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Eye of newt and toe of frog,
Wool of bat and tongue of dog.

      — Macbeth, Act IV Scene 1

	
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Pericles, Prince of Tyre

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Act I
Prologue
1. Antioch. A room in the palace.
2. Tyre. A room in the palace.
3. Tyre. An ante-chamber in the palace.
4. Tarsus. A room in the Governor’s house.
Act II
1. Pentapolis. An open place by the sea-side.
2. The same. A public way or platform leading to the
3. The same. A hall of state: a banquet prepared.
4. Tyre. A room in the Governor’s house.
5. Pentapolis. A room in the palace.
Act III
Prologue
1. On ship.
2. Ephesus. A room in CERIMON’s house.
3. Tarsus. A room in CLEON’s house.
4. Ephesus. A room in CERIMON’s house.
Act IV
Prologue
1. Tarsus. An open place near the sea-shore.
2. Mytilene. A room in a brothel.
3. Tarsus. A room in CLEON’s house.
4. Chorus.
5. Mytilene. A street before the brothel.
6. The same. A room in the brothel.
Act V
Prologue
1. On board PERICLES’ ship, off Mytilene. A close
2. Chorus.
3. The temple of Diana at Ephesus; THAISA standing
 	 	
^ Play menu

 	 
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Prologue

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[Enter GOWER]

Gower. To sing a song that old was sung, 
From ashes ancient Gower is come; 
Assuming man's infirmities, 
To glad your ear, and please your eyes. 5
It hath been sung at festivals, 
On ember-eves and holy-ales; 
And lords and ladies in their lives 
Have read it for restoratives: 
The purchase is to make men glorious; 10
Et bonum quo antiquius, eo melius. 
If you, born in these latter times, 
When wit's more ripe, accept my rhymes. 
And that to hear an old man sing 
May to your wishes pleasure bring 15
I life would wish, and that I might 
Waste it for you, like taper-light. 
This Antioch, then, Antiochus the Great 
Built up, this city, for his chiefest seat: 
The fairest in all Syria, 20
I tell you what mine authors say: 
This king unto him took a fere, 
Who died and left a female heir, 
So buxom, blithe, and full of face, 
As heaven had lent her all his grace; 25
With whom the father liking took, 
And her to incest did provoke: 
Bad child; worse father! to entice his own 
To evil should be done by none: 
But custom what they did begin 30
Was with long use account no sin. 
The beauty of this sinful dame 
Made many princes thither frame, 
To seek her as a bed-fellow, 
In marriage-pleasures play-fellow: 35
Which to prevent he made a law, 
To keep her still, and men in awe, 
That whoso ask'd her for his wife, 
His riddle told not, lost his life: 
So for her many a wight did die, 40
As yon grim looks do testify. 
What now ensues, to the judgment of your eye 
I give, my cause who best can justify.
[Exit]

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Act I, Scene 1

Antioch. A room in the palace.

     	next scene  .
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[Enter ANTIOCHUS, Prince PERICLES, and followers]

Antiochus. Young prince of Tyre, you have at large received 
The danger of the task you undertake.
Pericles. I have, Antiochus, and, with a soul 
Embolden'd with the glory of her praise, 
Think death no hazard in this enterprise. 50
Antiochus. Bring in our daughter, clothed like a bride, 
For the embracements even of Jove himself; 
At whose conception, till Lucina reign'd, 
Nature this dowry gave, to glad her presence, 
The senate-house of planets all did sit, 55
To knit in her their best perfections.
[Music. Enter the Daughter of ANTIOCHUS]

Pericles. See where she comes, apparell'd like the spring, 
Graces her subjects, and her thoughts the king 
Of every virtue gives renown to men! 60
Her face the book of praises, where is read 
Nothing but curious pleasures, as from thence 
Sorrow were ever razed and testy wrath 
Could never be her mild companion. 
You gods that made me man, and sway in love, 65
That have inflamed desire in my breast 
To taste the fruit of yon celestial tree, 
Or die in the adventure, be my helps, 
As I am son and servant to your will, 
To compass such a boundless happiness! 70
Antiochus. Prince Pericles,—
Pericles. That would be son to great Antiochus.
Antiochus. Before thee stands this fair Hesperides, 
With golden fruit, but dangerous to be touch'd; 
For death-like dragons here affright thee hard: 75
Her face, like heaven, enticeth thee to view 
Her countless glory, which desert must gain; 
And which, without desert, because thine eye 
Presumes to reach, all thy whole heap must die. 
Yon sometimes famous princes, like thyself, 80
Drawn by report, adventurous by desire, 
Tell thee, with speechless tongues and semblance pale, 
That without covering, save yon field of stars, 
Here they stand martyrs, slain in Cupid's wars; 
And with dead cheeks advise thee to desist 85
For going on death's net, whom none resist.
Pericles. Antiochus, I thank thee, who hath taught 
My frail mortality to know itself, 
And by those fearful objects to prepare 
This body, like to them, to what I must; 90
For death remember'd should be like a mirror, 
Who tells us life's but breath, to trust it error. 
I'll make my will then, and, as sick men do 
Who know the world, see heaven, but, feeling woe, 
Gripe not at earthly joys as erst they did; 95
So I bequeath a happy peace to you 
And all good men, as every prince should do; 
My riches to the earth from whence they came; 
But my unspotted fire of love to you. 
[To the Daughter of ANTIOCHUS] 100
Thus ready for the way of life or death, 
I wait the sharpest blow, Antiochus.
Antiochus. Scorning advice, read the conclusion then: 
Which read and not expounded, 'tis decreed, 
As these before thee thou thyself shalt bleed. 105
Daughter of Antiochus. Of all say'd yet, mayst thou prove prosperous! 
Of all say'd yet, I wish thee happiness!
Pericles. Like a bold champion, I assume the lists, 
Nor ask advice of any other thought 
But faithfulness and courage. 110
[He reads the riddle] 
I am no viper, yet I feed 
On mother's flesh which did me breed. 
I sought a husband, in which labour 
I found that kindness in a father: 115
He's father, son, and husband mild; 
I mother, wife, and yet his child. 
How they may be, and yet in two, 
As you will live, resolve it you. 
Sharp physic is the last: but, O you powers 120
That give heaven countless eyes to view men's acts, 
Why cloud they not their sights perpetually, 
If this be true, which makes me pale to read it? 
Fair glass of light, I loved you, and could still, 
[Takes hold of the hand of the Daughter of ANTIOCHUS] 125
Were not this glorious casket stored with ill: 
But I must tell you, now my thoughts revolt 
For he's no man on whom perfections wait 
That, knowing sin within, will touch the gate. 
You are a fair viol, and your sense the strings; 130
Who, finger'd to make man his lawful music, 
Would draw heaven down, and all the gods, to hearken: 
But being play'd upon before your time, 
Hell only danceth at so harsh a chime. 
Good sooth, I care not for you. 135
Antiochus. Prince Pericles, touch not, upon thy life. 
For that's an article within our law, 
As dangerous as the rest. Your time's expired: 
Either expound now, or receive your sentence.
Pericles. Great king, 140
Few love to hear the sins they love to act; 
'Twould braid yourself too near for me to tell it. 
Who has a book of all that monarchs do, 
He's more secure to keep it shut than shown: 
For vice repeated is like the wandering wind. 145
Blows dust in other's eyes, to spread itself; 
And yet the end of all is bought thus dear, 
The breath is gone, and the sore eyes see clear: 
To stop the air would hurt them. The blind mole casts 
Copp'd hills towards heaven, to tell the earth is throng'd 150
By man's oppression; and the poor worm doth die for't. 
Kings are earth's gods; in vice their law's 
their will; 
And if Jove stray, who dares say Jove doth ill? 
It is enough you know; and it is fit, 155
What being more known grows worse, to smother it. 
All love the womb that their first being bred, 
Then give my tongue like leave to love my head.
Antiochus. [Aside] Heaven, that I had thy head! he has found 
the meaning: 160
But I will gloze with him.—Young prince of Tyre, 
Though by the tenor of our strict edict, 
Your exposition misinterpreting, 
We might proceed to cancel of your days; 
Yet hope, succeeding from so fair a tree 165
As your fair self, doth tune us otherwise: 
Forty days longer we do respite you; 
If by which time our secret be undone, 
This mercy shows we'll joy in such a son: 
And until then your entertain shall be 170
As doth befit our honour and your worth.
[Exeunt all but PERICLES]

Pericles. How courtesy would seem to cover sin, 
When what is done is like an hypocrite, 
The which is good in nothing but in sight! 175
If it be true that I interpret false, 
Then were it certain you were not so bad 
As with foul incest to abuse your soul; 
Where now you're both a father and a son, 
By your untimely claspings with your child, 180
Which pleasure fits an husband, not a father; 
And she an eater of her mother's flesh, 
By the defiling of her parent's bed; 
And both like serpents are, who though they feed 
On sweetest flowers, yet they poison breed. 185
Antioch, farewell! for wisdom sees, those men 
Blush not in actions blacker than the night, 
Will shun no course to keep them from the light. 
One sin, I know, another doth provoke; 
Murder's as near to lust as flame to smoke: 190
Poison and treason are the hands of sin, 
Ay, and the targets, to put off the shame: 
Then, lest my lie be cropp'd to keep you clear, 
By flight I'll shun the danger which I fear.
[Exit]

[Re-enter ANTIOCHUS]

Antiochus. He hath found the meaning, for which we mean 
To have his head. 
He must not live to trumpet forth my infamy, 
Nor tell the world Antiochus doth sin 200
In such a loathed manner; 
And therefore instantly this prince must die: 
For by his fall my honour must keep high. 
Who attends us there?
[Enter THALIARD]

Thaliard. Doth your highness call?
Antiochus. Thaliard, 
You are of our chamber, and our mind partakes 
Her private actions to your secrecy; 
And for your faithfulness we will advance you. 210
Thaliard, behold, here's poison, and here's gold; 
We hate the prince of Tyre, and thou must kill him: 
It fits thee not to ask the reason why, 
Because we bid it. Say, is it done?
Thaliard. My lord, 215
'Tis done.
Antiochus. Enough. 
[Enter a Messenger] 
Let your breath cool yourself, telling your haste.
Messenger. My lord, prince Pericles is fled. 220
[Exit]

Antiochus. As thou 
Wilt live, fly after: and like an arrow shot 
From a well-experienced archer hits the mark 
His eye doth level at, so thou ne'er return 225
Unless thou say 'Prince Pericles is dead.'
Thaliard. My lord, 
If I can get him within my pistol's length, 
I'll make him sure enough: so, farewell to your highness.
Antiochus. Thaliard, adieu! 230
[Exit THALIARD] 
Till Pericles be dead, 
My heart can lend no succor to my head.
[Exit]

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Act I, Scene 2

Tyre. A room in the palace.

     	next scene  .
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[Enter PERICLES]

Pericles. [To Lords without] Let none disturb us.—Why should 
this change of thoughts, 
The sad companion, dull-eyed melancholy, 
Be my so used a guest as not an hour, 
In the day's glorious walk, or peaceful night, 240
The tomb where grief should sleep, can breed me quiet? 
Here pleasures court mine eyes, and mine eyes shun them, 
And danger, which I fear'd, is at Antioch, 
Whose aim seems far too short to hit me here: 
Yet neither pleasure's art can joy my spirits, 245
Nor yet the other's distance comfort me. 
Then it is thus: the passions of the mind, 
That have their first conception by mis-dread, 
Have after-nourishment and life by care; 
And what was first but fear what might be done, 250
Grows elder now and cares it be not done. 
And so with me: the great Antiochus, 
'Gainst whom I am too little to contend, 
Since he's so great can make his will his act, 
Will think me speaking, though I swear to silence; 255
Nor boots it me to say I honour him. 
If he suspect I may dishonour him: 
And what may make him blush in being known, 
He'll stop the course by which it might be known; 
With hostile forces he'll o'erspread the land, 260
And with the ostent of war will look so huge, 
Amazement shall drive courage from the state; 
Our men be vanquish'd ere they do resist, 
And subjects punish'd that ne'er thought offence: 
Which care of them, not pity of myself, 265
Who am no more but as the tops of trees, 
Which fence the roots they grow by and defend them, 
Makes both my body pine and soul to languish, 
And punish that before that he would punish.
[Enter HELICANUS, with other Lords]

