The Dramatic Works of Shakspeare

Who stood equivalent with mighty kings:
Bat time hath rooted ont my parentage,
And to the world and awkward casualties
Bound me in servitude.-1 will desist;
But there is something glows upon my cheek,
And whispers in mine ear, Go not till he
speak.
[Aside.
Per. My fortunes-parentage-good pren
tage-
[you?
To equal mine!-was it not thus? what say
Mar. I said, my lord, if you did know my
You would not do me violence. [parentage,
Per.
I do think so.
I pray you, turn your eyes again upon me.--
You are like something that-What country
Here of these shores?
[woman?
Mar.
No, nor of any shores:
Yet I was mortally brought forth, and am
No other than 1 appear.

Per. I am great with woe, and shall deliver weeping.

a one

My dearest wife was like this maid, and such [square brows; My daughter might have been my queen's | Her stature to an incb; as wand-like straight; As silver-voiced; her eyes as jewer-like, And cased as richly: in pace another Juno; Who starves the ears she feeds, and makes them hungry, (you live? The more she gives them speech.- Where do Mar. Where I am but a stranger: from the You may discern the place. [deck Per. Where were you bred? And how achieved you these endowments, You make more rich to owe • ? [which Mar. Should I tell my history, 'Twould seem like lies disdain'd in the rePer. Pr'y thee speak; [porting, Falseness cannot come from thee, for thou look'st

look'st

Modest as justice, and thou seem'st a palace For the crown'd truth to dwell in: Pil believe And make my senses credit thy relation, [thee, To points that seem impossible; for thou [friends? Like one I loved indeed. What were thy Didst thou not say, when I did push thee back, [camest (Which was when I perceived thee,) that thou From good descending? Mur.

So indeed I did.

Per. Report thy parentage. I think, thou
saidst

Tuon hadst been toss'd from wrong to injury,
And that thou thought'st thy griefs might equal
If both were open'd.
[mine,
Mar.
Some such thing indeed
I said, and said no more but what my thoughts
Did warrant me was likely.

Per.

Tell thy story;
If thine consider'd prove the thousandth part
Of my endurance, thou art a n.an, and I
Have suffer'd like a girl. Yet thou dost look
Like Patience, gazing on kings' graves, and
smiling
Extremity out of act. What were thy friends?

• Possess.

You said you would believe me; But, not to be a troubler of your peace, I will end bere. Per.

But are you flesh and blood? Have you a working pulse, and are no fairy? No motion ?-Well, speak on, Where were And wherefore call'd Marina ? [you born? Cali'd Marina,

Mur.

O, stop there a little! This is the rarest dream that e'er dull sleep Did mock sad fools withal: this cannot be. My daughter's buried. [Aside.] Well :- where were you bred?

I'll hear you more, to the bottom of your story,
And never interrupt you. [I did give o'er.
Mar. You'll scarce believe me; 'twere best
Per. I will believe you by the syllable
Of what you shall deliver. Yet, give me
you bred?

leave:-

How came you in these parts? where were Mar. The king, my fatlier, did in Tharsus leave me;

Till cruel Cleon, with his wicked wife,
Did seek to murder me: and having woo'd
A villain to attempt it, who having drawn,
A crew of pirates came and rescued me;
Brought me to Mitylene. But now, good sir,
Whither will you have me? Why do you
weep? It may be,

You think me an impostor. No, good faith;
Lam the daughter to king Pericles,
If good king Pericles be.
Per. Ho, Helicanus !
Hel.
Calls my gracious lord?
Per. Thou art a grave and noble counsellor,
Most wise in general: Tell me, if thou canst,
What this maid is, or what is like to be,
That thus hath made me weep!

Hel.

I know not; but
Here is the regent, sir, of Mitylene
Speaks nobly of her.

Lys.
She would never tell
Her parentage; being demanded that,

+i. e., No puppet dressed up to deceive me.

As thunder threatens us: This is Marina.-
What was thy mother's name? tell me but that,
For truth can never be confirm'd enough,
Though doubts did ever sleep.
Mar.

First, sir, I pray,
What is your title?
(now
Per. I am Pericles of Tyre: but tell me
(As in the rest thou hast been godlike perfect,)
My drown'd queen's name, thou art the heir
of kingdoms,

And another life to Pericles, thy father.

SCENE II. The same.

PERICLES on the Deck asleep; DIANA
appearing to him as in a vision.
Dia. My temple stands in Ephesus; his
thee hither,

And do upon mine altar sacrifice.
There, when my maiden priests are met to-
Before the people all,
[gether,
Reveal how thon at sea didst lose thy wife:
To mourn thy crosses, with thy daughter's call,
And give them repetition to the life.
Perform my bidding, or thou livest in woe:
Do't, and be happy, by my silver bow.
Awake, and tell thy dream.

[DIANA disappears.
Per. Celestial Dian, goddess argentine,
I will obey thee!-Helicanus!
Enter LYSIMACHUS, HELICANUS, and

MARINA.

Sir.

