Prologue

     *    Gower John Gower (?1330–1408), medieval poet whose Confessio Amantis is an important source for Pericles

    1    old long ago

    2    ancient old/venerable

    3    man’s infirmities human form

    6    ember eves evenings before festival (ember) days    holidays religious feasts

    8    restoratives medicine

    9    purchase profit    glorious eager for/worthy of glory

  10    Et…melius “A good thing improves with age” (Latin)

  12    wit wisdom/poetry    ripe mature/sophisticated

  15    I…wish I would hope to give it life

  16    Waste…light i.e., like a candle (taper) my story will consume (waste) itself in the telling

  17    Antioch one of the largest cities of the Roman Empire, capital of the province of Syria

  18    chiefest seat capital

  20    authors authorities/sources

  21    peer mate/companion

  23    buxom lively/bright/wanton    full of face beautiful    full complete/perfect

  24    As as if

  25    liking lustful affection

  29    But custom but (through) habit

  30    use usual practice (playing on use, i.e., “sexual intercourse”)    account’ an elision of “accounted”

  32    frame take themselves

  36    still silent/motionless/always    awe reverence/subjection

  37    whoso whoever    for as

  38    His…not and left (Antiochus’) riddle unsolved

  39    wight person

  40    yon those grim looks stern faces (i.e., the heads of former suitors)

  41    to…justify I give my business (cause) to those discerning viewers (judgement…eye) who are most able (best) to judge/confirm (justify) it

Act 1 Scene 1

 1.1    Location: Antioch    Pericles from Latin for “peril”

    1    Tyre Phoenician trading city on the coast of Syria    at large received fully comprehended/heard in detail

    8    For embracements fit for the embraces    Jove Jupiter, king of the gods in Roman mythology

    9    whose i.e., the Daughter’s    till Lucina reigned until her birth    Lucina Roman goddess of childbirth, associated with Diana and Juno

  10    glad her presence make her presence welcome

  11    senate house council

  12    knit…perfections unite all virtues in her

  13    the spring Flora, Roman goddess of the spring

  14    Graces her subjects the Graces (personifications of beauty, grace, and artistic inspiration) are inferior to her

  15    gives which gives    renown reputation/honor

  16    book of praises collection of everything praiseworthy

  17    curious exquisite/rare (also unusual/peculiar)    as as if

  18    ever razed forever erased    testy irritable

  19    mild companion companion to someone as mild as she

  20    sway rule

  22    taste…tree enjoy Antiochus’ daughter sexually; also refers to the apples stolen by Hercules from the garden of Hesperus and the one eaten by Eve    yon that

  25    compass achieve/embrace

  27    son son-in-law

  28    this…fruit i.e., Antiochus’ daughter; Hesperus’ garden was known as the Hesperides

  30    deathlike deadly    dragons Antiochus’ followers/the dragon that guarded Hesperus’ apples

  32    countless beyond value    desert worthiness

  34    reach reach out for    heap company/multitude (i.e., Pericles’ body)

  35    Yon those    sometimes once/formerly

  36    adventurous made bold

  37    semblance appearance

  38    yon that

  41    going…net entering into death’s trap

  43    mortality mortal nature/humanity

  44    those fearful objects i.e., the heads of the former suitors

  46    remembered brought to mind

  47    life’s but breath life is ephemeral

  50    as…did like terminally ill men who can see heaven and no longer cling to the earthly pleasure that they once (erst) pursued

  54    unspotted pure/free from lust

  57    conclusion riddle

  59    these the former suitors

  60    ’ssayed assayed/tried

  62    assume the lists enter the combat/tournament area

  63    Nor Nor do I

  65    viper…flesh young vipers were supposed to eat their way out of their mother’s womb

  67    labour hard work/sexual exertion

  68    kindness affection/kinship/sexual acquiescence

  71    two i.e., two people

  73    Sharp physic harsh medicine    the last the final line of the riddle

  74    countless eyes the stars

  75    cloud…sights do they not shield their eyes

  77    glass of light the Daughter is imagined as a lantern holding a candle or a shining glass vessel; light can mean lustful, and glass often represents a woman’s (fragile) chastity

  79    casket i.e., the Daughter’s body

  80    on…wait who is attended by heavenly virtues

  81    knowing…gate will enter knowing that there is evil inside/will engage in sexual relations with a depraved person    gate vagina

  82    viol stringed instrument played between the legs    sense senses/reason

  83    fingered…music “played” by an appropriate sexual partner

  85    played upon used sexually

  86    Hell…chime i.e., only the devil could approve

  87    Good sooth in truth/truly

  89    article stipulation/requirement

  94    braid reproach    near closely/intimately

  95    Who whoever

  97    vice…itself to talk about evil deeds (of powerful people) is to behave like the wind, which blows dust into eyes (of the offenders or of innocent people)

  99    And…them but the painful lesson is that the wind (breath), i.e., the rumor, runs its course and those people harmed by it (whose sore eyes can now see) can take action to prevent further indiscretions

102    Copped heaped/humped    tell tell that    thronged crushed/overwhelmed

103    worm creature (either the person who dares to criticize or an innocent bystander)

107    What…it i.e., it is appropriate (fit) to suppress something that would be made worse by its exaggerated repetition

109    like leave similar permission

111    gloze with speak plausibly to

112    tenor substance/content/purpose    edict (royal) order

113    exposition explanation

114    cancel of put an end to

116    doth…otherwise adjusts our mood/intention

118    undone solved

119    joy rejoice

120    entertain entertainment

122    would seem to deceives in order to

124    sight appearance

129    untimely premature

133    though…breed although they appear beautiful, they only produce evil

135    those men that those men who

137    ’schew eschew/avoid    keep…light i.e., keep their actions hidden

141    targets shields    put off deflect

142    cropped harvested/cut down    clear free from blame

146    trumpet forth proclaim    Thaliard in the sources either a Privy Councillor or Antiochus’ steward

153    of our chamber one of our most trusted attendants or advisers

154    partakes imparts/communicates

163    Let…haste use your rapid breathing to cool yourself by telling me why you are in such a hurry

167    level aim

171    length range    sure harmless (i.e., I’ll kill him)

173    My…head i.e., I will have no peace of mind

Act 1 Scene 2

 1.2    Location: Tyre

    2    change of thoughts altered mental state

    3    dull-eyed sluggish/lacking insight

    4    used familiar/regular    as that

    5    day’s glorious walk daily movement of the sun

    6    breed me quiet produce peace of mind for me

  10    joy gladden/bring joy to    spirits emotions

  11    the other’s danger’s

  12    passions…mind emotions/obsessions

  13    misdread fear of evil

  14    Have…care are fed and kept alive by anxiety

  16    cares takes care

  19    can that he can    make…act turn his thoughts into actions

  21    boots it me is it any help to me

  24    course flowing stream

  26    th’ostent the display/manifestation

  27    Amazement (that) terror

  28    ere before

  29    ne’er thought offence never offended even in their thoughts

  31    as…them like the treetops (i.e., the monarch), which protect and defend the roots (i.e., the people) that nourish them

  32    fence protect

  34    And…punish Pericles’ own body punishes itself before it can be punished by Antiochus

  37    give experience tongue let the wise/experienced speak

  39    blows up that inflames

  41    breath i.e., the air from the    bellows (the flattering speech)