First Lord. Joy and all comfort in your sacred breast!
Second Lord. And keep your mind, till you return to us, 
Peaceful and comfortable!
Helicanus. Peace, peace, and give experience tongue. 
They do abuse the king that flatter him: 275
For flattery is the bellows blows up sin; 
The thing which is flatter'd, but a spark, 
To which that blast gives heat and stronger glowing; 
Whereas reproof, obedient and in order, 
Fits kings, as they are men, for they may err. 280
When Signior Sooth here does proclaim a peace, 
He flatters you, makes war upon your life. 
Prince, pardon me, or strike me, if you please; 
I cannot be much lower than my knees.
Pericles. All leave us else; but let your cares o'erlook 285
What shipping and what lading's in our haven, 
And then return to us. 
[Exeunt Lords] 
Helicanus, thou 
Hast moved us: what seest thou in our looks? 290
Helicanus. An angry brow, dread lord.
Pericles. If there be such a dart in princes' frowns, 
How durst thy tongue move anger to our face?
Helicanus. How dare the plants look up to heaven, from whence 
They have their nourishment? 295
Pericles. Thou know'st I have power 
To take thy life from thee.
Helicanus. [Kneeling] 
I have ground the axe myself; 
Do you but strike the blow. 300
Pericles. Rise, prithee, rise. 
Sit down: thou art no flatterer: 
I thank thee for it; and heaven forbid 
That kings should let their ears hear their 
faults hid! 305
Fit counsellor and servant for a prince, 
Who by thy wisdom makest a prince thy servant, 
What wouldst thou have me do?
Helicanus. To bear with patience 
Such griefs as you yourself do lay upon yourself. 310
Pericles. Thou speak'st like a physician, Helicanus, 
That minister'st a potion unto me 
That thou wouldst tremble to receive thyself. 
Attend me, then: I went to Antioch, 
Where as thou know'st, against the face of death, 315
I sought the purchase of a glorious beauty. 
From whence an issue I might propagate, 
Are arms to princes, and bring joys to subjects. 
Her face was to mine eye beyond all wonder; 
The rest—hark in thine ear—as black as incest: 320
Which by my knowledge found, the sinful father 
Seem'd not to strike, but smooth: but thou 
know'st this, 
'Tis time to fear when tyrants seem to kiss. 
Such fear so grew in me, I hither fled, 325
Under the covering of a careful night, 
Who seem'd my good protector; and, being here, 
Bethought me what was past, what might succeed. 
I knew him tyrannous; and tyrants' fears 
Decrease not, but grow faster than the years: 330
And should he doubt it, as no doubt he doth, 
That I should open to the listening air 
How many worthy princes' bloods were shed, 
To keep his bed of blackness unlaid ope, 
To lop that doubt, he'll fill this land with arms, 335
And make pretence of wrong that I have done him: 
When all, for mine, if I may call offence, 
Must feel war's blow, who spares not innocence: 
Which love to all, of which thyself art one, 
Who now reprovest me for it,— 340
Helicanus. Alas, sir!
Pericles. Drew sleep out of mine eyes, blood from my cheeks, 
Musings into my mind, with thousand doubts 
How I might stop this tempest ere it came; 
And finding little comfort to relieve them, 345
I thought it princely charity to grieve them.
Helicanus. Well, my lord, since you have given me leave to speak. 
Freely will I speak. Antiochus you fear, 
And justly too, I think, you fear the tyrant, 
Who either by public war or private treason 350
Will take away your life. 
Therefore, my lord, go travel for a while, 
Till that his rage and anger be forgot, 
Or till the Destinies do cut his thread of life. 
Your rule direct to any; if to me. 355
Day serves not light more faithful than I'll be.
Pericles. I do not doubt thy faith; 
But should he wrong my liberties in my absence?
Helicanus. We'll mingle our bloods together in the earth, 
From whence we had our being and our birth. 360
Pericles. Tyre, I now look from thee then, and to Tarsus 
Intend my travel, where I'll hear from thee; 
And by whose letters I'll dispose myself. 
The care I had and have of subjects' good 
On thee I lay whose wisdom's strength can bear it. 365
I'll take thy word for faith, not ask thine oath: 
Who shuns not to break one will sure crack both: 
But in our orbs we'll live so round and safe, 
That time of both this truth shall ne'er convince, 
Thou show'dst a subject's shine, I a true prince. 370
[Exeunt]

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Act I, Scene 3

Tyre. An ante-chamber in the palace.

     	next scene  .
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[Enter THALIARD]

Thaliard. So, this is Tyre, and this the court. Here must I 
kill King Pericles; and if I do it not, I am sure to 
be hanged at home: 'tis dangerous. Well, I perceive 375
he was a wise fellow, and had good discretion, that, 
being bid to ask what he would of the king, desired 
he might know none of his secrets: now do I see he 
had some reason for't; for if a king bid a man be a 
villain, he's bound by the indenture of his oath to 380
be one! Hush! here come the lords of Tyre.
[Enter HELICANUS and ESCANES, with other Lords of Tyre]

Helicanus. You shall not need, my fellow peers of Tyre, 
Further to question me of your king's departure: 
His seal'd commission, left in trust with me, 385
Doth speak sufficiently he's gone to travel.
Thaliard. [Aside] How! the king gone!
Helicanus. If further yet you will be satisfied, 
Why, as it were unlicensed of your loves, 
He would depart, I'll give some light unto you. 390
Being at Antioch—
Thaliard. [Aside] What from Antioch?
Helicanus. Royal Antiochus—on what cause I know not— 
Took some displeasure at him; at least he judged so: 
And doubting lest that he had err'd or sinn'd, 395
To show his sorrow, he'ld correct himself; 
So puts himself unto the shipman's toil, 
With whom each minute threatens life or death.
Thaliard. [Aside] Well, I perceive 
I shall not be hang'd now, although I would; 400
But since he's gone, the king's seas must please: 
He 'scaped the land, to perish at the sea. 
I'll present myself. Peace to the lords of Tyre!
Helicanus. Lord Thaliard from Antiochus is welcome.
Thaliard. From him I come 405
With message unto princely Pericles; 
But since my landing I have understood 
Your lord has betook himself to unknown travels, 
My message must return from whence it came.
Helicanus. We have no reason to desire it, 410
Commended to our master, not to us: 
Yet, ere you shall depart, this we desire, 
As friends to Antioch, we may feast in Tyre.
[Exeunt]

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Act I, Scene 4

Tarsus. A room in the Governor’s house.

     	next scene  .
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[Enter CLEON, the governor of Tarsus, with DIONYZA,] [p]and others]

Cleon. My Dionyza, shall we rest us here, 
And by relating tales of others' griefs, 
See if 'twill teach us to forget our own?
Dionyza. That were to blow at fire in hope to quench it; 420
For who digs hills because they do aspire 
Throws down one mountain to cast up a higher. 
O my distressed lord, even such our griefs are; 
Here they're but felt, and seen with mischief's eyes, 
But like to groves, being topp'd, they higher rise. 425
Cleon. O Dionyza, 
Who wanteth food, and will not say he wants it, 
Or can conceal his hunger till he famish? 
Our tongues and sorrows do sound deep 
Our woes into the air; our eyes do weep, 430
Till tongues fetch breath that may proclaim them louder; 
That, if heaven slumber while their creatures want, 
They may awake their helps to comfort them. 
I'll then discourse our woes, felt several years, 
And wanting breath to speak help me with tears. 435
Dionyza. I'll do my best, sir.
Cleon. This Tarsus, o'er which I have the government, 
A city on whom plenty held full hand, 
For riches strew'd herself even in the streets; 
Whose towers bore heads so high they kiss'd the clouds, 440
And strangers ne'er beheld but wondered at; 
Whose men and dames so jetted and adorn'd, 
Like one another's glass to trim them by: 
Their tables were stored full, to glad the sight, 
And not so much to feed on as delight; 445
All poverty was scorn'd, and pride so great, 
The name of help grew odious to repeat.
Dionyza. O, 'tis too true.
Cleon. But see what heaven can do! By this our change, 
These mouths, who but of late, earth, sea, and air, 450
Were all too little to content and please, 
Although they gave their creatures in abundance, 
As houses are defiled for want of use, 
They are now starved for want of exercise: 
Those palates who, not yet two summers younger, 455
Must have inventions to delight the taste, 
Would now be glad of bread, and beg for it: 
Those mothers who, to nousle up their babes, 
Thought nought too curious, are ready now 
To eat those little darlings whom they loved. 460
So sharp are hunger's teeth, that man and wife 
Draw lots who first shall die to lengthen life: 
Here stands a lord, and there a lady weeping; 
Here many sink, yet those which see them fall 
Have scarce strength left to give them burial. 465
Is not this true?
Dionyza. Our cheeks and hollow eyes do witness it.
Cleon. O, let those cities that of plenty's cup 
And her prosperities so largely taste, 
With their superfluous riots, hear these tears! 470
The misery of Tarsus may be theirs.
[Enter a Lord]

Lord. Where's the lord governor?
Cleon. Here. 
Speak out thy sorrows which thou bring'st in haste, 475
For comfort is too far for us to expect.
Lord. We have descried, upon our neighbouring shore, 
A portly sail of ships make hitherward.
Cleon. I thought as much. 
One sorrow never comes but brings an heir, 480
That may succeed as his inheritor; 
And so in ours: some neighbouring nation, 
Taking advantage of our misery, 
Hath stuff'd these hollow vessels with their power, 
To beat us down, the which are down already; 485
And make a conquest of unhappy me, 
Whereas no glory's got to overcome.
Lord. That's the least fear; for, by the semblance 
Of their white flags display'd, they bring us peace, 
And come to us as favourers, not as foes. 490
Cleon. Thou speak'st like him's untutor'd to repeat: 
Who makes the fairest show means most deceit. 
But bring they what they will and what they can, 
What need we fear? 
The ground's the lowest, and we are half way there. 495
Go tell their general we attend him here, 
To know for what he comes, and whence he comes, 
And what he craves.
Lord. I go, my lord.
[Exit]

Cleon. Welcome is peace, if he on peace consist; 
If wars, we are unable to resist.
[Enter PERICLES with Attendants]

Pericles. Lord governor, for so we hear you are, 
Let not our ships and number of our men 505
Be like a beacon fired to amaze your eyes. 
We have heard your miseries as far as Tyre, 
And seen the desolation of your streets: 
Nor come we to add sorrow to your tears, 
But to relieve them of their heavy load; 510
And these our ships, you happily may think 
Are like the Trojan horse was stuff'd within 
With bloody veins, expecting overthrow, 
Are stored with corn to make your needy bread, 
And give them life whom hunger starved half dead. 515
All. The gods of Greece protect you! 
And we'll pray for you.
Pericles. Arise, I pray you, rise: 
We do not look for reverence, but to love, 
And harbourage for ourself, our ships, and men. 520
Cleon. The which when any shall not gratify, 
Or pay you with unthankfulness in thought, 
Be it our wives, our children, or ourselves, 
The curse of heaven and men succeed their evils! 
Till when,—the which I hope shall ne'er be seen,— 525
Your grace is welcome to our town and us.
Pericles. Which welcome we'll accept; feast here awhile, 
Until our stars that frown lend us a smile.
[Exeunt]

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 . previous scene	     	
Act II, Scene 1

Pentapolis. An open place by the sea-side.

     	next scene  .
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[Enter PERICLES, wet]

Pericles. Yet cease your ire, you angry stars of heaven! 580
Wind, rain, and thunder, remember, earthly man 
Is but a substance that must yield to you; 
And I, as fits my nature, do obey you: 
Alas, the sea hath cast me on the rocks, 
Wash'd me from shore to shore, and left me breath 585
Nothing to think on but ensuing death: 
Let it suffice the greatness of your powers 
To have bereft a prince of all his fortunes; 
And having thrown him from your watery grave, 
Here to have death in peace is all he'll crave. 590
[Enter three FISHERMEN]

First Fisherman. What, ho, Pilch!
Second Fisherman. Ha, come and bring away the nets!
First Fisherman. What, Patch-breech, I say!
Third Fisherman. What say you, master? 595
First Fisherman. Look how thou stirrest now! come away, or I'll 
fetch thee with a wanion.
Third Fisherman. Faith, master, I am thinking of the poor men that 
were cast away before us even now.
First Fisherman. Alas, poor souls, it grieved my heart to hear what 600
pitiful cries they made to us to help them, when, 
well-a-day, we could scarce help ourselves.
Third Fisherman. Nay, master, said not I as much when I saw the 
porpus how he bounced and tumbled? they say 
they're half fish, half flesh: a plague on them, 605
they ne'er come but I look to be washed. Master, I 
marvel how the fishes live in the sea.
First Fisherman. Why, as men do a-land; the great ones eat up the 
little ones: I can compare our rich misers to 
nothing so fitly as to a whale; a' plays and 610
tumbles, driving the poor fry before him, and at 
last devours them all at a mouthful: such whales 
have I heard on o' the land, who never leave gaping 
till they've swallowed the whole parish, church, 
steeple, bells, and all. 615
Pericles. [Aside] A pretty moral.
Third Fisherman. But, master, if I had been the sexton, I would have 
been that day in the belfry.
Second Fisherman. Why, man?
Third Fisherman. Because he should have swallowed me too: and when I 620
had been in his belly, I would have kept such a 
jangling of the bells, that he should never have 
left, till he cast bells, steeple, church, and 
parish up again. But if the good King Simonides 
were of my mind,— 625
Pericles. [Aside] Simonides!
Third Fisherman. We would purge the land of these drones, that rob 
the bee of her honey.
Pericles. [Aside] How from the finny subject of the sea 
These fishers tell the infirmities of men; 630
And from their watery empire recollect 
All that may men approve or men detect! 
Peace be at your labour, honest fishermen.
Second Fisherman. Honest! good fellow, what's that? If it be a day 
fits you, search out of the calendar, and nobody 635
look after it.
Pericles. May see the sea hath cast upon your coast.
Second Fisherman. What a drunken knave was the sea to cast thee in our 
way!
Pericles. A man whom both the waters and the wind, 640
In that vast tennis-court, have made the ball 
For them to play upon, entreats you pity him: 
He asks of you, that never used to beg.
First Fisherman. No, friend, cannot you beg? Here's them in our 
country Greece gets more with begging than we can do 645
with working.
Second Fisherman. Canst thou catch any fishes, then?
Pericles. I never practised it.
Second Fisherman. Nay, then thou wilt starve, sure; for here's nothing 
to be got now-a-days, unless thou canst fish for't. 650
Pericles. What I have been I have forgot to know; 
But what I am, want teaches me to think on: 
A man throng'd up with cold: my veins are chill, 
And have no more of life than may suffice 
To give my tongue that heat to ask your help; 655
Which if you shall refuse, when I am dead, 
For that I am a man, pray see me buried.
First Fisherman. Die quoth-a? Now gods forbid! I have a gown here; 
come, put it on; keep thee warm. Now, afore me, a 
handsome fellow! Come, thou shalt go home, and 660
we'll have flesh for holidays, fish for 
fasting-days, and moreo'er puddings and flap-jacks, 
and thou shalt be welcome.
Pericles. I thank you, sir.
Second Fisherman. Hark you, my friend; you said you could not beg. 665
Pericles. I did but crave.
Second Fisherman. But crave! Then I'll turn craver too, and so I 
shall 'scape whipping.
Pericles. Why, are all your beggars whipped, then?
Second Fisherman. O, not all, my friend, not all; for if all your 670
beggars were whipped, I would wish no better office 
than to be beadle. But, master, I'll go draw up the 
net.
[Exit with Third Fisherman]

