3 Fish. Nay, master, said not I as much, when || draw up the net. I saw the porpus, how he bounced and tumbled? they say, they are half fish, half flesh; a plague on them, they ne'er come, but I look to be wash'd. Master, I marvel how the fishes live in the sea.

[Exeunt two of the Fishermen. Per. How well this honest mirth becomes their labour!

1 Fish. Hark you, sir; do you know where you are?

Per. Not well.

1 Fish. Why, I'll tell you: this is called Pentapois, and our king, the good Simonides. Per. The good king Simonides, do you call him? 1 Fish. Ay, sir; and he deserves to be so call'd, for his peaceable reign, and good government. Per. He is a happy king, since from his subjects He gains the name of good, by his government. How far is his court distant from this shore?

Per. What I have been, I have forgot to know;
But what I am, want teaches me to think on;
A man shrunk up with cold: my veins are chill,
And have no more of life, than may suffice
To give my tongue that heat, to ask your help;
Which if you shall refuse, when I am dead,
For I am a man, pray see me buried.

1 Fish. Marry, sir, half a day's journey; and I'll tell you, he hath a fair daughter, and to-morrow is her birth-day; and there are princes and knights come from all parts of the world, to just and tourney2 for her love.

Per. Did but my fortunes equal my desires, I'd wish to make one there.

1 Fish. O, sir, things must be as they may; and what a man cannot get, he may lawfully deal forhis wife's soul.

Re-enter the two Fishermen, drawing up a net.

2 Fish. Help, master, help; here's a fish hangs in the net, like a poor man's right in the law; 'twill hardly come out. Ha! bots on't, 'tis come at last, and 'tis turn'd to a rusty armour.

Per. An armour, friends! I pray you, let me see it.

2 Fish. Honest! good fellow, what's that? if it be a day fits you, scratch it out of the calendar,|| Thanks, fortune, yet, that after all my crosses, and nobody will look after it. Thou giv'st me somewhat to repair myself; Per. Nay, see, the sea hath cast upon your coast-And, though it was mine own, part of mine heritage, 2 Fish. What a drunken knave was the sea, to Which my dead father did bequeath to me, cast thee in our way! With this strict charge (even as he left his life,)

Per. A man whom both the waters and the wind,|| Keep it, my Pericles, it hath been a shield
In that vast tennis-court, hath made the ball
For them to play upon, entreats you pity him;
He asks of you, that never us'd to beg

1 Fish. No, friend, cannot you beg? here's them in our country of Greece, gets more with begging, than we can do with working.

'Twixt me and death (and pointed to this brace :3).
For that it sav'd me, keep it; in like necessity,
Which gods protect thee from! it may defend thee.
It kept where I kept, I so dearly lov'd it;
Till the rough seas, that spare not any man,
Took it in rage, though, calm'd, they give't again :
I thank thee for't; my shipwreck's now no ill,
Since I have here my father's gift by will.
1 Fish. What mean you, sir?

2 Fish. Canst thou catch any fishes then?
Per. I never practis'd it.

2 Fish. Nay, then thou wilt starve sure; for here's nothing to be got now a-days, unless thou canst fish for't.

Per. To beg of you, kind friends, this coat of worth,

For it was sometime target to a king;
I know it by this mark. He lov'd 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't I may appear a gentleman;
And if that ever my low fortunes better,
I'l pay your bounties; till then, rest your debtor.
1 Fish. Why, wilt thou tourney for the lady?
Per. I'll show the virtue I have borne in arms.
1 Fish. Why, do ye take it, and the gods give
thee good on't!

1 Fish. Die, quoth-a? Now gods forbid! I have a gown here; come, put it on; keep thee warm. Now, afore me, a handsome fellow! Come, thou shalt go home, and we'll have flesh for holidays, fish for fasting-days, and moreo'er puddings and flap-jacks, and thou shalt be welcome.

2 Fish. Ay, but hark you, my friend; 'twas we that made up this garment through the rough seams of the waters: there are certain condolements, cer

Per. I thank you, sir.

2 Fish. Hark you, my friend, you said you could tain vails. I hope, sir, if you thrive, you'll rememnot beg.

ber from whence you had it.

Per. I did but crave.

Per. Believe't, I will.

2 Fish. But crave? Then I'll turn craver too, and so I shall 'scape whipping.

Now, by your furtherance, I am cloth'd in steel;
And spite of all the rupture of the sea,
This jewel holds his bidding on my arm;
Unto thy value will I mount myself

Per. Why, are all your beggars whipp'd then?
2 Fish. O, not all, my friend, not all; for if all
your beggars were whipp'd, I would wish no bet-Upon a courser, whose delightful steps
ter office, than to be beadle. But, master, I'll go
(2) To tilt, mock-fight.

Shall make the gazer joy to see him tread.-
(4) Keeping.

(1) Pancakes.

(3) Armour for the arm.

