The Oxford Shakespeare: The Complete Works

by William Shakespeare

  PERICLES

  Your kingly courtesy I thankfully accept.

  KING SIMONIDES

  Come, gentlemen, we sit too long on trifles,

  And waste the time which looks for other revels.

  Ev’n in your armours, as you are addressed,

  Your limbs will 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 asked, ’twas so well performed.

  Come, here’s a lady that wants breathing too.

  (To Pericles) And I have heard, sir, that the knights of

  Tyre

  Are excellent in making ladies trip,

  And that their measures are as excellent.

  PERICLES

  In those that practise them they are, my lord.

  KING SIMONIDES

  O, that’s as much as you would be denied

  Of your fair courtesy. Unclasp, unclasp.

  They dance

  Thanks, gentlemen, to all. All have done well,

  (To Pericles) But you the best.—Lights, pages, to

  conduct

  These knights unto their sev’ral lodgings.—Yours, sir,

  We have giv’n order should be next our own.

  PERICLES I am at your grace’s pleasure.

  KING SIMONIDES

  Princes, it is too late to talk of love,

  And that’s the mark I know you level at.

  Therefore each one betake him to his rest;

  Tomorrow all for speeding do their best.

  Exeunt ⌈severally⌉

  Sc. 8 Enter Helicanus and Aeschines

  HELICANUS

  No, Aeschines, know this of me:

  Antiochus from incest lived not free,

  For which the most high gods, not minding longer

  To hold the vengeance that they had in store

  Due to this heinous capital offence,

  Even in the height and pride of all his glory,

  When he was seated in a chariot

  Of an inestimable value, and

  His daughter with him, both apparelled all in jewels,

  A fire from heaven came and shrivelled up

  Their bodies e’en to loathing, for they so stunk

  That all those eyes adored them ere their fall

  Scorn now their hands should give them burial.

  AESCHINES

  ’Twas very strange.

  HELICANUS And yet but justice, for though

  This king were great, his greatness was no guard To bar heav’n’s shaft, but sin had his reward.

  AESCHINES ’Tis very true.

  Enter three Lords, and stand aside

  FIRST LORD

  See, not a man in private conference

  Or council has respect with him but he.

  SECOND LORD

  It shall no longer grieve without reproof.

  THIRD LORD

  And cursed be he that will not second it.

  FIRST LORD

  Follow me, then.—Lord Helicane, a word.

  HELICANUS

  With me? And welcome. Happy day, my lords.

  FIRST LORD

  Know that our griefs are risen to the top,

  And now at length they overflow their banks.

  HELICANUS

  Your griefs? For what? Wrong not your prince you love.

  FIRST LORD

  Wrong not yourself, then, noble Helicane,

  But if the prince do live, let us salute him

  Or know what ground’s made happy by his step,

  And be resolved he lives to govern us,

  Or dead, give ’s cause to mourn his funeral

  And leave us to our free election.

  SECOND LORD

  Whose death indeed’s the strongest in our censure,

  And knowing this—kingdoms without a head,

  Like goodly buildings left without a roof,

  Soon fall to utter ruin—your noble self,

  That best know how to rule and how to reign,

  We thus submit unto as sovereign.

  ALL ⌈kneeling⌉ Live, noble Helicane!

  HELICANUS

  By honour’s cause, forbear your suffrages.

  If that you love Prince Pericles, forbear.

  ⌈The lords rise⌉

  Take I your wish I leap into the seas

  Where’s hourly trouble for a minute’s ease,

  But if I cannot win you to this love,

  A twelvemonth longer then let me entreat you

  Further to bear the absence of your king;

  If in which time expired he not return,

  I shall with aged patience bear your yoke.

  Go, seek your noble prince 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.

  FIRST LORD

  To wisdom he’s a fool that will not yield,

  And since Lord Helicane enjoineth us,

  We with our travels will endeavour us.

  If in the world he live we’ll seek him out;

  If in his grave he rest, we’ll find him there.

  HELICANUS

  Then you love us, we you, and we’ll clasp hands.

  When peers thus knit, a kingdom ever stands. Exeunt

  Sc. 8a Enter Pericles with Gentlemen with lights

  FIRST GENTLEMAN

  Here is your lodging, sir.

  PERICLES Pray leave me private.

  Only for instant solace pleasure me

  With some delightful instrument, with which,

  And with my former practice, I intend

  To pass away the tediousness of night, 5

  Though slumbers were more fitting.

  FIRST GENTLEMAN Presently.

  Exit First Gentleman

  SECOND GENTLEMAN

  Your will’s obeyed in all things, for our master

  Commanded you be disobeyed in nothing.