Pericles. [Aside] How well this honest mirth becomes their labour! 675
First Fisherman. Hark you, sir, do you know where ye are?
Pericles. Not well.
First Fisherman. Why, I'll tell you: this is called Pentapolis, and 
our king the good Simonides.
Pericles. The good King Simonides, do you call him. 680
First Fisherman. Ay, sir; and he deserves so to be called for his 
peaceable reign and good government.
Pericles. He is a happy king, since he gains from his subjects 
the name of good by his government. How far is his 
court distant from this shore? 685
First Fisherman. 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.
Pericles. Were my fortunes equal to my desires, I could wish 690
to make one there.
First Fisherman. 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, drawing up a net]

Second Fisherman. Help, master, help! here's a fish hangs in the net, 695
like a poor man's right in the law; 'twill hardly 
come out. Ha! bots on't, 'tis come at last, and 
'tis turned to a rusty armour.
Pericles. An armour, friends! I pray you, let me see it. 
Thanks, fortune, yet, that, after all my crosses, 700
Thou givest me somewhat to repair myself; 
And though it was mine own, part of my heritage, 
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 705
Twixt me and death;'—and pointed to this brace;— 
'For that it saved me, keep it; in like necessity— 
The which the gods protect thee from!—may 
defend thee.' 
It kept where I kept, I so dearly loved it; 710
Till the rough seas, that spare not any man, 
Took it in rage, though calm'd have given't again: 
I thank thee for't: my shipwreck now's no ill, 
Since I have here my father's gift in's will.
First Fisherman. What mean you, sir? 715
Pericles. To beg of you, kind friends, this coat of worth, 
For it was sometime target to a king; 
I know it by this mark. He loved me dearly, 
And for his sake I wish the having of it; 
And that you'ld guide me to your sovereign's court, 720
Where with it I may appear a gentleman; 
And if that ever my low fortune's better, 
I'll pay your bounties; till then rest your debtor.
First Fisherman. Why, wilt thou tourney for the lady?
Pericles. I'll show the virtue I have borne in arms. 725
First Fisherman. Why, do 'e take it, and the gods give thee good on't!
Second Fisherman. Ay, but hark you, my friend; 'twas 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 730
whence you had it.
Pericles. Believe 't, I will. 
By your furtherance I am clothed in steel; 
And, spite of all the rapture of the sea, 
This jewel holds his building on my arm: 735
Unto thy value I will mount myself 
Upon a courser, whose delightful steps 
Shall make the gazer joy to see him tread. 
Only, my friend, I yet am unprovided 
Of a pair of bases. 740
Second Fisherman. We'll sure provide: thou shalt have my best gown to 
make thee a pair; and I'll bring thee to the court myself.
Pericles. Then honour be but a goal to my will, 
This day I'll rise, or else add ill to ill.
[Exeunt]

 ---
 . previous scene	     	
Act II, Scene 2

The same. A public way or platform leading to the

     	next scene  .
---
lists. A pavilion by the side of it for the [p]reception of King, Princess, Lords, &c.

[Enter SIMONIDES, THAISA, Lords, and Attendants]

Simonides. Are the knights ready to begin the triumph?
First Lord. They are, my liege; 750
And stay your coming to present themselves.
Simonides. Return them, we are ready; and our daughter, 
In honour of whose birth these triumphs are, 
Sits here, like beauty's child, whom nature gat 
For men to see, and seeing wonder at. 755
[Exit a Lord]

Thaisa. It pleaseth you, my royal father, to express 
My commendations great, whose merit's less.
Simonides. It's fit it should be so; for princes are 
A model which heaven makes like to itself: 760
As jewels lose their glory if neglected, 
So princes their renowns if not respected. 
'Tis now your honour, daughter, to explain 
The labour of each knight in his device.
Thaisa. Which, to preserve mine honour, I'll perform. 765
[Enter a Knight; he passes over, and his Squire] 
presents his shield to the Princess]
Simonides. Who is the first that doth prefer himself?
Thaisa. A knight of Sparta, my renowned father; 
And the device he bears upon his shield 770
Is a black Ethiope reaching at the sun 
The word, 'Lux tua vita mihi.'
Simonides. He loves you well that holds his life of you. 
[The Second Knight passes over] 
Who is the second that presents himself? 775
Thaisa. 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, 'Piu por dulzura que por fuerza.'
[The Third Knight passes over]

Simonides. And what's the third?
Thaisa. The third of Antioch; 
And his device, a wreath of chivalry; 
The word, 'Me pompae provexit apex.'
[The Fourth Knight passes over]

Simonides. What is the fourth?
Thaisa. A burning torch that's turned upside down; 
The word, 'Quod me alit, me extinguit.'
Simonides. Which shows that beauty hath his power and will, 
Which can as well inflame as it can kill. 790
[The Fifth Knight passes over]

Thaisa. The fifth, an hand environed with clouds, 
Holding out gold that's by the touchstone tried; 
The motto thus, 'Sic spectanda fides.'
[The Sixth Knight, PERICLES, passes over]

Simonides. And what's 
The sixth and last, the which the knight himself 
With such a graceful courtesy deliver'd?
Thaisa. He seems to be a stranger; but his present is 
A wither'd branch, that's only green at top; 800
The motto, 'In hac spe vivo.'
Simonides. A pretty moral; 
From the dejected state wherein he is, 
He hopes by you his fortunes yet may flourish.
First Lord. He had need mean better than his outward show 805
Can any way speak in his just commend; 
For by his rusty outside he appears 
To have practised more the whipstock than the lance.
Second Lord. He well may be a stranger, for he comes 
To an honour'd triumph strangely furnished. 810
Third Lord. And on set purpose let his armour rust 
Until this day, to scour it in the dust.
Simonides. Opinion's but a fool, that makes us scan 
The outward habit by the inward man. 
But stay, the knights are coming: we will withdraw 815
Into the gallery.
[Exeunt]

[Great shouts within and all cry 'The mean knight!']

 ---
 . previous scene	     	
Act II, Scene 3

The same. A hall of state: a banquet prepared.

     	next scene  .
---
[Enter SIMONIDES, THAISA, Lords, Attendants, and] [p]Knights, from tilting]

Simonides. Knights, 
To say you're welcome were superfluous. 
To place upon the volume of your deeds, 
As in a title-page, your worth in arms, 
Were more than you expect, or more than's fit, 825
Since every worth in show commends itself. 
Prepare for mirth, for mirth becomes a feast: 
You are princes and my guests.
Thaisa. But you, my knight and guest; 
To whom this wreath of victory I give, 830
And crown you king of this day's happiness.
Pericles. 'Tis more by fortune, lady, than by merit.
Simonides. Call it by what you will, the day is yours; 
And here, I hope, is none that envies it. 
In framing an artist, art hath thus decreed, 835
To make some good, but others to exceed; 
And you are her labour'd scholar. Come, queen o' 
the feast,— 
For, daughter, so you are,—here take your place: 
Marshal the rest, as they deserve their grace. 840
Knights. We are honour'd much by good Simonides.
Simonides. Your presence glads our days: honour we love; 
For who hates honour hates the gods above.
Marshal. Sir, yonder is your place.
Pericles. Some other is more fit. 845
First Knight. Contend not, sir; for we are gentlemen 
That neither in our hearts nor outward eyes 
Envy the great nor do the low despise.
Pericles. You are right courteous knights.
Simonides. Sit, sir, sit. 850
Pericles. By Jove, I wonder, that is king of thoughts, 
These cates resist me, she but thought upon.
Thaisa. By Juno, that is queen of marriage, 
All viands that I eat do seem unsavoury. 
Wishing him my meat. Sure, he's a gallant gentleman. 855
Simonides. He's but a country gentleman; 
Has done no more than other knights have done; 
Has broken a staff or so; so let it pass.
Thaisa. To me he seems like diamond to glass.
Pericles. Yon king's to me like to my father's picture, 860
Which tells me in that glory once he was; 
Had princes sit, like stars, about his throne, 
And he the sun, for them to reverence; 
None that beheld him, but, like lesser lights, 
Did vail their crowns to his supremacy: 865
Where now his son's like a glow-worm in the night, 
The which hath fire in darkness, none in light: 
Whereby I see that Time's the king of men, 
He's both their parent, and he is their grave, 
And gives them what he will, not what they crave. 870
Simonides. What, are you merry, knights?
Knights. Who can be other in this royal presence?
Simonides. Here, with a cup that's stored unto the brim,— 
As you do love, fill to your mistress' lips,— 
We drink this health to you. 875
Knights. We thank your grace.
Simonides. Yet pause awhile: 
Yon knight doth sit too melancholy, 
As if the entertainment in our court 
Had not a show might countervail his worth. 880
Note it not you, Thaisa?
Thaisa. What is it 
To me, my father?
Simonides. O, attend, my daughter: 
Princes in this should live like gods above, 885
Who freely give to every one that comes 
To honour them: 
And princes not doing so are like to gnats, 
Which make a sound, but kill'd are wonder'd at. 
Therefore to make his entrance more sweet, 890
Here, say we drink this standing-bowl of wine to him.
Thaisa. Alas, my father, it befits not me 
Unto a stranger knight to be so bold: 
He may my proffer take for an offence, 
Since men take women's gifts for impudence. 895
Simonides. How! 
Do as I bid you, or you'll move me else.
Thaisa. [Aside] Now, by the gods, he could not please me better.
Simonides. And furthermore tell him, we desire to know of him, 
Of whence he is, his name and parentage. 900
Thaisa. The king my father, sir, has drunk to you.
Pericles. I thank him.
Thaisa. Wishing it so much blood unto your life.
Pericles. I thank both him and you, and pledge him freely.
Thaisa. And further he desires to know of you, 905
Of whence you are, your name and parentage.
Pericles. A gentleman of Tyre; my name, Pericles; 
My education been in arts and arms; 
Who, looking for adventures in the world, 
Was by the rough seas reft of ships and men, 910
And after shipwreck driven upon this shore.
Thaisa. He thanks your grace; names himself Pericles, 
A gentleman of Tyre, 
Who only by misfortune of the seas 
Bereft of ships and men, cast on this shore. 915
Simonides. Now, by the gods, I pity his misfortune, 
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, 920
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. 
[The Knights dance] 925
So, this was well ask'd,'twas so well perform'd. 
Come, sir; 
Here is a lady that wants breathing too: 
And I have heard, you knights of Tyre 
Are excellent in making ladies trip; 930
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] 935
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! 940
[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; 945
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]

 ---
 . previous scene	     	
Act II, Scene 4

Tyre. A room in the Governor’s house.

     	next scene  .
---
[Enter GOWER]

Gower. Here have you seen a mighty king 
His child, I wis, to incest bring; 
A better prince and benign lord, 
That will prove awful both in deed and word. 
Be quiet then as men should be, 535
Till he hath pass'd necessity. 
I'll show you those in troubles reign, 
Losing a mite, a mountain gain. 
The good in conversation, 
To whom I give my benison, 540
Is still at Tarsus, where each man 
Thinks all is writ he speken can; 
And, to remember what he does, 
Build his statue to make him glorious: 
But tidings to the contrary 545
Are brought your eyes; what need speak I? 
DUMB SHOW. 
[Enter at one door PERICLES talking with CLEON; all] 
the train with them. Enter at another door a 
Gentleman, with a letter to PERICLES; PERICLES 550
shows the letter to CLEON; gives the Messenger a 
reward, and knights him. Exit PERICLES at one 
door, and CLEON at another] 
Good Helicane, that stay'd at home, 
Not to eat honey like a drone 555
From others' labours; for though he strive 
To killen bad, keep good alive; 
And to fulfil his prince' desire, 
Sends word of all that haps in Tyre: 
How Thaliard came full bent with sin 560
And had intent to murder him; 
And that in Tarsus was not best 
Longer for him to make his rest. 
He, doing so, put forth to seas, 
Where when men been, there's seldom ease; 565
For now the wind begins to blow; 
Thunder above and deeps below 
Make such unquiet, that the ship 
Should house him safe is wreck'd and split; 
And he, good prince, having all lost, 570
By waves from coast to coast is tost: 
All perishen of man, of pelf, 
Ne aught escapen but himself; 
Till fortune, tired with doing bad, 
Threw him ashore, to give him glad: 575
And here he comes. What shall be next, 
Pardon old Gower,—this longs the text.
[Exit]

