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PERSONS REPRESENTED.

ANTIOCHUS, King of Antioch.
PERICLES, Prince of Tyre.
HELICANUS,
ESCANES,

two lords of Tyre.
SIMONIDES, King of Pentapolis.
CLEON, governor of Tharsus.
LYSIMACHUS, governor of Mitylene.
CERIMON, a lord of Ephesus.
THALIARD, a lord of Antioch.
PHILEMON, servant to Cerimon.
LEONINE, servant to Dionyza.
Marshal.
A Pander, and his Wife.
Boult, their servant.
Gower, as Chorus.

If you, born in these latter times,
When wit's more ripe, accept my rhy
And that to hear an old man sing,
May to your wishes pleasure bring,
I life would wish, and that I might
Waste it for you, like taper-light-
This city then, Antioch the great
Built up for his chiefest seat;
The fairest in all Syria ;
(I tell you what mine authors say;)
This king unto him took a pheere,
Who died and left a female heir,
So buxom, blithe, and full of face,
As heaven had lent her all his grace;
With whom the father liking took,
And her to incest did provoke
Bad father! to entice his own
To evil, should be done by none.
By custom, what they did begin,
Was, with long use, account no sin
The beauty of this sinful dame
Made many princes thither frame,
To seek her as a bed-fellow,
In marriage-pleasures play-fellow :
Which to prevent, he made a law,
(To keep her still, and men in awe,)
That whoso ask'd her for his wife,
His riddle told not, lost his life:
So for her many a wight did die,
As yon grim looks do testify.
What now ensues, to the judgment of your eye
I give, my cause who best can justify. [Erit.

The Daughter of Antiochus.
DION Y2A, wife to Cleon.
Thaisa, daughter to Simonides.
Marina, daughter to Pericles and Thaisa.
LYCHORIDA, nurse to Marina.
DIANA.

Lords, Ladies, Knights, Gentlemen, Sarlors, Pirates,

Fishermen, and Messengers, &c.
SCENE,-dispersedly in various Countries.

ACT I.

Enter GOWER.

SCENE I.-Antioch. A Room in the Palace.

Before the Palace of ANTIOCH. To sing a song of old was sung, From ashes ancient Gower is come; Assuming man's infirmities, To glad your ear, and please your eyes. It hath been sung at festivals, On ember-eves, and holy-ales; And lords and ladies of their lives Have read it for restoratives : 'Purpose to make men glorious ; Et quo antiquius, eo meliwe.

Enter ANTIOCHUS, PERICLES, and Attendants. Ant. Young prince of Tyre, you have at large

receiv'd The danger of the task you undertake.

Per. I have, Antiochus, and with a soul Embolden'd with the glory of her praise, Think death no hazard, in this enterprise. (Musick.

Ant. Bring in our daughter, clothed like a bride, For the embracements even of Jove himself At whose conception, (till Lucina reign'd,)

casts

Nature this dowry gave, to glad her presence, That give heaven countless eyes to view men's acts, The senate-bouse of planets all did sit,

Why cloud they not their sights perpetually, To knit in her their best perfections.

If this be true, which makes me pale to read it?

Fair glass of light, I lov'd you, and could still Enter the Daughter of AntiochUS.

[ Takes hold of the hand of the Princess. Per. See, where she comes, apparell'd like the Were not this glorious casket stor'd with ill: spring,

But I must tell you, -now, my thoughts revolt; Graces her subjects, and her thoughts the king For he's no man on whom perfections wait, Of every virtue gives renown to men!

That knowing sin within, will touch the gate. Her face, the book of praises, where is read You're a fair viol, and your sense the strings; Nothing but curious pleasures, as from thence Who, finger'd to make man his lawful musick, Sorrow were ever ras'd, and testy wrath

Would draw heaven down, and all the gods to Could never be her mild companion.

hearken; Ye gods that made me man, and sway in love, But, being play'd upon before your time, That have inflam'd desire in my breast,

Hell only danceth at so harsh a chime: To taste the fruit of yon celestial tree,

Good sooth, I care not for you. Or die in the adventure, be my helps,

Ant. Prince Pericles, touch not upon thy life, As I am son and servant to your will,

For that's an article within our law, To compass such a boundless happiness!

