resist me, she but thought upon. Thai. By Juno, that is queen Of marriage, all viands that I eat Do seem unsavoury, wishing him my meat. Sim. He's but a country gentleman; Has done no more than other knights have done; Thai. To me he seems like diamond to glass. Per. Yon king's to me like to my father's picture, Had princes sit, like stars, about his throne, None that beheld him but, like lesser lights, Where now his son's like a glowworm in the night, 1 Knight. Who can be other in this royal presence? Sim. Here, with a cup that's stor'd unto the brim,— As you do love, fill to your mistress' lips, We drink this health to you. Knights. Sim. Yet pause awhile: We thank your grace. Yon knight, methinks, doth sit too melancholy, As if the entertainment in our court Had not a show might countervail his worth Note it not you, Thaisa! Thai. To me, my father? What is it Sim. 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 doing so are like to gnats, Which make a sound, but kill'd are wonder'd at. Here, say we drink this standing-bowl of wine to him. Do as I bid you, or you'll move me else. Thai. [aside.] Now, by the gods, he could not please me better. Sim. And furthermore tell him, we desire to know of him Of whence he is, his name and parentage. Thai. The king my father, sir, has drunk to you. Per. I thank him. Thai. Wishing it so much blood unto your life. Per. I thank both him and you, and pledge him freely. Thai. And further he desires to know of you Of whence you are, your name and parentage. Per. A gentleman of Tyre,—my name, Pericles; My education 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. Thai. 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. Sim. Now, by the gods, I pity his misfortune, [The Knights dance. So, this was well ask'd, 'twas so well perform'd.— Come, sir; Here is a lady that wants breathing too: And I have often heard you knights of Tyre Are excellent in making ladies trip; And that their measures are as excellent. Per. In those that practise them they are, my lord. Of your fair courtesy. [The Knights and Ladies dance.]— Thanks, gentlemen, to all; all have done well, But you the best. [TO PERICLES.]-Pages and lights, to conduct These knights unto their several lodgings!-Yours, sir, Sim. Princes, it is too late to talk of love, [Exeunt. SCENE IV.-TYRE. A Room in the Governor's House. Enter HELICANUS and ESCANES. Hel. No, Escanes, no; know this of me, Antiochus from incest liv'd not free: For which, the most high gods not minding longer Even in the height and pride of all his glory, Of an inestimable value, and his daughter with him, Their bodies, even to loathing; for they so stunk Enter three Lords. 1 Lord. See, not a man in private conference Or council has respect with him but he. 2 Lord. It shall no longer grieve without reproof. 3 Lord. And curs'd be he that will not second it. 1 Lord. Follow me, then.-Lord Helicane, a word. Hel. With me? and welcome: happy day, my lords. 1 Lord. Know that our griefs are risen to the top, And now at length they overflow their banks. Hel. Your griefs! for what? wrong not your prince you love. 1 Lord. Wrong not yourself, then, noble Helicane; But if the prince do live, let us salute him, Or know what ground's made happy by his breath. If in his grave he rest, we'll find him there; Or dead, gives cause to mourn his funeral, And leaves us to our free election. 2 Lord. Whose death's indeed the strongest in our cen sure: And knowing this kingdom, if without a head, Like goodly buildings left without a roof, Will soon to ruin fall,-your noble self, That best know'st how to rule and how to reign, All. Live, noble Helicane! Hel. For honour's cause, forbear your suffrages : Go search like nobles, like noble subjects, And in your search spend your adventurous worth; You shall like diamonds sit about his crown. 1 Lord. To wisdom he's a fool that will not yield; And since Lord Helicane enjoineth us, We with our travels will endeavour it. Hel. Then you love us, we you, and we'll clasp hands: When peers thus knit, a kingdom ever stands. SCENE V.-PENTAPOLIS. [Exeunt. A Room in the Palace. Enter SIMONIDES, reading a letter; the Knights meet him. 1 Knight. Good-morrow to the good Simonides. Sim. Knights, from my daughter this I let you know, That for this twelvemonth she'll not undertake Her reason to herself is only known, Which yet from her by no means can I get. 2 Knight. May we not get access to her, my lord? Sim. Faith, by no means; she hath so strictly tied her To her chamber that it is impossible. One twelve moons more she'll wear Diana's livery; And on her virgin honour will not break it. 3 Knight. Loth to bid farewell, we take our leaves. Sim. So, [Exeunt Knights. They are well despatch'd; now to my daughter's letter: 'Tis well, mistress; your choice agrees with mine; I like that well: nay, how absolute she's in't, 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. Per. All fortune to the good Simonides! Sim. To you as much, sir! I am beholden to you Per. It is your grace's pleasure to commend; Sim. Sir, you are music's master. Per. The worst of all her scholars, my good lord. What do you think of my daughter, sir? Per. A most virtuous princess. Sim. And she is fair too, is she not? Per. As a fair day in summer,-wondrous fair. Ay, so well that you must be her master, And she will be your scholar: therefore look to it. Sim. She thinks not so; peruse this writing else. A letter, that she loves the knight of Tyre! |