[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, 955
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, 960
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 965
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. 970
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, 975
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. 980
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. 985
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, 990
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, 995
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. 1000
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. 1005
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. 1010
[Exeunt]

 ---
 . previous scene	     	
Act II, Scene 5

Pentapolis. A room in the palace.

     	next scene  .
---
[Enter SIMONIDES, reading a letter, at one door:] [p]the Knights meet him]

First Knight. Good morrow to the good Simonides.
Simonides. Knights, from my daughter this I let you know, 1015
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? 1020
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. 1025
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'd wed the stranger knight, 1030
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; 1035
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 1040
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. 1045
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. 1050
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. 1055
Pericles. I am unworthy for her schoolmaster.
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. 1060
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 1065
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. 1070
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 the lie. 1075
Simonides. [Aside] Now, by the gods, I do applaud his courage.
Pericles. 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 state; 1080
And he that otherwise accounts of me, 
This sword shall prove he's honour's enemy.
Simonides. No? 
Here comes my daughter, she can witness it.
[Enter THAISA]

Pericles. Then, as you are as virtuous as fair, 
Resolve your angry father, if my tongue 
Did ere solicit, or my hand subscribe 
To any syllable that made love to you.
Thaisa. Why, sir, say if you had, 1090
Who takes offence at that would make me glad?
Simonides. Yea, mistress, are you so peremptory? 
[Aside] 
I am glad on't with all my heart.— 
I'll tame you; I'll bring you in subjection. 1095
Will you, not having my consent, 
Bestow your love and your affections 
Upon a stranger? 
[Aside] 
who, for aught I know, 1100
May be, nor can I think the contrary, 
As great in blood as I myself.— 
Therefore hear you, mistress; either frame 
Your will to mine,—and you, sir, hear you, 
Either be ruled by me, or I will make you— 1105
Man and wife: 
Nay, come, your hands and lips must seal 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 pleased? 1110
Thaisa. Yes, if you love me, sir.
Pericles. Even as my life, or blood that fosters it.
Simonides. What, are you both agreed?
Both. Yes, if it please your majesty.
Simonides. It pleaseth me so well, that I will see you wed; 1115
And then with what haste you can get you to bed.
[Exeunt]

 ---
 . previous scene	     	
Prologue

     	next scene  .
---
[Enter GOWER]

Gower. Now sleep y-slaked hath the rout; 
No din but snores the house about, 1120
Made louder by the o'er-fed breast 
Of this most pompous marriage-feast. 
The cat, with eyne of burning coal, 
Now crouches fore the mouse's hole; 
And crickets sing at the oven's mouth, 1125
E'er 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 1130
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 meets them, kneels, and 1135
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 takes leave of her father, and depart with 1140
LYCHORIDA and their Attendants. Then exeunt 
SIMONIDES and the rest] 
By many a dern and painful perch 
Of Pericles the careful search, 
By the four opposing coigns 1145
Which the world 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 inquire, 1150
To the 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 1155
The crown of Tyre, but he will none: 
The mutiny he there hastes t' oppress; 
Says to 'em, if King Pericles 
Come not home in twice six moons, 
He, obedient to their dooms, 1160
Will take the crown. The sum of this, 
Brought hither to Pentapolis, 
Y-ravished the regions round, 
And every one with claps can sound, 
'Our heir-apparent is a king! 1165
Who dream'd, 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: 1170
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 grisly north 1175
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: 1180
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. 1185
In your imagination hold 
This stage the ship, upon whose deck 
The sea-tost Pericles appears to speak.
[Exit]

 ---
 . previous scene	     	
Act III, Scene 1

On ship.

     	next scene  .
---
[Enter PERICLES, on shipboard]

Pericles. Thou god of this great vast, rebuke these surges, 
Which wash both heaven and hell; and thou, that hast 
Upon the winds command, bind them in brass, 
Having call'd them from the deep! O, still 
Thy deafening, dreadful thunders; gently quench 1195
Thy nimble, sulphurous flashes! O, how, Lychorida, 
How does my queen? Thou stormest venomously; 
Wilt thou spit all thyself? The seaman's whistle 
Is as a whisper in the ears of death, 
Unheard. Lychorida!—Lucina, O 1200
Divinest patroness, and midwife gentle 
To those that cry by night, convey thy deity 
Aboard our dancing boat; make swift the pangs 
Of my queen's travails! 
[Enter LYCHORIDA, with an Infant] 1205
Now, Lychorida!
Lychorida. Here is a thing too young for such a place, 
Who, if it had conceit, would die, as I 
Am like to do: take in your arms this piece 
Of your dead queen. 1210
Pericles. How, how, Lychorida!
Lychorida. Patience, good sir; do not assist the storm. 
Here's all that is left living of your queen, 
A little daughter: for the sake of it, 
Be manly, and take comfort. 1215
Pericles. O you gods! 
Why do you make us love your goodly gifts, 
And snatch them straight away? We here below 
Recall not what we give, and therein may 
Use honour with you. 1220
Lychorida. Patience, good sir, 
Even for this charge.
Pericles. Now, mild may be thy life! 
For a more blustrous birth had never babe: 
Quiet and gentle thy conditions! for 1225
Thou art the rudeliest welcome to this world 
That ever was prince's child. Happy what follows! 
Thou hast as chiding a nativity 
As fire, air, water, earth, and heaven can make, 
To herald thee from the womb: even at the first 1230
Thy loss is more than can thy portage quit, 
With all thou canst find here. Now, the good gods 
Throw their best eyes upon't!
[Enter two Sailors]

First Sailor. What courage, sir? God save you! 1235
Pericles. Courage enough: I do not fear the flaw; 
It hath done to me the worst. Yet, for the love 
Of this poor infant, this fresh-new sea-farer, 
I would it would be quiet.
First Sailor. Slack the bolins there! Thou wilt not, wilt thou? 1240
Blow, and split thyself.
Second Sailor. But sea-room, an the brine and cloudy billow kiss 
the moon, I care not.
First Sailor. Sir, your queen must overboard: the sea works high, 
the wind is loud, and will not lie till the ship be 1245
cleared of the dead.
Pericles. That's your superstition.
First Sailor. Pardon us, sir; with us at sea it hath been still 
observed: and we are strong in custom. Therefore 
briefly yield her; for she must overboard straight. 1250
Pericles. As you think meet. Most wretched queen!
Lychorida. Here she lies, sir.
Pericles. A terrible childbed hast thou had, my dear; 
No light, no fire: the unfriendly elements 
Forgot thee utterly: nor have I time 1255
To give thee hallow'd to thy grave, but straight 
Must cast thee, scarcely coffin'd, in the ooze; 
Where, for a monument upon thy bones, 
And e'er-remaining lamps, the belching whale 
And humming water must o'erwhelm thy corpse, 1260
Lying with simple shells. O Lychorida, 
Bid Nestor bring me spices, ink and paper, 
My casket and my jewels; and bid Nicander 
Bring me the satin coffer: lay the babe 
Upon the pillow: hie thee, whiles I say 1265
A priestly farewell to her: suddenly, woman.
[Exit LYCHORIDA]

Second Sailor. Sir, we have a chest beneath the hatches, caulked 
and bitumed ready.
Pericles. I thank thee. Mariner, say what coast is this? 1270
Second Sailor. We are near Tarsus.
Pericles. Thither, gentle mariner. 
Alter thy course for Tyre. When canst thou reach it?
Second Sailor. By break of day, if the wind cease.
Pericles. O, make for Tarsus! 1275
There will I visit Cleon, for the babe 
Cannot hold out to Tyrus: there I'll leave it 
At careful nursing. Go thy ways, good mariner: 
I'll bring the body presently.
[Exeunt]

 ---
 . previous scene	     	
Act III, Scene 2

Ephesus. A room in CERIMON’s house.

     	next scene  .
---
[Enter CERIMON, with a Servant, and some Persons who] [p]have been shipwrecked]

Cerimon. Philemon, ho!
[Enter PHILEMON]

Philemon. Doth my lord call? 1285
Cerimon. Get fire and meat for these poor men: 
'T has been a turbulent and stormy night.
Servant. I have been in many; but such a night as this, 
Till now, I ne'er endured.
Cerimon. Your master will be dead ere you return; 1290
There's nothing can be minister'd to nature 
That can recover him. 
[To PHILEMON] 
Give this to the 'pothecary, 
And tell me how it works. 1295
[Exeunt all but CERIMON]

[Enter two Gentlemen]

First Gentleman. Good morrow.
Second Gentleman. Good morrow to your lordship.
Cerimon. Gentlemen, 1300
Why do you stir so early?
First Gentleman. Sir, 
Our lodgings, standing bleak upon the sea, 
Shook as the earth did quake; 
The very principals did seem to rend, 1305
And all-to topple: pure surprise and fear 
Made me to quit the house.
Second Gentleman. That is the cause we trouble you so early; 
'Tis not our husbandry.
Cerimon. O, you say well. 1310
First Gentleman. But I much marvel that your lordship, having 
Rich tire about you, should at these early hours 
Shake off the golden slumber of repose. 
'Tis most strange, 
Nature should be so conversant with pain, 1315
Being thereto not compell'd.
Cerimon. I hold it ever, 
Virtue and cunning were endowments greater 
Than nobleness and riches: careless heirs 
May the two latter darken and expend; 1320
But immortality attends the former. 
Making a man a god. 'Tis known, I ever 
Have studied physic, through which secret art, 
By turning o'er authorities, I have, 
Together with my practise, made familiar 1325
To me and to my aid the blest infusions 
That dwell in vegetives, in metals, stones; 
And I can speak of the disturbances 
That nature works, and of her cures; which doth give me 
A more content in course of true delight 1330
Than to be thirsty after tottering honour, 
Or tie my treasure up in silken bags, 
To please the fool and death.
Second Gentleman. Your honour has through Ephesus pour'd forth 
Your charity, and hundreds call themselves 1335
Your creatures, who by you have been restored: 
And not your knowledge, your personal pain, but even 
Your purse, still open, hath built Lord Cerimon 
Such strong renown as time shall ne'er decay.
[Enter two or three Servants with a chest]

First Servant. So; lift there.
Cerimon. What is that?
First Servant. Sir, even now 
Did the sea toss upon our shore this chest: 
'Tis of some wreck. 1345
Cerimon. Set 't down, let's look upon't.
Second Gentleman. 'Tis like a coffin, sir.
Cerimon. Whate'er it be, 
'Tis wondrous heavy. Wrench it open straight: 
If the sea's stomach be o'ercharged with gold, 1350
'Tis a good constraint of fortune it belches upon us.
Second Gentleman. 'Tis so, my lord.
Cerimon. How close 'tis caulk'd and bitumed! 
Did the sea cast it up?
First Servant. I never saw so huge a billow, sir, 1355
As toss'd it upon shore.
Cerimon. Wrench it open; 
Soft! it smells most sweetly in my sense.
Second Gentleman. A delicate odour.
Cerimon. As ever hit my nostril. So, up with it. 1360
O you most potent gods! what's here? a corse!
First Gentleman. Most strange!
Cerimon. Shrouded in cloth of state; balm'd and entreasured 
With full bags of spices! A passport too! 
Apollo, perfect me in the characters! 1365
[Reads from a scroll] 
'Here I give to understand, 
If e'er this coffin drive a-land, 
I, King Pericles, have lost 
This queen, worth all our mundane cost. 1370
Who finds her, give her burying; 
She was the daughter of a king: 
Besides this treasure for a fee, 
The gods requite his charity!' 
If thou livest, Pericles, thou hast a heart 1375
That even cracks for woe! This chanced tonight.
Second Gentleman. Most likely, sir.
Cerimon. Nay, certainly to-night; 
For look how fresh she looks! They were too rough 
That threw her in the sea. Make a fire within: 1380
Fetch hither all my boxes in my closet. 
[Exit a Servant] 
Death may usurp on nature many hours, 
And yet the fire of life kindle again 
The o'erpress'd spirits. I heard of an Egyptian 1385
That had nine hours lien dead, 
Who was by good appliance recovered. 
[Re-enter a Servant, with boxes, napkins, and fire] 
Well said, well said; the fire and cloths. 
The rough and woeful music that we have, 1390
Cause it to sound, beseech you. 
The viol once more: how thou stirr'st, thou block! 
The music there!—I pray you, give her air. 
Gentlemen. 
This queen will live: nature awakes; a warmth 1395
Breathes out of her: she hath not been entranced 
Above five hours: see how she gins to blow 
Into life's flower again!
First Gentleman. The heavens, 
Through you, increase our wonder and set up 1400
Your fame forever.
Cerimon. She is alive; behold, 
Her eyelids, cases to those heavenly jewels 
Which Pericles hath lost, 
Begin to part their fringes of bright gold; 1405
The diamonds of a most praised water 
Do appear, to make the world twice rich. Live, 
And make us weep to hear your fate, fair creature, 
Rare as you seem to be.
[She moves]