As dangerous as the rest. Your time's expir'd; Ant. Prince Pericles,

Either expound now, or receive your sentence. Per. That would be son to great Antiochus. Per. Great king, Ant. Before thee stands this fair Hesperides, Few love to hear the sins they love to act With golden fruit, but dangerous to be touch'd; 'Twould 'braid yourself too near for me to tell it. For death-like dragons here affright thee hard : Who has a book of all that monarchs do, Her face, like heaven, enticeth thee to view He's more secure to keep it shut, than shown; A countless glory, which desert must gain: For vice repeated, is like the wand'ring wind, And which, without desert, because thine eye Blows dust in others' eyes, to spread itself; Presumes to reach, all thy whole heap must die. And yet the end of all is bought thus dear, Yon sometime famous princes, like thyself,

The breath is gone, and the sore eyes see clear Drawn by report, advent'rous by desire, (pale, To stop the air would hurt them. The blind mole Tell thee with speechless tongues, and semblance

(wrong'd Tbat, without covering, save yon field of stars, Copp'd hills towards heaven, to tell, the earth is They here stand martyrs, slain in Cupid's wars ; By man's oppression; and the poor worm duth die And with dead cheeks advise thee to desist

for't. From going on death's net, whom none resist. Kings are earth's gods: in vice their law's their will;

Per. Antiochus, I thank thee, who hath taught And if Jove stray, who dares say, Jove doth ill ? My frail mortality to know itself,

It is enough you know; and it is fit, And by those fearful objects to prepare

What being more known grows worse, to smotheı it. This body, like to them, to what I must:

All love the womb that their first beings bred, For death remember'd, should be like a mirror, Then give my tongue like leave to love my head. Who tells us, life's but breath; to trust it, error. Ant. Heaven, that I had thy head! he has found I'll make my will then ; and as sick men do,

the meaning:

[Tyre,
Who know the world, see heaven, but feeling woe, But I will gloze with him. (Aside.) Young prince of
Gripe not at earthly joys, as erst they did; Though by the tenour of our strict edíct,
So I bequeath a happy peace to you,,

Your exposition misinterpreting,
And all good men, as every prince should do ; We might proceed to cancel of your days;
My riches to the earth from whence they came: Yet hope, succeeding from so fair a tree
But my unspotted fire of love to you.

As your fair self, doth tuue us otherwise : [To the Daughter of Antiochus. Forty days longer we do respite you ; Thus ready for the way of life or death,

If by which time our secret be undone, I wait the sharpest blow, Antiochus,

This mercy shows, we'll joy in such a son : Scorning advice.

And until then, your entertain shall be, Ant.

Read the conclusion then; As Joth befit our honour, and your worth. Which read and not expounded, 'tis decreed,

(Exeunt ANTIOCHUS, his Daughter, and As these before thee, thou thyself shalt bleed.

Attendants. Daugh. In all, save that, may'st thou prove pros- Per. How courtesy would seem to cover sin perous !

When what is done is like an hypocrite,
In all, save that, I wish thee happiness !

The which is good in nothing but in sight.
Per. Like a bold champion, I assume the lists, If it be true that I interpret false,
Nor ask advice of any other thought

Then were it certain, you were not so bad,
But faithfulness, and courage.

As with foul incest to abuse your soul; (He reads the Riddle.

Where now you're both a father and a son,

By your untimely claspings with your child,
I am no viper, yet I feed

(Which pleasure fits an husband, not a father;) On mother's flesh, which did me breed :

And she an eater of her mother's flesh,
I sought a husband, in which labour,

By the defiling of her parent's bed;
I found that kindness in a father.

And both like serpents are, who though they feed
He's father, son, and husband mild,

On sweetest flowers, yet they poison breed.
I mother, wife, and yet his child.

