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 the prince you love. 1 Lord. Wrong not yourself then, noble Helicane; Or dead, gives cause to mourn his funeral, 2 Lord. Whose death's indeed, the strongest in our censure: 4 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. Try honour's cause, forbear your suffrages: Go search like noblemen, like noble subjects, 3 Satisfied. 4 Judgment, opinion. 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 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 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 loath to bid farewell, we take our Sim. So leaves. [Exeunt. They're well despatch'd; now to my daughter's letter: She tells me here, she'll wed the stranger knight, Mistress, 'tis well, your choice agrees with mine; And will no longer have it be delay'd. Enter PERICLES. Per. All fortune to the good Simonides ! Sim. To you as much, sir! I am beholden to you, For your sweet musick 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 musick's master. Per. The worst of all her scholars, my good lord. Sim. Let me ask one thing. What do you think, sir, of My daughter? Per. As of a most virtuous princess. Sim. And she is fair too, is she not? Per. As a fair day in summer; wond'rous fair. Sim. My daughter, sir, thinks very well of you; Ay, so well, sir, that you must be her master, And she'll your scholar be; therefore look to it. Per. Unworthy I to be her schoolmaster. Sim. She thinks not so; peruse this writing else. Per. What's here! A letter, that she loves the knight of Tyre? [Aside. That never aim'd so high, to love your daughter, Sim. Thou hast bewitch'd my daughter, and thon A villain. Per. art By the gods, I have not, sir. A deed might gain her love, or your displeasure, Per. Sim. Traitor! Ay, traitor, sir. Per. Even in his throat, (unless it be the king,) That calls me traitor, I return the lie. Sim. Now, by the gods, I do applaud his courage. [Aside. 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, This sword shall prove he's honour's enemy. Here comes my daughter, she can witness it. Enter THAISA. Per. Then, as you are as virtuous as fair, Resolve your angry father, if my tongue Did e'er solicit, or my hand subscribe u? To any syllable that made love to you Thai. Why, sir, say if you had, Who takes offence at that would make me glad? I am glad of it with all my heart. [Aside.] I'll tame you; I'll bring you in subjection. Will you, not having my consent, bestow Your love and your affections on a stranger? (Who, for ought I know to the contrary, [Aside. Or think, may be as great in blood as I.) Nay, come; your hands and lips must seal it too.- What, are you both pleas'd? Thai. Yes, if you love me, sir, Per. Even as my life, my blood that fosters it. Both Gow. Now sleep yslaked' hath the rout; 5 Quenched. |