Thaisa. O dear Diana, 
Where am I? Where's my lord? What world is this?
Second Gentleman. Is not this strange?
First Gentleman. Most rare.
Cerimon. Hush, my gentle neighbours! 1415
Lend me your hands; to the next chamber bear her. 
Get linen: now this matter must be look'd to, 
For her relapse is mortal. Come, come; 
And AEsculapius guide us!
[Exeunt, carrying her away]

 ---
 . previous scene	     	
Act III, Scene 3

Tarsus. A room in CLEON’s house.

     	next scene  .
---
[Enter PERICLES, CLEON, DIONYZA, and LYCHORIDA with] [p]MARINA in her arms]

Pericles. Most honour'd Cleon, I must needs be gone; 
My twelve months are expired, and Tyrus stands 
In a litigious peace. You, and your lady, 1425
Take from my heart all thankfulness! The gods 
Make up the rest upon you!
Cleon. Your shafts of fortune, though they hurt you mortally, 
Yet glance full wanderingly on us.
Dionyza. O your sweet queen! 1430
That the strict fates had pleased you had brought her hither, 
To have bless'd mine eyes with her!
Pericles. We cannot but obey 
The powers above us. Could I rage and roar 
As doth the sea she lies in, yet the end 1435
Must be as 'tis. My gentle babe Marina, whom, 
For she was born at sea, I have named so, here 
I charge your charity withal, leaving her 
The infant of your care; beseeching you 
To give her princely training, that she may be 1440
Manner'd as she is born.
Cleon. Fear not, my lord, but think 
Your grace, that fed my country with your corn, 
For which the people's prayers still fall upon you, 
Must in your child be thought on. If neglection 1445
Should therein make me vile, the common body, 
By you relieved, would force me to my duty: 
But if to that my nature need a spur, 
The gods revenge it upon me and mine, 
To the end of generation! 1450
Pericles. I believe you; 
Your honour and your goodness teach me to't, 
Without your vows. Till she be married, madam, 
By bright Diana, whom we honour, all 
Unscissor'd shall this hair of mine remain, 1455
Though I show ill in't. So I take my leave. 
Good madam, make me blessed in your care 
In bringing up my child.
Dionyza. I have one myself, 
Who shall not be more dear to my respect 1460
Than yours, my lord.
Pericles. Madam, my thanks and prayers.
Cleon. We'll bring your grace e'en to the edge o' the shore, 
Then give you up to the mask'd Neptune and 
The gentlest winds of heaven. 1465
Pericles. I will embrace 
Your offer. Come, dearest madam. O, no tears, 
Lychorida, no tears: 
Look to your little mistress, on whose grace 
You may depend hereafter. Come, my lord. 1470
[Exeunt]

 ---
 . previous scene	     	
Act III, Scene 4

Ephesus. A room in CERIMON’s house.

     	next scene  .
---
[Enter CERIMON and THAISA]

Cerimon. Madam, this letter, and some certain jewels, 
Lay with you in your coffer: which are now 
At your command. Know you the character? 1475
Thaisa. It is my lord's. 
That I was shipp'd at sea, I well remember, 
Even on my eaning time; but whether there 
Deliver'd, by the holy gods, 
I cannot rightly say. But since King Pericles, 1480
My wedded lord, I ne'er shall see again, 
A vestal livery will I take me to, 
And never more have joy.
Cerimon. Madam, if this you purpose as ye speak, 
Diana's temple is not distant far, 1485
Where you may abide till your date expire. 
Moreover, if you please, a niece of mine 
Shall there attend you.
Thaisa. My recompense is thanks, that's all; 
Yet my good will is great, though the gift small. 1490
[Exeunt]

 ---
 . previous scene	     	
Prologue

     	next scene  .
---
[Enter GOWER]

Gower. Imagine Pericles arrived at Tyre, 
Welcomed and settled to his own desire. 
His woeful queen we leave at Ephesus, 1495
Unto Diana there a votaress. 
Now to Marina bend your mind, 
Whom our fast-growing scene must find 
At Tarsus, and by Cleon train'd 
In music, letters; who hath gain'd 1500
Of education all the grace, 
Which makes her both the heart and place 
Of general wonder. But, alack, 
That monster envy, oft the wrack 
Of earned praise, Marina's life 1505
Seeks to take off by treason's knife. 
And in this kind hath our Cleon 
One daughter, and a wench full grown, 
Even ripe for marriage-rite; this maid 
Hight Philoten: and it is said 1510
For certain in our story, she 
Would ever with Marina be: 
Be't when she weaved the sleided silk 
With fingers long, small, white as milk; 
Or when she would with sharp needle wound 1515
The cambric, which she made more sound 
By hurting it; or when to the lute 
She sung, and made the night-bird mute, 
That still records with moan; or when 
She would with rich and constant pen 1520
Vail to her mistress Dian; still 
This Philoten contends in skill 
With absolute Marina: so 
With the dove of Paphos might the crow 
Vie feathers white. Marina gets 1525
All praises, which are paid as debts, 
And not as given. This so darks 
In Philoten all graceful marks, 
That Cleon's wife, with envy rare, 
A present murderer does prepare 1530
For good Marina, that her daughter 
Might stand peerless by this slaughter. 
The sooner her vile thoughts to stead, 
Lychorida, our nurse, is dead: 
And cursed Dionyza hath 1535
The pregnant instrument of wrath 
Prest for this blow. The unborn event 
I do commend to your content: 
Only I carry winged time 
Post on the lame feet of my rhyme; 1540
Which never could I so convey, 
Unless your thoughts went on my way. 
Dionyza does appear, 
With Leonine, a murderer.
[Exit]

 ---
 . previous scene	     	
Act IV, Scene 1

Tarsus. An open place near the sea-shore.

     	next scene  .
---
[Enter DIONYZA and LEONINE]

Dionyza. Thy oath remember; thou hast sworn to do't: 
'Tis but a blow, which never shall be known. 
Thou canst not do a thing in the world so soon, 
To yield thee so much profit. Let not conscience, 1550
Which is but cold, inflaming love i' thy bosom, 
Inflame too nicely; nor let pity, which 
Even women have cast off, melt thee, but be 
A soldier to thy purpose.
Leonine. I will do't; but yet she is a goodly creature. 1555
Dionyza. The fitter, then, the gods should have her. Here 
she comes weeping for her only mistress' death. 
Thou art resolved?
Leonine. I am resolved.
[Enter MARINA, with a basket of flowers]

Marina. No, I will rob Tellus of her weed, 
To strew thy green with flowers: the yellows, blues, 
The purple violets, and marigolds, 
Shall as a carpet hang upon thy grave, 
While summer-days do last. Ay me! poor maid, 1565
Born in a tempest, when my mother died, 
This world to me is like a lasting storm, 
Whirring me from my friends.
Dionyza. How now, Marina! why do you keep alone? 
How chance my daughter is not with you? Do not 1570
Consume your blood with sorrowing: you have 
A nurse of me. Lord, how your favour's changed 
With this unprofitable woe! 
Come, give me your flowers, ere the sea mar it. 
Walk with Leonine; the air is quick there, 1575
And it pierces and sharpens the stomach. Come, 
Leonine, take her by the arm, walk with her.
Marina. No, I pray you; 
I'll not bereave you of your servant.
Dionyza. Come, come; 1580
I love the king your father, and yourself, 
With more than foreign heart. We every day 
Expect him here: when he shall come and find 
Our paragon to all reports thus blasted, 
He will repent the breadth of his great voyage; 1585
Blame both my lord and me, that we have taken 
No care to your best courses. Go, I pray you, 
Walk, and be cheerful once again; reserve 
That excellent complexion, which did steal 
The eyes of young and old. Care not for me 1590
I can go home alone.
Marina. Well, I will go; 
But yet I have no desire to it.
Dionyza. Come, come, I know 'tis good for you. 
Walk half an hour, Leonine, at the least: 1595
Remember what I have said.
Leonine. I warrant you, madam.
Dionyza. I'll leave you, my sweet lady, for a while: 
Pray, walk softly, do not heat your blood: 
What! I must have a care of you. 1600
Marina. My thanks, sweet madam. 
[Exit DIONYZA] 
Is this wind westerly that blows?
Leonine. South-west.
Marina. When I was born, the wind was north. 1605
Leonine. Was't so?
Marina. My father, as nurse said, did never fear, 
But cried 'Good seaman!' to the sailors, galling 
His kingly hands, haling ropes; 
And, clasping to the mast, endured a sea 1610
That almost burst the deck.
Leonine. When was this?
Marina. When I was born: 
Never was waves nor wind more violent; 
And from the ladder-tackle washes off 1615
A canvas-climber. 'Ha!' says one, 'wilt out?' 
And with a dropping industry they skip 
From stem to stern: the boatswain whistles, and 
The master calls, and trebles their confusion.
Leonine. Come, say your prayers. 1620
Marina. What mean you?
Leonine. If you require a little space for prayer, 
I grant it: pray; but be not tedious, 
For the gods are quick of ear, and I am sworn 
To do my work with haste. 1625
Marina. Why will you kill me?
Leonine. To satisfy my lady.
Marina. Why would she have me kill'd? 
Now, as I can remember, by my troth, 
I never did her hurt in all my life: 1630
I never spake bad word, nor did ill turn 
To any living creature: believe me, la, 
I never kill'd a mouse, nor hurt a fly: 
I trod upon a worm against my will, 
But I wept for it. How have I offended, 1635
Wherein my death might yield her any profit, 
Or my life imply her any danger?
Leonine. My commission 
Is not to reason of the deed, but do it.
Marina. You will not do't for all the world, I hope. 1640
You are well favour'd, and your looks foreshow 
You have a gentle heart. I saw you lately, 
When you caught hurt in parting two that fought: 
Good sooth, it show'd well in you: do so now: 
Your lady seeks my life; come you between, 1645
And save poor me, the weaker.
Leonine. I am sworn, 
And will dispatch.
[He seizes her]

[Enter Pirates]

First Pirate. Hold, villain!
[LEONINE runs away]

Second Pirate. A prize! a prize!
Third Pirate. Half-part, mates, half-part. 
Come, let's have her aboard suddenly. 1655
[Exeunt Pirates with MARINA]

[Re-enter LEONINE]

Leonine. These roguing thieves serve the great pirate Valdes; 
And they have seized Marina. Let her go: 
There's no hope she will return. I'll swear 1660
she's dead, 
And thrown into the sea. But I'll see further: 
Perhaps they will but please themselves upon her, 
Not carry her aboard. If she remain, 
Whom they have ravish'd must by me be slain. 1665
[Exit]

 ---
 . previous scene	     	
Act IV, Scene 2

Mytilene. A room in a brothel.

     	next scene  .
---
[Enter Pandar, Bawd, and BOULT]

Pandar. Boult!
Boult. Sir?
Pandar. Search the market narrowly; Mytilene is full of 1670
gallants. We lost too much money this mart by being 
too wenchless.
Bawd. We were never so much out of creatures. We have but 
poor three, and they can do no more than they can 
do; and they with continual action are even as good as rotten. 1675
Pandar. Therefore let's have fresh ones, whate'er we pay for 
them. If there be not a conscience to be used in 
every trade, we shall never prosper.
Bawd. Thou sayest true: 'tis not our bringing up of poor 
bastards,—as, I think, I have brought up some eleven— 1680
Boult. Ay, to eleven; and brought them down again. But 
shall I search the market?
Bawd. What else, man? The stuff we have, a strong wind 
will blow it to pieces, they are so pitifully sodden.
Pandar. Thou sayest true; they're too unwholesome, o' 1685
conscience. The poor Transylvanian is dead, that 
lay with the little baggage.
Boult. Ay, she quickly pooped him; she made him roast-meat 
for worms. But I'll go search the market.
[Exit]

Pandar. Three or four thousand chequins were as pretty a 
proportion to live quietly, and so give over.
Bawd. Why to give over, I pray you? is it a shame to get 
when we are old?
Pandar. O, our credit comes not in like the commodity, nor 1695
the commodity wages not with the danger: therefore, 
if in our youths we could pick up some pretty 
estate, 'twere not amiss to keep our door hatched. 
Besides, the sore terms we stand upon with the gods 
will be strong with us for giving over. 1700
Bawd. Come, other sorts offend as well as we.
Pandar. As well as we! ay, and better too; we offend worse. 
Neither is our profession any trade; it's no 
calling. But here comes Boult.
[Re-enter BOULT, with the Pirates and MARINA]

Boult. [To MARINA] Come your ways. My masters, you say 
she's a virgin?
First Pirate. O, sir, we doubt it not.
Boult. Master, I have gone through for this piece, you see: 
if you like her, so; if not, I have lost my earnest. 1710
Bawd. Boult, has she any qualities?
Boult. She has a good face, speaks well, and has excellent 
good clothes: there's no further necessity of 
qualities can make her be refused.
Bawd. What's her price, Boult? 1715
Boult. I cannot be bated one doit of a thousand pieces.
Pandar. Well, follow me, my masters, you shall have your 
money presently. Wife, take her in; instruct her 
what she has to do, that she may not be raw in her 
entertainment. 1720
[Exeunt Pandar and Pirates]