  42    in order orderly/delivered in the correct manner

  44    Signior Sooth Mister Sycophant

  45    makes…life puts your life in danger

  48    All…else everyone else leave me    cares diligence    o’erlook supervise

  49    lading’s cargo is

  51    moved provoked/angered

  52    brow appearance/countenance

  53    dart an arrow or light spear

  54    move arouse

  58    ground sharpened

  62    let…hid allow themselves to listen to flattery

  63    Fit fitting/suitable

  69    ministers provides/dispenses

  71    Attend me listen to me

  73    purchase benefit/acquisition/prize

  74    an issue a child/an heir

  75    Are…subjects i.e., royal heirs (issue), which are weapons/protection to princes and bring joy to their subjects

  79    Seemed pretended    smooth indulge/conciliate

  82    careful protecting

  83    Who i.e., the night

  84    Bethought considered    succeed follow

  87    doubt suspect

  90    unlaid ope undiscovered/concealed

  91    lop remove/eliminate    doubt suspicion    arms weapons (i.e., soldiers)

  93    all all my subjects    mine…offence my offense—if I may call it that

  94    who which (i.e., war)

  96    now reproved’st was just rebuking

  99    doubts fears/anxieties

110    The destinies the three Fates, who control destiny in Greco-Roman mythology

111    direct delegate

114    should he what if he (Antiochus) should    my liberties my domains/my royal prerogatives and the rights of my subjects

115    We’ll…earth i.e., we’ll die fighting him

117    Tarsus a city on the River Cydnus in Cillicia, present-day Turkey

118    Intend direct

119    dispose conduct

122    not…oath i.e., I won’t ask you to swear a formal oath

123    Who whoever

124    orbs spheres of activity (i.e., areas of influence)    round straightforwardly/openly

125    time…convince time shall never disprove (convince) this truth regarding the pair of us

126    shine brightness/virtue

Act 1 Scene 3

    3    I…secrets the poet Philippides reputedly asked this of King Lysimachus of Thrace

    5    would of wanted from

    9    indenture contract between a master and servant    Husht hush/be quiet

  13    sealed bearing the royal seal    commission warrant

  14    speak sufficiently proclaim satisfactorily

  17    unlicensed…loves without your devoted approval

  18    light enlightenment

  23    doubting lest fearing

  24    he’d correct he wished to punish

  25    puts…toil subjects himself to the rigors of the sea

  28    although I would even if I wished to be

  29    the…please the king must be satisfied with this news

  35    betook taken

  36    message my message

  37    it i.e., the message

  38    Commended (which has been) directed/addressed

Act 1 Scene 4

 1.4    Location: Tarsus

    5    who digs whoever digs up (the image is of someone trying to flatten a hill by digging it up, only to create a bigger pile with the earth they have removed)

    8    with mischief’s eyes through the eyes of misfortune/misery

    9    topped pruned/cut back (making them grow faster than before)

  11    Who wanteth whoever lacks/desires

  13    Our…them i.e., we proclaim (sound) our misfortunes (sorrows) low and high, then we weep until we have enough breath back (till…breath) to bewail our sorrows even more loudly, so that if the gods (heaven) are asleep and are oblivious to the suffering of their creatures, our cries may wake them in order that they can comfort those in need sound proclaim

  18    discourse relate

  19    wanting…speak when I want breath/because you want breath

  22    o’er…hand over whom plenty poured her gifts

  23    riches a personification of wealth or of plenty (from French richesse, “plenty”)

  25    wondered at admired/were astonished by

  26    jetted strutted/swaggered    adorned adorned themselves

  27    Like…by as if they were like one another’s mirror (glass) with which to adorn (trim) themselves/they mirrored one another’s finery

  28    glad gladden/make glad

  31    The…repeat even to propose asking for help became repulsive

  33    by…change through the example of our change in fortune

  37    want lack

  39    not…younger only two years ago

  40    inventions novelties

  42    nuzzle up nurture/bring up

  43    curious elaborate/carefully prepared

  46    shall…life will die so that the other can survive

  53    largely abundantly

  54    superfluous riots extravagant indulgence    these tears this lamentation

  60    descried spotted/observed

  61    portly stately/majestic    sail fleet    make hitherward sail toward us

  67    power army

  69    unhappy wretched

  70    Whereas…overcome in whom no glory can be gained in conquering

  71    least fear not to be feared in the least

  72    white flags used to show that a ship had no hostile intention

  73    favourers friends

  74    him’s…repeat someone who has not learned (the following maxim)/someone too inexperienced to comment

  75    Who he who

  78    The…there i.e., the ground is as far as we can fall, and we are nearly there

  82    on peace consist is disposed toward peace

  86    beacon fire or light placed in a prominent position as an alarm signal    t’amaze to terrify

  89    add…tears i.e., add to your misfortunes

  91    these…bread although you may think that our ship is like the Trojan horse, which was filled with ferocious warriors (bloody veins: a metonymy), it is actually filled with grain to make bread for your hungry people    happily haply/perhaps

101    gratify show gratitude for/grant

102    in thought even in thought

104    succeed inevitably follow

108    stars fates/fortunes

Act 2 Chorus

    2    iwis certainly/truly (archaic)

    3    A better prince i.e., Pericles

    4    awful awe-inspiring/worthy of respect

    6    passed necessity gone through extreme suffering

    7    those…reign those who rule during periods of difficulty (or, alternatively, “trouble’s reign,” those who are ruled by trouble)

    8    mite a tiny particle

    9    The good i.e., Pericles    conversation behavior/manners

  10    benison blessing

  12    writ holy scripture/authoritative command    he speken can he (Pericles) is able to speak (speken is archaic)

  13    remember commemorate

  14    Build his statue construct a statue of him    make him glorious glorify his deeds

  15    tidings…contrary i.e., adverse news    Dumb show a mimed sequence, common in early modern plays    train retinue

  17    Helicane i.e., Helicanus

  18    Not to not intending to

  20    killen kill (archaic)

  22    haps happens

  23    full bent fully determined

  27    doing so doing as advised

  28    been are (archaic)

  32    Should which should

  35    perishen perish (archaic)    pelf possessions

  36    Ne aught escapend nor did anything escape (archaic)

  38    glad gladness/happiness

  40    ’longs belongs to/prolongs

Act 2 Scene 1

 2.1    Location: the seashore at Pentapolis

    1    ire fury

    6    breath life

  12    Pilch leather coat/jerkin

  15    Patch-breech patched trousers

  17    Look…now! Get a move on!/Now you’re moving! (ironic)

  18    fetch th’ strike thee    wanion vengeance

  23    well-a-day alas

  26    porpoise porpoises were thought to appear before stormy weather

  28    I…washed I expect to be soaked

  30    a-land on land

  32    fitly appropriately    a he

  33    fry young fish

  35    on of

  38    pretty clever/ingenious    moral story with a moral point

  40    sexton church officer whose duties included bell ringing    belfry bell tower

  45    cast regurgitated

  50    drones…honey i.e., lazy and unproductive subjects

  51    finny subject fin-bearing citizens (i.e., fish)

