Pericles, Prince of Tyre

SCENE IV

[Enter Gower, before the monument of Marina at Tarsus.]

GOWERThus time we waste, and longest leagues make short;Sail seas in cockles, have an wish but for 't;Making, to take your imagination,From bourn to bourn, region to region.By you being pardon'd, we commit no crimeTo use one language in each several climeWhere our scenes seem to live. I do beseech youTo learn of me, who stand i' the gaps to teach you,The stages of our story. PericlesIs now again thwarting the wayward seasAttended on by many a lord and knight,To see his daughter, all his life's deight.Old Escanes, whom Helicanus lateAdvanced in time to great and high estate.Is left to govern. Bear you it in mind,Old Helicanus goes along behindWell-sailing ships and bounteous winds have broughtThis king to Tarsus, – think his pilot thought;So with his steerage shall your thoughts grow on, —To fetch his daughter home, who first is gone.Like motes and shadows see them move awhile;Your ears unto your eyes I'll reconcile.

[Dumb Show.]

[Enter Pericles, at one door, with all his train; Cleon and

Dionyza, at the other. Cleon shows Pericles the tomb; whereatPericles makes lamentation, puts on sackcloth, and in amighty passion departs. Then exeunt Cleon and Dionyza.]See how belief may suffer by foul show;This borrow'd passion stands for true old woe;And Pericles, in sorrow all devour'd,With sighs shot through; and biggest tears o'ershower'd,Leaves Tarsus and again embarks. He swearsNever to wash his face, nor cut his hairs:He puts on sackcloth, and to sea. He bearsA tempest, which his mortal vessel tears,And yet he rides it out. Now please you witThe epitaph is for Marina writBy wicked Dionyza.

[Reads the inscription on Marina's monument.]

'The fairest, sweet'st, and best lies here,Who wither'd in her spring of year.She was of Tyrus the king's daughter,On whom foul death hath made this slaughter;Marina was she call'd; and at her birth,Thetis, being proud, swallow'd some part o' the earth:Therefore the earth, fearing to be o'erflow'd,Hath Thetis' birth-child on the heavens bestow'd:Wherefore she does, and swears she'll never stint,Make raging battery upon shores of flint.'No visor does become black villanySo well as soft and tender flattery.Let Pericles believe his daughter's dead,And bear his courses to be orderedBy Lady Fortune; while our scene must playHis daughter's woe and heavy well-a-dayIn her unholy service. Patience, then,And think you now are all in Mytilene.

[Exit.]

SCENE V. Mytilene. A street before the brothel

[Enter, from the brothel, two Gentlemen.]

FIRST GENTLEMANDid you ever hear the like?SECOND GENTLEMAN. No, nor never shall do in such a place as this, she being once gone.FIRST GENTLEMAN. But to have divinity preached there! did you ever dream of such a thing?SECOND GENTLEMAN. No, no. Come, I am for no more bawdy-houses: shall's go hear the vestals sing?FIRST GENTLEMAN. I'll do any thing now that is virtuous; but I am out of the road of rutting for ever.

[Exeunt.]

SCENE VI. The same. A room in the brothel

[Enter Pandar, Bawd, and Boult.]

PANDAR. Well, I had rather than twice the worth of her she had ne'er come here.BAWD. Fie, fie upon her! she's able to freeze the god Priapus, and undo a whole generation. We must either get her ravished, or be rid of her. When she should do for clients her fitment, and do me the kindness of our profession, she has me her quirks, her reasons, her master reasons, her prayers, her knees; that she would make a puritan of the devil, if he should cheapen a kiss of her.BOULT. 'Faith, I must ravish her, or she'll disfurnish us of all our cavaliers, and make our swearers priests.PANDARNow, the pox upon her green-sickness for me!BAWD'Faith, there's no way to be rid on't but by the way to the pox.Here comes the Lord Lysimachus disguised.BOULT. We should have both lord and lown, if the peevish baggage would but give way to customers.

[Enter Lysimachus.]

