Pericles
Text Circles Dramatis Personae Synopsis All Definitions

Share
All
text
Quarto
Modern text
Definitions
Key line
Enter Pericles with his Lords.Enter Pericles with his Lords Per I.ii.1
Pe.PERICLES 
Let none disturb us. Per I.ii.1.1
Exeunt Lords Per I.ii.1
Let none disturb vs, why shold this chãge of thoughtsWhy should this change of thoughts, Per I.ii.1.2
The sad companion dull eyde melancholie,The sad companion, dull-eyed melancholy,sad (adj.)
serious, grave, solemn		Per I.ii.2
By me so vsde a guest, as not an houreBe my so used a guest as not an hourused (adj.)

old form: vsde
customary, usual, accustomed		Per I.ii.3
In the dayes glorious walke or peacefull night,In the day's glorious walk or peaceful night, Per I.ii.4
The tombe where griefe stould sleepe can breed me quiet,The tomb where grief should sleep, can breed me quiet? Per I.ii.5
Here pleasures court mine eies, and mine eies shun them,Here pleasures court mine eyes, and mine eyes shun them, Per I.ii.6
And daunger which I fearde is at Antioch,And danger, which I feared, is at Antioch, Per I.ii.7
Whose arme seemes farre too short to hit me here,Whose aim seems far too short to hit me here.short (adj.)
wanting, insufficient, inadequate		Per I.ii.8
Yet neither pleasures Art can ioy my spirits,Yet neither pleasure's art can joy my spirits,joy (v.)

old form: ioy
add joy to, enjoy, gladden, brighten		Per I.ii.9
Nor yet the others distance comfort me,Nor yet the other's distance comfort me. Per I.ii.10
Then it is thus, the passions of the mind,Then it is thus: the passions of the mind,passion (n.)
emotional state, mental condition		Per I.ii.11
That haue their first conception by misdread,That have their first conception by misdread,misdread (n.)
dread of evil, fear of harm		Per I.ii.12
Haue after nourishment and life, by careHave after-nourishment and life by care,after-nourishment (n.)later sustenancePer I.ii.13
care (n.)
anxiety, worry, solicitude [about]
And what was first but feare, what might be done,And what was first but fear what might be done Per I.ii.14
Growes elder now, and cares it be not done.Grows elder now and cares it be not done;care (v.)
feel concern, be anxious, trouble oneself		Per I.ii.15
And so with me the great Antiochus,And so with me. The great Antiochus, Per I.ii.16
Gainst whom I am too little to contend,'Gainst whom I am too little to contend,contend (v.)
compete, vie, rival		Per I.ii.17
Since hee's so great, can make his will his act,Since he's so great can make his will his act, Per I.ii.18
Will thinke me speaking, though I sweare to silence,Will think me speaking, though I swear to silence; Per I.ii.19
Nor bootes it me to say, I honour,Nor boots it me to say I honourboot (v.)