  53    recollect gather up

  54    All…detect i.e., everything that might represent men in a positive or negative light

  57    If…it! i.e., if honesty is a condition that suits a bedraggled creature such as Pericles, it could be eradicated and no one would miss it (it is possible that a line is missing, in which Pericles says “good day” to the fishermen)    search’t remove it

  59    May you may    hath cast has thrown

  62    cast vomit

  64    that vast tennis-court i.e., the sea

  66    never used was never accustomed

  67    Here’s them there are those

  74    fish for’t get it through fishing/get it by artifice (i.e., begging or trickery)

  77    thronged up overwhelmed

  81    For that because    pray you may I ask/please

  82    quotha says he/indeed    gods forbid’t i.e., god forbid    an if/as long as

  84    afore me a mild oath

  86    fish for fasting-days meat was forbidden during Lent, on Fridays and Saturdays, and on some other penitential days

  87    puddings sausages; also carries its modern meaning of a sweet or savory pudding    flapjacks pancakes

  92    crave request

  93    craver supplicant/beggar

  98    beadle parish constable, whose duties included whipping vagrants

100    becomes suits/is appropriate for

106    Pentapolis seemingly located in Greece, but should probably be identified with Cyrene in Cyrenaica, the major Greek colony in North Africa

113    Marry by the Virgin Mary (a mild oath)

117    tourney take part in a tournament

119    make one be one of the participants

121    what…soul what a man cannot otherwise obtain he may get by selling his wife for sex; plays on “wife’s soul”/”wife’s hole” (i.e., vagina) and puns on get: if the man cannot    get (beget) children, then he can sell his wife to someone who will father them for him

124    right just claim

125    ’twill…out the “fish” will not come out of the net/the poor man will not get the verdict he desires    bots on’t an expletive, equivalent to “a plague on it”    bots a maggot infection in horses

128    crosses misfortunes/trials

130    heritage inheritance

132    charge order/command

134    brace vambrace, armor covering the arms

135    For that because    in like necessity in a similarly dire situation

137    kept dwelt/stayed

139    though…again i.e., now the seas are calm, they have given it back again

141    my father that which my father

143    coat of worth valuable coat (i.e., the armor)

144    sometime once    target shield/protection

150    pay your bounties repay your generosity    rest remain

151    tourney joust/take part in a tournament

153    virtue courage/ability

154    d’ye take it do you take it (i.e., take it)

155    on’t of it/from it

157    made up fitted together, as in the making of clothes

158    seams the furrows of the waves, imagined as the seams of a garment

159    condolements usually means expressions of sympathy: the Second Fisherman either confuses it with “emoluments” (profits) or with “dole” (portion or share), or he is being deliberately euphemistic

159    vails tips/gratuities (literally, the remnants of cloth kept by tailors after a suit is finished)

162    furtherance assistance

163    rapture seizure/plundering

164    holds his building occupies its proper position

165    Unto thy value either a jewel on Pericles’ arm has also survived, with which he will buy the horse, or Pericles will buy a horse equal to the worth of the piece of armor (described as a jewel)

166    courser horse

167    gazer onlooker

169    bases knee-length skirts worn by a knight on horseback

173    honour…will let honor spur me on    goad a rod used for driving cattle

Act 2 Scene 2

 2.2    Location: Pentapolis

    1    triumph tournament

    3    stay wait for

    4    Return answer/inform

    6    gat begat: conceived/bred

    9    express…great praise me highly

  10    princes men and women of high (princely) rank

  11    model image

  13    renowns reputations

  14    honour honorable duty    entertain accept/receive

  15    device heraldic design and motto

  17    prefer present

  18    Sparta powerful ancient Greek city-state

  20    Ethiop used loosely in the seventeenth century to refer to all black Africans

  21    word motto    Lux…mihi “Your light is life to me” (Latin)

  22    holds…of regards his life as being dependent on

  24    Macedon Macedonia, a kingdom at the northern end of the Greek peninsula that became a world power under Philip II and Alexander the Great

  27    in Spanish puzzling as the motto is closer to Italian than Spanish    Piùe…forza “More by gentleness than by force”

  30    wreath of chivalry chaplet or garland of leaves or flowers, worn or awarded as a mark of distinction/the twisted band by which the crest is joined to a knight’s helmet

  31    Me…apex the honor of the contest has led me on

  34    Qui…extinguit “Who feeds me extinguishes me”

  37    environèd surrounded

  38    touchstone smooth black quartz or jasper, used to test the purity of gold; the touchstone became a symbol of fidelity    tried tested

  39    Sic spectanda fides “Thus is faithfulness to be tested”    device may be a real branch, as Pericles has no shield

  42    stranger unfamiliar person/foreigner    present offering

  44    In…vivo “In this hope I live”

  48    He…commend i.e., he must prove that he is better than his appearance would suggest, because that cannot speak in his favor

  51    whipstock handle of a whip

  53    strangely bizarrely (playing on stranger)    furnishèd equipped/fitted out

  54    on set purpose deliberately

  55    scour clean

  56    Opinion’s…man public opinion makes us foolishly examine (scan) the external appearance of a man in search of (for) his inner worth    mean humble/poor

Act 2 Scene 3

 2.3    tilting jousting

    3    place…arms i.e., advertise your martial ability

    6    in show inaction

    7    becomes suits

    9    you you are

  15    framing making/creating

  17    her laboured scholar the scholar into whom art has put most effort/the scholar who has laboriously studied art

  19    Marshal arrange/position    as…grace according to their merit

  22    who whoever

  25    Contend not do not argue

  26    Have who have    outward eyes eyes that see outward/eyes on the outside of the body

  27    Envies that which envies

  28    right very

  30    By…upon by Jove, who is aware of everything, I marvel that these delicacies (cates) become unappetizing to me when I think of him

  33    viands foodstuffs    unsavoury tasteless/unappetizing

  34    meat food/object of my sexual attention    gallant fine/brave

  37    a staff i.e., his opponent’s lance in the tournament

  38    to compared with

  39    Yon that

  40    tells me announces or discloses (him to) me

  41    Had when he had

  42    reverence pay homage to

  44    vail lower

  45    Where…light i.e., like a glowworm, Pericles is best seen at night; in the light of his father’s glory he would not seem to glow at all    Where whereas

  52    stored filled

  53    fill…lips i.e., drink a full cup in honor of your mistress

  56    Yon that

  58    countervail match/equal

  59    Note…you don’t you observe it

  64    like…at like gnats, which when they are dead seem very small considering how noisy they were

  66    entertain entertainment

  67    standing bowl bowl/goblet with a stem or legs

  69    stranger knight knight who is a stranger/foreign knight    bold shameless/immodest

  70    proffer offering

  72    move me provoke me

  78    blood spirit/health

  79    pledge him drink his health

  83    arts and arms artistic/scholarly pursuits and martial skills

  85    reft robbed/deprived

  90    cast was cast

  93    sit dwell
   trifles trivialities

  95    addressed dressed/attired

  96    Will you will    become suit/be appropriate for

  97    I…beds i.e., I won’t have anyone excuse themselves by saying that women don’t like the loud music of a soldier’s dance, as I know that they like men in arms (i.e., knights) as well as men in their beds