Only, my friend, I yet am unprovided
Of a pair of bases. I

2 Fish. We'll sure provide: thou shalt have my best gown to make thee a pair; and I'll bring thee to the court myself.

[Exeunt.

Per. Then honour be but a gaol to my will; This day I'll rise, or else add ill to ill. SCENE II-The same. A public way, or platform, leading to the lists. A pavilion by the side of it, for the reception of the King, Princess, Lords, &c. Enter Simonides, Thaisa, Lords, and Attendants.

Sim. Are the knights ready to begin the triumph?
1 Lord. They are, my liege;

And stay your coming to present themselves.
Sim. Return them,2 we are ready; and our
daughter,

In honour of whose birth these triumphs are,
Sits here, like beauty's child, whom nature gat
For men to see, and seeing wonder at.

Enter a Knight; he passes over the stage, and his
Squire presents his shield to the Princess.
Sim. Who is the first that doth prefer4 himself?
Thai. A knight of Sparta, my renowned father;
And the device he bears upon his shield
Is a black Æthiop, reaching at the sun;
The word, Lux tua vita mihi.

Sim. He loves you well, that holds his life of you. [The second Knight passes. Who is the second, that presents himself?

Thai. A prince of Macedon, my royal father;
And the device he bears upon his shield
Is an arm'd knight, that's conquer'd by a lady :
The motto thus, in Spanish, Piu per dulçura que
per fuerça. The third Knight passes.
Sim. And what's the third?

[Exit a Lord. Thai. It pleaseth you, my father, to express My commendations great, whose merit's less.

Sim. 'Tis fit it should be so; for princes are
A model, which heaven makes like to itself:
As jewels lose their glory, if neglected,
So princes their renown, if not respected.
'Tis now your honour, daughter, to explain
The labour of each knight, in his device.3

Thai. Which, to preserve mine honour, I'll per- You are my guests.

form.

Thai.
The third, of Antioch;
And his device, a wreath of chivalry :
The word, Me pompa proverit apex.
[The fourth Knight passes.
Sim. What is the fourth?
Thai. A burning torch, that's turned upside down:
The word, Quod me alit, me extinguit.

Sim. Which shows that beauty hath his power
and will,
Which can as well inflame, as it can kill.
[The fifth Knight passes.
Thai. The fifth, a hand environed with clouds;
Holding out gold, that's by the touchstone tried;
The motto thus, Sic spectanda fides.

[The sixth Knight passes. Sim. And what's the sixth and last, which the knight himself

With such a graceful courtesy deliver'd?
Thai. He seems a stranger; but his present is
A wither'd branch, that's only green at top;

3 Lord. And on set purpose let his armour rust, Until this day, to scour it in the dust.

Sim. Opinion's but a fool, that makes us scan The outward habit by the inward inan. But stay, the knights are coming; we'll withdraw Into the gallery. [Exeunt. [Great shouts, and all cry, The mean knight! SCENE III-The same. A hall of state-A banquet prepared. Enter Simonides, Thaisa, Lords, Knights, and Attendants.

Sim. Knights,

To say you are welcome, were superfluous.
To place upon the volume of your deeds,
As in a title-page, your worth in arms,
Were more than you expect, or more than's fit,
Since every worth in show commends itself.
Prepare
for mirth, for mirth becomes a feast:

Thai.
But you, my knight and guest;
To whom this wreath of victory I give,
And crown you king of this day's happiness.
Per. 'Tis more by fortune, lady, than by merit.
Sim. Call it by what you will, the day is
yours;

And here, I hope, is none that envies it.
In framing artists, art hath thus decreed,
To make some good, but others to exceed;
And you're her labour'd scholar. Come, queen
o'the feast

(For, daughter, so you are,) here take your place:
Marshal the rest, as they deserve their grace.
Knights. We are honour'd much by good Simon-
ides.
Sim. Your presence glads our days; honour we
love,
For who hates honour, hates the gods above.
Marsh. Sir, yond's your place.
Per.
Some other is more fit.
1 Knight. Contend not, sir; for we are gentle-

men,

That neither in our hearts, nor outward eyes,
Envy the great, nor do the low despise.
Per. You are right courteous knights.
Sim.
Sit, sit, sir; sit.
Per. By Jove, I wonder, that is king of thoughts,
These cates resist me,8 she not thought upon.
Thai. By Juno, that is queen
Of marriage, all the viands that I eat
Do seem unsavoury, wishing him my meat;
Sure, he's a gallant gentleman.

Sim.

He's but

A country gentleman;

He has done no more than other knights have done,
Broken a staff, or so; so let it pass.

Thai. To me he seems like diamond to glass.
Per. Yon king's to me, like to my father's pic-
ture,

(6) i. e. More by sweetness than by force.
(7) Handle of a whip.

(8) i. e. These delicacies go against my stomach.

Sim. O, that's as much, as you would be deny'd [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

||

And time that is so briefly spent,
With your fine fancies quaintly eche;1
What's dumb in show, I'll plain with speech.
Dumb show.