Bawd. Boult, take you the marks of her, the colour of her 
hair, complexion, height, age, with warrant of her 
virginity; and cry 'He that will give most shall 
have her first.' Such a maidenhead were no cheap 1725
thing, if men were as they have been. Get this done 
as I command you.
Boult. Performance shall follow.
[Exit]

Marina. Alack that Leonine was so slack, so slow! 1730
He should have struck, not spoke; or that these pirates, 
Not enough barbarous, had not o'erboard thrown me 
For to seek my mother!
Bawd. Why lament you, pretty one?
Marina. That I am pretty. 1735
Bawd. Come, the gods have done their part in you.
Marina. I accuse them not.
Bawd. You are light into my hands, where you are like to live.
Marina. The more my fault 
To scape his hands where I was like to die. 1740
Bawd. Ay, and you shall live in pleasure.
Marina. No.
Bawd. Yes, indeed shall you, and taste gentlemen of all 
fashions: you shall fare well; you shall have the 
difference of all complexions. What! do you stop your ears? 1745
Marina. Are you a woman?
Bawd. What would you have me be, an I be not a woman?
Marina. An honest woman, or not a woman.
Bawd. Marry, whip thee, gosling: I think I shall have 
something to do with you. Come, you're a young 1750
foolish sapling, and must be bowed as I would have 
you.
Marina. The gods defend me!
Bawd. If it please the gods to defend you by men, then men 
must comfort you, men must feed you, men must stir 1755
you up. Boult's returned. 
[Re-enter BOULT] 
Now, sir, hast thou cried her through the market?
Boult. I have cried her almost to the number of her hairs; 
I have drawn her picture with my voice. 1760
Bawd. And I prithee tell me, how dost thou find the 
inclination of the people, especially of the younger sort?
Boult. 'Faith, they listened to me as they would have 
hearkened to their father's testament. There was a 
Spaniard's mouth so watered, that he went to bed to 1765
her very description.
Bawd. We shall have him here to-morrow with his best ruff on.
Boult. To-night, to-night. But, mistress, do you know the 
French knight that cowers i' the hams?
Bawd. Who, Monsieur Veroles? 1770
Boult. Ay, he: he offered to cut a caper at the 
proclamation; but he made a groan at it, and swore 
he would see her to-morrow.
Bawd. Well, well; as for him, he brought his disease 
hither: here he does but repair it. I know he will 1775
come in our shadow, to scatter his crowns in the 
sun.
Boult. Well, if we had of every nation a traveller, we 
should lodge them with this sign.
Bawd. [To MARINA] Pray you, come hither awhile. You 1780
have fortunes coming upon you. Mark me: you must 
seem to do that fearfully which you commit 
willingly, despise profit where you have most gain. 
To weep that you live as ye do makes pity in your 
lovers: seldom but that pity begets you a good 1785
opinion, and that opinion a mere profit.
Marina. I understand you not.
Boult. O, take her home, mistress, take her home: these 
blushes of hers must be quenched with some present practise.
Bawd. Thou sayest true, i' faith, so they must; for your 1790
bride goes to that with shame which is her way to go 
with warrant.
Boult. 'Faith, some do, and some do not. But, mistress, if 
I have bargained for the joint,—
Bawd. Thou mayst cut a morsel off the spit. 1795
Boult. I may so.
Bawd. Who should deny it? Come, young one, I like the 
manner of your garments well.
Boult. Ay, by my faith, they shall not be changed yet.
Bawd. Boult, spend thou that in the town: report what a 1800
sojourner we have; you'll lose nothing by custom. 
When nature flamed this piece, she meant thee a good 
turn; therefore say what a paragon she is, and thou 
hast the harvest out of thine own report.
Boult. I warrant you, mistress, thunder shall not so awake 1805
the beds of eels as my giving out her beauty stir up 
the lewdly-inclined. I'll bring home some to-night.
Bawd. Come your ways; follow me.
Marina. If fires be hot, knives sharp, or waters deep, 
Untied I still my virgin knot will keep. 1810
Diana, aid my purpose!
Bawd. What have we to do with Diana? Pray you, will you go with us?
[Exeunt]

 ---
 . previous scene	     	
Act IV, Scene 3

Tarsus. A room in CLEON’s house.

     	next scene  .
---
[Enter CLEON and DIONYZA]

Dionyza. Why, are you foolish? Can it be undone? 1815
Cleon. O Dionyza, such a piece of slaughter 
The sun and moon ne'er look'd upon!
Dionyza. I think 
You'll turn a child again.
Cleon. Were I chief lord of all this spacious world, 1820
I'ld give it to undo the deed. O lady, 
Much less in blood than virtue, yet a princess 
To equal any single crown o' the earth 
I' the justice of compare! O villain Leonine! 
Whom thou hast poison'd too: 1825
If thou hadst drunk to him, 't had been a kindness 
Becoming well thy fact: what canst thou say 
When noble Pericles shall demand his child?
Dionyza. That she is dead. Nurses are not the fates, 
To foster it, nor ever to preserve. 1830
She died at night; I'll say so. Who can cross it? 
Unless you play the pious innocent, 
And for an honest attribute cry out 
'She died by foul play.'
Cleon. O, go to. Well, well, 1835
Of all the faults beneath the heavens, the gods 
Do like this worst.
Dionyza. Be one of those that think 
The petty wrens of Tarsus will fly hence, 
And open this to Pericles. I do shame 1840
To think of what a noble strain you are, 
And of how coward a spirit.
Cleon. To such proceeding 
Who ever but his approbation added, 
Though not his prime consent, he did not flow 1845
From honourable sources.
Dionyza. Be it so, then: 
Yet none does know, but you, how she came dead, 
Nor none can know, Leonine being gone. 
She did disdain my child, and stood between 1850
Her and her fortunes: none would look on her, 
But cast their gazes on Marina's face; 
Whilst ours was blurted at and held a malkin 
Not worth the time of day. It pierced me through; 
And though you call my course unnatural, 1855
You not your child well loving, yet I find 
It greets me as an enterprise of kindness 
Perform'd to your sole daughter.
Cleon. Heavens forgive it!
Dionyza. And as for Pericles, 1860
What should he say? We wept after her hearse, 
And yet we mourn: her monument 
Is almost finish'd, and her epitaphs 
In glittering golden characters express 
A general praise to her, and care in us 1865
At whose expense 'tis done.
Cleon. Thou art like the harpy, 
Which, to betray, dost, with thine angel's face, 
Seize with thine eagle's talons.
Dionyza. You are like one that superstitiously 1870
Doth swear to the gods that winter kills the flies: 
But yet I know you'll do as I advise.
[Exeunt]

 ---
 . previous scene	     	
Act IV, Scene 4

Chorus.

     	next scene  .
---
[Enter GOWER, before the monument of MARINA at Tarsus]

Gower. Thus time we waste, and longest leagues make short; 1875
Sail seas in cockles, have an wish but for't; 
Making, to take your imagination, 
From bourn to bourn, region to region. 
By you being pardon'd, we commit no crime 
To use one language in each several clime 1880
Where our scenes seem to live. I do beseech you 
To learn of me, who stand i' the gaps to teach you, 
The stages of our story. Pericles 
Is now again thwarting the wayward seas, 
Attended on by many a lord and knight. 1885
To see his daughter, all his life's delight. 
Old Escanes, whom Helicanus late 
Advanced in time to great and high estate, 
Is left to govern. Bear you it in mind, 
Old Helicanus goes along behind. 1890
Well-sailing ships and bounteous winds have brought 
This king to Tarsus,—think his pilot thought; 
So with his steerage shall your thoughts grow on,— 
To fetch his daughter home, who first is gone. 
Like motes and shadows see them move awhile; 1895
Your ears unto your eyes I'll reconcile. 
DUMB SHOW. 
[Enter PERICLES, at one door, with all his train;] 
CLEON and DIONYZA, at the other. CLEON shows 
PERICLES the tomb; whereat PERICLES makes 1900
lamentation, puts on sackcloth, and in a mighty 
passion departs. Then exeunt CLEON and DIONYZA] 
See how belief may suffer by foul show! 
This borrow'd passion stands for true old woe; 
And Pericles, in sorrow all devour'd, 1905
With sighs shot through, and biggest tears 
o'ershower'd, 
Leaves Tarsus and again embarks. He swears 
Never to wash his face, nor cut his hairs: 
He puts on sackcloth, and to sea. He bears 1910
A tempest, which his mortal vessel tears, 
And yet he rides it out. Now please you wit. 
The epitaph is for Marina writ 
By wicked Dionyza. 
[Reads the inscription on MARINA's monument] 1915
'The fairest, sweet'st, and best lies here, 
Who wither'd in her spring of year. 
She was of Tyrus the king's daughter, 
On whom foul death hath made this slaughter; 
Marina was she call'd; and at her birth, 1920
Thetis, being proud, swallow'd some part o' the earth: 
Therefore the earth, fearing to be o'erflow'd, 
Hath Thetis' birth-child on the heavens bestow'd: 
Wherefore she does, and swears she'll never stint, 
Make raging battery upon shores of flint.' 1925
No visor does become black villany 
So well as soft and tender flattery. 
Let Pericles believe his daughter's dead, 
And bear his courses to be ordered 
By Lady Fortune; while our scene must play 1930
His daughter's woe and heavy well-a-day 
In her unholy service. Patience, then, 
And think you now are all in Mytilene.
[Exit]

 ---
 . previous scene	     	
Act IV, Scene 5

Mytilene. A street before the brothel.

     	next scene  .
---
[Enter, from the brothel, two Gentlemen]

First Gentleman. Did you ever hear the like?
Second Gentleman. No, nor never shall do in such a place as this, she 
being once gone.
First Gentleman. But to have divinity preached there! did you ever 
dream of such a thing? 1940
Second Gentleman. No, no. Come, I am for no more bawdy-houses: 
shall's go hear the vestals sing?
First Gentleman. I'll do any thing now that is virtuous; but I 
am out of the road of rutting for ever.
[Exeunt]

 ---
 . previous scene	     	
Act IV, Scene 6

The same. A room in the brothel.

     	next scene  .
---
[Enter Pandar, Bawd, and BOULT]

Pandar. Well, I had rather than twice the worth of her she 
had ne'er come here.
Bawd. Fie, fie upon her! she's able to freeze the god 
Priapus, and undo a whole generation. We must 1950
either get her ravished, or be rid of her. When she 
should do for clients her fitment, and do me the 
kindness of our profession, she has me her quirks, 
her reasons, her master reasons, her prayers, her 
knees; that she would make a puritan of the devil, 1955
if he should cheapen a kiss of her.
Boult. 'Faith, I must ravish her, or she'll disfurnish us 
of all our cavaliers, and make our swearers priests.
Pandar. Now, the pox upon her green-sickness for me!
Bawd. 'Faith, there's no way to be rid on't but by the 1960
way to the pox. Here comes the Lord Lysimachus disguised.
Boult. We should have both lord and lown, if the peevish 
baggage would but give way to customers.
[Enter LYSIMACHUS]

Lysimachus. How now! How a dozen of virginities? 1965
Bawd. Now, the gods to-bless your honour!
Boult. I am glad to see your honour in good health.
Lysimachus. You may so; 'tis the better for you that your 
resorters stand upon sound legs. How now! 
wholesome iniquity have you that a man may deal 1970
withal, and defy the surgeon?
Bawd. We have here one, sir, if she would—but there never 
came her like in Mytilene.
Lysimachus. If she'ld do the deed of darkness, thou wouldst say.
Bawd. Your honour knows what 'tis to say well enough. 1975
Lysimachus. Well, call forth, call forth.
Boult. For flesh and blood, sir, white and red, you shall 
see a rose; and she were a rose indeed, if she had but—
Lysimachus. What, prithee?
Boult. O, sir, I can be modest. 1980
Lysimachus. That dignifies the renown of a bawd, no less than it 
gives a good report to a number to be chaste.
[Exit BOULT]

Bawd. Here comes that which grows to the stalk; never 
plucked yet, I can assure you. 1985
[Re-enter BOULT with MARINA] 
Is she not a fair creature?
Lysimachus. 'Faith, she would serve after a long voyage at sea. 
Well, there's for you: leave us.
Bawd. I beseech your honour, give me leave: a word, and 1990
I'll have done presently.
Lysimachus. I beseech you, do.
Bawd. [To MARINA] First, I would have you note, this is 
an honourable man.
Marina. I desire to find him so, that I may worthily note him. 1995
Bawd. Next, he's the governor of this country, and a man 
whom I am bound to.
Marina. If he govern the country, you are bound to him 
indeed; but how honourable he is in that, I know not.
Bawd. Pray you, without any more virginal fencing, will 2000
you use him kindly? He will line your apron with gold.
Marina. What he will do graciously, I will thankfully receive.
Lysimachus. Ha' you done?
Bawd. My lord, she's not paced yet: you must take some 
pains to work her to your manage. Come, we will 2005
leave his honour and her together. Go thy ways.
[Exeunt Bawd, Pandar, and BOULT]