100    this…asked i.e., I did well to ask for this

101    breathing exercising

103    trip dance/step lightly/fall sexually

104    measures formal dance steps/strategies in wooing

105    practise them put them to use

106    that’s…courtesy i.e., you are too modest

110    several various

114    level aim

115    betake him take himself

116    speeding success

Act 2 Scene 4

 2.4    Location: Tyre

    3    not minding longer intending no longer

    5    capital punishable by death

  11    eyes adored eyes that adored

  15    bar prevent    shaft arrow (i.e., vengeance)

  16    his its

  19    respect influence

  20    grieve cause grievance

  23    Happy day i.e., “good day”

  24    griefs grievances

  26    you love i.e., that you love

  29    what…breath what country he is living in

  32    resolved reassured/persuaded    he lives if/that he lives

  33    give’s i.e., it will give us    mourn his funeral mourn at his funeral/regret his death

  34    to…election to choose another ruler

  35    Whose i.e., Pericles’    strongest…censure most likely (probability) in our assessment

  37    left which, if left

  42    Try honour’s cause try being honorable    forbear your suffrages refrain from voting (for me)/avoid electing (another ruler)

  43    forbear leave off/have patience

  47    forbear to endure with patience

  48    not does not

  49    yoke harness (i.e., the servitude of the ruler to the people)

  50    love demonstration of your affection

  52    spend…worth demonstrate your courageous nobility

  53    Whom i.e., Pericles    win unto persuade to

  56    enjoineth instructs/urges

  57    travels journeys (or travails, endeavors)

  59    knit unite

Act 2 Scene 5

 2.5    Location: Pentapolis

    9    Tied her confined herself

  10    twelve moons twelve months    Diana goddess of hunting, virginity, and the moon; also associated with childbirth and with witchcraft    livery uniform (i.e., Thaisa will remain a virgin)

  11    the…Cynthia the moon    Cynthia Diana as moon goddess

  14    dispatched dismissed

  17    nor day nor either day or

  19    absolute certain

  23    Soft be quiet

  25    beholding indebted

  30    desert merit

  42    else if you don’t believe it

  44    that saying that

  45    subtlety trick

  48    to as to

  49    bent directed    offices service

  53    levy raise/intend; possibly misused for    level, aim

  55    might that might

  63    relished tasted    base ignoble/common

  65    state kingdom/rule

  66    accounts of me thinks me

  71    Resolve assure

  72    subscribe sign

  73    made love to courted

  75    that, would that which would

  76    peremptory determined

  81    aught anything

  84    frame adapt/accommodate    will intentions (puns on will, sexual desire)

  92    fosters nourishes

Act 3 Chorus

    1    y-slackèd reduced to inactivity (archaic)    rouse carousing/mirth

    3    breast stomach

    4    pompous magnificent/ceremonious

    5    eyne eyes

    6    couches lies asleep    from away from

    7    crickets sing i.e., crickets that sing

    8    blither more happy    drouth the dryness of their position (crickets were thought to like heat)

    9    Hymen Roman god of marriage

  10    maidenhead virginity

  11    Be attent listen

  12    briefly quickly

  13    fancies imaginations    eche eke out/supplement

  14    plain explain

  15    dern dreary/secret    painful laborious    perch unit of distance (around sixteen and a half feet)

  16    Of for

  17    coigns corners

  21    stead help/assist

  22    Fame rumor    most…inquire inquiries from the most distant places

  24    tenor substance/content

  25    dead being dead

  28    will none will have none of it

  29    t’appease to pacify/subdue

  31    moons months

  32    dooms decisions/judgments

  33    sum summary/essence

  35    Y-ravishèd entranced/enraptured (archaic)

  36    claps applause    can began    sound declare

  37    heir apparent next in line to the throne

  39    Brief in short

  41    cross contradict

  42    dole grief/sorrow

  43    nurse nurse/midwife

  45    Neptune’s billow the waves    Neptune god of the oceans    half…cut they are halfway there    flood waves/rushing water

  46    moved provoked

  47    grizzled grisly/horrible/gray    north north wind (thought to raise storms)

  50    drives is propelled

  51    well-a-near alas

  52    Does…travail goes into labor

  53    fell cruel

  55    nill will not (archaic)    action performance

  56    Conveniently suitably

  57    Which…told i.e., which my story might not be able to convey

  58    hold consider/retain

  60    appears to speak appears and speaks

Act 3 Scene 1

 3.1    Location: a ship

    1    The god i.e., Neptune    vast immense space, i.e., the sea    rebuke repress    surges violent waves

    2    thou Aeolus, god of the winds

    3    bind…brass in Homer’s Odyssey, Aeolus’ island was surrounded by walls of brass

    4    still calm

    5    Thy Pericles may now address Jove, who controlled thunder

    6    nimble sudden    sulphurous flashes lightning

    8    Wilt…thyself i.e., will you spit out all of your thunder and lightning at once    seaman’s whistle used to give orders

    9    as…Unheard as silent as a whisper to the dead

  10    Lucina goddess of childbirth

  14    travails labor, with a pun on “travels”

  16    conceit understanding

  17    like likely

  18    piece fragment/masterpiece

  20    assist i.e., by ranting or weeping

  27    Recall not do not demand the return of    therein in that respect

  28    Use…you deal honorably with you/deserve to be treated honorably by you

  29    charge responsibility

  30    mild…life i.e., may your life be mild

  32    conditions way of life

  33    rudeliest most roughly

  34    Happy what follows may what follows be happy

  35    chiding noisy/tumultuous

  38    thy…here i.e., the cost of losing her mother is so great that in coming into the world Marina has already lost more than the world can ever repay her

  39    portage porterage or freight charges    quit repay

  40    best eyes most favorable aspect

  42    flaw gust/squall

  46    Slack slacken    bowlines ropes used to steady the sails    Thou the storm

  48    But sea-room if we have room to maneuver the ship brine sea

  49    cloudy billow sea spray

  51    works high is turbulent

  55    still always    strong in custom adhere strongly to our traditions

  56    briefly quickly/immediately

  57    straight immediately

  58    meet suitable

  63    hallowed with religious ceremony

  65    for a monument instead of a tomb

  66    aye-remaining lamps ever-burning votive lights    belching spouting

  67    humming murmuring

  69    Nestor the name of an old and wise king in classical mythology

  70    Nicander the name of a Greek poet, physician, and grammarian

  71    satin satin-lined    coffer box/chest

  72    Hie thee go quickly

  73    Suddenly immediately

  74    beneath the hatches below deck

  75    caulked sealed    bitumed made waterproof with bitumen (pitch)

  79    Alter…Tyre alter your direction (course), which is currently toward Tyre

  84    Go thy ways go ahead/go about it

  85    presently at once

Act 3 Scene 2

 3.2    Location: Ephesus

    8    ministered given in assistance    nature a person’s physical strength or constitution

