For he's their parent, and he is their grave, And gives them what he will, not what they crave. 1 Knight. Who can be other, in this royal prefence? We drink this health to you. Knights. Sim. Yet paufe a while; We thank your grace. Yon knight, methinks, doth fit too melancholy, Had not a show might countervail his worth. Note it not you, Thaifa? Thai. To me, my father? Sim. What is it O, attend, my daughter; Princes, in this, fhould live like gods above, Are like to gnats, which make a found, but kill'd Therefore to make's entrance more fweet, here say, Unto a stranger knight to be so bold; Do as I bid you, or you'll move me else. Thai. Now, by the gods, he could not please me better. Sim. And further tell him, we defire to know, Of whence he is, his name and parentage. [Afide. Thai. The king my father, fir, has drunk to you. Per. Per. I thank him. Thai. Wifhing it fo much blood unto your life. Per. I thank both him and you, and pledge him freely. Thai. And further he defires to know of you, Of whence you are, your name and parentage. Per. A gentleman of Tyre-(my name, Pericles; My education being in arts and arms ;)— Who looking for adventures in the world, Was by the rough seas reft of ships and men, And, after fhipwreck, driven upon this fhore. Thai. He thanks your grace; names himself Pericles, A gentleman of Tyre, who only by Misfortune of the feas has been bereft Of ships and men, and cast upon this shore. I will not have excufe, with faying, this [The Knights dance. So, this was well ask'd, 'twas fo well perform'd. Come, fir; Here is a lady that wants breathing too : And I have often head, you knights of Tyre And that their measures are as excellent. Per. In those that practise them, they are, my lord. [The Knights and Ladies dance. Of your fair courtefy.-Unclafp, unclasp; Thanks, Thanks, gentlemen, to all; all have done well, But you the beft. [To PERICLES.] Pages and lights, conduct Thefe knights unto their several lodgings: Yours, fir, Sim. Princes, it is too late to talk of love, [Exeunt. SCENE IV. Tyre. A Room in the Governor's House. Enter HELICANUS and ESCANES. Hel. No, no, my Efcanes; 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 fhrivel'd up Hel. And yet but juft; for though This king were great, his greatness was no guard To bar heaven's fhaft, but fin had his reward. Efca. 'Tis very true. Enter Enter three Lords. 1 Lord. See, not a man in private conference, Or council, has refpect with him but he. 2 Lord. It shall no longer grieve, without reproof. 3 Lord. And curs'd be he that will not fecond it. Lord. Follow me then: Lord Helicane, a word. Hel. With me? and welcome: Happy day, my lords. 1 Lord. Know, that our griefs are rifen to the top, And now at length they overflow their banks. Hel. Your griefs, for what? wrong not the prince you love. ■ Lord. Wrong not yourself then, noble Helicane; But if the prince do live, let us falute him, Or know what ground's made happy by his breath. 2 Lord. Whofe death's, indeed, the ftrongest in our cenfure: And knowing this kingdom, if without a head, (Like goodly buildings left without a roof,) Will foon to ruin fall, your noble self, That best know'ft how to rule, and how to reign, All. Live, noble Helicane! Hel. Try honour's cause; forbear your suffrages: If that you love prince Pericles, forbear. Take I your with, I leap into the feas, Where's hourly trouble, for a minute's ease. To |