Lysimachus. Now, pretty one, how long have you been at this trade?
Marina. What trade, sir?
Lysimachus. Why, I cannot name't but I shall offend. 2010
Marina. I cannot be offended with my trade. Please you to name it.
Lysimachus. How long have you been of this profession?
Marina. E'er since I can remember.
Lysimachus. Did you go to 't so young? Were you a gamester at 
five or at seven? 2015
Marina. Earlier too, sir, if now I be one.
Lysimachus. Why, the house you dwell in proclaims you to be a 
creature of sale.
Marina. Do you know this house to be a place of such resort, 
and will come into 't? I hear say you are of 2020
honourable parts, and are the governor of this place.
Lysimachus. Why, hath your principal made known unto you who I am?
Marina. Who is my principal?
Lysimachus. Why, your herb-woman; she that sets seeds and roots 
of shame and iniquity. O, you have heard something 2025
of my power, and so stand aloof for more serious 
wooing. But I protest to thee, pretty one, my 
authority shall not see thee, or else look friendly 
upon thee. Come, bring me to some private place: 
come, come. 2030
Marina. If you were born to honour, show it now; 
If put upon you, make the judgment good 
That thought you worthy of it.
Lysimachus. How's this? how's this? Some more; be sage.
Marina. For me, 2035
That am a maid, though most ungentle fortune 
Have placed me in this sty, where, since I came, 
Diseases have been sold dearer than physic, 
O, that the gods 
Would set me free from this unhallow'd place, 2040
Though they did change me to the meanest bird 
That flies i' the purer air!
Lysimachus. I did not think 
Thou couldst have spoke so well; ne'er dream'd thou couldst. 
Had I brought hither a corrupted mind, 2045
Thy speech had alter'd it. Hold, here's gold for thee: 
Persever in that clear way thou goest, 
And the gods strengthen thee!
Marina. The good gods preserve you!
Lysimachus. For me, be you thoughten 2050
That I came with no ill intent; for to me 
The very doors and windows savour vilely. 
Fare thee well. Thou art a piece of virtue, and 
I doubt not but thy training hath been noble. 
Hold, here's more gold for thee. 2055
A curse upon him, die he like a thief, 
That robs thee of thy goodness! If thou dost 
Hear from me, it shall be for thy good.
[Re-enter BOULT]

Boult. I beseech your honour, one piece for me. 2060
Lysimachus. Avaunt, thou damned door-keeper! 
Your house, but for this virgin that doth prop it, 
Would sink and overwhelm you. Away!
[Exit]

Boult. How's this? We must take another course with you. 2065
If your peevish chastity, which is not worth a 
breakfast in the cheapest country under the cope, 
shall undo a whole household, let me be gelded like 
a spaniel. Come your ways.
Marina. Whither would you have me? 2070
Boult. I must have your maidenhead taken off, or the common 
hangman shall execute it. Come your ways. We'll 
have no more gentlemen driven away. Come your ways, I say.
[Re-enter Bawd]

Bawd. How now! what's the matter? 2075
Boult. Worse and worse, mistress; she has here spoken holy 
words to the Lord Lysimachus.
Bawd. O abominable!
Boult. She makes our profession as it were to stink afore 
the face of the gods. 2080
Bawd. Marry, hang her up for ever!
Boult. The nobleman would have dealt with her like a 
nobleman, and she sent him away as cold as a 
snowball; saying his prayers too.
Bawd. Boult, take her away; use her at thy pleasure: 2085
crack the glass of her virginity, and make the rest malleable.
Boult. An if she were a thornier piece of ground than she 
is, she shall be ploughed.
Marina. Hark, hark, you gods!
Bawd. She conjures: away with her! Would she had never 2090
come within my doors! Marry, hang you! She's born 
to undo us. Will you not go the way of women-kind? 
Marry, come up, my dish of chastity with rosemary and bays!
[Exit]

Boult. Come, mistress; come your ways with me. 2095
Marina. Whither wilt thou have me?
Boult. To take from you the jewel you hold so dear.
Marina. Prithee, tell me one thing first.
Boult. Come now, your one thing.
Marina. What canst thou wish thine enemy to be? 2100
Boult. Why, I could wish him to be my master, or rather, my mistress.
Marina. Neither of these are so bad as thou art, 
Since they do better thee in their command. 
Thou hold'st a place, for which the pained'st fiend 
Of hell would not in reputation change: 2105
Thou art the damned doorkeeper to every 
Coistrel that comes inquiring for his Tib; 
To the choleric fisting of every rogue 
Thy ear is liable; thy food is such 
As hath been belch'd on by infected lungs. 2110
Boult. What would you have me do? go to the wars, would 
you? where a man may serve seven years for the loss 
of a leg, and have not money enough in the end to 
buy him a wooden one?
Marina. Do any thing but this thou doest. Empty 2115
OLD receptacles, or common shores, of filth; 
Serve by indenture to the common hangman: 
Any of these ways are yet better than this; 
For what thou professest, a baboon, could he speak, 
Would own a name too dear. O, that the gods 2120
Would safely deliver me from this place! 
Here, here's gold for thee. 
If that thy master would gain by thee, 
Proclaim that I can sing, weave, sew, and dance, 
With other virtues, which I'll keep from boast: 2125
And I will undertake all these to teach. 
I doubt not but this populous city will 
Yield many scholars.
Boult. But can you teach all this you speak of?
Marina. Prove that I cannot, take me home again, 2130
And prostitute me to the basest groom 
That doth frequent your house.
Boult. Well, I will see what I can do for thee: if I can 
place thee, I will.
Marina. But amongst honest women. 2135
Boult. 'Faith, my acquaintance lies little amongst them. 
But since my master and mistress have bought you, 
there's no going but by their consent: therefore I 
will make them acquainted with your purpose, and I 
doubt not but I shall find them tractable enough. 2140
Come, I'll do for thee what I can; come your ways.
[Exeunt]

 ---
 . previous scene	     	
Prologue

     	next scene  .
---
[Enter GOWER]

Gower. Marina thus the brothel 'scapes, and chances 
Into an honest house, our story says. 2145
She sings like one immortal, and she dances 
As goddess-like to her admired lays; 
Deep clerks she dumbs; and with her needle composes 
Nature's own shape, of bud, bird, branch, or berry, 
That even her art sisters the natural roses; 2150
Her inkle, silk, twin with the rubied cherry: 
That pupils lacks she none of noble race, 
Who pour their bounty on her; and her gain 
She gives the cursed bawd. Here we her place; 
And to her father turn our thoughts again, 2155
Where we left him, on the sea. We there him lost; 
Whence, driven before the winds, he is arrived 
Here where his daughter dwells; and on this coast 
Suppose him now at anchor. The city strived 
God Neptune's annual feast to keep: from whence 2160
Lysimachus our Tyrian ship espies, 
His banners sable, trimm'd with rich expense; 
And to him in his barge with fervor hies. 
In your supposing once more put your sight 
Of heavy Pericles; think this his bark: 2165
Where what is done in action, more, if might, 
Shall be discover'd; please you, sit and hark.
[Exit]

 ---
 . previous scene	     	
Act V, Scene 1

On board PERICLES’ ship, off Mytilene. A close

     	next scene  .
---
pavilion on deck, with a curtain before it; PERICLES [p]within it, reclined on a couch. A barge lying [p]beside the Tyrian vessel. [p][Enter two Sailors, one belonging to the Tyrian] [p]vessel, the other to the barge; to them HELICANUS]

Tyrian Sailor. [To the Sailor of Mytilene] Where is lord Helicanus? 
he can resolve you. 2175
O, here he is. 
Sir, there's a barge put off from Mytilene, 
And in it is Lysimachus the governor, 
Who craves to come aboard. What is your will?
Helicanus. That he have his. Call up some gentlemen. 2180
Tyrian Sailor. Ho, gentlemen! my lord calls.
[Enter two or three Gentlemen]

First Gentleman. Doth your lordship call?
Helicanus. Gentlemen, there's some of worth would come aboard; 
I pray ye, greet them fairly. 2185
[The Gentlemen and the two Sailors descend, and go] 
on board the barge] 
[Enter, from thence, LYSIMACHUS and Lords; with the] 
Gentlemen and the two Sailors]
Tyrian Sailor. Sir, 2190
This is the man that can, in aught you would, 
Resolve you.
Lysimachus. Hail, reverend sir! the gods preserve you!
Helicanus. And you, sir, to outlive the age I am, 
And die as I would do. 2195
Lysimachus. You wish me well. 
Being on shore, honouring of Neptune's triumphs, 
Seeing this goodly vessel ride before us, 
I made to it, to know of whence you are.
Helicanus. First, what is your place? 2200
Lysimachus. I am the governor of this place you lie before.
Helicanus. Sir, 
Our vessel is of Tyre, in it the king; 
A man who for this three months hath not spoken 
To any one, nor taken sustenance 2205
But to prorogue his grief.
Lysimachus. Upon what ground is his distemperature?
Helicanus. 'Twould be too tedious to repeat; 
But the main grief springs from the loss 
Of a beloved daughter and a wife. 2210
Lysimachus. May we not see him?
Helicanus. You may; 
But bootless is your sight: he will not speak To any.
Lysimachus. Yet let me obtain my wish.
Helicanus. Behold him. 2215
[PERICLES discovered] 
This was a goodly person, 
Till the disaster that, one mortal night, 
Drove him to this.
Lysimachus. Sir king, all hail! the gods preserve you! 2220
Hail, royal sir!
Helicanus. It is in vain; he will not speak to you.
First Lord. Sir, 
We have a maid in Mytilene, I durst wager, 
Would win some words of him. 2225
Lysimachus. 'Tis well bethought. 
She questionless with her sweet harmony 
And other chosen attractions, would allure, 
And make a battery through his deafen'd parts, 
Which now are midway stopp'd: 2230
She is all happy as the fairest of all, 
And, with her fellow maids is now upon 
The leafy shelter that abuts against 
The island's side.
[Whispers a Lord, who goes off in the barge of LYSIMACHUS]

Helicanus. Sure, all's effectless; yet nothing we'll omit 
That bears recovery's name. But, since your kindness 
We have stretch'd thus far, let us beseech you 
That for our gold we may provision have, 
Wherein we are not destitute for want, 2240
But weary for the staleness.
Lysimachus. O, sir, a courtesy 
Which if we should deny, the most just gods 
For every graff would send a caterpillar, 
And so afflict our province. Yet once more 2245
Let me entreat to know at large the cause 
Of your king's sorrow.
Helicanus. Sit, sir, I will recount it to you: 
But, see, I am prevented. 
[Re-enter, from the barge, Lord, with MARINA, and a] 2250
young Lady]
Lysimachus. O, here is 
The lady that I sent for. Welcome, fair one! 
Is't not a goodly presence?
Helicanus. She's a gallant lady. 2255
Lysimachus. She's such a one, that, were I well assured 
Came of a gentle kind and noble stock, 
I'ld wish no better choice, and think me rarely wed. 
Fair one, all goodness that consists in bounty 
Expect even here, where is a kingly patient: 2260
If that thy prosperous and artificial feat 
Can draw him but to answer thee in aught, 
Thy sacred physic shall receive such pay 
As thy desires can wish.
Marina. Sir, I will use 2265
My utmost skill in his recovery, Provided 
That none but I and my companion maid 
Be suffer'd to come near him.
Lysimachus. Come, let us leave her; 
And the gods make her prosperous! 2270
[MARINA sings]