Hel. Per. My purpose was for Tharsus, there to The inhospitable Cleon; but I am (strike Mar. Is it no more to be your daughter than For other service first: toward Ephesas To say, my mother's name was Thaisa? Turn our blown ‡ sails; eftsoons I'll tell thee Thaisa was my mother, who did end why.[To HELICANUS. The minute I began. [my child. Shall we refresh us, sir, upon your shore, Per. Now, blessing on thee; rise, thou art And give yon gold for such provision Give me fresh garments. Mine own, Heli-As our intents will need?

canus,

[been,
(Not dead at Tharsus, as she should have
By savage Cleon,) she shall tell thee all;
When thou shalt kneel and justify in know-
She is thy very princess.-Who is this? [ledge,
Hel. Sir, 'tis the governor of Mitylene,
Who, hearing of your melancholy state,
Did come to see you.

Per.
I embrace you, sir,
Give me my robes; I am wild in my behold-

ing.

[music?

O heavens bless my girl! But hark! what
Tell Helicanus, my Marina, tell him

O'er, point by point, for yet he seems to
doubt,

[music?

How sure you are my daughter.-But what
Hel. My lord, I hear none.
Per. None?

The music of the spheres: list, my Marina.
Lys. It is not good to cross him; give him
Per. Rarest sounds!
[way.

Lys. A pillow for his head;
[The Curtain before the Pavilion of
PERICLES is closed.

So leave him all. Well, my companion

friends,

If this but answer to my just belief,
I'll well remember you.

[Exeunt LYSIMACHUS, HELICANUS, MA-
RINA, and attendant Lady.

Lys. With all my heart, sir; and, when you
I have another suit.
[come ashore,
Per.
You shall prevail,
Were it to woo my daughter; for it seems
You have been noble towards her.
Lys.
Sir, lend your arm.
Per. Come, my Marina.
[Exeunt
Enter Gow ER before the Temple of
DIANA, at Ephesus.

Gote. Now our sands are alınost run;
More a little, and then done.
This, as my last boon, give me,
(For such kindness must relieve me,)
That you aptly will suppose

What pageantry, what feats, what shows,
What minstrelsy and pretty dia
The regent made in Mitylin,

To greet the king. So he has thrived,
That he is promised to be wived
To fair Marina; bat in no wise,
Till he had done bis sacrifice,
As Dian bade: whereto being bound,
The interim, pray you, all confound ¶.
In feather'd briefness sails are fill'd,
And wishes fall out as they're will'd.
At Ephesus the temple see,
Our king and all his company.
That he can hither come so soon,
Is by your fancy's thankful boon.
SCENE III. The Temple of DIANA at
Ephesus: THAISA standing near the Al
tar us high Priestess; a number of Vir
gins on each side; CERIMON and other
Inhabitants of Ephesus attending.
Enter PERICLES with his Train; LYSI

• Repeat a lively narrative of your adventures. Swollen. , Soun, i. e., Pericles.

[Exit

ti. c., Regent of the silver moon.
Confound here signifies to conSVIDE

MACHUS, HELICANUS, MAKINA, and a Leaps to be gone into my mother's boson. Lady.

er. Hail Dian! to perform thy just com-
mand,

I here confess myself the king of Tyre;
Who, frighted from my country, did wed
The fair Thaisa at Pentapolis.

At sea in childbed died she, but brought forth
A maid-child call'd Marina; who, U goddess,
Wears yet thy silver livery. She at harsus
Was nursed with Cleon, whoin at fourteen
years

He sought to murder: but her better stars Brought her to Mitylene; against whose

shore

Riding, her fortunes brought the maid aboard

[she Where, by her own most clear remembrance, Made known herself my daughter. Tha.

Voice and favour!You are you are-O, royal Pericles!— [She faints. Per. What means the woman? she dies! Cer. Noble sir, [help, gentlemen! If have told Diana's altar true, you

This is your wife.

Per.

Reverend appeater, no; I threw her o'erboard with these very armis. Cer. Upon this coast, I warrant you. Per. 'Tis most certain. Cer. Look to the lady; O, she's but o'erEarly one blustering morn this lady was [joy'd Thrown on this shore. I oped the coffin, and Found there rich jewels; recover'd her, and placed her

Here in Diana's temple.

Per.

May we see them?

Cer. Great sir, they shall be brought you to my house,

Whither I invite you. Look! Thaisa is
Recover'd.

Thai. O, let me look!

[merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small]

[Kneels to HAISA. Per. Look, who kneels here? Flesh of thy

flesh, Thaiga;

Thy burden at the sea, and call'd Marina,

For she was yielded there.
Thui.
Hless'd and mine own!
Hel. Hail, madam, and my queen!
Thai.
I know you not.
Per. You have heard me say, when I did
fly from Tyre,

I left behind an ancient substitute.
Can you remember what I call'd the man?
I have named him oft.

Thai.

'Twas Helicanus then.

Per. Still confirmation: Embrace him, dear Thaisa; this is he. Now do I long to hear how you were found; How possibly preserved: and whom to thank,

Besides the gods, for this great miracle.

