A lone figure, venerable and archaically dressed, steps onto the bare stage: “To sing a song that old was sung / From ashes ancient Gower is come.” Probably begun by a hack dramatist in 1607 and completed by Shakespeare in 1608, Pericles marks a fresh departure for the master after his exclusive focus on tragedy in the previous few years (Macbeth, King Lear, Timon of Athens, Antony and Cleopatra, and the contemporaneous Coriolanus). In his next group of plays, Shakespeare worked in a much more mellow form. The sea, the voyage, the storm, the unlucky and lucky chances, the years of quest and grief, the child lost and found, the resurrection of the apparently dead: this is the matter of the enduring literary form of romance.
One of the most widely circulated and oft-repeated tales from ancient Greece was that of Apollonius of Tyre, who wandered round virtually the whole of the Mediterranean world before what he had lost was restored to him. Chaucer’s friend, John Gower, included a version of it in his rambling poetic repository of old stories, Confessio Amantis. Just over two hundred years later, Gower was brought back to life on the boards of the Globe Theatre, with Apollonius renamed Pericles. The poet serves as Chorus, guiding the audience through the story, asking us to hold in imagination the wanderer’s ship, two great storms, and a series of landfalls at Antioch and Tarsus in the northeastern corner of the Mediterranean, way over at Pentapolis in North Africa, back at Tarsus and Tyre, and eventually at Ephesus and Mytilene on the Aegean.
Old songs are true in deep but simple ways. If we come to Pericles looking for the psychological complexities of Shakespearean tragedy, we will be disappointed. There are none of the subtle shades of moral gray that endlessly fascinate us in Antony and Cleopatra, another play that circles around the ancient Mediterranean world and that may have been written immediately before Pericles. Instead, we have to accept black and white, and, most disconcertingly, white becoming black (Dionyza is protectress one moment, murderess the next), then black becoming white (Lysimachus sets out to deflower Marina in a brothel, but ends up being deemed a fit husband for her).
The play proceeds by a series of tableaux and formal dumb shows that offer stark contrasts: first Pericles woos a daughter whose relationship with her father is turned inward in incest, then he woos a daughter whose father banteringly pretends to play the oppressive patriarch when really he is delighted that she has fallen in love with the knight in rusty armor. The narrative begins with a daughter who is “an eater of her mother’s flesh / By the defiling of her parents’ bed.” It ends with a daughter who regenerates her father. In Pericles’ extraordinary line, “Thou that beget’st him that did thee beget,” the daughter seems to father her father without any trace of illicit desire. Having converted the clientele of the brothel, and even the randy old Bolt, from lust to honesty, now Marina brings her father from unshaven sack-clothed wandering to a new life. The fifth act’s inversion of the first act’s perversion suggests that, episodic though it may be, the play has its own unity. Though the first two acts were written by another dramatist, George Wilkins, and the last three by Shakespeare, the stitching together of the plot was effectively done.
The language is more variable. It only begins to thrill with the hum of late Shakespearean verse from the great storm speech onward: “O still / Thy deaf’ning dreadful thunders, gently quench / Thy nimble sulphurous flashes!” From here to the end of the play, there are certain speeches of quite extraordinary beauty and power. Most revelatory of all is the reunion of father and daughter, which recapitulates yet somehow goes beyond the reunion of Lear and Cordelia. Shakespeare never wrote a more moving scene.
AUTHORSHIP: By Shakespeare and George Wilkins, author of pamphlets and plays all published in the period 1606–08, including The Miseries of Enforced Marriage (1607), acted by the King’s Men. Most dramatic collaborations in the period include an element of alternation of scenes between authors, whereas in Pericles there is a clear break, with Wilkins composing the first two acts and Shakespeare the last three. This suggests that Wilkins began the play and abandoned it halfway through, leaving Shakespeare, the company dramatist, to finish it (and perhaps to apply some polish to the first half). Wilkins seems not to have written any more plays after 1608, so perhaps there was a falling out, which may have been exacerbated by his publication of a prose romance, The Painfull Adventures of Pericles Prince of Tyre (“Being the true History of the Play of Pericles, as it was lately presented by the worthy and ancient Poet John Gower”), closely based on the play.
PLOT: Pericles goes to Antioch as suitor to the daughter of King Antiochus. He solves a riddle, but it reveals a terrible secret about the king, so he has to flee. Unsafe even at home in Tyre, he leaves the trusted Helicanus to govern and sails for Tarsus, where he relieves the city of famine, earning the gratitude of governor Cleon and his wife Dionyza. Pericles is then shipwrecked and washed up on the shores of Pentapolis, where he is rescued by fishermen. They take him to the court of King Simonides, who is celebrating the birthday of his daughter Thaisa with a grand tournament. Pericles, concealing his identity, defeats the many knights jousting for the princess’ hand and wins her. Antiochus dies. His life no longer in danger—and his identity finally revealed—Pericles sets sail for Tyre with Thaisa, now pregnant with their first child. During a storm, Thaisa dies giving birth to a daughter and is buried at sea. Pericles lands at Tarsus and entrusts his baby daughter, christened Marina, to the care of Cleon and Dionyza. Thaisa’s coffin lands at Ephesus, where she is revived by the physician Cerimon. She enters the temple of Diana as a nun. Fourteen years pass. Marina attracts the envy of Dionyza, who arranges her murder, only for her to be abducted by pirates who sell her into a brothel in Mytilene, where her chastity proves bad for business. Lysimachus, the governor, visiting the brothel in disguise, is greatly impressed by her. Pericles, still wandering the seas, arrives by chance at Mytilene, where his ship is visited by Lysimachus. The latter has Marina brought aboard in an attempt to rouse Pericles from his sorrows. When their conversation reveals her to be his daughter, Pericles is overjoyed. In a dream, the goddess Diana directs him to make sacrifice at her temple in Ephesus and they set sail to accomplish this final act.
MAJOR PARTS: (with percentage of lines/number of speeches/scenes on stage) Pericles (25%/121/10), Gower (13%/8/8), Marina (8%/63/5), Simonides (6%/42/3), Helicanus (5%/37/5), Cleon (5%/19/3), Cerimon (4%/23/3), Lysimachus (4%/40/2), Bawd (4%/43/2), Dionyza (4%/19/ 4), Thaisa (3%/32/6), Bolt (3%/38/2), Antiochus (3%/12/1).
LINGUISTIC MEDIUM: 80% verse, 20% prose.
DATE: 1608. Registered for publication May 1608; Wilkins’ novel The Painfull Adventures of Pericles, cashing in on the success of the play, published 1608; performance seen by Venetian and French ambassadors, probably between April and July 1608. Frequency of editions and subsequent allusions suggest that the play was a considerable popular success.
SOURCES: Based primarily on the story of Apollonius of Tyre (an ancient romance) in book 8 of John Gower’s fourteenth-century poem, Confessio Amantis; some use of Lawrence Twine’s version of the same story in the 1607 novella The Patterne of Painefull Aduentures, which was also borrowed from extensively by Wilkins in his novelization of the play.
TEXT: Not in the First Folio, perhaps because the editors knew that Shakespeare only contributed the second half. Added to the second issue of the Third Folio (1664), together with a number of “apocryphal” plays. Though originally registered in 1608 by Edward Blount, who would eventually publish the Folio, Pericles appeared in Quarto in 1609 under the imprint of a different publisher, with title THE LATE, and much admired Play, called Pericles, Prince of Tyre. With the true Relation of the whole Historie, aduentures, and fortunes of the said Prince: As also, The no lesse strange, and worthy accidents, in the Birth and Life, of his Daughter MARIANA. As it hath been diuers and sundry times acted by his Maiesties Seruants, at the Globe on the Banck-side. By William Shakespeare. The printing is of poor quality, with many corruptions and incomprehensible sequences, thus requiring more editorial intervention than is necessary in any Folio play. Wilkins’ novelization assists in the interpretation of some passages, but since we do not know the exact status of his treatment in relation to Shakespeare’s, it is unsafe to incorporate its readings into the text, as some editors have done. The Quarto went through six editions (two in 1609 alone), attesting to the play’s popularity. The Sixth Quarto of 1635, together with the 1634 Quarto of The Two Noble Kinsmen, may have been intended to supplement the 1632 Second Folio.
GOWER, the Chorus
PERICLES, Prince of Tyre
MARINA, his daughter
Antioch
ANTIOCHUS, King of Antioch
Antiochus’ DAUGHTER
THALIARD, a lord
MESSENGER
Tyre
FIRST LORD
SECOND LORD
HELICANUS, a grave and wise counselor
ESCANES, an old counselor
THIRD LORD
Tarsus
CLEON, governor of Tarsus
DIONYZA, Cleon’s wife
LORD
OTHER TARSIANS
LEONINE
FIRST PIRATE
SECOND PIRATE
THIRD PIRATE
Pentapolis
FIRST FISHERMAN, the master
SECOND FISHERMAN
THIRD FISHERMAN
SIMONIDES, King of Pentapolis
THAISA, Simonides’ daughter
FIRST KNIGHT, of Sparta
SECOND KNIGHT, of Macedon
THIRD KNIGHT, of Antioch
FOURTH KNIGHT
FIFTH KNIGHT
FIRST LORD
SECOND LORD
THIRD LORD
MARSHAL
On the ship
FIRST SAILOR, the ship’s master
SECOND SAILOR
LYCHORIDA, Marina’s nurse
Ephesus
Lord CERIMON
PHILEMON, his attendant
FIRST SERVANT
A survivor of the storm
FIRST GENTLEMAN
SECOND GENTLEMAN
CERIMON’S SERVANT
DIANA, goddess of chastity
Mytilene
PANDER
BAWD, pander’s wife
BOLT, pander and bawd’s servant
FIRST GENTLEMAN
SECOND GENTLEMAN
LYSIMACHUS, governor of Mytilene
SAILOR OF TYRE
SAILOR OF MYTILENE
FIRST GENTLEMAN, of Tyre
LORD, of Mytilene
Marina’s companion
Followers, Attendants, Gentlemen, Messengers, Lords, Servants, Priests of Diana
Enter Gower*
From ashes ancient2 Gower is come,
Assuming man’s infirmities3
To glad your ear and please your eyes.
5 It hath been sung at festivals,
On ember eves6 and holidays,
And lords and ladies in their lives
Have read it for restoratives.8
The purchase9 is to make men glorious,
10 Et10 bonum quo antiquius eo melius.
If you — born in these latter times,
When wit’s12 more ripe — accept my rhymes,
And that to hear an old man sing
May to your wishes pleasure bring,
15 I15 life would wish, and that I might
Waste16 it for you like taper light.
This Antioch,17 then: Antiochus the great
Built up this city for his chiefest seat18 —
The fairest in all Syria.
20 I tell you what mine authors20 say:
This king unto him took a peer,21
Who died and left a female heir,
So buxom,23 blithe and full of face
As24 heaven had lent her all his grace,
25 With whom the father liking25 took
And her to incest did provoke:
Bad child, worse father, to entice his own
To evil should be done by none.
But custom29 what they did begin
30 Was with long use30 account’ no sin.
The beauty of this sinful dame
Made many princes thither frame32
To seek her as a bedfellow,
In marriage pleasures, playfellow,
35 Which to prevent he made a law
To keep her still,36 and men in awe:
That whoso37 asked her for his wife,
His38 riddle told not, lost his life.
So for her many a wight39 did die, Points to the heads on display above, or reveals them
40 As yon40 grim looks do testify.
What now ensues, to41 the judgement of your eye
I give my cause, who best can justify.