old form: bootes
help, serve, benefit, be useful [to]		Per I.ii.20
If he suspect I may dishonour him.If he suspect I may dishonour him. Per I.ii.21
And what may make him blush in being knowne,And what may make him blush in being known, Per I.ii.22
Heele stop the course by which it might be knowne,He'll stop the course by which it might be known.course (n.)
course of action, way of proceeding		Per I.ii.23
With hostile forces heele ore-spread the land,With hostile forces he'll o'erspread the land, Per I.ii.24
And with the stint of warre will looke so huge,And with the ostent of war will look so hugeostent (n.)
display, show, manifestation		Per I.ii.25
Amazement shall driue courage from the state,Amazement shall drive courage from the state,amazement (n.)
alarm, apprehension, fear		Per I.ii.26
Our men be vanquisht ere they doe resist,Our men be vanquished ere they do resist, Per I.ii.27
And subiects punisht that nere thought offence,And subjects punished that ne'er thought offence; Per I.ii.28
Which care of them, not pittie of my selfe,Which care of them, not pity of myself, Per I.ii.29
Who once no more but as the tops of trees,Who am no more but as the tops of trees Per I.ii.30
Which fence the rootes they grow by and defend them,Which fence the roots they grow by and defend them,fence (v.)
protect, shield, defend		Per I.ii.31
Makes both my bodie pine, and soule to languish,Makes both my body pine and soul to languish, Per I.ii.32
And punish that before that he would punish.And punish that before that he would punish. Per I.ii.33
Enter all the Lords to Pericles.Enter Helicanus and the Lords Per I.ii.34
1.Lord.FIRST LORD 
Ioy and all comfort in your sacred brest.Joy and all comfort in your sacred breast! Per I.ii.34
2.Lord.SECOND LORD 
And keepe your mind till you returne to vsAnd keep your mind till you return to us Per I.ii.35
peacefull and comfortable.Peaceful and comfortable. Per I.ii.36
Hel.HELICANUS 
Peace, peace, and giue experience tongue,Peace, peace, and give experience tongue. Per I.ii.37
They doe abuse the King that flatter him,They do abuse the king that flatter him,abuse (v.)
demean, do wrong to, dishonour		Per I.ii.38
For flatterie is the bellowes blowes vp sinne,For flattery is the bellows blows up sin; Per I.ii.39
The thing the which is flattered, but a sparke,The thing which is flattered, but a spark, Per I.ii.40
To which that sparke giues heate, and strongerTo which that wind gives heat and stronger glowing; Per I.ii.41
Glowing, whereas reproofe obedient and in order,Whereas reproof, obedient and in order, Per I.ii.42
Fits kings as they are men, for they may erre,Fits kings as they are men, for they may err. Per I.ii.43
When signior sooth here does proclaime peace,When Signor Sooth here does proclaim peace,sooth (n.)
flattery, sycophant, sweet-talk		Per I.ii.44
He flatters you, makes warre vpon your life.He flatters you, makes war upon your life. Per I.ii.45
Prince paadon me, or strike me if you please,Prince, pardon me, or strike me if you please; Per I.ii.46
I cannot be much lower then my knees.I cannot be much lower than my knees. Per I.ii.47
He kneels Per I.ii.48.1
Per.PERICLES 
All leaue vs else: but let your cares ore-looke,All leave us else. But let your cares o'erlookcare (n.)
attentiveness, heedfulness, diligence		Per I.ii.48
overlook (v.)

old form: ore-looke
inspect, superintend, oversee
What shipping, and what ladings in our hauen,What shipping and what lading's in our haven,haven (n.)

old form: hauen
harbour, port		Per I.ii.49
lading (n.)
cargo, freight, merchandise
And then returne to vs,And then return to us. Per I.ii.50.1
Exeunt Lords Per I.ii.50
HellicansHelicanus, Per I.ii.50.2
thou hast / Mooude vs, what seest thou in our lookes?Thou hast moved us. What seest thou in our looks?move (v.)

