Obrazy na stronie
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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 wal'ry grave,
Here to have death in peace, is all he'll crave.
Enter Three FISHERMEN.

1 Fish. What, ho, Pilche!

2 Fish. Ho! come, and bring away the nets. 1 Fish. What, Patch-breech, I say!

3 Fish. What say you, master?

1 Fish. Look how thou stirrest now! Come away, or I'll fetch thee with a wannion.

3 Fish. 'Faith, master, I am thinking of the poor men that were cast away before us, even now.

1 Fish. 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 our selves.

3 Fish. Nay, master, said not I as much, when I saw the porpus, how he bounced and tumbled? They say they are half fish, half flesh; a plague on them, they ne'er come, but I look to be wash'd. Master, I marvel how the fishes live in the sea.

1 Fish. 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. whales have I heard on a' the land, who never leave gaping, till they've swallow'd the whole parish, church, steeple, bells and all.

Per. A pretty nioral.

Such

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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 to be so call'd, for his peaceable reign, and good government. Per. He is a happy king, since from his subjects He gains 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 birth day; and there are princes and knights come from all parts of the world, to just and tourney for her love.

Per. Did but my fortunes equal my desires, I'd 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 the Two 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 turn'd to a rusty armour.

Per. An armour, friends! I pray you, let me

see it.

3 Fish. But, master, if I had been the sexton, I Thanks, fortune, yet, that after all my crosses, would have been that day in the belfry. 2 Fish. Why, man?

3 Fish. Because he should have swallow'd 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. Simonides?

3 Fish. We would purge the land of these drones, that rob the bee of her honey.

Per. 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 a day fits you, scratch it out of the calendar, and no body 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; f 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; A man shrunk 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 I am a man, pray see me buried.

1 Fish. Die quoth-a? Now gods forbid! I have a gown here; come, put it on; keep thee warm.

Thou givest me somewhat to repair myself;
And, though it was mine own, part of mine 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,
Which gods protect thee from! It 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, they
again :

give't

I thank thee for't; my shipwreck's now no ill,
Since I have here my father's gift by will.
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 loved me dearly,
And for his sake, I wish the having of it;
And that you'd guide me to your sovereign's

court

Where with't I may appear a gentleman; And if that ever my low fortunes better, I'll pay your bounties; till then, rest your debtor. 1 Fish. Why, wilt thou tourney for the lady? Per. I'll shew the virtue I have borne in arms. 1 Fish. Why, do ye 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'il remember from whence you had it.

Per. Believe't, I will.

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Only, my friend, I yet am unprovided
Of a pair of bases.

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.-The same.-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,

In honour of whose births these triumphs are, Sits here, like beauty's child, whom nature gat For men to see, and seeing wonder at.

[Exit a Lord. Thai. It pleaseth you, my father, to express My commendations great, whose merit's less. Sim. 'Tis 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 renown, if not respected. 'Tis now your honour, daughter, to explain The labour of each knight, in his device t. Thai. Which, to preserve mine honour, I'll perform.

Enter a Knight; he passes over the Stage, and his Squire presents his Shield to the Princess.

Sim. Who is the first that doth prefer § himself? Thai. A knight of Sparta, my renowned father; And the device he bears upon his shield Is a black Ethiop, reaching at the sun; The word, Lux tua vita mihi.

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 per dulçura que per fuerça¶ [The third Knight passes. Sim. And what's the third? Thai. The third, of Antioch; And his device, a wreath of chivalry: The word, Me pompa proverit apex.

[The fourth Knight passes. Sim. What is the fourth? Thai. A burning torch, that's turned upside down:

The word, Quod me alit, me extinguit.

Sim. Opinion's but a fool, that makes us scan The outward habit by the inward man. But stay, the knights are coming; we'll withdraw Into the gallery. [Exeunt. [Great Shouts, and all cry, The mean knight! SCENE III.-The same.-A Hall of State.-A Banquet prepared.

Attendants.

Enter SIMONIDES, THAISA, LORDS, KNIGHTS, and
Sim. Knights,

To say you are 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 my guests.