Exit
Enter Antiochus, Prince Pericles and Followers
The danger of the task you undertake?
Emboldened with the glory of her praise
5 Think death no hazard in this enterprise.
Bring in our daughter, clothèd like a bride
For embracements8 even of Jove himself,
At whose9 conception, till Lucina reigned,
10 Nature this dowry gave: to glad her presence10
The senate house11 of planets all did sit,
To knit12 in her their best perfections.
Enter Antiochus’ Daughter
Graces her subjects,14 and her thoughts the king
15 Of every virtue gives15 renown to men:
Her face the book of praises,16 where is read
Nothing but curious17 pleasures, as from thence
Sorrow were ever razed,18 and testy wrath
Could never be her mild companion.19
20 You gods that made me man and sway20 in love,
That have inflamed desire in my breast
To taste22 the fruit of yon celestial tree
Or die in the adventure, be my helps,
As I am son and servant to your will,
25 To compass25 such a boundless happiness.
With golden fruit, but dangerous to be touched,
30 For deathlike30 dragons here affright thee hard.
Her face, like heaven, enticeth thee to view
Her countless32 glory, which desert must gain,
And which without desert, because thine eye
Presumes to reach,34 all the whole heap must die.
35 Yon35 sometimes famous princes, like thyself Points to the heads
Drawn by report, adventurous36 by desire,
Tell thee with speechless tongues and semblance37 pale
That without covering save yon38 field of stars
Here they stand, martyrs slain in Cupid’s wars,
40 And with dead cheeks advise thee to desist
From going41 on death’s net, whom none resist.
My frail mortality43 to know itself,
And by those fearful objects44 to prepare
45 This body, like to them, to what I must:
For death remembered46 should be like a mirror
Who tells us life’s but breath,47 to trust it error.
I’ll make my will, then, and as sick men do
Who know the world, see heaven, but feeling woe
50 Grip not at earthly joys as50 erst they did.
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 unspotted54 fire of love to you.— To Daughter
55 Thus ready for the way of life or death, To Antiochus
I wait the sharpest blow.
Which read and not expounded, ’tis decreed,
As these59 before thee, thou thyself shalt bleed.
Of all ’ssayed yet, I wish thee happiness.
Nor63 ask advice of any other thought
But faithfulness and courage.
The riddle Reads
65 ‘I am no viper,65 yet I feed
On mother’s flesh which did me breed.
I sought a husband, in which labour67
I found that kindness68 in a father.
He’s father, son and husband mild,
70 I mother, wife and yet his child:
How they may be, and yet in two,71
As you will live resolve it you.’
Sharp physic73 is the last!— But O, you powers Aside
That gives heaven countless eyes74 to view men’s acts,
75 Why cloud75 they not their sights perpetually
If this be true, which makes me pale to read it?—
Fair glass of light,77 I loved you, and could still To Daughter
Were not this glorious casket79 stored with ill.
But I must tell you, now my thoughts revolt,
80 For he’s no man on80 whom perfections wait,
That knowing81 sin within will touch the gate.
You are a fair viol,82 and your sense the strings,
Who, fingered83 to make man his lawful music,
Would draw heaven down, and all the gods to hearken.
85 But being played upon85 before your time,
Hell86 only danceth at so harsh a chime.
Good sooth,87 Pericles gestures toward
I care not for you. the Daughter
For that’s an article89 within our law
90 As dangerous as the rest. Your time’s expired:
Either expound now or receive your sentence.
Few love to hear the sins they love to act,
’Twould braid94 yourself too near for me to tell it.
95 Who95 has a book of all that monarchs do,
He’s more secure to keep it shut than shown.
For vice97 repeated is like the wandering wind
Blows dust in others’ eyes to spread itself.
And99 yet the end of all is bought thus dear,
100 The breath is gone and the sore eyes see clear
To stop the air would hurt them. The blind mole casts
Copped102 hills towards heaven, to tell the earth is thronged
By man’s oppression, and the poor worm103 doth die for’t.
Kings are earth’s gods: in vice, their law’s their will,
105 And if Jove stray, who dares say Jove doth ill?
It is enough you know, and it is fit,
What107 being more known grows worse, to smother it.
All love the womb that their first being bred,
Then give my tongue like leave109 to love my head.
He has found the meaning,
But I will gloze with111 him.—
Young prince of Tyre, To Pericles
Though by the tenor112 of your strict edict,
Your exposition113 misinterpreting,
We might proceed to cancel of114 your days,
115 Yet hope, succeeding from so fair a tree
As your fair self, doth116 tune us otherwise.
Forty days longer we do respite you,
If by which time our secret be undone,118
This mercy shows we’ll joy119 in such a son.
120 And until then your entertain120 shall be
As doth befit our honour and your worth.
[Exeunt.] Pericles remains alone
When what is done is like an hypocrite,
The which is good in nothing but in sight.124
125 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 untimely129 claspings with your child —
130 Which pleasures fits a husband, not a father —
And she an eater of her mother’s flesh
By the defiling of her parents’ bed.
And both like serpents are, who though133 they feed
On sweetest flowers, yet they poison breed.
135 Antioch farewell, for wisdom sees those men135
Blush not in actions blacker than the night
Will ’schew137 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.
140 Poison and treason are the hands of sin —
Ay, and the targets141 to put off the shame.
Then lest my life be cropped,142 to keep you clear,
By flight, I’ll shun the danger which I fear.
Exit
Enter Antiochus
145 For which we mean to have his head:
He must not live to trumpet forth146 my infamy,
Nor tell the world Antiochus doth sin
In such a loathèd manner.
And therefore instantly this prince must die,
150 For by his fall my honour must keep high.
Who attends us there?
Enter Thaliard
And our mind partakes154 her private actions
155 To your secrecy, and for your faithfulness
We will advance you, 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:
160 Because we bid it. Say, is it done?
Enter a Messenger Running
Let163 your breath cool yourself, telling your haste. To Messenger
[Exit]
Shot from a well experienced archer hits
The mark his eye doth level167 at,
So thou never return unless thou say
Prince Pericles is dead.
length171 I’ll make him sure enough, so farewell to
your highness.
[Exit Thaliard]
My173 heart can lend no succour to my head.
[Exit]
Enter Pericles with his Lords
[Exeunt the Lords]
Why should this change of thoughts,2
The sad companion, dull-eyed3 melancholy,
Be my so used4 a guest as not an hour
5 In the day’s glorious walk5 or peaceful night,
The tomb where grief should sleep, can breed me quiet?6
Here pleasures court mine eyes and mine eyes shun them,
And danger which I feared is at Antioch,
Whose arm seems far too short to hit me here.
10 Yet neither pleasure’s art can joy10 my spirits,
Nor yet the other’s11 distance comfort me.
Then it is thus: the passions12 of the mind,
That have their first conception by misdread,13
Have14 after-nourishment and life by care,
15 And what was first but fear what might be done,
Grows elder now, and cares16 it be not done.
And so with me. The great Antiochus,
Gainst whom I am too little to contend,
Since he’s so great can19 make his will his act,
20 Will think me speaking though I swear to silence.
Nor boots it me21 to say ‘I honour’,
If he suspect I may dishonour him.
And what may make him blush in being known,
He’ll stop the course24 by which it might be known.
25 With hostile forces he’ll o’erspread the land,
And with th’ostent26 of war will look so huge,
Amazement27 shall drive courage from the state,
Our men be vanquished ere28 they do resist,
And subjects punished that ne’er thought offence.29
30 Which care of them, not pity of myself,
Who am no more but as31 the tops of trees,
Which fence32 the roots they grow by and defend them,
Makes both my body pine and soul to languish,
And34 punish that before that he would punish.
Enter [Helicanus and] all the Lords to Pericles
They do abuse the king that flatter him,
For flattery is the bellows blows up39 sin,
40 The thing the which is flattered, but a spark
To which that breath41 gives heat, and stronger
Glowing, whereas reproof, obedient and in order,42
Fits kings as they are men, for they may err.
When Signior Sooth44 here does proclaim ‘peace’,
45 He flatters you, makes45 war upon your life.
Prince, pardon me, or strike me if you please,
I cannot be much lower than my knees. Kneels
What shipping, and what lading’s49 in our haven,
[Exeunt Lords]
Thou hast moved51 us, what see’st thou in our looks?
How durst thy tongue move54 anger to our face?
From whence they have their nourishment?
Do but you strike the blow.
I thank thee for’t, and heaven forbid
That kings should let62 their ears hear their faults hid.
Fit63 counsellor and servant for a prince,
Who by thy wisdom makes a prince thy servant,
65 What wouldst thou have me do?
Such griefs as you do lay upon yourself.
That ministers69 a potion unto me
70 That thou wouldst tremble to receive thyself.
Attend me71 then: I went to Antioch,
Where, as thou know’st, against the face of death
I sought the purchase73 of a glorious beauty
From whence an issue74 I might propagate,
75 Are75 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,
Which by my knowledge found, the sinful father
Seemed79 not to strike, but smooth. But thou know’st this:
80 ’Tis time to fear when tyrants seems to kiss.
Which fear so grew in me I hither fled
Under the covering of a careful82 night,
Who83 seemed my good protector, and, being here,
Bethought84 me what was past, what might succeed.
85 I knew him tyrannous, and tyrants’ fears
Decrease not, but grow faster than the years.
And should he doubt87 — as doubt no doubt he doth —
That I should open to the list’ning air
How many worthy princes’ bloods were shed
90 To keep his bed of blackness unlaid ope,90
To lop91 that doubt he’ll fill this land with arms,
And make pretence of wrong that I have done him,
When all93 for mine — if I may call’t — offence
Must feel war’s blow, who94 spares not innocence.
95 Which love to all of which thyself art one,
Who now reproved’st96 me for’t—
Musings into my mind, with thousand doubts99
100 How I might stop this tempest ere it came,
And finding little comfort to relieve them,
I thought it princely charity to grieve for them.
Freely will I speak. Antiochus you fear —
105 And justly too, I think, you fear the tyrant
Who either by public war or private
Treason will take away your life:
Therefore, my lord, go travel for a while,
Till that his rage and anger be forgot, or till
110 The destinies110 do cut his thread of life:
Your rule direct111 to any, if to me,
Day serves not light more faithful than I’ll be.
But should he114 wrong my liberties in my absence?
From whence we had our being and our birth.
Intend118 my travel, where I’ll hear from thee,
And by whose letters I’ll dispose119 myself.
120 The care I had and have of subjects’ good
On thee I lay, whose wisdom’s strength can bear it.
I’ll take thy word for faith, not122 ask thine oath:
Who123 shuns not to break one, will crack both.
But in our orbs124 we’ll live so round and safe
125 That time125 of both this truth shall ne’er convince:
Thou showed’st a subject’s shine,126 I a true prince.
Exeunt
Enter Thaliard alone
Enter Helicanus, Escanes, with other Lords
Further to question me of your king’s departure:
His sealed13 commission left in trust with me,
Does speak sufficiently14 he’s gone to travel.
Why — as it were unlicensed17 of your loves —
He would depart, I’ll give some light18 unto you.
Being at Antioch—
Took some displeasure at him — at least he judged so —
And doubting23 lest he had erred or sinned,
To show his sorrow, he’d correct24 himself:
25 So puts25 himself unto the shipman’s toil,
With whom each minute threatens life or death.
Commended38 to our master, not to us,
Yet ere you shall depart, this we desire:
40 As friends to Antioch we may feast in Tyre.
Exeunt
Enter Cleon the governor of Tarsus, with his wife [Dionyza] and others
And by relating tales of others’ griefs
See if ’twill teach us to forget our own?