old form: Mooude
move to anger, provoke, exasperate		Per I.ii.51
Hel.HELICANUS 
An angrie brow, dread Lord.An angry brow, dread lord.dread (adj.)
revered, deeply honoured, held in awe		Per I.ii.52
brow (n.)
appearance, aspect, countenance
Per.PERICLES 
If there be such a dart in Princes frownes,If there be such a dart in princes' frowns,dart (n.)
arrow; or: light spear		Per I.ii.53
How durst thy tongue moue anger to our face?How durst thy tongue move anger to our face? Per I.ii.54
Hel.HELICANUS 
How dares the plants looke vp to heauen,How dare the plants look up to heaven, Per I.ii.55
From whence they haue their nourishment?From whence they have their nourishment? Per I.ii.56
Per.PERICLES 
Thou knowest I haue power to take thy life from thee.Thou knowest I have power to take thy life from thee. Per I.ii.57
Hel.HELICANUS 
I haue ground the Axe my selfe, / Doe but you strike the blowe.I have ground the axe myself. Do you but strike the blow. Per I.ii.58
Per.PERICLES 
Rise, prethee rise, sit downe, thou art no flatterer,Rise, prithee rise. Sit down. Thou art no flatterer; Per I.ii.59
I thanke thee fort, and heaue forbidI thank thee for't, and heaven forbid Per I.ii.60
That kings should let their eares heare their faults hid.That kings should let their ears hear their faults hid. Per I.ii.61
Fit Counsellor, and seruant for a Prince,Fit counsellor and servant for a prince, Per I.ii.62
Who by thy wisdome makes a Prince thy seruant,Who by thy wisdom makes a prince thy servant, Per I.ii.63
What wouldst thou haue me doe?What wouldst thou have me do? Per I.ii.64
Hel.HELICANUS 
To beare with patience such griefesTo bear with patience such griefs Per I.ii.65
as you your selfe doe lay vpon your selfe.As you yourself do lay upon yourself. Per I.ii.66
Per.PERICLES 
Thou speakst like a Physition Hellicanus,Thou speakest like a physician, Helicanus, Per I.ii.67
That ministers a potion vnto me:That ministers a potion unto me Per I.ii.68
That thou wouldst tremble to receiue thy selfe,That thou wouldst tremble to receive thyself. Per I.ii.69
Attend me then, I went to Antioch,Attend me then. I went to Antioch,attend (v.)
listen [to], pay attention [to]		Per I.ii.70
Where as thou knowst against the face of death,Where as thou knowest, against the face of death Per I.ii.71
I sought the purchase of a glorious beautie,I sought the purchase of a glorious beauty,purchase (n.)
acquisition, prize, spoil		Per I.ii.72
From whence an issue I might propogate,From whence an issue I might propagate,issue (n.)
child(ren), offspring, family, descendant		Per I.ii.73
Are armes to Princes, and bring ioies to subiects,Are arms to princes and bring joys to subjects. Per I.ii.74
Her face was to mine eye beyond all wonder,Her face was to mine eye beyond all wonder, Per I.ii.75
The rest harke in thine eare, as blacke as incest,The rest – hark in thine ear – as black as incest; Per I.ii.76
Which by my knowledge found, the sinful fatherWhich by my knowledge found, the sinful father Per I.ii.77
Seemde not to strike, but smooth, but thou knowst this,Seemed not to strike, but smooth. But thou knowest this,smooth (v.)
adopt a flattering manner, make a plausible show, conciliate		Per I.ii.78
seem (v.)

old form: Seemde
have the look [of], give the appearance [of]
Tis time to feare when tyrants seemes to kisse.'Tis time to fear when tyrants seem to kiss. Per I.ii.79
Which feare so grew in me I hither fled,Such fear so grew in me I hither fled Per I.ii.80
Vnder the couering of a carefull night,Under the covering of a careful nightcareful (adj.)

old form: carefull
protecting; watchful, acting as a safeguard		Per I.ii.81
Who seemd my good protector, and being here,Who seemed my good protector; and, being here, Per I.ii.82
Bethought what was past, what might succeed,Bethought me what was past, what might succeed.bethink (v.), past form bethought
call to mind, think about, consider, reflect		Per I.ii.83
I knew him tyrannous, and tyrants feareI knew him tyrannous, and tyrants' fears Per I.ii.84
Decrease not, but grow faster then the yeares,Decrease not, but grow faster than the years. Per I.ii.85
And should he doo't, as no doubt he doth,And should he doubt, as no doubt he doth,doubt (v.)
suspect, have suspicions about, fear		Per I.ii.86
That I should open to the listning ayre ,That I should open to the listening airopen (v.)
reveal, uncover, disclose		Per I.ii.87
How many worthie Princes blouds were shed,How many worthy princes' bloods were shed Per I.ii.88
To keepe his bed of blacknesse vnlayde ope,To keep his bed of blackness unlaid ope,unlaid ope