Antioch, farewell! for wisdom sees, those men
How they may be, and yet in two,

Blush not in actions blacker than the night,
As you will live, resolve it you.

Will shun no course to keep them from the light Sharp physick is the last : but you powers ! One sin, I know, another doth prov.be;

we mean

Murder's as near to lust, as flame to smoke. If he suspect I may dishonour him:
Poison and treason are the hands of sin,

And what may make him blush iu being known, Ay, and the targets to put off the shame :

He'll stop the course by which it might be known; Then, lest my life be cropp'd to keep you clear, With hostile forces he'll o'erspread the land, By flight I'll shun the danger which I fear. (Exit. And with the ostent of war will look so huge,

Amazement shall drive courage from the state; Re-enter ANTIOCHUS.

Our men be vanquish’d, ere they do resist, Ant. He hath found the meaning, for the which And subjects punish'd that ne'er thought offence :

Which care of them, not pity of inys If, To have his head.

(Who am no more but as the tops of trees, He must not live to trumpet forth my infamy, Which fence the roots they grow by, and defend Nor tell the world, Antiochus doth sin

them,) In such a loathed manner:

Makes both my body pine, and soul to languish, And therefore instantly this prince must die; And punish that before, that he would punish. For by his fall my honour must keep high.

1 Lord. Joy and all comfort in your sacred breast! Whe attends on us there?

2 Lord. And keep your mind, till you return to us, Peaceful and comfortable !

(tongue. Enter THALIARD.

Hel. Peace, peace, my lords, and give experience Thal.

Doth your highness call? They do abuse the king, that latter him : Ant. Thaliard, you're of our chamber, and our For Aattery is the bellows blows up sin ; mind

The thing the which is flatter'd, but a spark, Partakes her private actions to your secresy:

To which that breath gives heat and stronger And for your faithfulness we will advance you.

glowing; Thaliard, behold here's poison, and here's gold; Whereas reproof, obedient, and in order, We hate the prince of Tyre, and thou must kill him; Fits kings, as they are men, for they may err. It fits thee not to ask the reason why,

When signior Sooth here does proclaim a peace, Because we bid it. Say, is it done ?

He flatters you, makes war upon your life : Thal.

My lord, Prince, pardon me, or strike me, if you please ; 'Tis done.

I cannot be much lower than my knees.

Per. All leave us else; but let your cares o'erlook Enter a Messenger.

What shipping, and what lading's in our haven, Ant. Enough;

And then return to us. (Ereunt Lords. 1 Helicanus, Lest your breath cool yourself, telling your haste.

thou Mess. My lord, Prince Pericles is Aed.

Hast moved us : what seest thou in our looks ?

[Erit Messenger. Hel. An angry brow, dread lord. Ant.

As thou Per. If there be such a dart in princes' frowns, Wilt live, fly after : and, as an arrow, shot How durst thy tongue move anger to our face? From a well-experienc'd archer, hits the mark Hel. How dare the plants look up to heaven, from His eye doth level at, so ne'er return,

whence Upless thou say, Prince Pericles is dead.

They have their nourishment. Thal. My lord, if I

Per.

Thou know'st I have power Can get him once within my pistol's length, To take thy life. I'll make him sure: so farewell to your highness. Hel. (Kneeling.) I have ground the axe myself;

[Erit. Do you but strike the blow. Ant. Thaliard, adieu! till Pericles be dead, Per.

Risc, prythee rise; My heart can lend no succour to my head. [Exit. Sit down, sit down; thou art no flatterer :

I thank thee for it; and high heaven forbid, SCENE II –Tyre. A Room in the Palace. That kings should let their ears hear their faults hid!

Fit counsellor, and servant for a prince, Enter Pericles, Helicanus, and other Lords.

Who by thy wisdom mak’st a prince thy servant, Per. Let none disturb us: Why this charge of What would'st thou have me do ? thoughts ?

Hel.