5 For who digs5 hills because they do aspire,
Throws down one mountain to cast up a higher.
O, my distressèd lord, even such our griefs are:
Here they are but felt, and seen with mischief’s eyes,8
But like to groves, being topped9 they higher rise.
Who wanteth11 food and will not say he wants it,
Or can conceal his hunger till he famish?
Our13 tongues our sorrows do sound deep,
Our woes into the air, our eyes to weep
15 Till tongues fetch breath that may proclaim them louder,
That if heaven slumber while their creatures want,
They may awake their helpers to comfort them.
I’ll then discourse18 our woes, felt several years,
And wanting19 breath to speak, help me with tears.
A city o’er22 whom plenty held full hand,
For riches23 strewed herself even in her streets,
Whose towers bore heads so high they kissed the clouds,
25 And strangers ne’er beheld, but wondered25 at.
Whose men and dames so jetted26 and adorned,
Like27 one another’s glass to trim them by,
Their tables were stored full to glad28 the sight,
And not so much to feed on as delight.
30 All poverty was scorned, and pride so great
The31 name of help grew odious to repeat.
These mouths who but of late earth, sea and air
35 Were all too little to content and please,
Although they gave their creatures in abundance,
As houses are defiled for want37 of use,
They are now starved for want of exercise.
Those palates who, not39 yet two summers younger,
40 Must have inventions40 to delight the taste
Would now be glad of bread and beg for it.
Those mothers who to nuzzle42 up their babes
Thought naught too curious,43 are ready now
To eat those little darlings whom they loved.
45 So sharp are hunger’s teeth, that man and wife,
Draw lots who first shall46 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.
50 Is not this true?
And her prosperities so largely53 taste
With their superfluous riots,54 hear these tears!
55 The misery of Tarsus may be theirs.
Enter a Lord
Speak out thy sorrows, which thou bring’st in haste,
For comfort is too far for us to expect.
A portly61 sail of ships make hitherward.
One sorrow never comes but brings an heir,
That may succeed as his inheritor.
65 And so in ours: some neighbouring nation,
Taking advantage of our misery,
Hath stuffed the hollow vessels with their power,67
To beat us down, the which are down already,
And make a conquest of unhappy69 me,
70 Whereas70 no glory’s got to overcome.
Of their white flags72 displayed, they bring us peace,
And come to us as favourers,73 not as foes.
75 Who75 makes the fairest show means most deceit.
But bring they what they will and what they can,
What need we fear?
The78 ground’s the lowest, and we are halfway there.
Go tell their general we attend him here,
80 To know from whence he comes and what he craves.
[Exit]
If wars, we are unable to resist.
Enter Pericles with attendants
85 Let not our ships and number of our men
Be like a beacon86 fired t’amaze your eyes.
We have heard your miseries as far as Tyre,
And seen the desolation of your streets.
Nor come we to add89 sorrow to your tears,
90 But to relieve them of their heavy load,
And these91 our ships you happily may think
Are like the Trojan horse was stuffed within
With bloody veins expecting overthrow,
Are stored with corn to make your needy bread,
95 And give them life whom hunger starved half dead.
They kneel
And we’ll pray for you.
We do not look for reverence but for love,
100 And harbourage for ourself, our ships and men.
Or pay you with unthankfulness in thought,102
Be it our wives, our children or ourselves,
The curse of heaven and men succeed104 their evils!
105 Till when — the which, I hope, shall ne’er be seen —
Your grace is welcome to our town and us.
Until our stars108 that frown, lend us a smile.
Exeunt
Enter Gower
His child, iwis,2 to incest bring,
A better prince,3 and benign lord,
That will prove awful4 both in deed and word.Be
5 quiet then, as men should be,
Till he hath passed necessity:6
I’ll show you those7 in troubles reign,
Losing a mite,8 a mountain gain.
The good9 in conversation,
10 To whom I give my benison,10
Is still at Tarsus, where each man
Thinks all is writ,12 he speken can,
And to remember13 what he does
Build his statue14 to make him glorious.
15 But tidings15 to the contrary
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 shows the letter to Cleon. Pericles gives the messenger a reward, and knights him. Exit Pericles [with his Attendants] at one door, and Cleon at another [with his Attendants]
Not to18 eat honey like a drone
From others’ labours: though he strive
20 To killen20 bad, keeps good alive.
And to fulfil his prince’ desire
Sends word of all that haps22 in Tyre:
How Thaliard came full bent23 with sin
And had intent to murder him,
25 And that in Tarsus was not best
Longer for him to make his rest.
He doing so,27 put forth to seas,
Where when men been28 there’s seldom ease:
For now the wind begins to blow,
30 Thunder above and deeps below
Makes such unquiet, that the ship
Should32 house him safe is wracked and split,
And he, good prince, having all lost,
By waves from coast to coast is tossed.
35 All perishen35 of man, of pelf,
Ne aught escapend36 but himself.
Till Fortune, tired with doing bad,
Threw him ashore, to give him glad.38
And here he comes: what shall be next,
40 Pardon old Gower, this ’longs40 the text.
[Exit]
Enter Pericles wet
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.
5 Alas, the seas hath cast me on the rocks,
Washed me from shore to shore, and left my breath6
Nothing to think on but ensuing death.
Let it suffice the greatness of your powers
To have bereft a prince of all his fortunes,
10 And having thrown him from your wat’ry grave,
Here to have death in peace is all he’ll crave.
Enter three Fishermen
These fishers tell the infirmities of men,
And from their wat’ry empire recollect53
All54 that may men approve or men detect.—
55 Peace be at your labour, honest fishermen. To Fishermen
In that vast tennis-court64 hath made the ball
65 For them to play upon, entreats you pity him:
He asks of you that never used66 to beg.
But what I am, want teaches me to think on:
A man thronged up77 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,
80 Which if you shall refuse, when I am dead,
For that81 I am a man, pray you see me burièd.
[Exeunt Second and Third Fishermen]
His subjects the name of good by his government.
How far is his court distant from this shore?
I could wish to make one119 there.
Enter the two Fishermen, drawing up a net
They pull pieces of armor from the net
Thanks Fortune yet, that after all crosses128
Thou givest me somewhat to repair myself.
130 And though it was mine own, part of my heritage,130
Which my dead father did bequeath to me
With this strict charge132 even as he left his life:
‘Keep it my Pericles, it hath been a shield
’Twixt me and death’ — and pointed to this brace134 —
135 ‘For that135 it saved me, keep it: in like necessity,
The which the gods protect thee from, may’t defend thee.’
It kept137 where I kept, I so dearly loved it,
Till the rough seas, that spares not any man,
Took it in rage, though139 calmed have given’t again.
140 I thank thee for’t, my shipwreck now’s no ill
Since I have here my father141 gave in his will.
For it was sometime144 target to a king:
145 I know it by this mark. He loved me dearly,
And for his sake I wish the having of it,
And that you’d guide me to your sovereign’s court,
Where with it I may appear a gentleman.
And if that ever my low fortune’s better
150 I’ll pay your bounties,150 till then rest your debtor.
By your furtherance162 I am clothed in steel,
And spite of all the rapture163 of the sea
This jewel holds his building164 on my arm.
165 Unto thy value165 I will mount myself
Upon a courser,166 whose delightful steps
Shall make the gazer167 joy to see him tread.
Only, my friend, I yet am unprovided
Of a pair of bases169—
This day I’ll rise, or else add ill to ill.
[Exeunt]
Enter Simonides with attendance, and Thaisa
And stay3 your coming to present themselves.
5 In honour of whose birth these triumphs are,
Sits here like beauty’s child, whom Nature gat6
For men to see and, seeing, wonder at.
[Exit an Attendant]
My commendations great, whose merit’s less.
A model11 which heaven makes like to itself:
As jewels lose their glory if neglected,
So princes their renowns13 if not respected.
’Tis now your honour,14 daughter, to entertain
15 The labour of each knight in his device.15
The First Knight passes by
His Attendant presents his shield to Thaisa
And the device he bears upon his shield
20 Is a black Ethiop20 reaching at the sun,
The word:21 Lux tua vita mihi.
The Second Knight
Passes by and his Attendant presents his shield to Thaisa
Who is the second that presents himself?
25 And the device he bears upon his shield
Is an armed knight that’s conquered by a lady.
The motto thus in Spanish:27 Piùe per dolcezza che per forza.
The Third Knight
Passes by and his Attendant presents his shield to Thaisa
30 And his device a wreath of chivalry.30
The word: Me31 pompae provexit apex.
The Fourth Knight
Passes by and his Attendant presents his shield to Thaisa
The word: Qui34 me alit me extinguit.
Which can as well inflame as it can kill.
The Fifth Knight
Passes by and his Attendant presents his shield to Thaisa
Holding out gold, that’s by the touchstone38 tried:
The motto thus: Sic spectanda fides39.
The Sixth Knight [Pericles]
Passes by, wearing the rusty armor
He presents his own device to Thaisa
Himself with such a graceful courtesy delivered?
A withered branch, that’s only green at top.
The motto: In44 hac spe vivo.
From the dejected state wherein he is
He hopes by you his fortunes yet may flourish.
Can any way speak in his just commend:
50 For by his rusty outside he appears
To have practised more the whipstock51 than the lance.
To an honoured triumph strangely53 furnishèd.
55 Until this day, to scour55 it in the dust.
The outward habit for the inward man.
But stay, the knights are coming —
We will withdraw into the gallery.
[Exeunt]
Great shouts, and all cry ‘The mean knight!’
Enter the King [Simonides, Thaisa, Marshal] and Knights from tilting
To say you’re welcome were superfluous.
To place3 upon the volume of your deeds,
As in a title page, your worth in arms,
5 Were more than you expect, or more than’s fit,
Since every worth in show6 commends itself.
Prepare for mirth, for mirth becomes7 a feast:
You are princes and my guests.
10 To whom this wreath of victory I give
And crown you king of this day’s happiness.
Crowns him with a wreath
And here, I hope, is none that envies it.
15 In framing15 artists art hath thus decreed,
To make some good but others to exceed,
And you are her laboured scholar.17 Come, queen o’th’feast —
For, daughter, so you are — here take your place.
Marshal,19 the rest as they deserve their grace. To Marshal
For who22 hates honour hates the gods above.
Have26 neither in our hearts nor outward eyes
Envies27 the great, nor shall the low despise.
30 By30 Jove I wonder, that is king of thoughts, Aside
These cates resist me he but thought upon.
All viands33 that I eat do seem unsavoury,
Wishing him my meat.34—
Sure, he’s To Simonides
a gallant gentleman.
He’s done no more than other knights have done,
He’s broken a staff,37 or so. So let it pass.
40 Which tells me40 in that glory once he was,
Had41 princes sit like stars about his throne,
And he the sun for them to reverence.42
None that beheld him, but like lesser lights
Did vail44 their crowns to his supremacy,
45 Where45 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.
As you do love, fill53 to your mistress’ lips:
We drink this health to you. Drinks a toast
As if the entertainment in our court
Had not a show might countervail58 his worth.
Note59 it not you, Thaisa?
Princes in this should live like gods above,
Who freely give to everyone that come to honour them,
And princes not doing so are like64 to gnats,
65 Which make a sound, but killed are wondered at.
Therefore to make his entertain66 more sweet,
Here, say we drink this standing bowl67 of wine to him.
Drinks a toast
Unto a stranger knight69 to be so bold:
70 He may my proffer70 take for an offence,
Since men take women’s gifts for impudence.
