Pericles

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Original text
Enter Gower.
Marina thus the Brothell scapes, and chaunces
Into an Honest-house our Storie sayes:
Shee sings like one immortall, and shee daunces
As Goddesse-like to her admired layes.
Deepe clearks she dumb's, and with her neele compo-ses,
Natures owne shape, of budde, bird, branche, or berry.
That euen her art sisters the naturall Roses
Her Inckle, Silke Twine, with the rubied Cherrie,
That puples lackes she none of noble race,
Who powre their bountie on her: and her gaine
She giues the cursed Bawd, here wee her place,
And to hir Father turne our thoughts againe,
Where wee left him on the Sea, wee there him left,
Where driuen before the windes, hee is arriu'de
Heere where his daughter dwels, and on this coast,
Suppose him now at Anchor: the Citie striu'de
God Neptunes Annuall feast to keepe, from whence
Lysimachus our Tyrian Shippe espies,
His banners Sable, trim'd with rich expence,
And to him in his Barge with former hyes,
In your supposing once more put your sight,
Of heauy Pericles, thinke this his Barke:
Where what is done in action, more if might
Shalbe discouerd, please you sit and harke.
Exit.
Original text
Act V, Scene I
Enter Helicanus, to him 2. Saylers.


1.Say.

Where is Lord Helicanus? hee can resolue you,
O here he is
Sir, there is a barge put off from Metaline
and in it is Lysimachus the Gouernour,
who craues to come aboord, what is your will?

Helly.
That hee haue his, call vp some Gentlemen.

2.Say.
Ho Gentlemen, my Lord calls.
Enter two or three Gentlemen.

1.Gent.
Doeth your Lordship call?

Helli.
Gentlemen there is some of worth would
come aboord, I pray greet him fairely.
Enter Lysimachus.

Hell.
Sir,
this is the man that can in ought you would
resolue you.

Lys.
Hayle reuerent Syr, the Gods preserue you.

Hell.
And you to out-liue the age I am,
and die as I would doe.

Li.
You wish mee well,
beeing on shore, honoring of Neptunes triumphs,
seeing this goodly vessell ride before vs,
I made to it, to knowe of whence you are.

Hell.
First what is your place?

Ly.
I am the Gouernour
of this place you lie before.

Hell.
Syr
our vessell is of Tyre, in it the King,
a man, who for this three moneths hath not spoken
to anie one, nor taken sustenance,
but to prorogue his griefe.

Li.
Vpon what ground is his distemperature?

Hell
Twould be too tedious to repeat,
but the mayne griefe springs fro the losse
of a beloued daughter & a wife.

Li.
May wee not see him?

Hell.
You may,
but bootlesse. Is your sight, see will not speake
to any,

Lys.
yet let me obtaine my wish.

Hell.
Behold him, this was a goodly person.
Till the disaster that one mortall wight
droue him to this.

Lys.
Sir King all haile, the Gods preserue you,
haile royall sir.

Hell.
It is in vaine, he will not speake to you.

Lord.
Sir
we haue a maid in Metiliue, I durst wager
would win some words of him.

Lys.
Tis well bethought,
she questionlesse with her sweet harmonie,
and other chosen attractions, would allure
and make a battrie through his defend parts,
which now are midway stopt,
shee is all happie as the fairest of all,
and her fellow maides, now vpon
the leauie shelter that abutts against
the Islands side.

Hell.
Sure all effectlesse, yet nothing weele omit
that beares recoueries name. But since your kindnesse
wee haue stretcht thus farre, let vs beseech you,
that for our golde we may prouision haue,
wherein we are not destitute for want,
but wearie for the stalenesse.

Lys.
O sir, a curtesie,
which if we should denie, the most iust God
for euery graffe would send a Caterpillar,
and so inflict our Prouince: yet once more
let mee intreate to knowe at large the cause
of your kings sorrow.

Holl.
Sit sir, I will recount it to you, but see
I am preuented.

Lys.
O hee'rs the Ladie that I sent for,
Welcome faire one, ist not a goodly present?

Hell.
Shee's a gallant Ladie.

Lys.
Shee's such a one, that were I well assurde
Came of a gentle kinde, and noble stocke,
I do wish / No better choise, and thinke me rarely to wed,
Faire on all goodnesse that consists in beautie,
Expect euen here, where is a kingly patient,
If that thy prosperous and artificiall fate,
Can draw him but to answere thee in ought,
Thy sacred Physicke shall receiue such pay,
As thy desires can wish.