That. Lord Cerimon, my lord; this man Throngh whom the gods have shown their power; that can From first to last resolve yon.

Per.

Reverend sir, The gods can have no mortal officer More like a god than you. Will you deliver How this dead queen re-lives?

Cer.

I will, my lord. Beseech you, first go with me to my house, Where shall be shown you al was found with

her;

Pure Diana!

How she came placed here within the temple;
No needful thing omitted.
Per.
I bless thee for thy vision, and will offer,
My night oblations to thee. Thaisa,
This prince, the fair betrothed of your daugh-
Shall marry her at Pentapolis. And now,
This ornament that makes me look

dismal,

[ter,

Will I, my loved Marina, clip to form;
And what this fourteen years no razor touch'd,
To grace thy marriage-day I'll beautify.
Thai. Lord Cerimon hath letters of good
Sir, that my father's dead.
[credit,

Per. Heavens make a star of him! Yet
there, my queen,
We'll celebrate their nuptials, and ourselves
Will in that kingdom spend our following

days;

Our son and daughter shall in Tyrus reign.
Lord Cerimon, we do our longing stay,
To hear the rest untold.-Sir, lead the way.
[Exeunt.

Enter GowER.

Gow. In Antioch, and his daughter, you have heard

Of monstrous lust the due and just reward;

In Pericles, his queen and daughter, seen (Although assail'd with fortune fierce and keen,)

My heart

i. e., Her white robe of innocence. + Sensual passion.
ý i. e., The king of Antioch.

i. e., His beard.

That this tragedy has some merit, it were vain to deny; but that it is the entire composition of Shakspeare, is more than can be hastily granted. I shall not venture, with Dr. Farmer, to determine that the hand of our great poet is only visible in the last act, for I think it appears in several passages dispersed over each of these divisions. I find it difficult, however, to persuade myself that he was the original fabricator of the plot, or the author of every dialogue, chorus, &c.-STERVENS.

The story is of great antiquity, and is related by various ancient authors in Latin, French, and English

Enter KENT, GLOSTER, and EDMUND. Kent. I thought, the king had more affected the duke of Albany, than Cornwall.

Glo. It did always seem so to us: but now, in the division of the kingdom, it appears not which of the dukes he values most; for equalities are so weighed, that curiosity in nei ther can make choice of either's moiety t.

Kent. Is not this your son, my lord? Glo. His breeding, sir, hath been at my charge: I have so often blushed to acknowledge him, that now I am brazed to it.

Kent. I cannot conceive you. Glo. Sir, this young fellow's mother could: whereupon she grew round-wombed; and had, indeed, sir, a son for her cradle, ere she had a husband for her bed. Do you smell a fault? Kent. I cannot wish the fault undone, the issue of it being so proper t

Glo. But I have, sir, a son by order of law, some year elder than this, who yet is no dearer in my account: though this knave came somewhat saucily into the world before he was sent for, yet was his mother fair; there was good port at his making, and the whoreson must be acknowledged. Do you know this noble gentleman, Edmund?

Edm. No, my lord.

Glo. My lord of Kent: reinember him hereafter as my honourable friend.

Edm. My services to your lordship. Kent. I must love you, and sue to know you better.

Edm. Sir, I shall study deserving.
Glo. He hath been out nine years, and away
Le shall again:-The king is coming.
Trumpets sound within.

• Most scrupulous nicety.
→ More secret.

Enter LEAR, CORNWALL, ALBANY, GONERIL, REGAN, CORDELIA, & Attendants. Leur. Attend the lords of France and BurGloster.

Glo. I shall, my liege.

[gundy,

[Exeunt GLOSTER and EDMUND. Lear. Mean-time we shall express ou darker purpose. [divided, Give me the map there.-Know, that we have In three, our kingdom: and 'tis our fast inteut}}

To shake all cares and business from our age Conferring them on younger strengths, while we Unburden'd crawl toward death.-Our son o

Cornwall,

And you, our no less loving son of Albany, We have this hour a constant will to publish Our daughters' several dowers, that future strife May be prevented now. The princes, France

and Burgundy,

Great rivals in our youngest daughter's love, Long in our court have made their amorous sojourn,

And here are to be answer'd.-Tell me, my daughters,

(Since now we will divest us, both of rule,
Interest of territory, cares of state,)
Which of you, shall we say, doth love us most?
That we our largest bounty may extend
Where merit doth most challenge it.-Goneril,
Our eldest-born, speak first.
Sir, I

Gon.
[matter,
Do love you more than words can wield the
Dearer than eye-sight, space, and liberty;
Beyond what can be valued, rich or rare;
No less than life, with grace, health, beauty,

honour:

As much as child e'er loved, or father found.
A love that makes breath poor, and speech

unable;
Beyond all manner of so much I love you.
+ Part or division.
↑ Handsome.
Determined resolution.

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The Dramatic Works of Shakspeare: From the Text of Johnson and Steevens