Gow. By many a dearn2 and painful perch,3
Of Pericles the careful search,
By the four opposing coignes,4
Which the world together joins,
Is made, with all due diligence,
That horse, and sail, and high expense,
Can stead the quests. At last from Tyre
(Fame answering the most strong inquire,)
To the court of king Simonides
Are letters brought; the tenor these:
Antiochus and his daughter's dead;
The men of Tyrus, on the head
Of Helicanus would set on
The erown of Tyre, but he will none:
The mutiny there he hastes t'appease :
Says to them, if king Pericles

Come not, in twice six moons, home,
He obedient to their doom,

How does my queen ?-Thou storm, thou! venomously 10

Wilt thou spit all thyself?-The seaman's whistle

O

Enter Pericles and Simonides at one door, with Attendants; a Messenger meets him, kneels, and gives Pericles a letter. Pericles shows it to Simon-Is as a whisper in the ears of death, ides; the Lords kneel to the former. Then enter Unheard.-Lychorida!—Lucina,11 Thaisa with child, and Lychorida. Simonides Divinest patroness, and midwife, gentle shows his daughter the letler; she rejoices: she To those that cry by night, convey thy deity and Pericles take leave of her father, and de- Aboard our dancing boat; make swift the pangs Of my queen's travails!-Now, Lychoridapart. Then Simonides, &c. retire.

Will take the crown. The sum of this,
Brought hither to Pentapolis,
Y-ravished the regions round,

And every one with claps 'gan sound,
Our heir apparent is a king:
Who dream'd, who thought of such a thing!
Brief, he must hence depart to Tyre:
His queen, with child, makes her desire
(Which who shall cross?) along to go;
(Omit we all their dole and wo;)
Lychorida, her nurse, she takes,
And so to sea. Their vessel shakes
On Neptune's billow; half the flood
Hath their keel cut; but fortune's mood
Varies again; the grizzled north
Disgorges such a tempest forth,
That, as a duck for life that dives,
So up and down the poor ship drives.
The lady shrieks, and, well-a-near !?
Doth fall in travail with her fear:
And what ensues in this fell storm,
Shall, for itself, itself perform.
I nill relate; action may
Conveniently the rest convey:
Which might not what by me is told.
In
your imagination hold

This stage, the ship, upon whose deck
The sea-tost prince appears to speak. [Exit.
SCENE I-Enter Pericles, on a ship at sea.
Per. Thou God of this great vast,9 rebuke,these
surges,

Which wash both heaven and hell; and thou, that
hast

Upon the winds command, bind them in brass,

Having call'd them from the deep! O still thy deaf'ning,

(1) Eke out.
(4) Corners.
(6) Disposition.
(7) An exclamation
(8) I shall not.
(10) Maliciously.

Thy dreadful thunders; gently quench thy nimble,
Sulphureous flashes!-O how, Lychorida,

(2) Lonely. (3) A measure.
(5) Help, or assist the search.

equivalent to well-a-day. (9) This wide expanse.

Enter Lychorida, with an infant.
Lyc. Here is a thing

Too young for such a place, who if it had
Conceit12 would die as I am like to do.

O you gods!
Why do you make us love your goodly gifts,
And snatch them straight away? We, here below,
Recall not what we give, and therein may
Vie honour13 with yourselves.

Patience, good sir,

Per.
Now, mild may be thy life!
For a more blust'rous birth had never babe:
Quiet and gentle thy conditions!

For thou'rt the rudeliest welcom'd to this world,
That e'er was prince's child. Happy what follows!
Thou hast as chiding 14 a nativity,

As fire, air, water, earth, and heaven can make,
To herald thee from the womb: even at the first,
Thy loss is more than can thy portage quit, 15
With all thou canst find here.-Now the good gods
Throw their best eyes upon it!

Enter two Sailors.

Lyc.

Even for this charge.

1 Sail. What courage, sir? God save you.

Per. Courage enough: I do not fear the flaw ;16
It hath done to me the worst. Yet, for the love
Of this poor infant, this fresh-new sea-farer,
I would, it would be quiet.

1 Sail. Slack the bolins17 there; thou wilt not, wilt thou? Blow, and split thyself.

2 Sail. But sea-room, an the brine and cloudy billow kiss the moon, I care not.

1 Sail. Sir, your queen must overboard; the sea works high, the wind is loud, and will not lie, till the ship be cleared of the dead.

Per. That's your superstition.

1 Sail. Pardon us, sir; with us at sea it still hath been observed; and we are strong in earnest. Therefore briefly yield her; for she must overboard straight.

Per. Be it as you think meet.-Most wretched queen!

Lyc. Here she lies, sir.

Per. A terrible child-bed hast thou had, my dear,
No light, no fire: the unfriendly elements
Forgot thee utterly; nor have I time

To give thee hallow'd to thy grave, but straight