    9    ’pothecary apothecary, who prepares and sells drugs for medicinal purposes

  14    bleak upon exposed to/in an exposed position next to    bleak windswept

  15    as as if

  16    principals main rafters, posts, or braces of a building    rend tear apart

  20    husbandry industriousness

  21    O…well an ironic dismissal responding to the gentleman’s self-depreciation

  23    tire furnishings

  24    repose sleep

  25    conversant familiar    pain labor

  27    hold it ever have always believed

  28    cunning skill/cleverness/knowledge

  29    Careless prodigal/reckless

  30    darken sully/dishonor

  33    physic medicine

  34    turning o’er authorities reading learned books

  35    practice practical investigations

  36    to my aid to assist me in healing    blest infusions medicinal properties

  37    vegetives plants/herbs

  39    works causes

  40    more content truer happiness    in course in the pursuit

  41    tottering honour unstable reputation

  42    tie…bags draw all my pleasure from the acquisition of wealth

  43    To…death i.e., which would please only a fool, or death, who will inherit in the end

  45    Ephesus ancient city on the western coast of Asia Minor (in present-day Turkey), famous for its temple to Diana; also the setting of Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors

  46    call…creatures acknowledge that they owe their lives to you    creatures dependants

  47    not not only

  48    pain labor    your…open i.e., your generosity

  60    o’ercharged overfilled

  61    constraint of fortune act commanded by fortune

  63    close tightly    caulked sealed    bitumed smeared with bitumen (pitch)

  65    billow wave

  68    Soft! Wait a moment!

  70    it i.e., the lid

  73    cloth of state material fit for a queen (literally refers to the canopy over a throne)    balmed embalmed/anointed    entreasured kept as in a treasury

  74    passport document providing identification/guaranteeing admission

  75    Apollo Greco-Roman god of medicine, learning, and music    perfèct me help me to understand    characters handwriting/writing

  77    drives a-land is driven ashore

  79    mundane cost worldly wealth

  80    Who whoever

  85    even just now/fully    This chanced tonight? This happened last night?

  88    rough hasty/careless

  90    closet private room/inner chamber

  93    o’er-pressed overwhelmed    spirits vital powers or energies (in medieval and early modern medicine, substances or fluids thought to permeate the blood and organs)

  95    appliance attention/treatment

  96    Well said well done    cloths the Quarto text’s spelling could indicate cloths or clothes

  98    viol a stringed instrument    how thou stirr’st how slow you are    block blockhead/idiot

101    Nature…her i.e., Nature sets her breathing again

102    above more than

103    ’gins begins    blow blossom/bloom

107    heavenly jewels Thaisa’s eyes

108    fringes…gold Thaisa’s eyelashes

109    diamonds…water Thaisa’s eyes    water luster/quality

112    Rare marvelous/exceptional

116    Most rare most unusual/extraordinary

120    is mortal would be fatal

121    Aesculapius Greco-Roman god of healing (the son of Apollo)

Act 3 Scene 3

 3.3    Location: Tarsus

    3    litigious contentious

    4    Take…you i.e., I cannot thank you enough, the gods will fully reward you

    6    shakes of fortune damaging shocks delivered by fortune    haunt you mortally pursue you with lethal intent

    7    glance…us touch us and amaze us

  13    Marina “child of the sea” (from Latin mare)

  15    charge…withal entrust to your kindness/burden your kindness with

  16    of in

  17    she…born her behavior may match her high status

  20    for…fall the people constantly bless Pericles/the people should always bless Pericles

  21    neglection negligence

  22    common body people of Tarsus

  24    that i.e., that duty    a spur encouragement

  26    To…generation until all procreation stops/until Cleon’s descendants die out

  28    to’t to do it

  31    show ill in’t (shall) look unattractive

  32    blessèd fortunate

  35    respect esteem/fondness or care/attention

  39    masked deceptively calm/withdrawn

Act 3 Scene 4

 3.4    Location: Ephesus

    2    coffer coffin

    3    character handwriting

    4    shipped at sent to

    5    even on just at    eaning time time of giving birth (eaning means “lambing,” but writers also use it of humans)

    6    whether there delivered whether I gave birth there

    7    rightly accurately

    9    vestal livery a virgin priestess’ clothing; Vestal Virgins tended the sacred fire in the temple of Vesta, Roman goddess of the hearth

  11    this…speak you mean to do as you say

  13    abide…expire stay for the rest of your life

  16    recompense payment

Act 4 Chorus

    2    to in accordance with

    4    there’s there is/there as    votaress priestess

    5    bend direct/turn

    6    fast-growing i.e., because fourteen years have passed

    8    music’s letters the study of music

  10    heart and place focal point

  12    wrack ruin/destruction

  13    earnèd justified

  15    kind manner

  17    ripe mature/sexually available

  18    Hight is called (deliberately archaic)    Philoten the name is taken from Gower’s Confessio Amantis

  19    For certain assuredly

  21    sleded separated into fine threads, ready to be used in weaving or embroidery

  22    small slender

  23    nee’le needle

  24    cambric fine white linen originally made in Cambrai, France    sound strong (the embroidery covers the fabric, making it stronger)

  26    night-bird nightingale

  27    records with moan sings in a mournful fashion/recalls sadly; alludes to the classical legend of Philomela, raped by her brother-in-law Tereus and eventually transformed into a nightingale

  28    rich eloquent    constant consistent/loyal

  29    Vail pay homage

  31    absolute incomparable

  32    dove of Paphos white dove sacred to Venus, who rose from the waves near Paphos in Cyprus

  33    Vie feathers white compete to see which had the whiter feathers

  35    as given as compliments    darks eclipses

  36    graceful marks attractive characteristics/signs of virtue

  37    rare exceptional

  38    present immediate

  41    stead assist

  44    pregnant ready/compliant

  45    Pressed pushed forward/forced into service

  46    content pleasure (in watching the play)

  47    wingèd Time Time was represented as an old man with wings

  48    Post quickly    lame…rhyme halting verse    feet metrical units

  49    never…way I could not express (convey) without the help of your imaginations

Act 4 Scene 1

 4.1    Location: Tarsus

    3    soon quickly

    5    love i.e., love for Marina

    7    be…purpose behave like a soldier and do your job

    8    goodly attractive

    9    fitter more appropriate

  10    only one and only

  11    Thou art resolved you have decided

  13    Tellus Roman goddess of the earth    weed garment/clothing

  14    green the green grass of the grave

  17    Ay me alas

  19    lasting perpetual

  20    Whirring rushing/whirling

  21    How now what is the matter    keep remain

  22    How chance how does it happen that

  23    sorrowing sighing (thought to waste the blood and cause ill-health)

  24    Have…me make me your nurse    favour’s appearance is

  26    o’er…margent along the edge of the sea (i.e., on the seashore)

  27    quick invigorating

  28    stomach appetite

  33    With…heart i.e., as if we were relatives/of the same nation

  35    Our…reports our unequalled beauty, as all agree (paragon plays on sense of “rival”)    blasted blighted/withered

  38    courses interests

  39    reserve preserve

  48    warrant promise/assure

  50    softly slowly/gently    heat your blood overexert yourself

  59    Galling chafing/rubbing    haling pulling/hauling

  65    ladder tackle ropes or a rope ladder in the rigging of the ship

  66    canvas climber sailor climbing in the rigging    wolt out are you going

  67    dropping dripping    industry toil/labor

  68    stem to stern from the front to the back of the ship    boatswain ship’s chief officer

  79    by my troth a mild expletive, meaning “by my faith”    troth truth

  82    la an exclamation (like “indeed”)