75 Of whence he is, his name and parentage?
Of whence you are, your name and parentage?
My education being in arts and arms,83
Who, looking for adventures in the world,
85 Was by the rough seas reft85 of ships and men,
And after shipwreck driven upon this shore.
Names himself Pericles, a gentleman of Tyre,
Who only by misfortune of the seas
90 Bereft of ships and men, cast90 on this shore.
And will awake him from his melancholy.
Come, gentlemen, we sit93 too long on trifles To Knights
And waste the time which looks for other revels:
95 Even in your armours as you are addressed,95
Will96 well become a soldier’s dance.
I97 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.
They dance
100 So, this100 was well asked, ’twas so well performed.
Come, sir, here’s a lady that wants breathing101 too, To Pericles
And I have heard you knights of Tyre
Are excellent in making ladies trip,103
And that their measures104 are as excellent.
Of your fair courtesy!
They dance
Unclasp, unclasp!
Thanks, gentlemen, to all: all have done well,
But you the best. Pages and lights to conduct To Pericles
110 These knights unto their several110 lodgings!
Yours, sir, we have given order be next our own.
And that’s the mark, I know, you level114 at:
115 Therefore each one betake him115 to his rest,
Tomorrow all for speeding116 do their best.
[Exeunt]
Enter Helicanus and Escanes
Antiochus from incest lived not free,
For which the most high gods not minding longer3
To withhold the vengeance that they had in store,
5 Due to this heinous capital5 offence,
Even in the height and pride of all his glory —
When he was seated in a chariot
Of inestimable value, and his daughter with him —
A fire from heaven came and shrivelled up
10 Those bodies even to loathing. For they so stunk
That all those eyes adored11 them ere their fall
Scorn now their hand should give them burial.
15 His greatness was no guard to bar15 heaven’s shaft,
But sin had his16 reward.
Enter two or three Lords
Or council has respect19 with him but he.
25 And now at length they overflow their banks.
But if the prince do live let us salute him,
Or know what29 ground’s made happy by his breath.
30 If in the world he live, we’ll seek him out,
If in his grave he rest, we’ll find him there.
We’ll be resolved32 he lives to govern us,
Or dead, give’s33 cause to mourn his funeral
And leave us to34 our free election.
And knowing this kingdom is without a head —
Like goodly buildings left37 without a roof,
Soon fall to ruin — your noble self,
That best know how to rule and how to reign,
40 We thus submit unto: our sovereign.
If that you love Prince Pericles, forbear.43
Take I your wish, I leap into the seas,
45 Where’s hourly trouble, for a minute’s ease.
A twelvemonth longer let me entreat you
To forbear47 the absence of your king.
If in which time expired he not48 return,
I shall with agèd patience bear your yoke.49
50 But if I cannot win you to this love,50
Go search like nobles, like noble subjects,
And in your search spend52 your adventurous worth,
Whom53 if you find, and win unto return,
You shall like diamonds sit about his crown.
And since Lord Helicane enjoineth56 us,
We with our travels57 will endeavour it.
When peers thus knit,59 a kingdom ever stands.
[Exeunt]
Enter the King [Simonides] reading of a letter at one door, the Knights meet him
That for this twelvemonth she’ll not undertake
A married life.
5 Her reason to herself is only known,
Which from her by no means can I get.
Tied her9 to her chamber that ’tis impossible.
10 One twelvemoons10 more she’ll wear Diana’s livery:
This by the11 eye of Cynthia hath she vowed
And on her virgin honour will not break it.
[Exeunt Knights]
15 Now, to my daughter’s letter:
She tells me here she’ll wed the stranger knight,
Or never more to view nor day nor17 light.
’Tis well, mistress, your choice agrees with mine:
I like that well! Nay, how absolute19 she’s in’t,
20 Not minding whether I dislike or no.
Well, I do commend her choice
And will no longer have it be delayed.
Soft,23 here he comes — I must dissemble it.
Enter Pericles
For your sweet music this last night: I do
Protest, my ears were never better fed
With such delightful pleasing harmony.
30 Not my desert.30
What do you think of my daughter, sir?
Ay, so well that you must be her master
40 And she will be your scholar, therefore look to it.
Gives a letter
A letter that44 she loves the knight of Tyre?
45 ’Tis the king’s subtlety45 to have my life! Reads
O, seek not to entrap me, gracious lord, To Simonides
A stranger and distressèd gentleman
That never aimed so high to48 love your daughter,
But bent49 all offices to honour her.
And thou art a villain.
Never did thought of mine levy53 offence,
Nor never did my actions yet commence
55 A deed might55 gain her love, or your displeasure.
60 That calls me traitor, I return the lie.
That never relished63 of a base descent:
I came unto your court for honour’s cause,
65 And not to be a rebel to her state.65
And he that otherwise accounts of me,66
This sword shall prove he’s honour’s enemy.
Here comes my daughter, she can witness it.
Enter Thaisa
Resolve71 your angry father if my tongue
Did e’er solicit or my hand subscribe72
To any syllable that made love to73 you?
75 Who takes offence at that, would75 make me glad?
I am glad on’t with all my heart!— Aside
I’ll tame you, I’ll bring you in subjection. To Thaisa
Will you, not having my consent,
80 Bestow your love and your affections
Upon a stranger?— Who, for aught81 I know, Aside
May be — nor can I think the contrary —
As great in blood as I myself.—
Therefore hear you, mistress, either frame84 your will To Thaisa
85 To mine — and you sir, hear you — either be
Ruled by me, or I’ll make you man and wife! Joins their hands
Nay, come, your hands and lips must seal it too,
And being joined I’ll thus your hopes destroy, Pulls their hands apart
And for further grief— God give you joy! Joins their hands again
90 What, are you both pleased?
And then with what haste you can, get you to bed.
Exeunt
Enter Gower
No din but snores about the house,
Made louder by the o’erfed breast3
Of this most pompous4 marriage feast.
5 The cat with eyne5 of burning coal
Now couches6 from the mouse’s hole,
And crickets sing7 at the oven’s mouth
Are the blither8 for their drouth.
Hymen9 hath brought the bride to bed,
10 Where by the loss of maidenhead10
A babe is moulded. Be attent,11
And time that is so briefly12 spent
With your fine fancies13 quaintly eche.
What’s dumb in show, I’ll plain14 with speech.
Dumb show
Enter Pericles and Simonides at one door with Attendants. A Messenger meets them, kneels and gives Pericles a letter. Pericles shows it Simonides, the Lords kneel to him. Then enter Thaisa, with child, with Lychorida, a nurse. The King shows her the letter, she rejoices: she and Pericles take leave of her father, and depart [with Lychorida and their Attendants. Exeunt Simonides and his train]
Of16 Pericles the careful search
By the four opposing coigns17
Which the world together joins,
Is made with all due diligence
20 That horse and sail and high expense
Can stead21 the quest. At last from Tyre —
Fame22 answering the most strange inquire—
To th’court of King Simonides
Are letters brought, the tenor24 these:
25 Antiochus and his daughter dead,25
The men of Tyrus on the head
Of Helicanus would set on
The crown of Tyre, but he will none.28
The mutiny he there hastes t’appease,29
30 Says to ’em, if King Pericles
Come not home in twice six moons,31
He, obedient to their dooms,32
Will take the crown. The sum33 of this
Brought hither to Pentapolis
35 Y-ravishèd35 the regions round,
And everyone with claps36 can sound,
‘Our heir apparent37 is a king:
Who dreamt? Who thought of such a thing?’
Brief,39 he must hence depart to Tyre.
40 His queen, with child, makes her desire —
Which who shall cross?41 — along to go:
Omit we all their dole42 and woe.
Lychorida her nurse43 she takes,
And so to sea. Their vessel shakes
45 On Neptune’s billow,45 half the flood
Hath their keel cut, but Fortune, moved,46
Varies again. The grizzled47 north
Disgorges such a tempest forth
That as a duck for life that dives,
50 So up and down the poor ship drives.50
The lady shrieks and, well-a-near,51
Does52 fall in travail with her fear.
And what ensues in this fell53 storm
Shall for itself, itself perform:
55 I nill55 relate, action may
Conveniently56 the rest convey,
Which57 might not what by me is told.
In your imagination hold58
This stage the ship, upon whose deck
60 The sea-tossed Pericles appears to speak.60
[Exit]
Enter Pericles on shipboard
Which wash both heaven and hell, and thou2 that hast
Upon the winds command, bind3 them in brass,
Having called them from the deep! O, still4
5 Thy5 deaf’ning dreadful thunders, gently quench
Thy nimble6 sulphurous flashes!— O, how, Lychorida! Calls
How does my queen? — Thou stormest venomously,
Wilt8 thou spit all thyself? The seaman’s whistle
Is as9 a whisper in the ears of death,
10 Unheard. Lychorida!— Lucina,10 O Calls
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!14— Now, Lychorida!
Enter Lychorida With the baby
Who if it had conceit16 would die,
As I am like17 to do. Take in your arms
This piece18 of your dead queen.
Here’s all that is left living of your queen:
A little daughter. For the sake of it,
Be manly and take comfort.
Gives him the baby
25 Why do you make us love your goodly gifts
And snatch them straight away? We here below
Recall not27 what we give, and therein may
Use28 honour with you.
For a more blusterous birth had never babe.
Quiet and gentle thy conditions,32 for
Thou art the rudeliest33 welcome to this world
That ever was prince’s child. Happy what follows:34
35 Thou hast as chiding35 a nativity
As fire, air, water, earth and heaven can make
To herald thee from the womb.
Even at the first, thy38 loss is more than can
Thy portage39 quit with all thou can’st find here.
40; Now the good gods throw their best eyes40 upon’t!
Enter two Sailors
It hath done to me the worst: yet for the love
Of this poor infant, this fresh new seafarer,
No light, no fire, th’unfriendly elements
Forgot thee utterly. Nor have I time
To give thee hallowed63 to thy grave, but straight
Must cast thee, scarcely coffined, in the ooze,
65 Where, for a monument65 upon thy bones
And aye-remaining66 lamps, the belching whale
And humming67 water must o’erwhelm thy corpse,
Lying with simple shells. O Lychorida,
Bid Nestor69 bring me spices, ink and paper,
70 My casket and my jewels, and bid Nicander70
Bring me the satin71 coffer. Lay the babe
Gives her the baby
Upon the pillow. Hie thee,72 whiles I say
A priestly farewell to her. Suddenly,73 woman!
[Exit Lychorida]
Alter79 thy course for Tyre. When can’st thou reach it?
There will I visit Cleon, for the babe
Cannot hold out to Tyrus. There I’ll leave it
At careful nursing. Go thy ways,84 good mariner,
85 I’ll bring the body presently.85
Exeunt
Enter Lord Cerimon with a Servant
And another survivor of the storm
Enter Philemon
[Exit Philemon]
’T has been a turbulent and stormy night.
Till now, I ne’er endured.
There’s nothing can be ministered8 to nature
That can recover him.— Give this to the ’pothecary,9 To the other
10 And tell me how it works.
[Exeunt all but Cerimon]
Enter two Gentlemen
15 Shook as15 the earth did quake:
The very principals16 did seem to rend
And all to topple. Pure surprise and fear
Made me to quit the house.
20 ’Tis not our husbandry.20
Rich tire23 about you, should at these early hours,
Shake off the golden slumber of repose.24
25 ’Tis most strange nature should be so conversant25 with pain,
Being thereto not compelled.