Mar.
Sir I will vse
my vtmost skill in his recouerie, prouided
that none but I and my companion maid
be suffered to come neere him.

Lys.
Come, let vs leaue her,
and the Gods make her prosperous.

The Song.

Lys.

Marke he your Musicke?

Mar.
No nor lookt on vs.

Lys.
See she will speake to him.

Mar.
Haile sir, my Lord lend eare.

Per.
Hum, ha.

Mar.
I am a maid,
my Lorde, that nere before inuited eyes,
but haue beene gazed on like a Comet:She speaks
my Lord, that may be, hath endured a griefe
might equall yours, if both were iustly wayde,
though wayward fortune did maligne my state,
my deriuation was from ancestors,
who stood equiuolent with mightie Kings,
but time hath rooted out my parentage,
and to the world, and augward casualties,
bound me in seruitude, I will desist,
but there is something glowes vpon my cheek,
and whispers in mine eare, go not till he speake.

Per.
My fortunes, parentage, good parentage,
to equall mine, was it not thus, what say you?

Mari.
I sed my Lord, if you did know my parentage,
you would not do me violence.

Per.
I do thinke so, pray you turne your eyes vpon me,
your like something that, what Countrey women
heare of these shewes?

Mar.
No, nor of any shewes,
yet I was mortally brought forth, and am
no other then I appeare.

Per.
I am great with woe, and shall deliuer weeping:
my dearest wife was like this maid,
and such a one my daughter might haue beene:
My Queenes square browes, her stature to an inch,
as wandlike-straight, as siluer voyst,
her eyes as Iewell-like, and caste as richly,
in pace an other Iuno.
Who starues the eares shee feedes, and makes them hungrie,
the more she giues them speech, Where doe you liue?

Mar.
Where I am but a straunger from the decke,
you may discerne the place.

Per.
Where were you bred?
and how atchieu'd you these indowments which
you make more rich to owe?

Mar.
If I should tell my hystorie, it would seeme
like lies disdaind in the reporting.

Per.
Prethee speake,
falsnesse cannot come from thee, for thou lookest
modest as iustice, & thou seemest a Pallas
for the crownd truth to dwell in, I wil beleeue thee
& make senses credit thy relation,
to points that seeme impossible, for thou lookest
like one I loued indeede: what were thy friends?
didst thou not stay when I did push thee backe,
which was when I perceiu'd thee that thou camst
from good discending.

Mar.
So indeed I did.

Per.
Report thy parentage, I think thou saidst
thou hadst beene tost from wrong to iniurie,
and that thou thoughts thy griefs might equall mine,
if both were opened.

Mar.
Some such thing I sed,
and sed no more, but what my thoughts
did warrant me was likely.

Per.
Tell thy storie,
if thine considered proue the thousand part
of my enduraunce, thou art a man, and I
haue suffered like a girle, yet thou doest looke
like patience, gazing on Kings graues, and smiling
extremitie out of act, what were thy friends?
howe lost thou thy name, my most kinde Virgin?
recount I doe beseech thee, Come sit by mee.

Mar.
My name is Marina.

Per.
Oh I am mockt,
and thou by some insenced God sent hither
to make the world to laugh at me.

Mar.
Patience good sir:
or here Ile cease.

Per.
Nay Ile be patient:
thou little knowst howe thou doest startle me
to call thy selfe Marina.

Mar.
The name
was giuen mee by one that had some power,
my father, and a King.

Per.
How, a Kings daughter,
and cald Marina?

Mar.
You sed you would beleeue me,
but not to bee a troubler of your peace,
I will end here.

Per.
But are you flesh and bloud?
Haue you a working pulse, and are no Fairie?
Motion well, speake on, where were you borne?
And wherefore calld Marina?

Mar.
Calld Marina,
for I was borne at sea.

Plr.
At sea, what mother?

Mar.
My mother was the daughter of a King,
who died the minute I was borne,
as my good Nurse Licherida hath oft
deliuered weeping.

Per.
O stop there a little,
this is the rarest dreame
That ere duld sleepe did mocke sad fooles withall,
This cannot be my daughter, buried,
well, where were you bred?
Ile heare you more too'th bottome of your storie,
and neuer interrupt you.

Mar.
You scorne, beleeue me
twere best I did giue ore.

Per.
I will beleeue you
by the syllable of what you shall deliuer,
yet giue me leaue, how came you in these parts?
where were you bred?