With patience bear The sad companion, dull-ey'd melancholy, Such griefs as you do lay upon yourself. By me so us'd a guest is, not an hour,

Per. Thou speak’st like a physician, Helicanus; In the day's glorious walk, or peaceful night, Who minister'st a potion unto me, (The tomb where grief should sleep,) can breed me That thou would'st tremble to receive thyself. quiet !

[them, Attend me then : I went to Antioch, Here pleasures court mine eyes, and mine eyes shun Where, as thou know'st, against the face of death, And danger, which I feared, is at Antioch, I sought the purchase of a glorious beauty, Whose arm seems far too short to hit me here: From whence an issue I might propagate, Yet neither pleasure's art can joy my spirits, Bring arms to princes, and to subjects joys. Nor yet the other's distance comfort me.

Her face was to mine eye beyond all wonder; Then it is thus : the passions of the mind,

The rest (hark in thine ear,) as black as incest; That have their first conception by mis-dread, Which by my knowledge found, the sinful father Have after-nourishment and life by care;

Seem'd not to strike, but smooth : but thou know st And what was first but fear what might be done,

this, Grows elder now, and cares it be not done. 'Tis time to fear, when tyrants seem to kiss. And so with me;-the great Antiochus

Which fear so grew in me, I hither tied, ('Gainst whom I am too little to contend,

Under the covering of a careful night, Since he's so great, can make his will his act) Who seem'd my good protector; and being here, Will think me speaking, though I swear to silence; Bethought me what was past, what might succeed. Nor boots it me to say, I honour him,

I knew him tyrannous; and tyrants' fears

(it;

Decrease not, but grow faster than their years : Took some displeasure at him; at least he judg'd so ,
And should he doubt it, (as no doubt he doth,) And doubting lest that he had err’d or sinn'd
That I should open to the listening air,

To show his sorrow, would correct himself:
How many worthy princes' bloods were shed, So puts himself unto the shipman's toil,
To keep his bed of blackness unlaid ope,-

With whom each minute threatens life or death. To lop that doubt, he'll fill this land with arms, Thal. Well, I perceive

(Asida And make pretence of wrong that I have done him; I shall not be hang'd now, although I would; When all, for mine, if I may call't offence,

But since he's gone, the king it sure must please, Must feel war's blow, who spares not innocence: He 'scap'd the land, to perish on the seas. Which love to all (of which thyself art one, But I'll present me. Peace to the lords of Tyre! Who now reprov'st me for it)

Hel. Lord Thaliard from Antiochus is welcome. Hel.

Alas, sir! (cheeks, Thal. From him I come
Per. Drew sleep out mine eyes, blood from any With message unto princely Pericles;
Musings into my mind, a thousand doubts

But since my landing, as I have understood How I might stop this tempest, ere it came ; Your lord has took himself to unknown travels, And finding little comfort to relieve them,

My message must return from whence it came. I thought it princely charity to grieve them.

Hel. We have no reason to desire it, since Hel. Well, my lord, since you have given me Commended to our master, not to us : leave to speak,

Yet, ere you shall depart, this we desire, Freely I'll speak. "Antiochus you fear,

As friends to Antioch, we may feast in Tyre. And jnstly too, I think, you fear the tyrant,

[Ereunt Who either by publick war, or private treason, Will take away your life.

SCENE IV.-Tharsus. A Room in the Therefore, my lord, go travel for a while,

Governour's House,
Till that his rage and anger be forgot:
Or Destinies do cut his thread of life.

Enter Cleon, DIONYZA, and Attendants. Your rule direct to any; if to me,

Cle. My Dionyza, shall we rest us here,
Day serves not light more faithful than I'll be. And by relating tales of other’s griefs,
Per. I do not doubt thy faith ;

See if 'twill teach us to forget our own ?
But should he wrong my liberties in absence- Dio. That were to blow at fire, in hope to quench

Hel. We'll mingle bloods together in the earth, For who digs hills because they do aspire, From whence we had our being and our birth. Throws down one mountain, to cast up a higher. Per. Tyre, I now look from thee then, and to O my distressed lord, even such our griefs ; Tharsus

Here they're 'but felt, and seen with mistful eyes, Intend my travel, where I'll hear from thee; But like to groves, being topp’d, they higher rise. And by whose letters I'll dispose myself.