  Enter First Gentleman with a stringed instrument

  PERICLES

  I thank you. Now betake you to your pillows,

  And to the nourishment of quiet sleep. 10

  Exeunt Gentlemen

  Pericles plays and sings

  Day—that hath still that sovereignty to draw back

  The empire of the night, though for a while

  In darkness she usurp—brings morning on.

  I will go give his grace that salutation

  Morning requires of me.

  Exit with instrument

  Sc. 9 Enter King Simonides at one door reading of a letter, the Knights enter ⌈at another door⌉ and meet him

  FIRST KNIGHT

  Good morrow to the good Simonides.

  KING SIMONIDES

  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 her none can get.

  SECOND KNIGHT

  May we not have access to her, my lord?

  KING SIMONIDES

  Faith, by no means. It is impossible,

  She hath so strictly tied her to her chamber.

  One twelve moons more she’ll wear Diana’s liv’ry.

  This by the eye of Cynthia hath she vowed,

  And on her virgin honour will not break it.

  THIRD KNIGHT

  Loath to bid farewell, we take our leaves.

  Exeunt Knights

  KING SIMONIDES

  So, they are well dispatched. Now to my daughter’s

  letter.

  She tells me here she’ll wed the stranger knight,

  Or never more to view nor day nor light.

  I like that well. Nay, how absolute she’s in‘t,

  Not
minding whether I dislike or no!

  Mistress, ’tis well, I do commend your choice,

  And will no longer have it be delayed.

  Enter Pericles

  Soft, here he comes. I must dissemble that

  In show, I have determined on in heart.

  PERICLES

  All fortune to the good Simonides.

  KING SIMONIDES

  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.

  PERICLES

  It is your grace’s pleasure to commend,

  Not my desert.

  KING SIMONIDES Sir, you are music’s master.

  PERICLES

  The worst of all her scholars, my good lord.

  KING SIMONIDES

  Let me ask you one thing. What think you of my daughter?

  PERICLES

  A most virtuous princess.

  KING SIMONIDES And fair, too, is she not?

  PERICLES

  As a fair day in summer; wondrous fair.

  KING SIMONIDES

  My daughter, sir, thinks very well of you;

  So well indeed that you must be her master

  And she will be your scholar; therefore look to it.

  PERICLES

  I am unworthy for her schoolmaster.

  KING SIMONIDES

  She thinks not so. Peruse this writing else.

  He gives the letter to Pericles, who reads

  PERICLES (aside)

  What’s here?—a letter that she loves the knight of Tyre?

  ’Tis the King’s subtlety to have my life.

  ⌈He prostrates himself at the King’s feet⌉

  O, seek not to entrap me, gracious lord,

  A stranger and distressed gentleman

  That never aimed so high to love your daughter,

  But bent all offices to honour her.

  Never did thought of mine levy offence,

  Nor never did my actions yet commence

  A deed might gain her love or your displeasure.

  KING SIMONIDES

  Thou liest like a traitor.

  PERICLES Traitor?

  KING SIMONIDES Ay, traitor,

  That thus disguised art stol’n into my court

  With witchcraft of thy actions to bewitch

  The yielding spirit of my tender child. 50

  PERICLES ⌈rising⌉

  Who calls me traitor, unless it be the King,

  Ev’n in his bosom I will write the lie.

  KING SIMONIDES (aside)

  Now, by the gods, I do applaud his courage.

  PERICLES

  My actions are as noble as my blood,

  That never relished of a base descent. 55

  I came unto your court in search of honour,

  And not to be a rebel to your state;

  And he that otherwise accounts of me,

  This sword shall prove he’s honour’s enemy.

  KING SIMONIDES

  I shall prove otherwise, since both your practice

  And her consent therein is evident

  There, by my daughter’s hand, as she can witness.

  Enter Thaisa

  PERICLES (to Thaisa)

  Then as you are as virtuous as fair,

  By what you hope of heaven or desire

  By your best wishes here i‘th’ world fulfilled,

  Resolve your angry father if my tongue

  Did e’er solicit, or my hand subscribe

  To any syllable made love to you.

  THAISA Why, sir, say if you had,

  Who takes offence at that would make me glad?

  KING SIMONIDES

  How, minion, are you so peremptory?

  (Aside) I am glad on’t.—Is this a fit match for you?

  A straggling Theseus, born we know not where,

  One that hath neither blood nor merit

  For thee to hope for, or himself to challenge

  Of thy perfections e’en the least allowance.

  THAISA (kneeling)

  Suppose his birth were base, when that his life

  Shows that he is not so, yet he hath virtue,

  The very ground of all nobility,

  Enough to make him noble. I entreat you

  To remember that I am in love,

  The power of which love cannot be confined

  By th’ power of your will. Most royal father,

  What with my pen I have in secret written

  With my tongue now I openly confirm,

  Which is I have no life but in his love,

  Nor any being but in joying of his worth.