Mar.
The King my father did in Tharsus leaue me,
Till cruel Cleon with his wicked wife,
Did seeke to murther me:
and hauing wooed a villaine, / To attempt it,
who hauing drawne to doo't,
A crew of Pirats came and rescued me,
Brought me to Metaline, But good sir
whither wil you haue me? why doe you weep? It may be
you thinke mee an imposture, no good fayth:
I am the dsughter to King Pericles,
if good king Pericles be.

Hell.
Hoe, Hellicanus?

Hel.
Calls my Lord.

Per.
Thou art a graue and noble Counseller,
Most wise in generall, tell me if thou canst,
what this mayde is, or what is like to bee,
that thus hath made mee weepe.

Hel.
I know not,
but heres the Regent sir of Metaline,
speakes nobly of her.

Lys.
She neuer would tell
her parentage, / Being demaunded, that
she would sit still and weepe.

Per.
Oh Hellicanus, strike me honored sir,
giue mee a gash, put me to present paine,
least this great sea of ioyes rushing vpon me,
ore-beare the shores of my mortalitie,
and drowne me with their sweetnesse: Oh come hither,
thou that begetst him that did thee beget,
Thou that wast borne at sea, buried at Tharsus,
And found at sea agen, O Hellicanus,
Downe on thy knees, thanke the holie Gods as loud
As thunder threatens vs, this is Marina.
What was thy mothers name? tell me, but that
for truth can neuer be confirm'd inough,
Though doubts did euer sleepe.

Mar.
Frist sir, I pray
what is your title?

Per.
I am Pericles of Tyre, but tell mee now
my / Drownd Queenes name, as in the rest you sayd,
Thou hast beene God-like perfit,
the heir of kingdomes, / And an other like
to Pericles thy father.

Ma.
Is it no more to be your daughter, then
to say, my mothers name was Thaisa,
Thaisa was my mother, who did end
the minute I began.

Pe.
Now blessing on thee, rise th'art my child.
Giue me fresh garments, mine owne Hellicanus,
shee is not dead at Tharsus as shee should haue beene
by sauage Cleon, she shall tell thee all,
when thou shalt kneele, and iustifie in knowledge,
she is thy verie Princes, who is this?

Hel.
Sir, tis the gouernor of Metaline,
who hearing of your melancholie state,
did come to see you.

Per.
I embrace you,
giue me my robes. I am wilde in my beholding,
O heauens blesse my girle, But harke what Musicke
tell, Hellicanus my Marina, / Tell him
ore point by point, for yet he seemes to doat.
How sure you are my daughter, but what musicke?

Hel
My Lord I heare none.

Per.
None,
the Musicke of the Spheres, list my Marina.

Lys.
It is not good to crosse him, giue him way.

Per.
Rarest sounds, do ye not heare?

Lys.
Musicke my Lord?

Per.
I heare. Most heauenly Musicke.
It nips me vnto listning, and thicke slumber
Hangs vpon mine eyes, let me rest.

Lys.
A Pillow for his head, so leaue him all.
Well my companion friends,
if this but answere to my iust beliefe,
Ile well remember you.
Diana.

Dia.
My Temple stands in Ephesus, Hie thee thither,
and doe vppon mine Altar sacrifice,
There when my maiden priests are met together
before the people all,
reueale how thou at sea didst loose thy wife,
to mourne thy crosses with thy daughters, call,
& giue them repetition to the like,
or performe my bidding, or thou liuest in woe:
doo't, and happie, by my siluer bow,
awake and tell thy dreame.

Per.
Celestiall Dian, Goddesse Argentine,
I will obey thee Hellicanus.

Hell.
Sir.

Per.
My purpose was for Tharsus, there to strike,
The inhospitable Cleon, but I am
for other seruice first, Toward Ephesus
turne our blowne sayles, / Eftsoones Ile tell thee why,
shall we refresh vs sir vpon your shore,
and giue you golde for such prouision
as our intents will neede.

Lys
Sir,
with all my heart, and when you come a shore,
I haue another sleight.

Per.
You shall preuaile
were it to wooe my daughter, for it seemes
you haue beene noble towards her.

Lys.
Sir, lend me your arme.

