Thai. By Juno, that is queen Of marriage, all the viands that I eat Do seem unsavoury, wishing him my meat! Sim. He's but A country gentleman ; He has done no more than other knights have done; Thai. To me he seems like diamond to glass. 1 Knight. Who can be other, in this royal presence? Sim. Here, with a cup that's stor❜d unto the brim, you do love, fill to your mistress' lips,) (As We drink this health to you. Knights. We thank your grace. Yet pause a while; Yon knight, methinks, doth sit too melancholy, Had not a show might countervail his worth. Thai. VVhat is it To me, my father? Sim. O, attend, my daughter; Princes, in this, should live like gods above, to think of his mistress, his stomach fails him. As displeasing sensations are known to diminish appetite, so pleasant ideas may be supposed to increase it. MALONE. [2] The sense appears to be this.---When kings, like insects, lie dead before us, our admiration is excited by contemplating how in both instances the powers of creating bustle were superior to those which either object should seem to have promis Therefore to make's entrance more sweet, here say, Do as I bid you, or you'll move me else. Thai. Now, by the gods, he could not please me bet ter. Sim. And further, tell him, we desire to know, Thai. The king my father, sir, has drunk to you. Thai. Wishing it so much blood unto your life. [Aside. Per. I thank both him and you, and pledge him freely Of whence you are, your name and parentage. Who looking for adventures in the world, Was, by the rough seas reft of ships and men, And, after shipwreck, driven upon this shore. Thai. He thanks your grace; names himself Pericles. A gentleman of Tyre, who only by Misfortune of the seas has been bereft Of ships and men, and cast upon this shore. [The Knights dance. So, this was well ask'd, 'twas so well perform'd. ed. The worthless monarch, and the idle gnat, have only lived to make an empty bluster; and when both alike are dead, we wonder how it happened that they made so much, or that we permitted them to make it :-a natural reflection on the death of an unserviceable prince, who having dispensed no blessings, can hope for no better character. STEEVENS. STEEVENS. MALONE. [3] A standing-bowl was a bowl resting on a foot. Come, sir; Here is a lady that wants breathing too; And I have often heard, you knights of Tyre And that their measures are as excellent. Per. In those that practise them, they are, my lord. Sim. O, that's as much, as you would be denied [The Knights and Ladies dance. Of your fair courtesy.-Unclasp, unclasp ; Thanks, gentlemen, to all; all have done well, But you the best. [To PERICLES.] Pages and lights conduct These knights unto their several lodgings :-Yours, sir, We have given order to be next our own. Per. I am at your grace's pleasure. Sim. Princes, it is too late to talk of love, For that's the mark I know you level at: Therefore each one betake him to his rest; To-morrow, all for speeding do their best. SCENE IV. Tyre. A Room in the Governor's House. [Exeunt. Enter HELI Hel. No, no, my Escanes; know this of me,- For which, the most high gods not minding longer Even in the height and pride of all his glory, A fire from heaven came, and shrivell'd up Their bodies, even to loathing; for they so stunk, Hel. And yet but just; for though This king were great, his greatness was no guard "Enter Three Lords. 1 Lord. See, not a man in private conference, Or council, has respect with him but he. 2 Lord. It shall no longer grieve without reproof. 3 Lord. And curs'd be he that will not second it. 1 Lord. Follow me then: Lord Helicane, a word. Hel. With me? and welcome: Happy day, my lords. 1 Lord. Know, that our griefs are risen to the top, And now at length they overflow their banks. Hel. Your griefs, for what? wrong not the prince you love. 1 Lord. Wrong not yourself then, noble Helicane ; But if the prince do live, let us salute him, Or know what ground's made happy by his breath. Or dead, gives cause to mourn his funeral, [censure: 2 Lord. Whose death's, indeed, the strongest in our And knowing this kingdom, if without a head, (Like goodly buildings left without a roof,) Will soon to ruin fall, your noble self, That best know'st how to rule, and how to reign, We thus submit unto,-our sovereign. All. Live, noble Helicane! Hel. Try honour's cause; forbear your suffrages : Go search like noblemen, like noble subjects, You shall like diamonds sit about his crown. 1 Lord. To wisdom he's a fool that will not yield; And, since lord Helicane enjoineth us, We with our travels will endeavour it. Hel. Then you love us, we you, and we'll clasp hands ; When peers thus knit, a kingdom ever stands. [Exeunt. [5] i. e. the most probable in our opinion. Censure is thus used in King Richard "To give your censures in this weighty business." 16 VOL. X. STEEVENS. L Pentapolis. SCENE V. A Room in the Palace. Enter SIMONIDES, reading a letter, the Knights meet him. 1 Knight. Good morrow to the good Simonides. Sim. Knights, from my daughter this I let you know, That for this twelvemonth, she'll not undertake A married life. Her reason to herself is only known, Which from herself by no means can I get. 2 Knight. May we not get access to her, my lord? Sim. 'Faith, by no means; she hath so strictly tied her To her chamber, that it is impossible. One twelve moons more she'll wear Diana's livery ; And on her virgin honour will not break it. 3 Knight. Though loath to bid farewell, we take our leaves. Sim. So [Exeunt. They're well despatch'd; now to my daughter's letter: Mistress, 'tis well, your choice agrees with mine ; Well, I commend her choice; And will no longer have it be delay'd. Soft, here he comes :-I must dissemble it. Enter PERICLES. Per. All fortune to the good Simonides! Sim. To you as much, sir! I am beholden to you, For your sweet music this last night my ears, I do protest, were never better fed With such delightful pleasing harmony. Per. It is your grace's pleasure to commend ; Not my desert. Sim. Sir, you are music's master. Per. The worst of all her scholars, my good lord. Sim. Let me ask one thing. What do you think, sir, of My daughter? [6] It were to be wished that Simonides (who is represented as a blameless character) had hit on some more ingenious expedient for the dismission of these wooers. Here he tells them as a solemn truth, what he knows to be a fiction of his own. STEEVENS. |