Virtue and cunning28 were endowments greater
Than nobleness and riches. Careless29 heirs
30 May the two latter darken30 and expend,
But immortality attends the former,
Making a man a god. ’Tis known, I ever
Have studied physic,33 through which secret art,
By turning o’er authorities,34 I have,
35 Together with my practice,35 made familiar
To me and to my aid36 the blest infusions
That dwells in vegetives,37 in metals, stones,
And I can speak of the disturbances
That nature works39 and of her cures, which doth give me
40 A more content40 in course of true delight
Than to be thirsty after tottering honour,41
Or tie42 my pleasure up in silken bags
To43 please the fool and death.
45 Through Ephesus45 poured forth your charity,
And hundreds call46 themselves your creatures, who
By you have been restored. And not47 your knowledge,
Your personal pain,48 but even your purse still open,
Hath built Lord Cerimon such strong renown,
50 As time shall never—
Enter two or three with a chest
Did the sea toss up upon our shore this chest.
55 ’Tis of some wreck.
’Tis wondrous heavy. Wrench it open straight:
60 If the sea’s stomach be o’ercharged60 with gold,
’Tis a good constraint of fortune61 it belches upon us.
Did the sea cast it up?
As tossed it upon shore.
Soft!68 It smells most sweetly in my sense.
They open the chest
O you most potent gods! What’s here, a corpse?
With full bags of spices, a passport74 too!
75 Apollo,75 perfèct me in the characters:
‘Here I give to understand, Reads
If e’er this coffin drives a-land,77
I, King Pericles, have lost
This queen, worth all our mundane cost.79
80 Who80 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
85 That even85 cracks for woe. This chanced tonight?
For look how fresh she looks: they were too rough88
That threw her in the sea. Make a fire within,
90 Fetch hither all my boxes in my closet.90
[Exit a Servant]
Death may usurp on nature many hours,
And yet the fire of life kindle again
The o’er-pressed93 spirits. I heard of an Egyptian
That had nine hours lain dead, who was
95 By good appliance95 recoverèd.
Enter one with napkins and fire
Well said,96 well said — the fire and cloths. The rough and
Woeful music that we have, cause it to sound, beseech you. Music
The viol98 once more — how thou stirr’st, thou block!
The music there! I pray you give her air. Music again
100 Gentlemen, this queen will live,
Nature101 awakes a warm breath out of her!
She hath not been entranced above102 five hours:
See how she ’gins103 to blow into life’s flower again.
105 And sets up your fame for ever.
To those heavenly jewels107 which Pericles hath lost,
Begin to part their fringes108 of bright gold.
The diamonds109 of a most praisèd water
110 Doth appear, to make the world twice rich. Live,
And make us weep to hear your fate, fair creature,
Rare112 as you seem to be.
She moves
What world is this?
Lend me your hands, to the next chamber bear her.
Get linen. Now this matter must be looked to,
120 For her relapse is mortal.120 Come, come,
And Aesculapius121 guide us.
They carry her away. Exeunt
Enter Pericles [and Lychorida with Marina] at Tarsus, with Cleon and Dionyza
My twelve months are expired, and Tyrus stands
In a litigious3 peace. You and your lady
Take4 from my heart all thankfulness, the gods
5 Make up the rest upon you.
Yet glance7 full wond’ringly on us.
That the strict fates had pleased you had brought her
10 Hither to have blessed mine eyes with her.
Could I rage and roar as doth the sea she lies in,
Yet the end must be as ’tis. My gentle babe Marina,13
Whom, for she was born at sea, I have named so,
15 Here I charge15 your charity withal, leaving her
The infant of16 your care, beseeching you to give her
Princely training, that she17 may be mannered as she is born.
Your grace that fed my country with your corn —
20 For20 which the people’s prayers still fall upon you —
Must in your child be thought on. If neglection21
Should therein make me vile, the common body22
By you relieved, would force me to my duty,
But if to that24 my nature need a spur,
25 The gods revenge it upon me and mine,
To26 the end of generation.
Teach me to’t28 without your vows. Till she be married,
Madam, by bright Diana whom we honour all,
30 Unscissored shall this hair of mine remain, Though
I show ill in’t.31 So I take my leave:
Good madam, make me blessèd32 in your care
In bringing up my child.
35 Who shall not be more dear to my respect35
Than yours, my lord.
Then give you up to the masked39 Neptune, and
O, no tears, Lychorida, no tears! To Lychorida
Look to your little mistress, on whose grace
You may depend hereafter.— Come, my lord.
[Exeunt]
Enter Cerimon and Thaisa
Lay with you in your coffer,2 which are
At your command. Know you the character?3
Shows the letter
5 I well remember, even on5 my eaning time,
But whether there delivered,6 by the holy gods
I cannot rightly7 say. But since King Pericles,
My wedded lord, I ne’er shall see again,
A vestal livery9 will I take me to
10 And never more have joy.
Diana’s temple is not distant far,
Where you may abide13 till your date expire.
Moreover, if you please, a niece of mine
15 Shall there attend you.
Yet my good will is great, though the gift small.
Exeunt
Enter Gower
Welcomed and settled to2 his own desire.
His woeful queen we leave at Ephesus,
Unto Diana there’s4 a votaress.
5 Now to Marina bend5 your mind,
Whom our fast-growing6 scene must find
At Tarsus, and by Cleon trained
In music’s letters,8 who hath gained
Of education all the grace,
10 Which makes her both the heart and place10
Of general wonder. But, alack,
That monster envy, oft the wrack12
Of earnèd13 praise, Marina’s life
Seeks to take off by treason’s knife,
15 And in this kind:15 our Cleon hath
One daughter and a full grown wench
Even ripe17 for marriage-rite. This maid
Hight18 Philoten, and it is said
For certain19 in our story she
20 Would ever with Marina be,
Be’t when they weaved the sleded21 silk,
With fingers long, small,22 white as milk,
Or when she would with sharp nee’le23 wound
The cambric24 which she made more sound
25 By hurting it, or when to th’lute
She sung, and made the night-bird26 mute
That still records with moan,27 or when
She would with rich28 and constant pen,
Vail29 to her mistress Dian. Still
30 This Philoten contends in skill
With absolute31 Marina: so
With dove of Paphos32 might the crow
Vie feathers white.33 Marina gets
All praises, which are paid as debts
35 And not as given.35 This so darks
In Philoten all graceful marks36
That Cleon’s wife with envy rare37
A present38 murder does prepare
For good Marina, that her daughter
40 Might stand peerless by this slaughter.
The sooner her vile thoughts to stead,41
Lychorida, our nurse, is dead,
And cursèd Dionyza hath
The pregnant44 instrument of wrath
45 Pressed45 for this blow. The unborn event
I do commend to your content,46
Only I carry wingèd Time,47
Post48 on the lame feet of my rhyme,
Which never49 could I so convey
50 Unless your thoughts went on my way.
Dionyza does appear
With Leonine a murderer.
Exit
Enter Dionyza with Leonine
’Tis but a blow, which never shall be known,
Thou canst not do a thing in the world so soon3
To yield thee so much profit. Let not conscience,
5 Which is but cold, inflame love5 in thy bosom,
Nor let pity, which even women have cast off,
Melt thee, but be7 a soldier to thy purpose.
10 Here she comes weeping for her only10 mistress’ death —
Thou art resolved?11
Enter Marina with a basket of flowers
To strew thy green14 with flowers, the yellows, blues,
15 The purple violets, and marigolds,
Shall as a carpet hang upon thy grave
While summer days doth last. Ay me,17 poor maid,
Born in a tempest when my mother died,
This world to me is as a lasting19 storm,
20 Whirring20 me from my friends.
How chance22 my daughter is not with you?
Do not consume your blood with sorrowing,23
Have24 you a nurse of me! Lord, how your favour’s
25 Changed with this unprofitable woe!
Come, give me your flowers, o’er26 the sea margent
Walk with Leonine. The air is quick27 there
And it pierces and sharpens the stomach.28
Come, Leonine, take her by the arm, walk with her.
I love the king your father and yourself
With33 more than foreign heart. We every day
Expect him here: when he shall come and find
35 Our35 paragon, to all reports, thus blasted,
He will repent the breadth of his great voyage,
Blame both my lord and me, that we have taker
No care to your best courses.38 Go, I pray you,
Walk and be cheerful once again, reserve39
40 That excellent complexion, which did steal
The eyes of young and old. Care not for me,
I can go home alone.
But yet I have no desire to it.
Walk half an hour, Leonine, at the least.
Remember what I have said.
50 Pray walk softly,50 do not heat your blood.
What, I must have care of you!
[Exit Dionyza]
Is this wind westerly that blows?
But cried ‘Good seamen’ to the sailors,
Galling59 his kingly hands haling ropes,
60 And clasping to the mast endured a sea
That almost burst the deck.
Never was waves nor wind more violent,
65 And from the ladder tackle65 washes off
A canvas climber.66 ‘Ha,’ says one, ‘wolt out?’
And with a dropping67 industry they skip
From stem to stern,68 the boatswain whistles, and
The master calls and trebles their confusion.
I grant it. Pray, but be not tedious,
For the gods are quick of ear and I am sworn
75 To do my work with haste.
As I can remember, by my troth,79
80 I never did her hurt in all my life.
I never spake bad word, nor did ill turn
To any living creature. Believe me, la,82
I never killed a mouse nor hurt a fly.
I trod upon a worm against my will,
85 But I wept for’t. How have I offended,
Wherein my death might yield her any profit
Or my life imply her any danger?
Is not to reason of the deed, but do’t.
You are well favoured,91 and your looks foreshow
You have a gentle heart. I saw you lately
When you caught hurt93 in parting two that fought.
Good sooth,94 it showed well in you. Do so now:
95 Your lady seeks my life, come you between
And save poor me, the weaker.
Enter Pirates Leonine runs away
let’s have101 her aboard suddenly.
Exeunt [Pirates with Marina]
Enter Leonine
And they have seized Marina. Let her go,
There’s no hope she will return — I’ll swear she’s dead,
105 And thrown into the sea. But I’ll see further.
Perhaps they will but please themselves upon106 her,
Not carry her aboard. If she remain,
Whom they have ravished108 must by me be slain.
Exit
Enter the three bawds: [Pander, Bawd and Bolt]
Exit
Enter Bolt with the Pirates and Marina
[Exeunt Pander and the Pirates]
He should have struck, not spoke. Or that these pirates,
Not enough barbarous, had but o’erboard thrown me,
To scape his hands, where I was like to die.
[Enter Bolt]
Bolt’s returned. Now, sir, hast thou cried her98 through the market?
Come, young one, I like the manner143 of your garments well.
[Exit]
Untried159 I still my virgin knot will keep.
160 Diana, aid my purpose!160
Enter Cleon and Dionyza
The sun and moon ne’er looked upon.
I’d give it to undo the deed. O lady,
Much less in blood7 than virtue, yet a princess
To equal any single crown8 o’th’earth
I’th’justice of compare.9 O villain
10 Leonine, whom thou hast poisoned too,
If thou hadst drunk11 to him ’t’ad been a kindness
Becoming well thy face. What canst thou say
When noble Pericles shall demand his child?
15 To foster it, not ever to preserve.
She died at night, I’ll say so — who can cross16 it
Unless you play the impious innocent,
And for18 an honest attribute, cry out
‘She died by foul play.’
Of all the faults beneath the heavens, the gods
Do like this worst.
The petty24 wrens of Tarsus will fly hence
25 And open25 this to Pericles. I do shame
To think of what a noble strain you are,
And of how coward a spirit.