LYSIMACHUSHow now! How a dozen of virginities?BAWDNow, the gods to bless your honour!BOULTI am glad to see your honour in good health.LYSIMACHUS. You may so; 'tis the better for you that your resorters stand upon sound legs. How now! wholesome iniquity have you that a man may deal withal, and defy the surgeon?BAWD. We have here one, sir, if she would – but there never came her like in Mytilene.LYSIMACHUSIf she'ld do the deed of darkness, thou wouldst say.BAWDYour honour knows what 'tis to say well enough.LYSIMACHUSWell, call forth, call forth.BOULT. For flesh and blood, sir, white and red, you shall see a rose; and she were a rose indeed, if she had but —LYSIMACHUSWhat, prithee?BOULTO, sir, I can be modest.LYSIMACHUS. That dignifies the renown of a bawd, no less than it gives a good report to a number to be chaste.

[Exit Boult.]

BAWD. Here comes that which grows to the stalk; never plucked yet, I can assure you.

[Re-enter Boult with Marina.]

Is she not a fair creature?LYSIMACHUS. 'Faith, she would serve after a long voyage at sea. Well, there's for you: leave us.BAWD. I beseech your honour, give me leave: a word, and I'll have done presently.LYSIMACHUSI beseech you, do.BAWD

[To Marina.]

First, I would have you note, this is an honourable man.MARINAI desire to find him so, that I may worthily note him.BAWD. Next, he's the governor of this country, and a man whom I am bound to.MARINA. If he govern the country, you are bound to him indeed; but how honourable he is in that, I know not.BAWD. Pray you, without any more virginal fencing, will you use him kindly? He will line your apron with gold.MARINAWhat he will do graciously, I will thankfully receive.LYSIMACHUSHa' you done?BAWD. My lord, she's not paced yet: you must take some pains to work her to your manage. Come, we will leave his honour and her together. Go thy ways.

[Exeunt Bawd, Pandar, and Boult.]

LYSIMACHUSNow, pretty one, how long have you been at this trade?MARINAWhat trade, sir?LYSIMACHUSWhy, I cannot name't but I shall offend.MARINAI cannot be offended with my trade. Please you to name it.LYSIMACHUSHow long have you been of this profession?MARINAE'er since I can remember?LYSIMACHUS. Did you go to't so young? Were you a gamester at five or at seven?MARINAEarlier, too, sir, if now I be one.LYSIMACHUS. Why, the house you dwell in proclaims you to be a creature of sale.MARINA. Do you know this house to be a place of such resort, and will come into 't? I hear say you are of honourable parts, and are the governor of this place.LYSIMACHUSWhy, hath your principal made known unto you who I am?MARINAWho is my principal?LYSIMACHUS. Why, your herb-woman; she that sets seeds and roots of shame and iniquity. O, you have heard something of my power, and so stand aloof for more serious wooing. But I protest to thee, pretty one, my authority shall not see thee, or else look friendly upon thee. Come, bring me to some private place: come, come.MARINAIf you were born to honour, show it now;If put upon you, make the judgement goodThat thought you worthy of it.LYSIMACHUSHow 's this? how 's this? Some more; be sage.MARINAFor me,That am a maid, though most ungentle fortuneHave placed me in this sty, where, since I came,Diseases have been sold dearer than physic,O, that the godsWould set me free from this unhallow'd place,Though they did change me to the meanest birdThat flies i' the purer air!LYSIMACHUSI did not thinkThou couldst have spoke so well; ne'er dream'd thou couldst.Had I brought hither a corrupted mind,Thy speech had alter'd it. Hold, here 's gold for thee:Persever in that clear way thou goest,And the gods strengthen thee!MARINAThe good gods preserve you!LYSIMACHUSFor me, be you thoughtenThat I came with no ill intent; for to meThe very doors and windows savour vilely.Fare thee well. Thou art a piece of virtue, andI doubt not but thy training hath been noble.Hold, here's more gold for thee.A curse upon him, die he like a thief,That robs thee of thy goodness! If thou dostHear from me, it shall be for thy good.

[Re-enter Boult.]

