Pericles

ladies trip;
And that their measures are as excellent. Pericles In those that practise them they are, my lord. Simonides

O, that’s as much as you would be denied
Of your fair courtesy. The Knights and Ladies dance. 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 given order to be next our own.

Pericles I am at your grace’s pleasure. 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;
To-morrow all for speeding do their best. Exeunt.

Scene IV

Tyre. A room in the Governor’s house.

	Enter Helicanus and Escanes.
Helicanus	No, Escanes, know this of me, Antiochus from incest lived 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, That all those eyes adored them ere their fall Scorn now their hand should give them burial.
Escanes	’Twas very strange.
Helicanus	And yet but justice; for though This king were great, his greatness was no guard To bar heaven’s shaft, but sin had his reward.
Escanes	’Tis very true.
	Enter two or three Lords.
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 breath. If in the world he live, we’ll seek him out; If in his grave he rest, we’ll find him there; 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 kingdom is without a head⁠— Like goodly buildings left without a roof Soon fall to ruin⁠—your noble self, That best know how to rule and how to reign, We thus submit unto⁠—our sovereign.
All	Live, noble Helicane!
Helicanus	For honour’s cause, forbear your suffrages: If that you love Prince Pericles, forbear. Take I your wish, I leap into the seas, Where’s hourly trouble for a minute’s ease. A twelvemonth longer, let me entreat you to Forbear the absence of your king; If in which time expired, he not return, I shall with aged patience bear your yoke. But if I cannot win you to this love, Go search like nobles, 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.
Helicanus	Then you love us, we you, and we’ll clasp hands: When peers thus knit, a kingdom ever stands. Exeunt.

Scene V

Pentapolis. A room in the palace.

	Enter Simonides, reading a letter, at one door: the Knights meet him.
First Knight	Good morrow to the good Simonides.
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 yet from her by no means can I get.
Second Knight	May we not get access to her, my lord?
Simonides	’Faith, by no means; she has so strictly tied Her to her chamber, that ’tis 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.
Third Knight	Loath to bid farewell, we take our leaves. Exeunt Knights.
Simonides	So, They are well dispatch’d; 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. ’Tis well, mistress; your choice agrees with mine; I like that well: nay, how absolute she’s in’t, Not minding whether I dislike or no! Well, I do commend her choice; And will no longer have it be delay’d. Soft! here he comes: I must dissemble it.
	Enter Pericles.
Pericles	All fortune to the good Simonides!
Simonides	To you as much, sir! I am beholding to you For your sweet music this last night: I do Protest my ears were never better fed With such delightful pleasing harmony.
Pericles	It is your grace’s pleasure to commend; Not my desert.
Simonides	Sir, you are music’s master.
Pericles	The worst of all her scholars, my good lord.
Simonides	Let me ask you one thing: What do you think of my daughter, sir?
Pericles	A most virtuous princess.
Simonides	And she is fair too, is she not?
Pericles	As a fair day in summer, wondrous fair.
Simonides	Sir, my daughter thinks very well of you; Ay, so well, that you must be her master, And she will be your scholar: therefore look to it.
Pericles	I am unworthy for her school-master.
Simonides	She thinks not so; peruse this writing else.
Pericles	Aside. What’s here? A letter, that she loves the knight of Tyre! ’Tis the king’s subtlety to have my life. O, seek not to entrap me, gracious lord, A stranger and distressed gentleman, That never aim’d so high to love your daughter, But bent all offices to honour her.
Simonides	Thou hast bewitch’d my daughter, and thou art A villain.
Pericles	By the gods, I have not: Never did thought of mine levy offence; Nor never did my actions yet commence A deed might gain her love or your displeasure.
Simonides	Traitor, thou liest.
Pericles	Traitor!
Simonides	Ay, traitor.
Pericles	Even in his throat⁠—unless it be the king⁠— That calls me traitor, I return