Per.
Come my Marina.
Exeunt.
Original text
Act V, Scene II

Gower.
Now our sands are almost run,
More a little, and then dum.
This my last boone giue mee;
For such kindnesse must relieue mee:
That you aptly will suppose,
What pageantry, what feats, what showes,
What minstrelsie, and prettie din,
The Regent made in Metalin.
To greet the King, so he thriued,
That he is promisde to be wiued
To faire Marina, but in no wise,
Till he had done his sacrifice.
As Dian bad, whereto being bound,
The Interim pray, you all confound.
In fetherd briefenes sayles are fild,
And wishes fall out as they'r wild,
At Ephesus the Temple see,
Our King and all his companie.
That he can hither come so soone,
Is by your fancies thankfull doome.
Original text
Act V, Scene III





Per.
Haile Dian, to performe thy iust commaund,
I here confesse my selfe the King of Tyre,
Who frighted from my countrey did wed
at Pentapolis, the faire Thaisa,
at Sea in childbed died she, but brought forth
a Mayd child calld Marina whom, O Goddesse
wears yet thy siluer liuerey, shee at Tharsus
was nurst with Cleon, who at fourteene yeares
he sought to murder, but her better stars
brought her to Meteline, gainst whose shore
ryding, her Fortunes brought the mayde aboord vs,
where by her owne most cleere remembrance, shee
made knowne her selfe my Daughter.

Th.
Voyce and fauour,
you are, you are, O royall Pericles.

Per.
What meanes the mum? shee die's, helpe Gentlemen.

Ceri.
Noble Sir,
if you haue tolde Dianaes Altar true,
this is your wife?

Per.
Reuerent appearer no,
I threwe her ouer-boord with these verie armes.

Ce.
Vpon this coast, I warrant you.

Pe.
T'is most certaine.

Cer.
Looke to the Ladie, O shee's but ouer-joyde,
Earlie in blustering morne this Ladie was
throwne vpon this shore. I op't the coffin,
found there rich Iewells, recouered her, and plac'ste her
heere in Dianaes temple.

Per.
May we see them?

Cer.
Great Sir, they shalbe brought you to my house,
whither I inuite you, looke
Thaisa is recouered.

Th.
O let me looke
if hee be none of mine, my sanctitie
will to my sense bende no licentious eare,
but curbe it spight of seeing: O my Lord
are you not Pericles? like him you spake,
like him you are, did you not name a tempest,
a birth, and death?

Per.
The voyce of dead Thaisa.

Th.
That Thaisa am I,
supposed dead and drownd.

Per.
I mortall Dian.

Th.
Now I knowe you better,
when wee with teares parted Pentapolis,
the king my father gaue you such a ring.

Per.
This, this, no more, you gods, your present kindenes
makes my past miseries sports, you shall doe well
that on the touching of her lips I may
melt, and no more be seene, O come, be buried
a second time within these armes.

Me.
My heart
leaps to be gone into my mothers bosome.

Per.
Looke who kneeles here, flesh of thy flesh Thaisa,
thy burden at the Sea, and call'd Marina,
for she was yeelded there.

Th.
Blest, and mine owne.

Hell.
Hayle Madame, and my Queene.

Th.
I knowe you not.

Hell.
You haue heard mee say when I did flie from Tyre,
I left behind an ancient substitute,
can you remember what I call'd the man,
I haue nam'd him oft.

Th.
T'was Hellicanus then.

Per.
Still confirmation,
imbrace him deere Thaisa, this is hee,
now doe I long to heare how you were found?
how possiblie preserued? and who to thanke
(besides the gods) for this great miracle?

Th.
Lord Cerimon, my Lord, this man
through whom the Gods haue showne their power, that can
from first to last resolue you.

Per.
Reuerent Syr,
the gods can haue no mortall officer
more like a god then you, will you deliuer
how this dead Queene reliues?

Cer.
I will my Lord,
beseech you first, goe with mee to my house,
where shall be showne you all was found with her.
How shee came plac'ste heere in the Temple,
no needfull thing omitted.

Per.
Pure Dian
blesse thee for thy vision, and
will offer night oblations to thee Thaisa,
this Prince, the faire betrothed of your daughter,
shall marrie her at Pentapolis, and now
this ornament
makes mee looke dismall, will I clip to forme,
and what this fourteene yeeres no razer touch't,
to grace thy marridge-day, Ile beautifie.

Th.
Lord Cerimon hath letters of good credit. Sir,
my father's dead.