Cle. O Dionyza, The care I had and have of subjects' good,

Who wanteth food, and will not say he wants it, On thee I lay, whose wisdom's strength can bear it. Or can conceal his hunger, till he famish ?. I'll take thy word for faith, not ask thine oath; Our tongues and sorrows dj sound deep our woes Who shuns not to break one, will sure crack both : Into the air : our eyes do weep, till lungs But in our orbs we'll live so round and safe, Fetch breath that may proclaim them louder; that, That time of both this truth shall ne'er convince, If heaven slumber, while their creatures want, Thou show'dst a subject's shine, I a true prince. They may awake their helps to comfort them.

[Ereunt. I'll then discourse our woes, felt several years,

And wanting breath to speak, help me with tears. SCENE III.—Tvre. An Ante-chamber in the Dio. I'll do my best, sir. Palace.

Cle. This Tharsus, o'er which I have government,

(A city, on whom plenty held full hand,) Enter THALIARD.

For riches, strew'd herself even in the streets; Thal. So this is Tyre, and this is the court. Here Whose towers bore heads so high, they kiss'd the must I kill king Pericles; and if I do not, I am

clouds, sure to be hanged at home : 'tis dangerous.- And strangers ne'er bebeld, but wonder'd at; Well, I perceive he was a wise fellow, and had good whose men and dames so jetted and adorn’d, discretion, that being bid to ask what he would of Like one another's glass to trim them by : the king, desired he might know none of his secrets. Their tables were stor'd full, to glad the sight, Now do I see he had some reason for it: for if a And not so much to feed on, as delight; king bid a man be a villain, he is bound by the in- All poverty was scorn'd, and pride so great, denture of his oath to be one.-Hush here come The name of help grew odious to repeat. the lords of Tyre.

Dio. O, 'tis too true.

[change,

Cle. But see what heaven can do! By this our Enter HeliCANUS, Escanes, and other Lords.

These mouths, whom but of late, earth, sea, and air, Hel. You shall not need, my fellow peers of Tyre, were all too little to content and please, Further to question of your king's departure. Although they gave their creatures in abundance, His seal'd commission, left in trust with me, As houses are defii'd for want of use, Doth speak sufficiently he's gone to travel. They are now starv'd for want of exercise : Thal. How! the king gone!

Those palates, who not yet two summers younger, Heb. If further yet you will be satisfied,

Must have inventions to delight the taste, Why, as it were unlicens'd of your loves,

Would now be glad of bread, and beg for it; He would depart, I'll give some light unto you,

Those mothers who, to nousle up their babes, Being at Antioch

Thought nought too curious, are ready now, Thal.

What from Antioch? (Aside. To eat those little darlings whom they lov’d. Hel Royal Antiochus (on what cause I know not.) So sharp are hunger's teeth, that man and wif

Draw lots, who first shall die to lengthen life :
Here stands a lord, and there a lady weeping;

ACT II.
Here many sink, yet those which see them fall,
Have scarce strength left to give them burial.

Enter Gower.
Is not this true ?
Dio. Our cheeks and hollow eyes do witness it.

Gow. Here have you seen a mighty king Cle, 0, let those cities, that of Plenty's cup

His child, I wis, to incest bring; And her prosperities so largely taste

A better prince, and benign lord,

Prove awful both in deed and word,
With their superfluous riots, hear these tears !
The misery of Tharsus may be theirs.

Be quiet then, as men should be,

Till he hath pass'd necessity.
Enter a Lord.

I'll show you those in troubles reign,
Lord. Where's the lord governor ?

Losing a mite, a mountain gain, Cle. Here.