Whoever but29 his approbation added,
30 Though not his prime consent, he did not30 flow
From honourable courses.
Yet none does know but you how she came dead,33
Nor none can know, Leonine being gone.
35 She did disdain my child, and stood between
Her and her fortunes: none would look on her,
But cast their gazes on Marina’s face,
Whilst ours was blurted at38 and held a malkin
Not39 worth the time of day. It pierced me through,
40 And though you call my course40 unnatural,
You41 not your child well loving, yet I find
It greets me42 as an enterprise of kindness
Performed to your sole daughter.
We wept after her hearse, and yet46 we mourn.
Her monument is almost finished, and her epitaphs47
In glitt’ring golden characters48 express
A general49 praise to her, and care in us
50 At whose expense ’tis done.
Which to betray, dost with thine angel’s face
Seize with thine eagle’s talons.
55 Do swear55 to th’gods that winter kills the flies.
But yet I know, you’ll do as I advise.
[Exeunt]
Enter Gower
Sail seas in cockles,2 have and wish but for’t,
Making to3 take our imagination,
From bourn4 to bourn, region to region.
5 By you being pardoned we commit no crime
To use one language in each several6 clime
Where our scenes seems to live. I do beseech you
To learn of me, who stand i’th’gaps8 to teach you
The stages9 of our story. Pericles
10 Is now again thwarting10 the wayward seas,
Attended on by many a lord and knight,
To see his daughter, all his life’s delight.
Old Helicanus goes along: behind
Is left to govern, if you bear in mind,
15 Old Escanes, whom Helicanus late15
Advanced in time16 to great and high estate.
Well-sailing ships and bounteous winds have brought
This king to Tarsus. Think18 his pilot thought,
So with his steerage shall your thoughts go on
20 To fetch his daughter home, who first is gone.
Like motes21 and shadows see them move awhile,
Your22 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 lamentation, puts on sack-cloth, and in a mighty passion departs.
[Exeunt Cleon and Dionyza]
This borrowed24 passion stands for true old woe.
25 And Pericles in sorrow all devoured,
With sighs shot through and biggest tears o’ershowered.
Leaves Tarsus and again embarks. He swears
Never to wash his face nor cut his hairs.
He puts on sackcloth, and to sea he bears29
30 A tempest30 which his mortal vessel tears,
And yet he rides it out.31 Now please you wit
The epitaph is32 for Marina writ
By wicked Dionyza:
‘The fairest, sweetest and best lies here, Reads
35 Who withered in her spring of year:
She was of Tyrus the king’s daughter
On whom foul death hath made this slaughter.
Marina was she called, and at her birth
Thetis,39 being proud, swallowed some part o’th’earth.
40 Therefore the earth, fearing to be o’erflowed,
Hath Thetis’ birth-child on the heavens bestowed.
Wherefore she42 does, and swears she’ll never stint,
Make43 raging batt’ry upon shores of flint.’
No visor44 does become black villainy
45 So well as soft and tender flattery.
Let Pericles believe his daughter’s dead,
And bear47 his courses to be orderèd
By Lady Fortune, while our scene48 must play
His daughter’s woe and heavy49 well-a-day
50 In her unholy service. Patience, then,
And think you now are all in Mytilene.
Exit
Enter two Gentlemen From the brothel
Exeunt
Enter three bawds [Pander, Bawd and Bolt]
Enter Lysimachus
[Exit Pander]
[Enter Pander with Marina]
[Exeunt Bawd, Bolt and Pander]
That am a maid, though most ungentle fortune
105 Have placed me in this sty,105 where, since I came,
Diseases106 have been sold dearer than physic.
That the gods
Would set me free from this unhallowed place,
Though they did change me to the meanest109 bird
110 That flies i’th’purer air!
Ne’er dreamt thou couldst!
Had I brought hither a corrupted mind,
Thy speech had altered it. Hold, here’s gold for thee: Gives gold
115 Persevere in that clear115 way thou goest
And the gods strengthen thee!
With no ill intent, for to me the very doors
120 And windows savour120 vilely. Fare thee well —
Thou art a piece of virtue,121 and I doubt not
But thy training122 hath been noble.
Hold, here’s more gold for thee. Gives gold
A curse upon him, die he like a thief
125 That robs thee of thy goodness. If thou dost
Hear from me it shall be for thy good.
[Enter Bolt]
Your house, but for this virgin that doth prop it,129
130 Would sink and overwhelm you. Away!
[Exit]
Enter bawds [Bawd and Pander]
[Exeunt Bawd and Pander]
Since they do172 better thee in their command.
Thou hold’st a place173 for which the painèd’st fiend
Of hell would not in reputation change:174
175 Thou art the damned doorkeeper175 to every
Coistrel176 that comes inquiring for his Tib.
To177 the choleric fisting of every rogue
Thy ear is liable, thy178 food is such
As hath been belched on by infected lungs.
Old receptacles186 or common shores of filth,
Serve by indenture187 to the common hangman:
Any of these ways are yet better than this,
For what thou professest189 a baboon, could he speak,
190 Would own190 a name too dear. O, that the gods
Would safely deliver me from this place!
Here, here’s gold for thee. If that thy master would gain Gives gold
By me, proclaim that I can sing, weave, sew, and dance,
With other virtues194 which I’ll keep from boast,
195 And will undertake all these to teach.
I doubt not but this populous city will
Yield many scholars.
Exeunt
Enter Gower
Into an honest house, our story says.
She sings like one immortal, and she3 dances
As goddess-like to her admirèd lays.4
5 Deep5 clerks she dumbs, and with her nee’le composes
Nature’s own shape of bud, bird, branch or berry,
That even her art sisters7 the natural roses,
Her inkle,8 silk, twin with the rubied cherry.
That pupils lacks she none of noble race,
10 Who pour their bounty on her, and her gain
She gives the cursèd bawd. Here we her place,
And to her father turn our thoughts again,
Where we left him on the sea. We there him lost,
Whence, driven before the winds, he is arrived
15 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
Lysimachus our Tyrian ship espies,
His19 banners sable, trimmed with rich expense,
20 And to him in his barge with fervour hies.20
In your supposing21 once more put your sight
Of heavy22 Pericles: think this his bark,
Where what23 is done in action, more if might,
Shall be discovered, please you sit and hark.
Exit
Enter Helicanus, to him two Sailors
One of Tyre and one of Mytilene
O, here he is.—
Sir, there is a barge put off from Mytilene, To Helicanus
And in it is Lysimachus, the governor,
5 Who craves to come aboard. What is your will?
Enter two or three Gentlemen Of Tyre
10 I pray, greet him fairly.10
Enter Lysimachus And a Lord
This is the man that can in aught you would12
Resolve you.
And die16 as I would do.
Being on shore, honouring of Neptune’s triumphs,18
Seeing this goodly vessel ride before us,
20 I made to it, to know of whence you are.
A man, who for this24 three months hath not spoken
25 To anyone, nor taken sustenance
But to prorogue26 his grief.
But the main grief springs from the loss of a
30 Belovèd daughter and a wife.
Not speak to any.
Till the disaster that one mortal36 night
Drove him to this.
Hail, royal sir!
Would win some words of him.
She questionless with her sweet harmony
45 And other chosen45 attractions, would allure
And make46 a battery through his deafened parts,
Which now are midway stopped,
She is all happy48 as the fairest of all,
And with her fellow maid is now upon
50 The leafy shelter that abuts against
The island’s side.
[Exit Lord]
That bears recovery’s name.53 But since your kindness
We have stretched thus far, let us beseech you
55 That for our gold we may provision have,
Wherein we are not destitute for want
But weary for the staleness.
Which if we should deny, the most just gods
60 For every graft60 would send a caterpillar
And so inflict61 our province. Yet once more
Let me entreat to know at large62 the cause
Of your king’s sorrow.
[Enter Lord with Marina and her companion]
65 But see, I am prevented.
Welcome, fair one— is’t not a goodly present?67
70 Came of a gentle kind70 and noble stock,
I’d wish no better choice, and think me rarely wed.71
Fair one, all goodness that consists72 in beauty
Expect even here, where is a kingly patient.
If that thy prosperous74 and artificial feat
75 Can draw him but to answer thee in aught,75
Thy sacred physic76 shall receive such pay
As thy desires can wish.
Recovery, provided that none but
80 I and my companion maid be suffered80
To come near him.
The Song
All men except Pericles stand aside while Marina sings
90 My lord, that ne’er before invited eyes,
But have been gazed on like a comet. She speaks,
My lord, that maybe hath endured a grief
Might equal yours, if both were justly weighed.93
Though wayward94 Fortune did malign my state,
95 My derivation was from ancestors
Who stood equivalent with mighty kings,
But time hath rooted out97 my parentage,
And to the world and awkward casualties98
Bound me in servitude.— I will desist, Aside
100 But there is something100 glows upon my cheek
And whispers in mine ear, ‘Go not till he speak.’
To equal mine? Was it not thus? What say you?
105 You would not do me violence.
You’re like something that — What countrywoman?107
Here of these shores?
110 Yet I was mortally brought forth and am
No other than I appear.
My dearest wife was like this maid, and such a one
My daughter might have been. My queen’s square brows,114
115 Her stature to an inch, as wand-like straight,115
As silver-voiced, her eyes as jewel-like,
And cased117 as richly, in pace another Juno,
Who starves118 the ears she feeds, and makes them hungry
The more she gives them speech. Where do you live?
You may discern the place.
And how achieved you these endowments which
You make more rich to owe?124
Like lies disdained in the reporting.
Falseness cannot come from thee, for thou look’st
Modest as justice,129 and thou seem’st a palace
130 For the crowned truth to dwell in. I will believe thee
And make senses credit thy relation131
To132 points that seem impossible, for thou look’st
Like one I loved indeed. What were thy friends?133
Did’st thou not say when I did push thee back —
135 Which was when I perceived thee — that thou cam’st
From good descending?
Thou hadst been tossed from wrong to injury,
140 And that thou thought’st thy griefs might equal mine,
If both were opened.141
And said no more but what my thoughts
Did warrant144 me was likely.
If thine considered prove the thousand part
Of my endurance,147 thou art a man, and I
Have suffered like a girl. Yet thou dost look
Like Patience,149 gazing on kings’ graves and smiling
150 Extremity150 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.
155 And thou by some incensèd god sent hither
To make the world to laugh at me!
Good sir, or here I’ll cease.
160 Thou little know’st how thou dost startle me
To call thyself Marina.
Was given me by one that had some power:
My father, and a king.
And called Marina?
But not to be a troubler of your peace,
I will end here.
Have you a working pulse, and are no fairy?
Motion?172 Well, speak on. Where were you born?
And wherefore called Marina?
175 For I was born at sea.
Who died the minute I was born,
As my good nurse Lychorida hath oft
180 Delivered weeping.180
This is the rarest dream that e’er dulled182 sleep
Did mock sad fools withal.183 This cannot be
My daughter, buried.184 Well, where were you bred?
185 I’ll hear you more, to th’bottom of your story,
And never interrupt you.
Of what you shall deliver. Yet give me leave —
190 How came you in these parts? Where were you bred?
Till cruel Cleon, with his wicked wife,
Did seek to murder me, and wooed a villain
To attempt it, who having drawn194 to do’t,
195 A crew of pirates came and rescued me,
Brought me to Mytilene. But, good sir,
Whither197 will you have me? Why do you weep? It may be
You think me an imposture.198 No, good faith.
I am the daughter to King Pericles,
200 If good King Pericles be.200
Helicanus, Lysimachus, and Attendants come forward
Most wise in general.204 Tell me if thou canst,
205 What this maid is, or what is like205 to be,
That thus hath made me weep.
