SCENE II. EPHESUS. A Room in CERIMON's House. Enter CERIMON, a Servant, and some persons who have been shipwrecked. Cer. Philemon, ho! Enter PHILEMON. Phil. Doth my lord call? Cer. Get fire and meat for these poor men: It has been a turbulent and stormy night. Serv. I have been in many; but such a night as this, Till now, I ne'er endur'd. Cer. Your master will be dead ere you return; That can recover him.-Give this to the 'pothecary, [TO PHILEMON. [Exeunt all but CERIMON. 1 Gent. Enter two Gentlemen. Gentlemen, 2 Gent. Good-morrow to your lordship. Cer. Our lodgings, standing bleak upon the sea, The very principals did seem to rend, And all to topple: pure surprise and fear Made me to quit the house. 2 Gent. That is the cause we trouble you so early; 'Tis not our husbandry. Cer. O, you say well. 1 Gent. But I much marvel that your lordship, having Rich tire about you, should at these early hours Shake off the golden slumber of repose. It is most strange Nature should be so conversant with pain, I held it ever, Cer. By turning o'er authorities, I have,— That nature works, and of her cures; which give me Or tie my treasure up in silken bags, To please the fool and death. 2 Gent. Your honour has through Ephesus pour'd forth Your charity, and hundreds call themselves Your creatures, who by you have been restor❜d: And not your knowledge, your personal pain, but even Such strong renown as time shall never raze. Enter two Servants with a chest. 1 Serv. So; lift there. Cer. 1 Serv. What is that? Sir, even now Did the sea toss upon our shore this chest: 'Tis of some wreck. Cer. Set't down, let's look upon't. 2 Gent. 'Tis like a coffin, sir. Cer. Whate'er it be, 'Tis wondrous heavy. Wrench it open straight: It belches upon us. 2 Gent. 'Tis so, my lord. Cer. How close 'tis caulk'd and bitum'd!Did the sea cast it up? 1 Serv. I never saw so huge a billow, sir, As toss'd it upon shore. Cer. Wrench it open; Soft!-it smells most sweetly in my sense. 2 Gent. A delicate odour. Cer. As ever hit my nostril.-So, up with it. O you most potent gods! what's here? a corse! 1 Gent. Most strange! Cer. Shrouded in cloth of state; balm'd and entreasur'd With bags of spices full! A passport too! Apollo, perfect me in the characters! VOL. VI. [Reads from a scroll. Here I give to understand,- This queen, worth all our mundane cost. If thou liv'st, Pericles, thou hast a heart That even cracks for woe!-This chanc'd to-night. 2 Gent. Most likely, sir. Cer. Death may usurp on nature many hours, [Exit a Servant. The o'erpress'd spirits. I heard of an Egyptian Who was by good appliances recover'd. Re-enter a Servant, with boxes, napkins, and fire. Well said, well said; the fire and cloths.— The rough and woeful music that we have, Cause it to sound, beseech you. The viol once more:-how thou stirr'st, thou block!- This queen will live: nature awakes; a warmth 1 Gent. The heavens, Through you, increase our wonder, and set up Cer. She is alive; behold, Her eyelids, cases to those heavenly jewels Begin to part their fringes of bright gold; The diamonds of a most praised water Do appear, to make the world twice rich.-Live, Thai. Where am I? this? O dear Diana, [She moves. Where's my lord? What world is 2 Gent. Is not this strange? 1 Gent. Cer. Most rare. Hush, my gentle neighbours! Lend me your hands; to the next chamber bear her. Get linen: now this matter must be look'd to, Come, come; [Exeunt, carrying out THAISA. SCENE III.-THARSUS. A Room in CLEON'S House. Enter PERICLES, CLEON, DIONYZa, and Lychorida with MARINA in her arms. Per. Most honour'd Cleon, I must needs be gone; My twelvemonths are expir'd, and Tyrus stands In a litigious peace. You and your lady Take from my heart all thankfulness! The gods Make up the rest upon you! Cle. Your shafts of fortune, though they hurt you mortally, Yet glance full wanderingly on us. Dion. O your sweet queen! That the strict fates had pleas'd you had brought her hither, To have bless'd mine eyes! Per. We cannot but obey Must be as 'tis. My gentle babe Marina,--whom, Cle. The gods revenge it upon me and mine Per. I believe you; Your honour and your goodness teach me to't By bright Diana, whom we honour, all Dion. Than yours, my lord. Per. Madam, my thanks and prayers. Cle. We'll bring your grace e'en to the edge o' the shore, Then give you up to the vast Neptune and The gentlest winds of heaven. Per. I will embrace Your offer. Come, dearest madam.-O, no tears, Lychorida, no tears: Look to your little mistress, on whose grace [Exeunt. SCENE IV.-EPHESUS. A Room in CERIMON's House. Enter CERIMON and THAISA. Cer. Madam, this letter, and some certain jewels, Lay with you in your coffer: which are now At your command. Know you the character? Thai. It is my lord's. That I was shipp'd at sea I well remember, I cannot rightly say. But since King Pericles, My wedded lord, I ne'er shall see again, A vestal livery will I take me to, And never more have joy. Cer. Madam, if this you purpose as you speak, Diana's temple is not distant far, Where you may abide till your date expire. Moreover, if you please, a niece of mine Shall there attend you. Thai. My recompense is thanks, that's all; Yet my good-will is great, though the gift small. [Exeunt. |