  88    commission order

  91    well favoured of a good appearance/pleasant-looking    foreshow indicate

  93    caught hurt received an injury

  94    Good sooth in good truth (a mild expletive)

  99    prize ship or property captured at sea

100    Half part fair shares (either in selling Marina or in raping her)

101    have carry    suddenly immediately

102    roguing villainous    Valdes may refer to Pedro de Valdes, a Spanish admiral in the Armada fleet of 1588

106    please themselves upon i.e., rape

108    ravished abducted/raped

Act 4 Scene 2

 4.2    Location: Mytilene    three bawds the term “bawd” (one who sells another person for sex) could still be used of both sexes    Pander a stereotypical name for a male bawd, derived from Pandarus who brought Troilus and Cressida together    Bolt a projectile or a pin for fastening (both with phallic associations), “to bolt” means “to sift”

    3    narrowly carefully    Mytilene chief town of the Greek island of Lesbos

    4    gallants fashionable young men    mart market

    6    creatures servants (i.e., whores)

    7    but poor three only three

    8    action sexual action

    9    rotten diseased (“rot” means venereal disease)

  10    fresh inexperienced/undiseased

  11    If…trade if we don’t conscientiously provide our customers with good products (conscience also carries sexual puns: to have a ready    conscience is to have an erection, and con is a slang term for the vagina)

  13    ’Tis…bastards i.e., bringing up the prostitutes’ bastard children does not make us a profit

  16    to…again and lowered them to prostitution as soon as they turned eleven

  18    stuff prostitutes (used to refer to the genitals and to goods)

  19    blow…pieces make them fall apart/disintegrate as a result of syphilis

  20    sodden suffering from syphilis (i.e., stewed, as if in a sweating tub)

  21    unwholesome diseased

  22    o’conscience on my conscience (a mild expletive)

  23    baggage slut

  24    pooped infected or killed with venereal disease (“poop” is a slang term for female genitals)

  25    roast…worms a meal for worms    roast meat a body corrupted by venereal disease

  27    chequins Italian gold coins (zecchini), worth between seven shillings, and nine shillings and a sixpence

  28    proportion portion/fortune    give over i.e., retire

  30    get gain/make money (can also mean breed/copulate)

  31    our…danger a good reputation isn’t gained as easily as profits (commodity), nor do the profits measure up to the risks (with a pun on commodity, referring to the whores)

  33    if…hatched if we could earn enough while we were young, it would not be a mistake to close our door to business

  35    sore severe

  36    the…o’er the gods’ disapproval should encourage us to retire

  38    sorts kinds/social ranks/professions    as…we in addition to us; the Pander takes it to mean “as skillfully as we do”

  40    profession career; puns on “profession” in the sense of “declaration of love”

  41    calling vocation

  42    Come your ways come along

  45    gone through bargained (puns on “go,” to copulate)

  46    piece piece of flesh: a pejorative term for a woman or girl    so well and good

  47    earnest deposit

  48    qualities accomplishments

  50    there’s…refused i.e., these are all the qualities she needs

  53    be bated get it reduced (by)    do it a small Dutch coin, worth around one-eighth of a penny (i.e., a negligible amount)

  54    pieces gold pieces (often refers to the unite of James I, worth about twenty shillings)

  56    presently immediately

  58    raw unpolished    entertainment reception of her clients

  59    marks characteristics

  61    warrant assurance/guarantee

  66    Performance shall follow I will do as you say (puns on sexual    performance)

  73    done their part done well by you/fulfilled their obligations in you

  76    are light have fallen (light can also mean wanton/promiscuous)

  77    like likely

  78    fault misfortune

  82    taste have sexual knowledge of

  83    of all fashions of all kinds/manners

  84    difference range/variety    complexions constitutions/appearances

  87    an if

  89    honest chaste/respectable

  90    Marry by the Virgin Mary (a mild oath) whip the gosling confound the little fool; prostitutes were called geese, so a    gosling might be a young or inexperienced prostitute

  91    something…you have some trouble with you (with a sexual pun on do)

  92    sapling a young tree    bowed made to bend

  95    by by means of

  96    comfort give (sexual pleasure) to    feed sexually gratify

  97    stir you up arouse you

  98    cried her advertised her

100    almost…hairs in minute detail/any number of times

106    testament will

107    Spaniard syphilis was known as “the Spanish pox”    went…to was aroused by

109    his best ruff may indicate the Spaniard’s pleasure at the report of Marina and has further sexual connotations;    ruff was frequently used to refer to the female genitalia and a torn ruff could be an emblem of the wearer’s moral frailty

111    Tonight, tonight! i.e., he’ll be here tonight

112    French syphilis was also known as “the French pox”    cowers i’th’hams is bow-legged, indicating his sexual debility

113    Veroles from French vérole, “syphilis”

114    offered to attempted    cut a caper leap or dance for joy; to    caper can also mean to fornicate

115    he…it the attempt made him groan in pain

117    he…hither he was already suffering from syphilis

118    repair cure/renew

119    in our shadow under our roof    scatter…sun refers to the baldness caused by syphilis and to French gold coins

121    traveller visitor (puns on “travail,” painful or laborious effort, used as a euphemism for sexual activity)

122    lodge house/intercept    this sign either the sign of the brothel or Marina herself

124    You…you i.e., you will earn a lot of money (with a sexual pun on coming upon)

126    despise seem to despise

128    makes encourages

129    mere clear

132    take her home talk plainly to her

134    present immediate    practice sexual activity

136    shame modesty/reluctance    which…warrant which she is entitled to do (may refer to the bride or to Marina)

138    Faith…not i.e., some of the brides are bashful, others are not

140    cut…spit cut some meat from the joint while it is still roasting/have sex with Marina before the customers do

143    manner fashion

148    sojourner guest

149    you’ll…custom i.e., the greater number of customers they have, the more Bolt will earn in tips

150    this piece i.e., Marina    piece girl/masterpiece    good turn favor/good sexual experience

151    paragon embodiment of perfection

153    warrant promise/assure    thunder…inclined just as thunder rouses eels from the mud, the description of Marina will (sexually) arouse the brothel’s customers (the phallic eels are paralleled with the customers’ penises)

154    giving out advertising

155    stirs up arouses    lewdly inclined lecherous

157    Come your ways come along

159    Untried…keep i.e., I will protect my virginity

160    aid my purpose i.e., help me

Act 4 Scene 3

 4.3    Location: Tarsus

    7    blood rank/social status

    8    crown ruler

    9    I’th’justice of compare in a fair comparison

  11    drunk…face if Dionyza had merely toasted him, sparing his life, it would have been an act that suited her appearance better

  14    Nurses…preserve those who look after a child cannot control its destiny as the Fates can, to raise it is not to make it live forever

  16    cross deny

  18    for…attribute to get a reputation for honesty

  20    go to an expression of irritation

  24    petty…Pericles alludes to the folklore tradition in which secret murders are revealed by birds    petty small/weak    hence from here

  25    open reveal

  29    but…consent merely gave his approval, not his initial consent    approbation expression of approval

  30    did not would not    flow…courses derive from honorable origins (courses)

  33    came dead i.e., came to be dead

  38    blurted at derided    malkin wench/slut

  39    Not…day not worth greeting

  40    course course of action

  41    You…loving i.e., because you don’t love your own child very much

  42    greets me presents itself to me    enterprise of kindness action motivated by natural affection

