i 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.

i 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. If in the world he live, we'll seek him out; If in his grave he rest, we'll find him there; And be resolv’d,} he lives to govern us, Or dead, gives cause to mourn his funeral, And leaves us to our free election. 2 Lord. Whose death's indeed, the strongest in our

censure :4 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 : If that you love prince Pericles, forbear, Take I your wish, I leap into the seas, Where's hourly trouble for a minute's ease. A twelvemonth longer, let me then entreat you To forbear choice i’the absence of your king; If in which time expir'd, he not return, I shall with aged patience bear your yoke. But if I cannot win you to this love, Ģo search like noblemen, like noble subjects, And in your search spend your adventurous worth ;

Whom if you find, and win ynto return,
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.

SCENE V.

Pentapolis. 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; This by the eye of Cynthia hath she vow'd, And on her virgin honour will not break it. 3 Knight. Though loath to bid farewell, we take our leayes.

[Ereunt. Sim. So

They're well despatch'd; now to my daughter's

letter :
She tells me here, she'll wed the stranger knight,
Or never more to view nor day nor light,
-Mistress, 'tis well, your choice agrees with mine;
I like that well :-nay, how absolute she's in't,
Not minding whether I dislike or no!
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 musick 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 musick'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 ?
Per.

As of a most virtuous princess.
Sim. And she is fair too, is she not?
Per. As a fair day in summer; wond'rous fair.

Sim. My daughter, sir, thinks very well of you; Ay, so well, sir, that you must be her master, And she'll your scholar be; therefore look to it.

Per. Unworthy I to be her schoolmaster.
Sim. She thinks not so; peruse this writing else.
VOL. IX.

U

Per. What's here ! A letter, that she loves the knight of Tyre? 'Tis the king's subtilty, to have my life. [Aside. O, seek not to intrap, my gracious lord, A stranger and distressed gentleman, That never aim'd so high, to love your daughter, But bent all offices to honour her. Sim. Thou hast bewitch'd my daughter, and thon

art A villain.

Per. By the gods, I have not, sir.
Never did thought of mine levy offence;
Nor never did my actions yet commence
A deed might gain her love, or your displeasure,

Sim. Traitor, thou liest.
Per.

Traitor!
Sim.

Ay, traitor, sir. Per. Even in his throat, (unless it be the king.) That calls me traitor, I return the lie. Sim. Now, by the gods, 1 do applaud his courage.

[Aside.
Per. My actions are as noble as my thoughts,
That never relish'd of a base descent.
I came unto your court, for honour's cause,
And not to be a rebel to her state ;
And he that otherwise accounts of me,
This sword shall prove he's honour's enemy.

Sim. No!.
Here comes my daughter, she can witness it.

Enter THAISA.
Per. Then, as you are as virtuous as fair,
Resolve your angry father, if my tongue

Did e'er solicit, or my hand subscribe
To any syllable that made love to you?

Thai. Why, sir, say if you had,
Who takes offence at that would make me glad?

Sim. Yea, mistress; are you so perémptory?-
I am glad of it with all my heart. [Aside.] I'll tame

you; I'll bring you in subjection.Will you, not having my consent, bestow Your love and your affections on a stranger ? (Who, for ought I know to the contrary, Or think, may be as great in blood as I.)

[Aside: Hear therefore, mistress; frame your will to mine, And you, sir, hear you.-Either be ruld by me, Or I will make you—man and wife. Nay, come; your hands and lips must seal it too. And being join'd, I'll thus your hopes destroy ;And for a further grief,—God give you joy! What, are you both pleas'd?

Yes, if you love me, sir, Per. Even as my life, my blood that fosters it. Sim. What are you both agreed? Both

Yes, 'please your majesty. Sim. It pleaseth me so well, I'll see you wed ; Then, with what haste you can, get you to bed.

[Ereunt. ACT III.

Thai,

Enter GOWER.

Gow. Now sleep yslaked 5 hath the rout;
No din but snores, the house about,

5 Quenched.