Per.
Heauens make a Starre of him, yet there my Queene,
wee'le celebrate their Nuptialls, and our selues
will in that kingdome spend our following daies,
our sonne and daughter shall in Tyrus raigne.
Lord Cerimon wee doe our longing stay,
To heare the rest vntolde , Sir lead's the way.
Modern text
V CHORUS
Enter Gower

GOWER
Marina thus the brothel 'scapes, and chances
Into an honest house, our story says.
She sings like one immortal, and she dances
As goddess-like to her admired lays.
Deep clerks she dumbs, and with her neele composes
Nature's own shape, of bud, bird, branch, or berry,
That even her art sisters the natural roses;
Her inkle, silk, twin with the rubied cherry:
That pupils lacks she none of noble race,
Who pour their bounty on her, and her gain
She gives the cursed bawd. Here we her place,
And to her father turn our thoughts again,
Where we left him on the sea. We there him lost,
Whence, driven before the winds, he is arrived
Here where his daughter dwells; and on this coast
Suppose him now at anchor. The city strived
God Neptune's annual feast to keep; from whence
Lysimachus our Tyrian ship espies,
His banners sable, trimmed with rich expense;
And to him in his barge with fervour hies.
In your supposing once more put your sight;
Of heavy Pericles, think this his bark;
Where what is done in action, more if might,
Shall be discovered. Please you sit and hark.
Exit
Modern text
Act V, Scene I
Enter Helicanus. To him, two Sailors, one of Tyre
and one of Mytilene

SAILOR OF TYRE
(to Sailor of Mytilene)
Where is Lord Helicanus? He can resolve you.
O, here he is.
Sir, there is a barge put off from Mytilene,
And in it is Lysimachus, the governor,
Who craves to come aboard. What is your will?

HELICANUS
That he have his. Call up some gentlemen.

SAILOR OF TYRE
Ho, gentlemen! My lord calls.
Enter two or three Gentlemen

FIRST GENTLEMAN
Doth your lordship call?

HELICANUS
Gentlemen, there is some of worth would
come aboard. I pray greet him fairly.
Exeunt Gentlemen
Enter Lysimachus and Lords, with the Gentlemen

SAILOR OF MYTILENE
(to Lysimachus)
Sir,
This is the man that can in aught you would
Resolve you.

LYSIMACHUS
Hail, reverend sir! The gods preserve you!

HELICANUS
And you, to outlive the age I am,
And die as I would do.

LYSIMACHUS
You wish me well.
Being on shore, honouring of Neptune's triumphs,
Seeing this goodly vessel ride before us,
I made to it to know of whence you are.

HELICANUS
First, what is your place?

LYSIMACHUS
I am the governor
Of this place you lie before.

HELICANUS
Sir,
Our vessel is of Tyre; in it the King,
A man who for this three months hath not spoken
To anyone, nor taken sustenance
But to prorogue his grief.

LYSIMACHUS
Upon what ground is his distemperature?

HELICANUS
'Twould be too tedious to repeat;
But the main grief springs from the loss
Of a beloved daughter and a wife.

LYSIMACHUS
May we not see him?

HELICANUS
You may,
But bootless is your sight; he will not speak
To any.

LYSIMACHUS
Yet let me obtain my wish.
Helicanus draws a curtain revealing Pericles lying on
a couch

HELICANUS
Behold him. This was a goodly person,
Till the disaster that one mortal night
Drove him to this.

LYSIMACHUS
Sir King, all hail! The gods preserve you!
Hail, royal sir!

HELICANUS
It is in vain. He will not speak to you.

LORD
Sir,
We have a maid in Mytilene, I durst wager,
Would win some words of him.

LYSIMACHUS
'Tis well bethought.
She questionless, with her sweet harmony
And other chosen attractions, would allure,
And make a battery through his deafened ports,
Which now are midway stopped.
She is all happy as the fairest of all,
And, with her fellow maids is now upon
The leafy shelter that abuts against
The island's side.
Exit Lord

HELICANUS
Sure, all effectless; yet nothing we'll omit
That bears recovery's name. But since your kindness
We have stretched thus far, let us beseech you
That for our gold we may provision have,
Wherein we are not destitute for want,
But weary for the staleness.

LYSIMACHUS
O, sir, a courtesy
Which if we should deny, the most just God
For every graff would send a caterpillar,
And so inflict our province. Yet once more
Let me entreat to know at large the cause
Of your king's sorrow.

HELICANUS
Sit, sir, I will recount it to you. But see,
I am prevented.
Enter Lord, with Marina and her companion

LYSIMACHUS
O, here's the lady that I sent for.
Welcome, fair one! Is't not a goodly presence?

