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J.J. Van den Berghe foulp. 1800.

Pericles Prince of Tyre

Act 2 Scene Last

Pub.Apr.20.1800 by Vernor&Hood Poultry

To forbear choice i'the abfence of your king;
If in which time expir'd, he not return,

I shall with aged patience bear your yoke.

But if I cannot win you to this love,

Go fearch like noblemen, like noble subjects,

And in your search, spend your adventurous worth;
Whom if you find, and win unto return,

You fhall like diamonds fit about his crown.

1 Lord. To wisdom he's a fool that will not yield; And, fince lord Helicane enjoineth us,

We with our travels will endeavour it.

Hel. Then you love us, we you, and we'll clafp 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, fhe'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 impoffible.

One twelve moons more she'll wear Diana's livery;
This by the eye of Cynthia hath fhe vow'd,

And on her virgin honour will not break it.

3 Knight. Though loath to bid farewell, we take our

leaves.

[Exeunt

Sim. So

They're well despatch'd; now to my daughter's letter:
She tells me here, the'll wed the ftranger 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 diflike or no !
Well, I commend her choice;

And will no longer have it be delay'd.
Soft, here he comes:-I must diffemble it.

Enter PERICLES.

Per. All fortune to the good Simonides!
Sim. To you as much, fir! I am beholden to you,
For your fweet mufick this last night: my ears,
I do protest, were never better fed

With fuch delightful pleafing harmony.

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

Sim.

Sir, you are mufick's mafter.

Per. The worst of all her scholars, my good lord. Sim. Let me ask one thing. What do you think, fir, of My daughter?

Per.

As of a moft virtuous princess.

Sim. And fhe is fair too, is the not?

Per. As a fair day in fummer; wond'rous fair.
Sim. My daughter, fir, thinks very well of you;
Ay, fo well, fir, that you must be her master,
And he'll your fcholar be; therefore look to it.
Per. Unworthy I to be her schoolmaster.

Sim. She thinks not fo; peruse this writing else.
Per. What's here!

A letter, that he loves the knight of Tyre?

'Tis the king's fubtilty, to have my life.
O, feek not to entrap, my gracious lord,
A ftranger and diftreffed gentleman,

That never aim'd fo high, to love your daughter,
But bent all offices to honour her.

[Afide.

Sim. Thou haft bewitch'd my daughter, and thou art A villain.

Per.

By the gods, I have not, fir.

Never did thought of mine levy offence;
Nor never did my actions yet commence
A deed might gain her love, or your displeasure.
Sim. Traitor, thou lieft.

Per.

Sim.

Traitor!

Ay, traitor, fir. 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.

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 not to be a rebel to her ftate;

And he that otherwise accounts of me,

This fword fhall prove, he's honour's enemy.
Sim, No!-

Here comes my daughter, she can witness it,

Enter THAISA.

Per. Then, as you are as virtuous as fair, Refolve

your angry father, if my tongue Did e'er folicit, or my hand subscribe To any fyllable that made love to you?

D 2

[Afide,

Thai,

Thai. Why, fir, fay if you had,

Who takes offence at that would make me glad?

Sim. Yea, mistress, are you so peremptory ?—

I am glad of it with all my heart. [Afide.] I'll tame you; I'll bring you in subjection.

Will you, not having my confent, bestow Your love and your affections on a stranger? (Who, for ought I know to the contrary,

[Afide.

Or think, may be as great in blood as I.)
Hear, therefore, mistress; frame your will to mine,—
And you, fir, hear you.-Either be rul'd by me,
Or I will make you-man and wife.-

Nay, come; your hands and lips muft feal it too.-
And being join'd, I'll thus your hopes destroy ;—
And for a further grief,-God give you joy!
What, are you both pleas'd?

Thai.
Per. Even as my life, my blood that fosters it.

Yes, if you love me, fir.

Yes, 'please your majesty.

Sim. What, are you both agreed?

Both.

Sim. It pleafeth me fo well, I'll fee you wed;

Then, with what hafte you can, get you to bed. [Exeunt.

ACT

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