And have no more of life than may suffice First Fish. Die, quoth-a? Now gods forbid! I have a gown here; come, put it on; keep thee warm. Now, afore me,3 a handsome fellow! Come, thou shalt go home, and we'll have flesh for holidays, fish for fasting-days, and moreo'er puddings and flap-jacks; and thou shalt be welcome. First 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. Were my fortunes equal to my desires, I could wish to make one there. First 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 Second and Third Fishermen, 121 Sec. Fish. Help, master, help! here's a fish hangs in the net, like a poor man's right in the law; 't will hardly come out. Ha! bots on't, 't is come at last, and 't is turn'd to a rusty armour. Per. An armour, friends! I pray you, let me see it. Thanks, fortune, yet, that, after all thy crosses, Thou giv'st me somewhat to repair myself; And though it was mine own, part of my heri 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 sav'd me, keep it; in like necessity The which the gods protect thee from!-'t may defend thee." It kept where I kept, I so dearly lov'd it; Till the rough seas, that spare not any man, Took it in rage, though calm'd have given't again; Where with it I may appear a gentleman; Sec. Fish. Ay, but hark you, my friend; 't was 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'll remember from whence you had it. Thar. Which, to preserve mine honour, I'll perform. Enter a Knight; he passes over, 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 Sim. He loves you well that holds his life of you. [The Second Knight passes over. 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, Mas por dulzura que por fuerza.10 [The Third Knight passes over. Sim. And what's the third? Thai. The third of Antioch; And his device, a wreath of chivalry; The word, Me pompa provexit apex.11 30 [The Fourth Knight passes over. Sim. What is the fourth? SCENE III. The same. A hall of state; a banquet prepared. SIMONIDES, THAISA, Lords, Ladies, and Attendants. Enter the Marshal, conducting Pericles and the other knights, armed. Sim. Knights, To say you're welcome were superfluous. Thai. [To Pericles] But you, my knight and guest; 10 To whom this wreath of victory I give, Sim. Call it by what you will, the day is yours; For,daughter,so you are,here take your place:-Marshal the rest, as they deserve their grace. Knights. We're honour'd much by good Simonides. 20 Sim. Your presence glads our days: honour For who hates honour hates the gods above. That neither in our hearts nor outward eyes Per. You are right courteous knights. Sit, sir, sit.[Aside] By Jove, I wonder, that is king of thoughts, These cates resist me,10 he not thought upon.11 9 Her labour'd scholar, the scholar over whose training she took special pains. 10 These cates resist me, these delicacies are distasteful to me. 11 He not thought upon, if he be not in my thoughts. 40 Which tells me in that glory once he was; The which hath fire in darkness, none in light: 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,7 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. ] [Music. The Knights and Ladies dance; Pericles remains seated. So, this was well ask'd, 't was so well perform'd. [[To Pericles] Come, sir; Here is a lady that wants breathing too: 7 As you are address'd, i.e. just as you are. 8 Breathing, i.e. exercising (with a dance). 100 102 ? And I have heard, you knights of Tyre Are excellent in making ladies trip; And that their measures are as excellent. Per. In those that practise them they are, my lord. Sim. O, that's as much as you would be denied Of your fair courtesy.] [Dance renewed, Pericles and Thaisa leading. Unclasp, unclasp: Thanks, gentlemen, to all; all have done well, [To Pericles] But you the best.-Pages and lights, to conduct These knights unto their several lodgings![To Pericles] Yours, sir, We have giv'n order to be next our own. 110 Sim. Princes, it is too late to talk of love; And that's the mark I know you level1 at: Therefore each one betake him to his rest; To-morrow all for speeding do their best.2 [Exeunt. SCENE IV. Tyre. A room in the Governor's house. Enter HELICANUS and ESCANES. [Hel. No, Escanes; know this of me,— Antiochus from incest liv'd not free: For which, the most high gods not minding longer To withhold 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, A fire from heaven came, and shrivell'd up Their bodies, even to loathing; for they so stunk, 10 That all those eyes ador'd3 them ere their fall Scorn now their hand should give them burial. Esca. 'Twas very strange. 1 Level, aim. 2 All for speeding do their best, let all do their best to achieve success. & Those eyes ador'd, i.e. those eyes which adored, those whose eyes adored. to the top, And now at length they overflow their banks. Hel. Your griefs! for what? wrong not the 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 breath. If in the world he live, we'll seek him out; 31 |