HELICANUS
She's a gallant lady.

LYSIMACHUS
She's such a one that, were I well assured
Came of a gentle kind and noble stock,
I'd wish no better choice, and think me rarely wed.
Fair one, all goodness that consists in beauty,
Expect even here, where is a kingly patient,
If that thy prosperous and artificial feat
Can draw him but to answer thee in aught,
Thy sacred physic shall receive such pay
As thy desires can wish.

MARINA
Sir, I will use
My utmost skill in his recovery, provided
That none but I and my companion maid
Be suffered to come near him.

LYSIMACHUS
Come, let us leave her,
And the gods make her prosperous.
They withdraw
Marina sings

LYSIMACHUS
(coming forward)
Marked he your music?

MARINA
No, nor looked on us.

LYSIMACHUS
(withdrawing)
See, she will speak to him.

MARINA
Hail, sir! My lord, lend ear.

PERICLES
Hum, ha!
He pushes her away

MARINA
I am a maid,
My lord, that ne'er before invited eyes,
But have been gazed on like a comet. She speaks,
My lord, that maybe hath endured a grief
Might equal yours, if both were justly weighed.
Though wayward fortune did malign my state,
My derivation was from ancestors
Who stood equivalent with mighty kings.
But time hath rooted out my parentage,
And to the world and awkward casualties
Bound me in servitude. (Aside) I will desist,
But there is something glows upon my cheek,
And whispers in mine ear ‘ Go not till he speak.’

PERICLES
My fortunes – parentage – good parentage –
To equal mine – was it not thus? What say you?

MARINA
I said, my lord, if you did know my parentage,
You would not do me violence.

PERICLES
I do think so. Pray you, turn your eyes upon me.
You're like something that – What countrywoman?
Here of these shores?

MARINA
No, nor of any shores,
Yet I was mortally brought forth, and am
No other than I appear.

PERICLES
I am great with woe, and shall deliver weeping.
My dearest wife was like this maid,
And such a one my daughter might have been.
My queen's square brows, her stature to an inch,
As wand-like straight, as silver-voiced,
Her eyes as jewel-like, and cased as richly,
In pace another Juno;
Who starves the ears she feeds, and makes them hungry
The more she gives them speech. Where do you live?

MARINA
Where I am but a stranger. From the deck
You may discern the place.

PERICLES
Where were you bred?
And how achieved you these endowments which
You make more rich to owe?

MARINA
If I should tell my history, it would seem
Like lies disdained in the reporting.

PERICLES
Prithee speak.
Falseness cannot come from thee, for thou lookest
Modest as justice, and thou seemest a palace
For the crowned truth to dwell in. I will believe thee,
And make my senses credit thy relation
To points that seem impossible, for thou lookest
Like one I loved indeed. What were thy friends?
Didst thou not say, when I did push thee back –
Which was when I perceived thee – that thou camest
From good descending?

MARINA
So indeed I did.

PERICLES
Report thy parentage. I think thou saidst
Thou hadst been tossed from wrong to injury,
And that thou thought'st thy griefs might equal mine,
If both were opened.

MARINA
Some such thing I said,
And said no more but what my thoughts
Did warrant me was likely.

PERICLES
Tell thy story.
If thine considered prove the thousandth part
Of my endurance, thou art a man, and I
Have suffered like a girl; yet thou dost look
Like Patience gazing on kings' graves and smiling
Extremity out of act. What were thy friends?
How lost thou them? Thy name, my most kind virgin?
Recount, I do beseech thee. Come, sit by me.

MARINA
My name is Marina.

PERICLES
O, I am mocked,
And thou by some incensed god sent hither
To make the world to laugh at me.

MARINA
Patience, good sir,
Or here I'll cease.

PERICLES
Nay, I'll be patient.
Thou little knowest how thou dost startle me
To call thyself Marina.

MARINA
The name
Was given me by one that had some power,
My father, and a king.

PERICLES
How, a king's daughter?
And called Marina?

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

PERICLES
But are you flesh and blood?
Have you a working pulse? And are no fairy?
Motion as well? Speak on. Where were you born?
And wherefore called Marina?

MARINA
Called Marina
For I was born at sea.

PERICLES
At sea! what mother?

MARINA
My mother was the daughter of a king;
Who died the minute I was born,
As my good nurse Lychorida hath oft
Delivered weeping.