BOULTI beseech your honour, one piece for me.LYSIMACHUSAvaunt, thou damned door-keeper!Your house but for this virgin that doth prop it,Would sink and overwhelm you. Away!

[Exit.]

BOULT. How's this? We must take another course with you. If your peevish chastity, which is not worth a breakfast in the cheapest country under the cope, shall undo a whole household, let me be gelded like a spaniel. Come your ways.MARINAWhither would you have me?BOULT. I must have your maidenhead taken off, or the common hangman shall execute it. Come your ways. We'll have no more gentlemen driven away. Come your ways, I say.

[Re-enter Bawd.]

BAWDHow now! what's the matter?BOULTWorse and worse, mistress; she has here spoken holy words to theLord Lysimachus.BAWDO Abominable!BOULT. She makes our profession as it were to stink afore the face of the gods.BAWDMarry, hang her up for ever!BOULT. The nobleman would have dealt with her like a nobleman, and she sent him away as cold as a snowball; saying his prayers too.BAWD. Boult, take her away; use her at thy pleasure: crack the glass of her virginity, and make the rest malleable.BOULT. An if she were a thornier piece of ground than she is, she shall be ploughed.MARINAHark, hark, you gods!BAWD. She conjures: away with her! Would she had never come within my doors! Marry, hang you! She's born to undo us. Will you not go the way of women-kind? Marry, come up, my dish of chastity with rosemary and bays!

[Exit.]

BOULTCome, mistress; come your ways with me.MARINAWhither wilt thou have me?BOULTTo take from you the jewel you hold so dear.MARINAPrithee, tell me one thing first.BOULTCome now, your one thing.MARINAWhat canst thou wish thine enemy to be?BOULTWhy, I could wish him to he my master, or rather, my mistress.MARINANeither of these are so had as thou art,Since they do better thee in their command.Thou hold'st a place, for which the pained'st fiendOf hell would not in reputation change:Thou art the damned doorkeeper to everyCoistrel that comes inquiring for his Tib;To the choleric fisting of every rogueThy ear is liable, thy food is suchAs hath been belch'd on by infected lungs.BOULT. What would you have me do? go to the wars, would you? where a man may serve seven years for the loss of a leg, and have not money enough in the end to buy him a wooden one?MARINADo any thing but this thou doest. EmptyOld receptacles, or common shores, of filth;Serve by indenture to the common hangman:Any of these ways are yet better than this;For what thou professest, a baboon, could he speak,Would own a name too dear. O, that the godsWould safely deliver me from this place!Here, here's gold for thee.If that thy master would gain by me,Proclaim that I can sing, weave, sew, and dance,With other virtues, which I'll keep from boast;And I will undertake all these to teach.I doubt not but this populous city willYield many scholars.BOULTBut can you teach all this you speak of?MARINAProve that I cannot, take me home again,And prostitute me to the basest groomThat doth frequent your house.BOULT. Well, I will see what I can do for thee: if I can place thee, I will.MARINABut amongst honest women.BOULT. 'Faith, my acquaintance lies little amongst them. But since my master and mistress have bought you, there's no going but by their consent: therefore I will make them acquainted with your purpose, and I doubt not but I shall find them tractable enough. ome, I'll do for thee what I can; come your ways.

[Exeunt.]

ACT V

[Enter Gower.]

GOWERMarina thus the brothel 'scapes, and chancesInto an honest house, our story says.She sings like one immortal, and she dancesAs goddess-like to her admired lays;Deep clerks she dumbs; and with her neeld composesNature's own shape, of bud, bird, branch, or berry,That even her art sistrs 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 gainShe 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 arrivedHere where his daughter dwells; and on this coastSuppose him now at anchor. The city strivedGod Neptune's annual feast to keep: from whenceLysimachus our Tyrian ship espies,His banners sable, trimm'd with rich expense;And to him in his barge with fervour hies.In your supposing once more put your sightOf heavy Pericles; think this his bark:Where what is done in action, more, if might,Shall be discover'd; please you, sit and hark.

[Exit.]