  KING SIMONIDES

  Equals to equals, good to good is joined.

  This not being so, the bavin of your mind

  In rashness kindled must again be quenched,

  Or purchase our displeasure.—And for you, sir,

  First learn to know I banish you my court,

  And yet I scorn our rage should stoop so low.

  For your ambition, sir, I’ll have your life.

  THAISA (to Pericles)

  For every drop of blood he sheds of yours

  He’ll draw another from his only child.

  KING SIMONIDES

  I’ll tame you, yea, I’ll bring you in subjection.

  Will you not having my consent

  Bestow your love and your affections

  Upon a stranger?—(aside) who for aught I know

  May be, nor can I think the contrary,

  As great in blood as I myself.

  ⌈He catches Thaisa rashly by the hand⌉

  Therefore hear you, mistress: either frame your will to

  mine—

  ⌈He catches Pericles rashly by the hand⌉

  And you, sir, hear you: either be ruled by me—

  Or I shall make you

  ⌈He claps their hands together⌉ man and wife. 105

  Nay, come, your hands and lips must seal it too,Pericles and Thaisa kiss

  And being joined, I’ll thus your hopes destroy,⌈He parts them⌉

  And for your further grief, God give you joy. What, are you pleased?

  THAISA Yes, (to Pericles) if you love me, sir.

  PERICLES

  Ev’n as my life my blood that fosters it.

  KING SIMONIDES

  What, are you both agreed?

  PERICLES and THAISA Yes, if’t please your majesty.

  KING SIMONIDES

  It pleaseth me so well that I will see you wed,

  Then with what haste you can, get you to bed. Exeunt

  Sc. 10 Enter Gower

  GOWER

  Now sleep y-slacked hath the rout,

  No din but snores the house about,

  Made louder by the o‘erfed breast

  Of this most pompous marriage feast.

  The cat with eyne of burning coal

  Now couches fore the mouse’s hole,

  And crickets sing at th’oven’s mouth

  As the blither for their drouth.

  Hymen hath brought the bride to bed,

  Where by the loss of maidenhead

  A babe is moulded. Be attent,

  And time that is so briefly spent

  With your fine fancies quaintly eche.

  What’s dumb in show, I’ll plain with speech.

  Dumb show.

  Enter Pericles and Simonides at one door with attendants. A messenger comes ⌈hastily⌉ in to them, kneels, and gives Pericles a letter. Pericles shows it Simonides; the lords kneel to him. Then enter Thaisa with child, with Lychorida, a nurse. The King shows her the letter. She rejoices. She and Pericles take leave of her father and depart with I,,ychorida at one door; Simonides ⌈and attendants⌉ depart at another

  By many a dern and painful perch

  Of Pericles the care-full search,

  By the four opposing coigns

  Which the wor
ld together joins,

  Is made with all due diligence

  That horse and sail and high expense

  Can stead the quest. At last from Tyre

  Fame answering the most strange enquire,

  To th’ court of King Simonides

  Are letters brought, the tenor these:

  Antiochus and his daughter dead,

  The men of Tyrus on the head

  Of Helicanus would set on

  The crown of Tyre, but he will none.

  The mutiny there he hastes t‘appease,

  Says to ’em if King Pericles

  Come not home in twice six moons

  He, obedient to their dooms,

  Will take the crown. The sum of this

  Brought hither to Pentapolis

  Y-ravishèd the regions round,

  And everyone with claps can sound

  ‘Our heir-apparent is a king!

  Who dreamt, who thought of such a thing?’

  Brief he must hence depart to Tyre;

  His queen with child makes her desire—

  Which who shall cross?—along to go.

  Omit we all their dole and woe.

  Lychorida her nurse she takes,

  And so to sea. Their vessel shakes

  On Neptune’s billow. Half the flood

  Hath their keel cut, but fortune’s mood

  Varies again. The grizzled north

  Disgorges such a tempest forth

  That as a duck for life that dives,

  So up and down the poor ship drives.

  The lady shrieks, and well-a-near

  Does fall in travail with her fear,

  And what ensues in this fell storm

  Shall for itself itself perform;

  I nill relate; action may

  Conveniently the rest convey,

  Which might not what by me is told.

  In your imagination hold

  This stage the ship, upon whose deck

  The sea-tossed Pericles appears to speke. Exit

  Sc. 11 ⌈Thunder and lightning.⌉ Enter Pericles a-shipboard

  PERICLES

  The god of this great vast rebuke these surges

  Which wash both heav’n and hell; and thou that hast

  Upon the winds command, bind them in brass,

  Having called them from the deep. O still