old form: vnlayde
not laid open, undisclosed, unrevealed		Per I.ii.89
To lop that doubt, hee'le fill this land with armes,To lop that doubt, he'll fill this land with arms,lop (v.)
remove, eliminate, get rid of		Per I.ii.90
doubt (n.)
danger, risk, fear
And make pretence of wrong that I haue done him,And make pretence of wrong that I have done him, Per I.ii.91
When all for mine, if I may call offence,When all for mine – if I may call – offence Per I.ii.92
Must feel wars blow, who spares not innocence,Must feel war's blow, who spares not innocence; Per I.ii.93
Which loue to all of which thy selfe art one,Which love to all, of which thyself art one, Per I.ii.94
Who now reprou'dst me fort.Who now reprovedst me for't –now (adv.)
just now		Per I.ii.95.1
Hell.HELICANUS 
Alas sir.Alas, sir! Per I.ii.95.2
Per.PERICLES 
Drew sleep out of mine eies, blood frõmy cheekes,Drew sleep out of mine eyes, blood from my cheeks, Per I.ii.96
Musings into my mind, with thousand doubtsMusings into my mind, with thousand doubts, Per I.ii.97
How I might stop this tempest ere it came,How I might stop this tempest ere it came; Per I.ii.98
And finding little comfort to relieue them,And, finding little comfort to relieve them, Per I.ii.99
I thought it princely charity to griue for them.I thought it princely charity to grieve for them. Per I.ii.100
Hell.HELICANUS 
Well my Lord, since you haue giuen mee leaue to speake,Well, my lord, since you have given me leave to speak, Per I.ii.101
Freely will I speake, Antiochus you feare,Freely will I speak. Antiochus you fear, Per I.ii.102
And iustly too, I thinke you feare the tyrant,And justly too, I think, you fear the tyrant Per I.ii.103
Who either by publike warre, or priuat treason,Who either by public war or private treason Per I.ii.104
Will take away your life:Will take away your life. Per I.ii.105
therfore my Lord, go trauell for a while,Therefore, my lord, go travel for a while, Per I.ii.106
till that his rage and anger be forgot,Till that his rage and anger be forgot, Per I.ii.107
or till the Destinies doe cut his threed of life:Or till the destinies do cut his thread of life. Per I.ii.108
your rule direct to anie, if to me,Your rule direct to any; if to me,direct (v.)
delegate, assign, hand over		Per I.ii.109
day serues not light more faithfull then Ile be.Day serves not light more faithful than I'll be. Per I.ii.110
Per.PERICLES 
I doe not doubt thy faith.I do not doubt thy faith, Per I.ii.111
But should he wrong my liberties in my absence?But should he wrong my liberties in my absence?liberty (n.)
(plural) rights, prerogatives, privileges		Per I.ii.112
Hel.HELICANUS 
Weele mingle our bloods togither in the earth,We'll mingle our bloods together in the earth, Per I.ii.113
From whence we had our being, and our birth.From whence we had our being and our birth. Per I.ii.114
Per.PERICLES 
Tyre I now looke from thee then, and to TharsusTyre, I now look from thee then, and to TarsusTarsus (n.)
ancient city of Asia Minor, S Turkey		Per I.ii.115
Intend my trauaile, where Ile heare from thee,Intend my travel, where I'll hear from thee,intend (v.)
be determined to make, plan to take		Per I.ii.116
And by whose Letters Ile dispose my selfe.And by whose letters I'll dispose myself.dispose (v.)
direct, make arrangements for		Per I.ii.117
The care I had and haue of subiects good,The care I had and have of subjects' good Per I.ii.118
On thee I lay, whose wisdomes strength can beare it,On thee I lay, whose wisdom's strength can bear it. Per I.ii.119
Ile take thy word, for faith not aske thine oath,I'll take thy word for faith, not ask thine oath; Per I.ii.120
Who shuns not to breake one, will cracke both.Who shuns not to break one will sure crack both. Per I.ii.121
But in our orbs will liue so round, and safe,But in our orbs we'll live so round and safeorb (n.)
sphere, orbit, circle		Per I.ii.122
That time of both this truth shall nere conuince,That time of both this truth shall ne'er convince,convince (v.)

old form: conuince
disprove, confute		Per I.ii.123
Thou shewdst a subiects shine, I a true Prince.Thou showedst a subject's shine, I a true prince.shine (n.)
shining quality, radiance		Per I.ii.124
Exit.Exeunt Per I.ii.124
 Previous Act I, Scene II Next  
x

Jump directly to