Took some displeasure at him; at least he judg'd so: And doubting lest that he had err'd or sinn'd, So puts himself unto the shipman's toil, With whom each minute threatens life or death. Thal. Well, I perceive [Aside. I shall not be hang'd now, although I would; With message unto princely Pericles; [Exeunt. SCENE IV. Tharsus. A Room in the Governor's House. Enter CLEON, DIONYZA, and Attendants. Cle. My Dionyza, shall we rest us here, Dio. That were to blow at fire, in hope to quench it; O my distressed lord, even such our griefs; Who wanteth food, and will not say he wants it, Cle. This Tharsus, o'er which I have (A city, on whom plenty held full hand,) government, For riches, strew'd herself even in the streets ; Whose towers bore heads so high, they kiss'd the clouds, And strangers ne'er beheld, but wonder'd at; All poverty was scorn'd, and pride so great, Cle. But see what heaven can do! By this our change, These mouths, whom but of late, earth, sea, and air, 4 To jet is to strut, to walk proudly. 5 To dress them by. Were all too little to content and please, Although they gave their creatures in abundance, They are now starv'd for want of exercise: Dio. Our cheeks and hollow eyes do witness it. With their superfluous riots, hear these tears! Enter a Lord. Lord. Where's the lord governor ? Cle. Here. Speak out thy sorrows which thou bring'st, in haste For comfort is too far for us to expect., Lord. We have descried, upon our neighbouring shore A portly sail of ships make hitherward. Cle. I thought as much. 6 Nurse fondly. One sorrow never comes, but brings an heir, And so in ours: some neighbouring nation, Hath stuff'd these hollow vessels with their power," Whereas no glory's got to overcome. Lord. That's the least fear: for, by the semblance Of their white flags display'd, they bring us peace, And come to us as favourers, not as foes. Cle. Thou speak'st like him's untutor❜d to repeat, Who makes the fairest show, means most deceit. But bring they what they will, what need we fear? The ground's the low'st, and we are half way there. Go tell their general, we attend him here, To know for what he comes, and whence he comes, And what he craves. Lord. I go, my lord. [Exit. Cle. Welcome is peace, if he on peace consist; If wars, we are unable to resist. Enter PERICLES, with Attendants. Per. Lord governor, for so we hear you are, 7 Forces. If he stands on peace. 9 Perhaps. Are, like the Trojan horse, war-stuff'd within, Are stor'd with corn, to make your needy bread, And we'll pray for you. Per. Rise, I pray you, rise; We do not look for reverence, but for love, Per. Which welcome we'll accept; feast here a while, Until our stars that frown, lend us a smile. [Exeunt. ACT II. Enter GoWER. Gow. Here have you seen a mighty king His child, I wis,' to incest bring; I'll show you those in trouble's reign, I Know. |