But here’s the regent, sir, of Mytilene,
Speaks209 nobly of her.
Her parentage, being demanded that,
She would sit still212 and weep.
Give214 me a gash! Put me to present pain,
215 Lest this great sea of joys rushing upon me
O’erbear216 the shores of my mortality,
And drown me with their sweetness.— O, come hither, To Marina
Thou that beget’st218 him that did thee beget,
Thou that wast born at sea, buried at Tarsus,
220 And found at sea again! O Helicanus,
Down on thy knees, thank the holy gods as221 loud
As thunder threatens us: this is Marina!
What was thy mother’s name? Tell me but that,
For truth can never be confirmed enough
225 Though doubts did ever sleep.225
My drowned queen’s name, as in the rest you said
Thou hast been god-like perfect, the heir of kingdoms,
230 And another life to Pericles thy father.
To say my mother’s name was Thaisa?
Thaisa was my mother, who did end
The minute I began.
Give me fresh garments.— To Attendants Mine own, Helicanus!
She is not dead at Tarsus, as she should have been,
By savage Cleon. She shall tell thee all,
When239 thou shalt kneel and justify in knowledge
240 She is thy very princess. Who is this?
Who hearing of your melancholy state
Did come to see you.
245 Give me my robes. I am wild245 in my beholding. To Attendants
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 doubt248
How sure249 you are my daughter. But what music?
The music252 of the spheres! List, my Marina.
It nips257 me unto list’ning, and thick slumber
Hangs upon mine eyes. Let me rest. Sleeps
260 Well, my companion friends,
If this but answer261 to my just belief,
I’ll well remember262 you.
All except Pericles stand back
[Enter] Diana
And do upon mine altar sacrifice.
265 There when my maiden265 priests are met together,
Before the people all
Reveal how thou at sea didst lose thy wife,
To mourn thy crosses268 with thy daughter’s. Call,
And give269 them repetition to the life.
270 Perform my bidding, or thou liv’st in woe:
Do it, and happy, by my silver bow.271
Awake and tell thy dream.
[Exit Diana]
I will obey thee.— Helicanus!
Helicanus, Lysimachus, and Marina come forward
The inhospitable Cleon, but I am
For other service first. Toward Ephesus
Turn our blown279 sails, eftsoons I’ll tell thee why.
280 Shall we refresh us, sir, To Lysimachus upon your shore
And give you gold for such provision
As our intents will need?
And when you come ashore I have another suit.
For it seems you have been noble towards her.
Enter Gower
More a little,2 and then dumb.
This my last boon3 give me,
For such kindness must relieve me:
5 That you aptly5 will suppose
What pageantry, what feats, what shows,
What minstrelsy,7 and pretty din,
The regent made in Mytilene
To greet the king. So he thrived
10 That he is promised to be wived
To fair Marina, but in no wise11
Till he12 had done his sacrifice
As Dian bade, whereto being bound,13
The interim,14 pray you, all confound.
15 In feathered briefness15 sails are filled,
And wishes fall out as they’re willed.
At Ephesus the temple see
Our king and all his company.
That he can hither come so soon,
20 Is by20 your fancies’ thankful doom.
[Exit]
[Enter Pericles, Marina, Lysimachus, Helicanus and Attendants, and Thaisa, Cerimon and the Priests of Diana]
I here confess2 myself the King of Tyre,
Who frighted from my country did wed
At Pentapolis, the fair Thaisa.
5 At sea in childbed died she, but brought forth
A maid-child called Marina whom, O goddess,
Wears7 yet thy silver livery. She at Tarsus
Was nursed with Cleon, who at fourteen years
He sought to murder, but her better stars9
10 Brought her to Mytilene, against10 whose shore
Riding, her fortunes brought the maid aboard us,
Where by her own most clear remembrance she
Made known herself my daughter.
15 You are, you are, O royal Pericles! She faints
This is your wife.
20 I threw her overboard with these very arms.
Early one blustering morn this lady was
25 Thrown upon this shore. I oped the coffin,
Found there rich jewels, recovered her, and placed her
Here in Diana’s temple.
30 Whither I invite you. Look, Thaisa is recovered.
If he be none of mine, my sanctity32
Will to my sense33 bend no licentious ear,
But curb34 it, spite of seeing. O my lord,
35 Are you not Pericles? Like him you spake,
Like him you are. Did you not name a tempest,
A birth and death?
40 Supposèd dead and drowned.
When we with tears parted Pentapolis,
The king my father gave you such a ring.
Points to his ring
Makes my past miseries sports!46 You shall do well
That on the touching of her lips I may melt
And no more be seen. O, come, be buried
A second time within these arms. Embraces her
Leaps to be gone into my mother’s bosom.
Thy burden at the sea, and called Marina
For she was yielded54 there.
I left behind an ancient substitute.59
60 Can you remember what I called the man?
I have named him oft.
Embrace him, dear Thaisa, this is he.
They embrace
65 Now do I long to hear how you were found,
How possibly preserved,66 and who to thank,
Besides the gods, for this great miracle?
Through whom the gods have shown their power, that can
70 From first to last resolve you.
The gods can have no mortal officer72
More like a god than you, will you deliver
How this dead queen relives?
Beseech you, first go with me to my house,
Where shall77 be shown you all was found with her,
How she came placèd78 here in the temple,
No needful thing omitted.
I bless thee for thy vision, and will offer
Night oblations82 to thee. Thaisa,
This prince, the fair83 betrothèd of your daughter,
Shall marry her at Pentapolis,
85 And now this ornament85
Makes86 me look dismal will I clip to form,
And what this fourteen years no razor touched
To grace thy marriage-day I’ll beautify.
90 Sir, my father’s dead.
We’ll celebrate their nuptials, and ourselves
Will in that kingdom spend our following days.
Our son94 and daughter shall in Tyrus reign.
95 Lord Cerimon, we do95 our longing stay
To hear the rest untold.96 Sir, lead’s the way.
[Exeunt]
[Enter Gower]
Of monstrous lust the due and just reward.
In Pericles, his queen and daughter seen,
Although assailed with fortune fierce and keen,4
5 Virtue preserved from fell5 destruction’s blast,
Led on by heaven and crowned with joy at last.
In Helicanus may you well descry7
A figure8 of truth, of faith, of loyalty.
In reverend Cerimon there well appears
10 The worth that learnèd charity aye10 wears.
For wicked Cleon and his wife, when fame11
Had spread his cursèd deed to12 th’honoured name
Of Pericles, to13 rage the city turn,
That him and his they in his palace burn.
15 The gods for murder seemèd so15 content
To punish, although16 not done, but meant.
So, on your patience evermore attending,
New joy wait on you. Here our play has ending.
[Exit]
Q = First Quarto text of 1609
Q2 = a correction introduced in the Second Quarto text of 1609
Q3 = a correction introduced in the Third Quarto text of 1611
Q4 = a correction introduced in the Fourth Quarto text of 1619
Q5 = a correction introduced in the Fifth Quarto text of 1630
F3 = a correction introduced in the Third Folio text, second issue, of 1664
F4 = a correction introduced in the Fourth Folio text of 1685
PA = a reading in George Wilkins’ novel, The Painfull Adventures of Pericles, Prince of Tyre (1608)
Ed = a correction introduced by a later editor
SD = stage direction
SH = speech heading (i.e., speaker’s name)
List of parts = Ed. Not in Q
Prologue 1 SH GOWER = Ed. Not in Q 6 holidays = Q. Sometimes emended to holy-ales 11 these = Q2. Q = those 30 account’ = Ed. Q = account’d 39 a = F3. Q = of
1.1.18 razed = Ed. Q = racte 25 boundless = Ed. Q = bondlesse 41 From = Ed. Q = For 50 Grip spelled Gripe in Q 57 SH ANTIOCHUS = Ed. Q prints (Antiochus) at the end of the preceding line. Some editors, noting Pericles’ frequent repetition of the king’s name, print I wait the sharpest blow, Antiochus followed by Antiochus’ reply. 60, 61 ’ssayed = Ed. Q = sayd 114 cancel = Q3. Q = counsell 128 you’re = Q3. Q = you 137 ’schew = Ed. Q = shew 173 SH ANTIOCHUS = Ed. Not in Q
1.2.4 Be my = Ed. Q = By me 6 should = Ed. Q = stould 17 me. The = Ed. Q = me the 26 th’ostent = Ed. Q = the stint 31 am = Ed. Q = once 36 And…comfortable = Ed. Q = And keepe your mind till you returne to vs peacefull and comfortable 41 breath = Ed. Q = sparke. Sometimes emended to wind 46 pardon = Ed. Q = paadon 61 heaven = Ed. Q = heaue 67 Such…yourself = Ed. Q = such griefes as you your selfe doe lay vpon your selfe 72 Where, as = Ed. Q = Whereas 84 me = Ed. Not in Q 85 fears = F4. Q = feare 87 he doubt = Ed. Q = he doo’t as doubt no = Ed. Q = as no 93 call’t = Ed. Q = call 124 we’ll = Ed. Q = will
1.3.1 SH THALIARD = Ed. Not in Q 29 king’s ears this = Ed. Q = Kings seas. Sometimes emended to king’s ears it 30 sea = Q. Sometimes emended to seas 32 SH HELICANUS = Ed. Not in Q 35 betook = Ed. Q = betake travels spelled trauailes in Q
1.4.13 our = Ed. Q = and do = Ed. Q = to 22 o’er = Ed. Q = on 36 they = Ed. Q = thy 39 two summers = Ed. Q = too sauers. Sometimes emended to two savours. The analogous passage in PA reads: this their City…not two summers younger, did so excell in pompe 58 thou = Q4. Q = thee 67 Hath = Ed. Q = That 74 him’s = Ed. Q = himnes 77 fear = Q4. Q = leaue 78 The = Q4. Q = our 80 from…craves = Ed. Q = for what he comes, and whence / he comes, and what he craues 96 SH ALL TARSIANS = Ed. Q = Omnes.