PERICLES
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, buried!
Well, where were you bred?
I'll hear you more, to the bottom of your story,
And never interrupt you.

MARINA
You scorn to believe me,
'Twere best I did give o'er.

PERICLES
I will believe you
By the syllable of what you shall deliver.
Yet give me leave: how came you in these parts?
Where were you bred?

MARINA
The King my father did in Tarsus leave me,
Till cruel Cleon with his wicked wife,
Did seek to murder me;
And having wooed a villain to attempt it,
Who having drawn to do't,
A crew of pirates came and rescued me,
Brought me to Mytilene. But, good sir,
Whither will you have me? Why do you weep? It may be
You think me an impostor. No, good faith!
I am the daughter to King Pericles,
If good King Pericles be.

PERICLES
Ho, Helicanus!

HELICANUS
Calls my lord?

PERICLES
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.

HELICANUS
I know not,
But here's the regent, sir, of Mytilene
Speaks nobly of her.

LYSIMACHUS
She never would tell
Her parentage. Being demanded that,
She would sit still and weep.

PERICLES
O Helicanus, strike me, honoured sir,
Give me a gash, put me to present pain,
Lest this great sea of joys rushing upon me
O'erbear the shores of my mortality
And drown me with their sweetness. O, come hither,
Thou that beget'st him that did thee beget;
Thou that wast born at sea, buried at Tarsus,
And found at sea again. O Helicanus,
Down on thy knees; thank the holy gods as loud
As thunder threatens us. This is Marina.
What was thy mother's name? Tell me but that,
For truth can never be confirmed enough,
Though doubts did ever sleep.

MARINA
First, sir, I pray,
What is your title?

PERICLES
I am Pericles of Tyre; but tell me now
My drowned queen's name, as in the rest you said
Thou hast been godlike perfect, and thou art
The heir of kingdoms, and another life
To Pericles thy father.

MARINA
Is it no more to be your daughter than
To say my mother's name was Thaisa?
Thaisa was my mother, who did end
The minute I began.

PERICLES
Now blessing on thee! Rise; thou art my child.
Give me fresh garments. Mine own, Helicanus!
She is not dead at Tarsus, as she should have been,
By savage Cleon. She shall tell thee all;
When thou shalt kneel, and justify in knowledge
She is thy very princess. Who is this?

HELICANUS
Sir, 'tis the governor of Mytilene
Who, hearing of your melancholy state,
Did come to see you.

PERICLES
I embrace you.
Give me my robes. I am wild in my beholding.
O, heavens bless my girl! But hark, what music?
Tell Helicanus, my Marina, tell him
O'er, point by point, for yet he seems to doubt,
How sure you are my daughter. But what music?

HELICANUS
My lord, I hear none.

PERICLES
None?
The music of the spheres! List, my Marina!

LYSIMACHUS
It is not good to cross him; give him way.

PERICLES
Rarest sounds! Do ye not hear?

LYSIMACHUS
Music, my lord?.

PERICLES
I hear most heavenly music.
It nips me unto listening, and thick slumber
Hangs upon mine eyes. Let me rest.
He sleeps

LYSIMACHUS
A pillow for his head. So, leave him all.
Well, my companion friends,
If this but answer to my just belief,
I'll well remember you.
Exeunt all but Pericles
Diana appears to Pericles in a vision

DIANA
My temple stands in Ephesus. Hie thee thither,
And do upon mine altar sacrifice.
There, when my maiden priests are met together,
Before the people all,
Reveal how thou at sea didst lose thy wife.
To mourn thy crosses, with thy daughter's, call
And give them repetition to the life.
Or perform my bidding, or thou livest in woe;
Do't, and happy, by my silver bow.
Awake, and tell thy dream.
Exit

PERICLES
(waking)
Celestial Dian, goddess argentine,
I will obey thee. Helicanus!
Enter Helicanus, Lysimachus, and Marina

HELICANUS
Sir?

PERICLES
My purpose was for Tarsus, there to strike
The inhospitable Cleon, but I am
For other service first. Toward Ephesus
Turn our blown sails. Eftsoons I'll tell thee why.
(To Lysimachus)
Shall we refresh us, sir, upon your shore,
And give you gold for such provision
As our intents will need?

LYSIMACHUS
Sir,
With all my heart; and when you come ashore,
I have another suit.

PERICLES
You shall prevail,
Were it to woo my daughter, for it seems
You have been noble towards her.