The good in conversation Speak out thy sorrows which thou bring'st in haste. (To whom I give my benizon,) For comfort is too far for us to expect. [shore,

Is still at Tbarsus, where each man Lord. We have descried, upon our neighbouring

Thinks all is writ he spoken can : A portly sail of ships make hitherward.

And, to remember what he does, Cle. I thought as much.

Gild his statue gloi bus : One sorrow never comes, but brings an heir,

But tidings to the contrary, That may succeed as his inheritor;

Are brought your eyes; what need speak I ? And so in ours: some neighbouring nation,

Dumb show.
Taking advantage of our misery,
Have stuff?d these hollow vessels with their power,

Enter at one door Pericles, talking with CLBON; To beat us down, the which are down already;

all the Train with them. Enter at another door a And make a conquest of unhappy me,

Gentleman, with a letter to PERICLES; PERICLES Whereas po glory's got to overcome.

shows the letter to Cleon; then gives the Messenger Lord. That's the least fear; for, by the semblance a reward, and knights him. Exeunt PERICLES, of their white flags display'd, they bring us peace,

ČLEON, &c. severally. And come to us as favourers, not as foes.

Gow. Good Helicane hath staid at home, Cle. Thou speak’st like him's untutor’d to repeat, Not to eat honey like a drone, Who makes the fairest show, means most deceit. From others' labours; forth he strive But bring they what they will, what need we fear ? To killen bad, keep good alive; The ground's the lowest, and we are half way there. And, to fulfil his prince' desire, Go tell their general, wo attend him here,

Sends word of all that haps in Tyre : To know for what he comes, and whence he comes, How Thaliard came full bent with sin, And what he craves.

And hid intent, to murder him; Lord. I go, my lord.

| Erit.

And that in Tharsus was not best Cle. Welcome is peace, if he on peace consist; Longer for him to make his rest: If wars, we are unable to resist.

He knowing so, put forth to seas,

Where when men been, there's seldom case : Enter PericLES, with Attendants.

For now the wind begins to blow; Per. Lord governor, for so we hear you are,

Thunder above, and deeps below, Let not our ships and number of our men,

Make such unquiet, that the ship Be, like a beacon fir'd, to amaze your eyes.

Should house him safe, is wreck'd and split; We have heard your miseries as far as Tyre,

And he, good prince, having all lost, And seen the desolation of your streets:

By waves from coast to coast is tost; Nor come we to add sorrow to your tears,

All perishen of man, of pelf, But to relieve them of their heavy load;

Ne aught escapen but himself; And these our ships you happily may think

Till fortune, tir'd with doing bad, Are, like the Trojan horse, war-stuff’d within,

Threw him ashore, to give him glad : With bloody views, expecting overthrow,

And here he comes: what shall be next, Are stor’d with corn, to make your needy bread, Pardon old Gower; this long's the text. Exit And give thein life, who are hunger-starv'd, half dead. All. The gods of Greece protect you!

SCENE I.-Pentapolis. An open Place by the And we'll pray for you.

Sea Side, Per.

Rise, I pray you, rise; We do not look for reverence, but for love,

Enter PERICLES, wet. And harbourage for ourself, our ships, and men, Per. Yet cease your ire, ye angry stars of heaven!

Cle. The which when any shall not gratify, Wind, rain, and thunder, remember, earthly man Or pay you with unthankfulness in thought, Is but a substance that must yield to you; Be it our wives, our children, or ourselves,

And I, as fits my nature, do obey you. The curse of heaven and men succeed their evils !

Alas, the sea hath cast me on the rocks, Till when, (the which, I hope, shall ne'er be seen,) Wash'd me from shore to shore, and left mc breath Your grace is welcome to our town and us.

Nothing to think on, but ensuing death : Per. Which welcome we'll accept; feast here a Let it suffice the greatness of your powers, while,

To have bereft a prince of all his fortunes; Until our stars that frown, lend us a smile. (Exeunt. And having thrown him from your watry grave,

Here to have death in peace, is all he'll crave.

Enter Three Fishermen.
I Fish. What ho, Pilche!

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