O, seek not to entrap me, gracious lord, A stranger and distressed gentleman, That never aim'd so high to love your daughter, Sim. Thou hast bewitch'd my daughter, and thou art A villain. Per. By the gods, I have not: Never did thought of mine levy offence; Ay, traitor. Per. Even in his throat,-unless it be the king, That calls me traitor, I return the lie. Sim. [aside.] Now, by the gods, I do applaud his courage. Per. 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 he that otherwise accounts of me, Here comes my daughter, she can witness it. Enter THAISA. Per. Then, as you are as virtuous as fair, Who takes offence at that would make me glad? Therefore, hear you, mistress; either frame know, Nay, come, your hands and lips must seal it too: And for further grief,-God give you joy!— Yes, if you love me, sir. Thai. Sim. What, are you both agreed? [Exeunt. ACT III. Enter GOWER. Gow. Now sleep yslaked hath the rout; Dumb show. Enter PERICLES and SIMONIDES at one side, with Attendants; By many a dern and painful perch That horse and sail and high expense Can stead the quest. At last from Tyre,— To the court of King Simonides The crown of Tyre, but he will none: Come not home in twice six moons, The sum of this, Brought hither to Pentapolis, Y-ravished the regions round, And every one with claps can sound, Who dream'd, who thought of such a thing? Which might not what by me is told. In your imagination hold This stage the ship, upon whose deck SCENE I. Enter PERICLES on a ship at sea. [Exit. Per. Thou god of this great vast, rebuke these surges, Which wash both heaven and hell; and thou that hast Upon the winds command, bind them in brass, Having call'd them from the deep! O, still Thy deafening, dreadful thunders; gently quench Divinest patroness, and midwife gentle Enter LYCHORIDA, with an Infant. Now, Lychorida! Lyc. Here 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. Per. How, how, Lychorida! Lyc. Patience, good sir; do not assist the storm. Here's all that is left living of your queen, A little daughter: for the sake of it, Be manly, and take comfort. Per. O you gods! Why do you make us love your goodly gifts, And snatch them straight away? We here below Vie in honour with you. Patience, good sir, Now, mild may be thy life! For a more blusterous birth had never babe: Quiet and gentle thy conditions! for Thou art the rudeliest welcom'd to this world That ever was prince's child. Happy what follows! Thou hast as chiding a nativity As fire, air, water, earth, and heaven can make, To herald thee from the womb: even at the first With all thou canst find here.—Now, the good gods Enter two Sailors. 1 Sail. What courage, sir? Per. Courage enough: I do It hath done to me the worst. God save you! Of this poor infant, this fresh-new seafarer, I would it would be quiet. 1 Sail. Slack the bolins there!--Thou wilt not, wilt thou? Blow, and split thyself. 2 Sail. But sea-room, and the brine and cloudy billow kiss the moon, I care not. 1 Sail. 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. Per. That's your superstition. 1 Sail. Pardon us, sir; with us at sea it hath been still observed; and we are strong in custom. Therefore briefly yield her; for she must overboard straight. Per. As you think meet.-Most wretched queen! Lyc. Here she lies, sir. Per. A terrible childbed hast thou had, my dear, To give thee hallow'd to thy grave, but straight A priestly farewell to her: suddenly, woman. [Exit LYCHORIDA. 2 Sail. Sir, we have a chest beneath the hatches, caulked and bitumed ready. Per. I thank thee.-Mariner, say what coast is this? 2 Sail. We are near Tharsus. Per. Thither, gentle mariner, Alter thy course for Tyre. When canst thou reach it? 2 Sail. By break of day, if the wind cease. Per. O, make for Tharsus! There will I visit Cleon, for the babe At careful nursing.-Go thy ways, good mariner: [Exeunt. |