LYSIMACHUS
Sir, lend me your arm.

PERICLES
Come, my Marina.
Exeunt
Modern text
Act V, Scene II
Enter Gower

GOWER
Now our sands are almost run;
More a little, and then dumb.
This 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 din
The regent made in Mytilene
To greet the King. So he thrived,
That he is promised to be wived
To fair Marina, but in no wise
Till he had done his sacrifice
As Dian bade: whereto being bound,
The interim, pray you, all confound.
In feathered briefness sails are filled,
And wishes fall out as they're willed.
At Ephesus the temple see,
Our king, and all his company.
That he can hither come so soon
Is by your fancies' thankful doom.
Exit
Modern text
Act V, Scene III
Enter on one side Thaisa and virgin priestesses of
Diana, Cerimon, and other inhabitants of Ephesus;
on the other side, Pericles, Marina, Lysimachus,
Helicanus, and Lords

PERICLES
Hail, Dian! To perform thy just command
I here confess myself the King of Tyre,
Who, frighted from my country, did wed
At Pentapolis the fair Thaisa.
At sea in childbed died she, but brought forth
A maid-child called Marina, who, O goddess,
Wears yet thy silver livery. She at Tarsus
Was nursed with Cleon, whom at fourteen years
He sought to murder. But her better stars
Brought her to Mytilene; 'gainst whose shore
Riding, her fortunes brought the maid aboard us,
Where, by her own most clear remembrance, she
Made known herself my daughter.

THAISA
Voice and favour!
You are, you are – O royal Pericles!
She faints

PERICLES
What means the nun? She dies! Help, gentlemen!

CERIMON
Noble sir,
If you have told Diana's altar true,
This is your wife.

PERICLES
Reverend appearer, no;
I threw her overboard with these very arms.

CERIMON
Upon this coast, I warrant you.

PERICLES
'Tis most certain.

CERIMON
Look to the lady. O, she's but overjoyed.
Early one blustering morn this lady was
Thrown upon this shore. I oped the coffin,
Found there rich jewels, recovered her, and placed her
Here in Diana's temple.

PERICLES
May we see them?

CERIMON
Great sir, they shall be brought you to my house,
Whither I invite you. Look,
Thaisa is recovered.

THAISA
O, let me look.
If he be none of mine, my sanctity
Will to my sense bend no licentious ear,
But curb it, spite of seeing. O, my lord,
Are you not Pericles? Like him you spake,
Like him you are. Did you not name a tempest,
A birth, and death?

PERICLES
The voice of dead Thaisa!

THAISA
That Thaisa am I,
Supposed dead and drowned.

PERICLES
Immortal Dian!

THAISA
Now I know you better:
When we with tears parted Pentapolis,
The King my father gave you such a ring.

PERICLES
This, this! No more, you gods; your present kindness
Makes my past miseries sports; you shall do well
That on the touching of her lips I may
Melt, and no more be seen. O, come, be buried
A second time within these arms.

MARINA
My heart
Leaps to be gone into my mother's bosom.
She kneels

PERICLES
Look who kneels here; flesh of thy flesh, Thaisa,
Thy burden at the sea, and called Marina
For she was yielded there.

THAISA
Blest, and mine own!

HELICANUS
Hail, madam, and my queen!

THAISA
I know you not.

PERICLES
You have heard me say, when I did fly from Tyre,
I left behind an ancient substitute.
Can you remember what I called the man?
I have named him oft.

THAISA
'Twas Helicanus then.

PERICLES
Still confirmation.
Embrace him, dear Thaisa, this is he.
Now do I long to hear how you were found,
How possibly preserved, and who to thank,
Besides the gods, for this great miracle.

THAISA
Lord Cerimon, my lord; this man
Through whom the gods have shown their power; that can
From first to last resolve you.

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

CERIMON
I will, my lord.
Beseech you first, go with me to my house,
Where shall be shown you all was found with her,
How she came placed here in the temple;
No needful thing omitted.

PERICLES
Pure Dian,
I bless thee for thy vision, and
Will offer night-oblations to thee. Thaisa,
This prince, the fair-betrothed of your daughter,
Shall marry her at Pentapolis. And now,
This ornament,
Makes me look dismal, will I clip to form,
And what this fourteen years no razor touched,
To grace thy marriage-day, I'll beautify.

THAISA
Lord Cerimon hath letters of good credit, sir,
My father's dead.

PERICLES
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's the way.
Exeunt
x

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