2 Chorus 1 SH GOWER = Q4. Not in Q 11 Tarsus = Ed. Q = Tharstill 12 speken = Ed. Q = spoken 17 SH GOWER = Ed. Not in Q Helicane = Ed. Q = Helicon 19 though = Ed. Q = for though. Sometimes emended to forthy or for that 20 keeps = Ed. Q = keepe 22 Sends word = Ed. Q = Sau’d one. Sometimes emended to Sent word 24 had intent = Q (corrected). Q = hid in Tent to murder = Q (corrected). Q = murdred. Sometimes emended to murdren 25 Tarsus = Ed. Q = Tharsis 34 tossed = Ed. Q = tost 40 ’longs = Ed. Q = long’s
2.1.12 What ho, Pilch! = Ed. Q = What, to pelch 34 devours = Ed. Q = deuowre 42 SH THIRD FISHERMAN = Ed. Q = I. 51 finny subject = Ed. Q = fenny subiect. PA = finny subjects 57 search’t = Ed. Q = Search 58 nobody will = Ed. Q = no body 82 quotha = Ed. Q = ke-tha an = Ed. Q = and 86 holidays = Ed. Q = all day moreo’er = Ed. Q = more; or 95 your = Ed. Q = you 105 is called Pentapolis = Q2. Q = I cald Pantapoles 117 joust = Ed. Q = Iust 136 thee from, may’t = Ed. Q = thee, Fame may. Sometimes emended to the Gods forfend, the same 154 d’ye = Ed. Q (corrected) = do’e. Q (uncorrected) = di’e on’t = Ed. Q = an’t 163 rapture = Ed. Q = rupture. PA = a Iewel, whom all the raptures of the sea could not bereaue from his arme 166 delightful = Ed. Q = delight. Sometimes emended to delightsome 173 goad = Ed. Q = Goale. Sometimes emended to equal
2.2.1 SH SIMONIDES = Ed. Q = King (throughout) 4 daughter = Ed. Q = daughter heere 27–8 Piùe per dolcezza che per forza = Ed. Q = Pue Per doleera kee per forsa. Sometimes emended to Piu per dulcura que per fuerça 30 chivalry = Ed. Q = Chiually 31 Me pompae provexit apex = Ed. Q = Me Pompey prouexit apex 57 for = Ed. Q = by. PA = as Uertue was not to be approoued by wordes, but by actions, so the outward habite was the least table of the inward minde
2.3.3 To = F4. Q = I 13 yours = Q3. Q = your 15 artists = Ed. Q = an Artist 31 but = Ed. Q = not 36, 37 He’s = Ed. Q = ha’s 39 Yon = Q2. Q = You 40 me = Q4. Not in Q 45 son’s = Ed. Q = sonne 52 stored = Ed. Q = stur’d. F3 = stirr’d 53 you do = Q4. Q = do you 66 entertain = Ed. Q = entraunce 74 And, further = Ed. Q = And furthermore. Sometimes emended to Furthermore know = Ed. Q = know of him 83 education being = Q5. Q = education beene. Sometimes emended to education’s been or education has been 113 SH SIMONIDES = Ed. Not in Q
2.4.8 Of = Ed. Q = of an 19 council has = Ed. Q = counsaile, ha’s 27 Helicane spelled Hellican in Q 32 We’ll = Ed. Q = And 35 death’s indeed = Ed. Q = death in deed. Sometimes emended to death indeed’s 57 endeavour it = Ed. Q = endeauour. Sometimes emended to endeavour us
2.5.77 SD Aside printed on the following line in Q 94 SH BOTH spelled Ambo in Q
3 Chorus 1 SH GOWER = Ed. Not in Q rouse = Ed. Q = rout 7 crickets sing = Ed. Q = Cricket sing. Sometimes emended to crickets 13 eche = Ed. Q = each 15 SH GOWER = Ed. Not in Q 17 coigns = Ed. Q = Crignes 29 t’appease = Ed. Q = t’oppresse. PA = appeased the stubborne mutiny of the Tyrians 34 Pentapolis spelled Penlapolis in Q 35 Y-ravishèd = Ed. Q = Iranyshed 46 Fortune, moved = Ed. Q = fortune mou’d. Sometimes emended to fortune’s mood 57 not what = Ed. Q = not? what 60 sea-tossed = Ed. Q = seas tost
3.1.0 SD on = Q4. Q = a 7 Thou stormest = Ed. Q = then storme 8 spit = Ed. Q = speat. F3 = spet. Sometimes emended to split, spite or speak 11 midwife = Ed. Q = my wife 46 Slack = Q (corrected). Q (uncorrected) = Slake bowlines = Ed. Q = bolins 55 custom = Ed. Q = easterne. Sometimes emended to In ease or in earnest 64 the ooze = Ed. Q = oare. Sometimes emended to care 66 And = Ed. Q = The aye-remaining = Ed. Q = ayre remayning. Sometimes emended to e’er remaining 69 paper = Q2. Q = Taper 71 coffer = Ed. Q = Coffin 77, 80 SH FIRST SAILOR = Ed. Q = 2.
3.2.4 ’T has = Ed. Q = T’as 18 quit = Ed. Q = quite 38 I = Ed. Not in Q 50 SD chest = Ed. Q = Chist 51 SH CERIMON’S SERVANT = Ed. Q = Seru. (throughout) 54 chest = Ed. Q = Chist 63 bitumed = Ed. Q = bottomed 71 corpse = Ed. Q = Corse 74–5 too! Apollo = Ed. Q = to Apollo 85 even = Q4. Q = ever. PA = thou hast a body even drowned with woe 94 lain spelled lien in Q 96 cloths = Ed. Q = clothes. Q4 = cloathes 101 warm = Q2. Q = warmth
3.3.0 SD at Tarsus spelled Atharsus in Q 6 haunt = Ed. Q = hant. Sometimes emended to hurt 29–30 all…remain = Ed. Q = All vnsisterd shall this heyre of mine remayne. PA = his head should grow unscissored 31 ill = Ed. Q = will 42 Lychorida spelled Licherida in Q
3.4.0 SD Thaisa spelled Tharsa in Q 5 eaning = F3. Q = learning. Sometimes emended to groaning, bearing, yearning or yielding 9 vestal = Ed. Q = vastall 16 SH THAISA = Ed. Q = Thin.
4 Chorus 1 SH GOWER = Q4. Not in Q 8 music’s letters = Q. Sometimes emended to music, letters 10 her = Ed. Q = hie. Sometimes emended to high heart = Ed. Q = art 14 Seeks = Ed. Q = Seeke 17 ripe = Ed. Q = right marriage-rite = Ed. Q = marriage light 21 Be’t spelled Beet in Q 23 nee’le = Ed. Q = needle 26 night-bird = Ed. Q = night bed 32 With = Ed. Q = The. Sometimes emended to With the the = Ed. Q = with the 38 murder = Ed. Q = murderer 47 carry = Ed. Q = carried 48 on = Ed. Q = one
4.1.5 inflame…bosom = Ed. Q = in flaming, thy loue bosome, enflame too nicelie. Sometimes emended to inflaming love in thy bosom, / Inflame or or fanning love thy bosom / Unflame or or flaming love thy bosom / Enslave or in flaming, thy love-bosom / Inflame 19 as = Ed. Not in Q 26 o’er…margent = Ed. Q = ere the sea marre it 68 stem = Ed. Q = sterne 82 la = Ed. Q = law 84 trod spelled trode in Q
4.2.4 much = Q2. Q = much much 21 they’re too = Ed. Q = ther’s two 27 chequins spelled Checkins in Q 44 SH FIRST PIRATE = Ed. Q = Sayler 68 struck = Ed. Q = strooke 69 but = Ed. Q = not 77 like = Q4. Not in Q 112 i’th’ = Ed. Q = ethe 113 Veroles spelled Verollus in Q 128 lovers. Seldom = Ed. Q = Louers sel-dome 135 SH BAWD = F3. Q = Mari. 159 Untried = Ed. Q = Vntide
4.3.1 are = Q4. Q = ere 4 child = Ed. Q = chidle 30 prime = Ed. Q = prince. Q4 = whole 38 malkin = Ed. Q = Mawkin 39 through spelled thorow in Q 53 talons spelled talents in Q 54 Ye’re = Ed. Q = Yere
4 Second Chorus 8 i’th’ = Ed. Q = with. Q4 = in 10 the = Q2. Q = thy 12 life’s = Ed. Q = liues 13 along: behind = Ed. Q = along behind, 14 if = Ed. Q = it 18 his = Ed. Q = this 19 go on = Ed. Q = grone. Sometimes emended to groan or grow on 29 puts = Ed. Q = put 48 scene = Ed. Q = Steare. Sometimes emended to stir
4.5.12 cavalleria = Ed. Q = Caualereea 18 loon = Ed. Q = Lowne 40 dignifies = Q4. Q = dignities 67 paced spelled pac’ste in Q 74 name’t = Ed. Q = name. Sometimes emended to name it 95 aloof = Ed. Q = aloft. Sometimes emended to off aloof 135 ways = Ed. Q = way 160 womankind = Ed. Q = wemen-kinde 176 Coistrel = Ed. Q = custerell 190 O, that = Q4. Q = that 204 women = Q3. Q = woman
5 Chorus 1 SH GOWER = Ed. Not in Q 5 nee’le = Ed. Q = neele 8 twin = Ed. Q = Twine 10 pour = Ed. Q = powre 13 We…lost = Ed. Q = wee there him left. Q4 = tumbled and tost. Sometimes emended to Waves there him tossed 14 Whence = Ed. Q = Where. Q4 = And
5.1.1 SH SAILOR OF TYRE = Ed. Q = I. Say. 7 SH SAILOR OF TYRE = Ed. Q = 2. Say. 11 SH SAILOR OF MYTILENE = Ed. Q = I. Say. 34 SH LYSIMACHUS = Q4. Not in Q (this line is part of Helicanus’ speech) 35 SH HELICANUS = Q4. Q = Lys 36 Till = Ed. Q = SH Hell. Till night = Ed. Q = wight 46 deafened = Ed. Q = defend 48–9 She…upon = Ed. Q = shee is all happie as the fairest of all, and her fellow maides, now vpon. Sometimes emended to She in all happy, / As the fair’st of all, among her fellow maids / Dwells now i’th 50 leafy = Ed. Q = leauie 59 gods = Ed. Q = God 60 graft = Ed. Q = graffe 71 I’d = Ed. Q = I do wed = Ed. Q = to wed 72 one = Ed. Q = on 74 feat = Ed. Q = fate 84 Marked = Ed. Q = Marke 98 awkward = Ed. Q = augward 107 You’re = Ed. Q = your 107–8 countrywoman = Ed. Q = Countrey women 108 Here = Ed. Q = heare shores = Ed. Q = shewes 117 cased = Ed. Q = caste 129 seem’st spelled seemest in Q palace = Ed. Q = Pallas 132 look’st spelled lookest in Q 134 say = Ed. Q = stay 139 tossed spelled tost in Q 140 thought’st = Ed. Q = thoughts 148 dost = Ed. Q = doest 151 them? Thy = Ed. Q = thy 172 Motion? Well, = Ed. Q = Motion well, Sometimes emended to Motion as well? 193 and wooed = Ed. Q = and hauing wooed 201 SH PERICLES = Ed. Q = Hell. 230 another = Ed. Q = an other life = Ed. Q = like 236 garments…Helicanus = Ed. Q = garments, mine owne Hellicanus 240 princess = Ed. Q = Princes 248 doubt = Ed. Q = doat. Sometimes emended to dote 269 life = Ed. Q = like 270 Perform = Ed. Q = or performe 271 Do it = Ed. Q = doo’t 284 suit = Ed. Q = sleight
5 Second Chorus 16 willed = Ed. Q = wild
5.2.10 against = Ed. Q = gainst 16 nun = Ed. Q = mum 19 Reverend = Q2. Q = Reuerent 23 o’erjoyed spelled ouer-joyde in Q 24 one = Ed. Q = in 41 Immortal = Ed. Q = I mortall 58 SH PERICLES = Q4. Q = Hell 71 Reverend = F3. Q = Reuerent 81 I bless = Ed. Q = blesse
Epilogue = Ed. Q = FINIS. 5 preserved = Ed. Q = preferd 12 deed to th’honoured = Ed. Q = deede, the honor’d
Wilkins’ Painfull Adventures provides the following words for the song (spelling modernized):
Amongst the harlots foul I walk,
Yet harlot none am I:
The rose amongst the thorns doth grow,
And is not hurt thereby.
The thief that stole me, sure I think,
Is slain before this time.
A bawd me bought, yet am I not
Defiled by fleshly crime:
Nothing were pleasanter to me,
Than parents mine to know.
I am the issue of a king,
My blood from kings doth flow.
In time the heavens may mend my state,
And send a better day,
For sorrow adds unto our griefs,
But helps not any way:
Show gladness in your countenance,
Cast up your cheerful eyes,
That God remains, that once of naught
Created earth and skies.