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 my merit,
Sim. Call it by what you will, the day is yours;
And here, I hope, is none that envies it.
In framing artists, art hath thus decreed,
To make some good, but others to exceed;
And you're 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 Simo

nides.

Sim. Your presence glads our days; honour we love,

For who hates honour, hates the gods above.
Marsh. Sir, yond's your place.

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.

Per. You are right courteous knights.
Sim. Sit, sit, Sir; sit.

Per. By Jove, I wonder, that is king of thoughts, These cates resist me, she not thought upon. Thai. By Juno, that is queen

Of marriage, all the viands that I eat
Do seem unsavoury, wishing hìm my meat!
Sure he's a gallant gentleman,

Sim. He's but

A country gentleman;

He has done no more than other knights have done; Broken a staff, or so; so let it pass.

Thai. To me he seems like diamond to a glass. Per. 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,

Sim. Which shews that beauty hath his power And he the sun, for them to reverence.

and will,

Which can as well inflame, 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 passes. Sim. And what's the sixth and last, which the knight himself

With such a graceful courtesy deliver'd?

Thai. He seems a stranger; but his present is A wither'd branch, that's only green at top; The motto, In hac spe vivo.

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 practised more the whipstock, than the

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None that beheld him, but, like lesser lights,
Did vail their crowns to his supremacy;
Where now his son's 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,
For he's their parent, and he is their grave,
And gives them what he will, not what they

crave.

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Therefore to make's entrance more sweet, here say,
We drink this standing-bowl of wine to him.

Thai. 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.
Sim. How!

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

better.

Thai. Now, by the gods, he could not please me [Aside. Sim. And further tell him, we desire to know, Of whence he is, his name and parentage. Thai. The king my father, Sir, has drunk to you. Per. Lthank 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 being 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 Pe-
ricles,

A gentleman of Tyre, who only by
Misfortune of the seas has been bereft
Of ships and men, and cast upon this shore.
Sim. 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 often heard, you knights of Tyre
Are excellent in making ladies trip;
And that their measurest are as excellent.

Per. In those that practise them, they are, my lord.

Sim. O, that's as much, as you would be denied [The Knights and Ladies dance. Of your fair courtesy.-Unclasp, unclasp; Thanks, gentlemen, to all; all have done well, But you the best. [To Pericles.] Pages and lights, conduct

These knights unto their several lodgings: Yours,
Sir,

We have given order to be next our own.
Per. I am at your grace's pleasure.

Sim. Princes, it is too late to talk of love,
For 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.

Hel. No, no, my 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 heinons capital offence,

Even in the height and pride of all his glory,
When he was seated, and his daughter with him,
In a chariot of inestimable value,

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.
Esca. 'Twas very strange.

Hel. And yet but just; for though

This king were great, his greatness was no guard To bar heaven's shaft, but sin had his reward. Escu. Tis very true.

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cane;

But if the prince do live, let us salute him,
Or know what grounds 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, gives cause to mourn his funeral,
And leaves us to our free election.

2 Lord. Whose death's, indeed, the strongest in our censure+:

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,
We thus submit unto,-our sovereign.

All. Live, noble Helicane!

Hel. Try 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 then entreat you
To forbear choice i' 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 noblemen, 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.

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.

[Exeunt.

SCENE V.-Pentapolis.-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
A married life.

Her reason to herself is only known,

Which from herself 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;
This by the eye of Cynthia hath she vow'd,
And on her virgin honour will not break it.

3 Knight. Though loth to bid farewell, we take our leaves. [Exeunt. They're well despatch'd; now to my daughter's

Sim. So

letter:

She tells me here, she'll wed the stranger knight,
Or never more to view nor day nor light.
Mistress, 'tis well, 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 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,

For your sweet music this last night: my ears,
I do protest, were never better fed
With such delightful pleasing harmony.

Per. It is your grace's pleasure to commend;
Not my desert.

Sim. Sir, you are music's master.

Per. The worst of all her scholars, my good lord. * Satisfied.

+ Judgment, opinion.

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