  46    yet still

  47    epitaphs inscriptions on her tomb

  48    characters letters

  49    general universal

  51    like…talons like the treacherous harpy, which uses its angelic face to deceive its victims, giving it the opportunity to seize them with its eagle’s talons    harpy mythological creature with a woman’s face and torso and a bird of prey’s wings and claws

  55    swear…flies complain to the gods about something as natural as the winter killing flies/blame the death of flies on winter, rather than acknowledging your own guilt

Act 4 Second Chorus

    1    waste quickly pass over    leagues distances (a league is around three miles)

    2    cockles seashells/small shell-shaped boats    and…for’t just by wishing for it

    3    Making to proceeding to (usually applied to ships)

    4    bourn boundary/limit

    6    several different    clime country/region

    8    i’th’gaps in time gaps (between the scenes represented)

    9    stages…story i.e., both the periods of time and the places in which events occurred

  10    thwarting crossing/defying    wayward contrary/hostile

  15    late recently

  16    time due time

  18    Think…on imagine that thought pilots Pericles, and let your imagination go with the steering of his ship

  21    motes specks of dust/particles    shadows spirits/illusions

  22    Your…reconcile i.e., I’ll explain what you see

  23    foul show hypocrisy

  24    borrowed pretended/assumed    stands for stands in for

  29    bears carries (with him/inside him)

  30    tempest i.e., raging emotions    mortal vessel i.e., his body

  31    rides it out survives it    wit understand/be assured (perhaps archaic)

  32    is that is

  39    Thetis…bestowed the sea (Thetis—a sea nymph and the mother of the Greek hero Achilles, often confused (as here) with Tethys, the sister and wife of Oceanus) swelled with pride at the birth of Marina (Thetis’ birth-child), and the land, afraid of being swamped (o’erflowed), decided to give Marina to the heavens

  42    she i.e., Thetis    stint cease

  43    Make…flint furiously beating against the rocky shore

  44    visor mask

  47    bear permit    courses life (with a nautical pun; a course is the direction in which a ship sails)    orderèd managed/dictated

  48    scene stage

  49    heavy sorrowful    well-a-day lamentation/grief

Act 4 Scene 4

 4.4   Location: Mytilene

    4    divinity moral statements/talk about divine things

    7    bawdy houses brothels    shall’s shall we (“shall us”)    vestals Vestal Virgins

    9    road path; also a euphemism for the vagina    rutting sexual activity

Act 4 Scene 5

    1    I…here I would rather have lost twice what she is worth than have had her come here

    4    Priapus god of fertility and lechery    undo…generation prevent the conception of the next generation/make a whole generation unhappy/ruin us financially

    6    do…fitment do that which is fitting/proper (with a sexual pun on fit)

    7    kindness goodness/sexual favor

    8    quirks verbal tricks/quibbles    master main/principal

    9    puritan person with strict (or apparently strict) religious or moral convictions

  10    cheapen bargain for

  11    disfurnish strip/deprive

  12    cavalleria society of knights/gentlemen (from Italian), i.e., the regular customers of the brothel    swearers people who use bad language/delinquents

  14    green-sickness chlorosis, an anaemic disease (a metaphor for female sexual squeamishness)    for me as far as I’m concerned

  15    rid on’t rid of it

  16    the…pox i.e., sexual intercourse

  18    loon rogue/commoner

  19    peevish silly/spiteful/perverse/coy    baggage a worthless or immoral woman/slut    give way yield sexually

  21    how how much for

  22    the…bless I pray the gods to bless/may the gods bless entirely

  25    that…legs if your clients (resorters) appear healthy (sound) (with a sexual pun on stand)

  26    Wholesome iniquity healthy sin

  27    deal withal have sexual dealings with

  30    deeds of darkness sexual acts (a common euphemism)

  32    what…say what I am saying

  35    flesh woman in a sexual capacity/whore/penis    blood seat of sexual appetite/semen/may also refer to menstrual or hymeneal blood    white and red a conventional description of female beauty

  36    rose maid/maidenhead    if…but— the missing words are probably “a thorn”; Bolt says that Marina is sexually inexperienced: she would be a true rose if only she would have (i.e., accept) a thorn (i.e., a penis)

  39    modest decorous/chaste

  40    That…chaste i.e., modesty gives a bawd a good reputation (renown), no less than it gives a good character (report) to any number of (probably unchaste) people

  43    that…yet is a still virgin; Bolt reduces Marina to her virginity, which is a rose whose stalk has not yet been broken in being plucked

  46    she…sea she would satisfy a sex-starved traveler

  50    have done presently be done soon

  52    note pay attention to the fact that

  54    worthily note pay due respect to

  57    bound obliged

  58    bound subject

  59    in that i.e., in his government

  61    virginal fencing quibbling about/defense of your virginity

  62    use him kindly treat him pleasantly/acquiesce to his sexual needs    He…gold he will reward you financially and (it is implied) sexually (line, copulate with; white    aprons were associated with whores)

  64    graciously virtuously/through divine grace

  67    she’s…yet she hasn’t yet been trained sexually    paced smooth in her gait (used of a horse)

  68    work…manage train her    manage training of a horse

  70    Go thy ways go along

  72    trade profession, i.e., prostitution (euphemistically referred to as trade)

  80    go to’t i.e., have sexual intercourse

  81    gamester prostitute

  84    creature of sale whore

  86    resort attracting such clientele; “house of resort” is a euphemistic term for a brothel

  87    parts qualities

  89    principal mistress (i.e., the Bawd)

  92    herb-woman a euphemistic title for the Bawd, playing on the sexual associations of seed and root in the following lines

  93    sets…iniquity plants and nurtures sinful activities, with sexual puns on    seed (semen) and    root (penis)

  96    my…thee i.e., I will wink at your offenses

  99    If…now if you were born to rule, prove it

100    If…it if you were appointed to rule/have risen to noble status, validate the judgment of those who thought you worthy of that position

102    sage wise/discreet

105    sty brothel

106    Diseases…physic i.e., it costs more to buy a venereal disease (through buying a whore) than it does to pay for the treatment

109    meanest most humble

115    clear blameless/unstained

118    be you thoughten assure yourself

120    savour smell/reek

121    piece of virtue virtuous woman/outstanding example

122    training upbringing/education

128    Avaunt begone/go away    doorkeeper pander

129    prop it hold it up

132    course course of action    peevish silly/spiteful/perverse/coy

134    cope canopy (the sky)

135    spaniel proverbially submissive dog

136    Whither…me? what do you want of me, plays on sexual sense of “have”

138    hangman…it or I’ll have you executed (pun on maidenhead makes a common equation between sex and death)

148    dealt…nobleman i.e., liberally (in his sexual behavior and/or his financial reward)

152    crack…virginity take her virginity by force (glass alludes to the fragility of the hymen and of women’s sexual reputation)

154    An if if/even if    thornier…ground i.e., an even more resistant victim (ground, woman as land vulnerable to tillage)