Lysimachus. Mark'd he your music?
Marina. No, nor look'd on us.
Lysimachus. See, she will speak to him.
Marina. Hail, sir! my lord, lend ear. 2275
Pericles. Hum, ha!
Marina. I am a maid, 
My lord, that ne'er before invited eyes, 
But have been gazed on like a comet: she speaks, 
My lord, that, may be, hath endured a grief 2280
Might equal yours, if both were justly weigh'd. 
Though wayward fortune did malign my state, 
My derivation was from ancestors 
Who stood equivalent with mighty kings: 
But time hath rooted out my parentage, 2285
And to the world and awkward casualties 
Bound me in servitude. 
[Aside] 
I will desist; 
But there is something glows upon my cheek, 2290
And whispers in mine ear, 'Go not till he speak.'
Pericles. My fortunes—parentage—good parentage— 
To equal mine!—was it not thus? what say you?
Marina. I said, my lord, if you did know my parentage, 
You would not do me violence. 2295
Pericles. I do think so. Pray you, turn your eyes upon me. 
You are like something that—What country-woman? 
Here of these shores?
Marina. No, nor of any shores: 
Yet I was mortally brought forth, and am 2300
No other than I appear.
Pericles. I am great with woe, and shall deliver weeping. 
My dearest wife was like this maid, and such a one 
My daughter might have been: my queen's square brows; 
Her stature to an inch; as wand-like straight; 2305
As silver-voiced; her eyes as jewel-like 
And cased as richly; in pace another Juno; 
Who starves the ears she feeds, and makes them hungry, 
The more she gives them speech. Where do you live?
Marina. Where I am but a stranger: from the deck 2310
You may discern the place.
Pericles. Where were you bred? 
And how achieved you these endowments, which 
You make more rich to owe?
Marina. If I should tell my history, it would seem 2315
Like lies disdain'd in the reporting.
Pericles. Prithee, speak: 
Falseness cannot come from thee; for thou look'st 
Modest as Justice, and thou seem'st a palace 
For the crown'd Truth to dwell in: I will 2320
believe thee, 
And make my senses credit thy relation 
To points that seem impossible; for thou look'st 
Like one I loved indeed. What were thy friends? 
Didst thou not say, when I did push thee back— 2325
Which was when I perceived thee—that thou camest 
From good descending?
Marina. So indeed I did.
Pericles. Report thy parentage. I think thou said'st 
Thou hadst been toss'd from wrong to injury, 2330
And that thou thought'st thy griefs might equal mine, 
If both were open'd.
Marina. Some such thing 
I said, and said no more but what my thoughts 
Did warrant me was likely. 2335
Pericles. Tell thy story; 
If thine consider'd prove the thousandth part 
Of my endurance, thou art a man, and I 
Have suffer'd like a girl: yet thou dost look 
Like Patience gazing on kings' graves, and smiling 2340
Extremity out of act. What were thy friends? 
How lost thou them? Thy name, my most kind virgin? 
Recount, I do beseech thee: come, sit by me.
Marina. My name is Marina.
Pericles. O, I am mock'd, 2345
And thou by some incensed god sent hither 
To make the world to laugh at me.
Marina. Patience, good sir, 
Or here I'll cease.
Pericles. Nay, I'll be patient. 2350
Thou little know'st how thou dost startle me, 
To call thyself Marina.
Marina. The name 
Was given me by one that had some power, 
My father, and a king. 2355
Pericles. How! a king's daughter? 
And call'd Marina?
Marina. You said you would believe me; 
But, not to be a troubler of your peace, 
I will end here. 2360
Pericles. But are you flesh and blood? 
Have you a working pulse? and are no fairy? 
Motion! Well; speak on. Where were you born? 
And wherefore call'd Marina?
Marina. Call'd Marina 2365
For I was born at sea.
Pericles. At sea! what mother?
Marina. My mother was the daughter of a king; 
Who died the minute I was born, 
As my good nurse Lychorida hath oft 2370
Deliver'd weeping.
Pericles. O, stop there a little! 
[Aside] 
This is the rarest dream that e'er dull sleep 
Did mock sad fools withal: this cannot be: 2375
My daughter's buried. Well: where were you bred? 
I'll hear you more, to the bottom of your story, 
And never interrupt you.
Marina. You scorn: believe me, 'twere best I did give o'er.
Pericles. I will believe you by the syllable 2380
Of what you shall deliver. Yet, give me leave: 
How came you in these parts? where were you bred?
Marina. The king my father did in Tarsus leave me; 
Till cruel Cleon, with his wicked wife, 
Did seek to murder me: and having woo'd 2385
A villain to attempt it, who having drawn to do't, 
A crew of pirates came and rescued me; 
Brought me to Mytilene. But, good sir, 
Whither will you have me? Why do you weep? 
It may be, 2390
You think me an impostor: no, good faith; 
I am the daughter to King Pericles, 
If good King Pericles be.
Pericles. Ho, Helicanus!
Helicanus. Calls my lord? 2395
Pericles. Thou art a grave and noble counsellor, 
Most wise in general: tell me, if thou canst, 
What this maid is, or what is like to be, 
That thus hath made me weep?
Helicanus. I know not; but 2400
Here is the regent, sir, of Mytilene 
Speaks nobly of her.
Lysimachus. She would never tell 
Her parentage; being demanded that, 
She would sit still and weep. 2405
Pericles. O Helicanus, strike me, honour'd sir; 
Give me a gash, put me to present pain; 
Lest this great sea of joys rushing upon me 
O'erbear the shores of my mortality, 
And drown me with their sweetness. O, come hither, 2410
Thou that beget'st him that did thee beget; 
Thou that wast born at sea, buried at Tarsus, 
And found at sea again! O Helicanus, 
Down on thy knees, thank the holy gods as loud 
As thunder threatens us: this is Marina. 2415
What was thy mother's name? tell me but that, 
For truth can never be confirm'd enough, 
Though doubts did ever sleep.
Marina. First, sir, I pray, 
What is your title? 2420
Pericles. I am Pericles of Tyre: but tell me now 
My drown'd queen's name, as in the rest you said 
Thou hast been godlike perfect, 
The heir of kingdoms and another like 
To Pericles thy father. 2425
Marina. Is it no more to be your daughter than 
To say my mother's name was Thaisa? 
Thaisa was my mother, who did end 
The minute I began.
Pericles. Now, blessing on thee! rise; thou art my child. 2430
Give me fresh garments. Mine own, Helicanus; 
She is not dead at Tarsus, as she should have been, 
By savage Cleon: she shall tell thee all; 
When thou shalt kneel, and justify in knowledge 
She is thy very princess. Who is this? 2435
Helicanus. Sir, 'tis the governor of Mytilene, 
Who, hearing of your melancholy state, 
Did come to see you.
Pericles. I embrace you. 
Give me my robes. I am wild in my beholding. 2440
O heavens bless my girl! But, hark, what music? 
Tell Helicanus, my Marina, tell him 
O'er, point by point, for yet he seems to doubt, 
How sure you are my daughter. But, what music?
Helicanus. My lord, I hear none. 2445
Pericles. None! 
The music of the spheres! List, my Marina.
Lysimachus. It is not good to cross him; give him way.
Pericles. Rarest sounds! Do ye not hear?
Lysimachus. My lord, I hear. 2450
[Music]

Pericles. Most heavenly music! 
It nips me unto listening, and thick slumber 
Hangs upon mine eyes: let me rest.
[Sleeps]

Lysimachus. A pillow for his head: 
So, leave him all. Well, my companion friends, 
If this but answer to my just belief, 
I'll well remember you.
[Exeunt all but PERICLES]

[DIANA appears to PERICLES as in a vision]

Diana. My temple stands in Ephesus: hie thee thither, 
And do upon mine altar sacrifice. 
There, when my maiden priests are met together, 
Before the people all, 2465
Reveal how thou at sea didst lose thy wife: 
To mourn thy crosses, with thy daughter's, call 
And give them repetition to the life. 
Or perform my bidding, or thou livest in woe; 
Do it, and happy; by my silver bow! 2470
Awake, and tell thy dream.
[Disappears]

Pericles. Celestial Dian, goddess argentine, 
I will obey thee. Helicanus!
[Re-enter HELICANUS, LYSIMACHUS, and MARINA]

Helicanus. Sir?
Pericles. My purpose was for Tarsus, there to strike 
The inhospitable Cleon; but I am 
For other service first: toward Ephesus 
Turn our blown sails; eftsoons I'll tell thee why. 2480
[To LYSIMACHUS] 
Shall we refresh us, sir, upon your shore, 
And give you gold for such provision 
As our intents will need?
Lysimachus. Sir, 2485
With all my heart; and, when you come ashore, 
I have another suit.
Pericles. You shall prevail, 
Were it to woo my daughter; for it seems 
You have been noble towards her. 2490
Lysimachus. Sir, lend me your arm.
Pericles. Come, my Marina.
[Exeunt]

 ---
 . previous scene	     	
Act V, Scene 2

Chorus.

     	next scene  .
---
[Enter GOWER, before the temple of DIANA at Ephesus]

Gower. Now our sands are almost run; 2495
More a little, and then dumb. 
This, my last boon, give me, 
For such kindness must relieve me, 
That you aptly will suppose 
What pageantry, what feats, what shows, 2500
What minstrelsy, and pretty din, 
The regent made in Mytilene 
To greet the king. So he thrived, 
That he is promised to be wived 
To fair Marina; but in no wise 2505
Till he had done his sacrifice, 
As Dian bade: whereto being bound, 
The interim, pray you, all confound. 
In feather'd briefness sails are fill'd, 
And wishes fall out as they're will'd. 2510
At Ephesus, the temple see, 
Our king and all his company. 
That he can hither come so soon, 
Is by your fancy's thankful doom.
[Exit]

 ---
 . previous scene	     	
Act V, Scene 3

The temple of Diana at Ephesus; THAISA standing

     	 
---
near the altar, as high priestess; a number of [p]Virgins on each side; CERIMON and other Inhabitants [p]of Ephesus attending. [p][Enter PERICLES, with his train; LYSIMACHUS,] [p]HELICANUS, MARINA, and a Lady]

Pericles. Hail, Dian! to perform thy just command, 
I here confess myself the king of Tyre; 
Who, frighted from my country, did wed 
At Pentapolis the fair Thaisa. 
At sea in childbed died she, but brought forth 2525
A maid-child call'd Marina; who, O goddess, 
Wears yet thy silver livery. She at Tarsus 
Was nursed with Cleon; who at fourteen years 
He sought to murder: but her better stars 
Brought her to Mytilene; 'gainst whose shore 2530
Riding, her fortunes brought the maid aboard us, 
Where, by her own most clear remembrance, she 
Made known herself my daughter.
Thaisa. Voice and favour! 
You are, you are—O royal Pericles! 2535
[Faints]

Pericles. What means the nun? she dies! help, gentlemen!
Cerimon. Noble sir, 
If you have told Diana's altar true, 
This is your wife. 2540
Pericles. Reverend appearer, no; 
I threw her overboard with these very arms.
Cerimon. Upon this coast, I warrant you.
Pericles. 'Tis most certain.
Cerimon. Look to the lady; O, she's but o'erjoy'd. 2545
Early in blustering morn this lady was 
Thrown upon this shore. I oped the coffin, 
Found there rich jewels; recover'd her, and placed her 
Here in Diana's temple.
Pericles. May we see them? 2550
Cerimon. Great sir, they shall be brought you to my house, 
Whither I invite you. Look, Thaisa is recovered.
Thaisa. O, let me look! 
If he be none of mine, my sanctity 
Will to my sense bend no licentious ear, 2555
But curb it, spite of seeing. O, my lord, 
Are you not Pericles? Like him you spake, 
Like him you are: did you not name a tempest, 
A birth, and death?
Pericles. The voice of dead Thaisa! 2560
Thaisa. That Thaisa am I, supposed dead 
And drown'd.
Pericles. Immortal Dian!
Thaisa. Now I know you better. 
When we with tears parted Pentapolis, 2565
The king my father gave you such a ring.
[Shows a ring]

Pericles. This, this: no more, you gods! your present kindness 
Makes my past miseries sports: you shall do well, 
That on the touching of her lips I may 2570
Melt and no more be seen. O, come, be buried 
A second time within these arms.
Marina. My heart 
Leaps to be gone into my mother's bosom.
[Kneels to THAISA]

Pericles. Look, who kneels here! Flesh of thy flesh, Thaisa; 
Thy burden at the sea, and call'd Marina 
For she was yielded there.
Thaisa. Blest, and mine own!
Helicanus. Hail, madam, and my queen! 2580
Thaisa. I know you not.
Pericles. You have heard me say, when I did fly from Tyre, 
I left behind an ancient substitute: 
Can you remember what I call'd the man? 
I have named him oft. 2585
Thaisa. 'Twas Helicanus then.
Pericles. Still confirmation: 
Embrace him, dear Thaisa; this is he. 
Now do I long to hear how you were found; 
How possibly preserved; and who to thank, 2590
Besides the gods, for this great miracle.
Thaisa. Lord Cerimon, my lord; this man, 
Through whom the gods have shown their power; that can 
From first to last resolve you.
Pericles. Reverend sir, 2595
The gods can have no mortal officer 
More like a god than you. Will you deliver 
How this dead queen re-lives?
Cerimon. I will, my lord. 
Beseech you, first go with me to my house, 2600
Where shall be shown you all was found with her; 
How she came placed here in the temple; 
No needful thing omitted.
Pericles. Pure Dian, bless thee for thy vision! I 
Will offer night-oblations to thee. Thaisa, 2605
This prince, the fair-betrothed of your daughter, 
Shall marry her at Pentapolis. And now, 
This ornament 
Makes me look dismal will I clip to form; 
And what this fourteen years no razor touch'd, 2610
To grace thy marriage-day, I'll beautify.
Thaisa. Lord Cerimon hath letters of good credit, sir, 
My father's dead.
Pericles. Heavens make a star of him! Yet there, my queen, 
We'll celebrate their nuptials, and ourselves 2615
Will in that kingdom spend our following days: 
Our son and daughter shall in Tyrus reign. 
Lord Cerimon, we do our longing stay 
To hear the rest untold: sir, lead's the way.
[Exeunt]

[Enter GOWER]

Gower. In Antiochus and his daughter you have heard 
Of monstrous lust the due and just reward: 
In Pericles, his queen and daughter, seen, 
Although assail'd with fortune fierce and keen, 2625
Virtue preserved from fell destruction's blast, 
Led on by heaven, and crown'd with joy at last: 
In Helicanus may you well descry 
A figure of truth, of faith, of loyalty: 
In reverend Cerimon there well appears 2630
The worth that learned charity aye wears: 
For wicked Cleon and his wife, when fame 
Had spread their cursed deed, and honour'd name 
Of Pericles, to rage the city turn, 
That him and his they in his palace burn; 2635
The gods for murder seemed so content 
To punish them; although not done, but meant. 
So, on your patience evermore attending, 
New joy wait on you! Here our play has ending.
[Exit]

 	 	
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