155    ploughed penetrated/raped

157    conjures invokes supernatural aid

160    Marry, come up an exclamation used to express indignant or amused surprise or contempt

161    rosemary used in cooking and as a decoration at weddings and funerals; recommended by some herbalists to induce menstruation or abortion    bays bay leaves are also used in cooking (perhaps puns on bay, vagina)

164    the jewel i.e., her virginity

167    thing with leering innuendo (thing can mean female genitalia)

168    What…be? i.e., what is the worst thing you could wish upon your enemy

172    do…command have the advantage of having authority over you

173    place position/job    painèd’st most tormented

174    change exchange

175    doorkeeper pander

176    Coistrel knave/scoundrel    Tib whore (a pet form of “Isabel,” a general name for prostitutes)

177    To…liable you are vulnerable to the angry attack (choleric fisting) of any rogue

178    thy…lungs i.e., you take nourishment from something that is unhealthy

181    would you would you have me

182    for…leg only to end up losing a leg

186    receptacles containers/vessels    shores waterside rubbish dumps or sewage channels

187    by indenture on a contract/as an apprentice

189    professest make a profession of    baboon baboons were proverbially lustful

190    own…dear value his reputation too highly

194    virtues accomplishments

200    basest groom lowest scoundrel

204    honest virtuous/chaste

205    my…little I have few friends

210    tractable compliant/cooperative

211    Come your ways come along

Act 5 Chorus

    3    she…goddess-like i.e., she dances as well as she sings

    4    lays songs

    5    Deep learned/erudite    clerks scholars    dumbs reduces to silence    nee’le needle

    7    sisters closely resembles

    8    inkle linen tape/linen thread    silk silk thread or the silk on which she embroiders    twin are identical to    rubied red

  19    His its    sable black (used in heraldry)

  20    hies hurries

  21    supposing imagination

  22    heavy sorrowful    bark ship

  23    what…action i.e., what is acted    if might if it were possible

Act 5 Scene 1

 5.1    Location: off the shore of Mytilene

    1    resolve satisfy/answer

    9    some of worth someone of rank/value

  10    fairly cordially/politely

  12    aught you would anything you would like to know

  14    reverent worthy of respect

  16    die…do i.e., die honorably

  18    triumphs festivities

  21    place position/rank

  24    this the past

  26    prorogue prolong

  27    Upon…distemperature? What is the cause of his mental disturbance?

  28    tedious painful/tiresome

  32    bootless fruitless/unavailing

  36    mortal fatal

  45    chosen choice/special    allure win over

  46    make…stopped i.e., penetrate the parts of his body that are currently so deafened that attempts to communicate can get only halfway in

  48    all happy endowed with all good qualities

  52    effectless useless

  53    bears recovery’s name can be called a cure

  60    graft grafted plant

  61    inflict afflict (with famine)

  62    at large without restraint/in detail

  67    present i.e., gift that may restore Pericles to health

  68    gallant fine/splendid

  70    gentle kind honorable family/lineage    stock descent/ancestry

  71    rarely wed i.e., married to an exceptional person

  72    consists is embodied/resides

  74    prosperous beneficial    artificial feat skillful accomplishment

  75    aught anything

  76    physic treatment/medicine

  80    suffered allowed    The Song see text at end of Textual Notes, here.

  84    Marked he did he notice

  93    justly weighed assessed equally

  94    wayward hostile/erratic    did…state was hostile toward my welfare

  97    rooted out torn up

  98    awkward casualties perverse mishaps

100    something…ear i.e., something tells me    glows flushes with expectation

107    What countrywoman? i.e., what is your nationality

112    great pregnant/heavy    deliver give birth/speak

114    square brows high and broad forehead

115    as wand-like straight as straight as a rod

117    cased enclosed    pace gait/movement    Juno Roman goddess, wife of Jupiter, renowned for stately beauty

118    starves…speech i.e., the more she says, the more they want to hear

124    to owe by owning them

129    Modest as justice alludes to the virginal goddess of justice, Astraea    thou…in i.e., you seem to be virtuous enough for truth to make its home in you

131    relation story

132    To even to

133    friends relatives

141    opened revealed/made plain

144    warrant tell/assure    likely appropriate

147    my endurance what I have endured

149    Patience i.e., a statue of Patience on a tomb

150    Extremity hardship    act action

172    Motion? i.e., can you move

180    Delivered weeping said tearfully

182    dulled gloomy/lethargic

183    withal with

184    buried who I thought was buried

188    by the syllable in every word

194    drawn drawn his sword

197    Whither…me? i.e., where are your questions leading

198    imposture imposter    good faith truly

200    be lives

204    general all things

205    like likely

209    Speaks who speaks

212    still silent/motionless

214    Give…gash wound me    present immediate

216    O’erbear overwhelm

218    beget’st gives life to

221    as…us with shouts as loud as the thunder with which they threaten us

225    did ever sleep were laid to rest

239    When whereupon    justify in knowledge assure yourself beyond all doubt

245    wild…beholding made delirious by what I see

248    doubt have suspicions about

249    sure certainly

252    music…spheres harmony supposedly produced by the movement of stars and planets on the concentric spheres thought to surround the earth    List listen

253    cross contradict/challenge

254    Rarest most splendid/exceptional

257    nips compels

261    answer…belief prove true, as I expect

262    well remember recall you vividly/reward you handsomely

263    Hie thee thither go there quickly

265    maiden virginal/chaste

268    crosses trials/misfortunes    Call speak out loudly/declare

269    give…life describe them faithfully

271    silver bow i.e., crescent moon

273    argentine silvery

276    purpose was for intention was to go to

279    blown swollen/wind-driven    eftsoons shortly

Act 5 Second Chorus

    2    More a little a little more

    3    boon request/favor

    5    aptly easily/readily

    7    minstrelsy noisy music    pretty din pleasing noise

  11    wise way

  12    he i.e., Pericles

  13    bound i.e., by his promise to Diana/on his way

  14    interim…confound make the intervening time seem as nothing

  15    feathered briefness the speed of a bird in flight

  20    by…doom thanks to the consent of your imagination

Act 5 Scene 2

 5.2    Location: Ephesus

    1    just righteous/exact

    2    confess admit/proclaim

    7    Wears…livery i.e., is still a virgin

    9    stars fortune/destiny

  10    against…Riding as we were anchored

  14    favour appearance

  19    reverend appearer person who appears reverend

  32    sanctity i.e., religious vows

  33    sense i.e., desire    bend direct    licentious lustful

  34    curb restrain    spite of seeing in spite of what I see

  46    sports amusements/entertainments

  54    yielded born

  59    substitute deputy

  66    How possibly preserved by what possible means you were preserved

  72    officer agent

  77    all all that

  78    came placèd came to be placed

  82    Night oblations nightly/evening prayers

  83    fair handsome

  85    this ornament i.e., Pericles’ beard and long hair

  86    Makes which makes    to form into shape

  89    of good credit credible

  91    there in Pentapolis

  94    son i.e., Lysimachus

  95    do…stay i.e., frustrate our longing

  96    untold that is untold

Epilogue

    4    keen harsh/cruel

    5    fell cruel/savage

    7    descry see/discover

    8    figure emblem

  10    aye always/forever

  11    fame report/rumor

  12    to against

  13    to…turn the citizens become angry

  15    so in this manner

  16    although…meant even though it was not done, but only intended