SCENE I. On board Pericles' ship, off Mytilene. A close pavilion on deck, with a curtain before it; Pericles within it, reclined on a couch. A barge lying beside the Tyrian vessel

[Enter two Sailors, one belonging to the Tyrian vessel, the other to the barge; to them Helicanus.]

TYRIAN SAILOR

[To the Sailor of Mytilene.]

Where is lord Helicanus? he can resolve you.O, here he is.Sir, there's a barge put off from Mytilene,And in it is Lysimachus the governor,Who craves to come aboard. What is your will?HELICANUSThat he have his. Call up some gentlemen.TYRIAN SAILORHo, gentlemen! my lord calls.

[Enter two or three Gentlemen.]

FIRST GENTLEMANDoth your lordship call?HELICANUSGentlemen, there s some of worth would come aboard;I pray ye, greet them fairly.

[The Gentlemen and the two Sailors descend, and go on board the barge.

Enter, from thence, Lysimachus and Lords; with the Gentlemen and the two sailors.TYRIAN SAILORSir,This is the man that can, in aught you would,Resolve you.LYSIMACHUSHail, reverend sir! the gods preserve you!HELICANUSAnd you, sir, to outlive the age I am,And die as I would do.LYSIMACHUSYou 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.HELICANUSFirst, what is your place?LYSIMACHUSI am the governor of this place you lie before.HELICANUSSir,Our vessel is of Tyre, in it the king;A man who for this three months hath not spokenTo any one, nor taken sustenanceBut to prorogue his grief.LYSIMACHUSUpon what ground is his distemperature?HELICANUS'Twould be too tedious to repeat;But the main grief springs from the lossOf a beloved daughter and a wife.LYSIMACHUSMay we not see him?HELICANUSYou may;But bootless is your sight: he will not speakTo any.LYSIMACHUSYet let me obtain my wish.HELICANUSBehold him.

[Pericles discovered.]

This was a goodly person.Till the disaster that, one mortal night,Drove him to this.LYSIMACHUSSir king, all hail! the gods preserve you!Hail, royal sir!HELICANUSIt is in vain; he will not speak to you.FIRST LORDSir,We have a maid in Mytilene, I durst wager,Would win some words of him.LYSIMACHUS'Tis well bethought.She questionless with her sweet harmonyAnd other chosen attractions, would allure,And make a battery through his deafen'd parts,Which now are midway stopp'd:She is all happy as the fairest of all,And, with her fellow maids, is now uponThe leafy shelter that abuts againstThe island's side.

[Whispers a Lord, who goes off in the barge of Lysimachus.]

HELICANUSSure, all's effectless; yet nothing we'll omitThat bears recovery's name. But, since your kindnessWe have stretch'd thus far, let us beseech youThat for our gold we may provision have,Wherein we are not destitute for want,But weary for the staleness.LYSIMACHUSO, sir, a courtesyWhich if we should deny, the most just godsFor every graff would send a catepillar,And so afflict our province. Yet once moreLet me entreat to know at large the causeOf your king's sorrow.HELICANUSSit, sir, I will recount it to you:But, see, I am prevented.

[Re-enter, from the barge, Lord, with Marina, and a young Lady.]

LYSIMACHUSO, here isThe lady that I sent for. Welcome, fair one!Is't not a goodly presence?HELICANUSShe's a gallant lady.LYSIMACHUSShe's such a one, that, were I well assuredCame of a gentle kind and noble stock,I'ld wish no better choice, and think me rarely wed.Fair one, all goodness that consists in bountyExpect even here, where is a kingly patient:If that thy prosperous and artificial featCan draw him but to answer thee in aught,Thy sacred physic shall receive such payAs thy desires can wish.MARINASir, I will useMy utmost skill in his recovery,ProvidedThat none but I and my companion maidBe suffer'd to come near him.LYSIMACHUSCome, let us leave her,And the gods make her prosperous!

[Marina sings.]

LYSIMACHUSMark'd he your music?MARINANo, nor look'd on us,LYSIMACHUSSee, she will speak to him.MARINAHail, sir! my lord, lend ear.PERICLESHum, ha!MARINAI am a maid,My lord, that ne'er before invited eyes,But have been gazed on like a cornet: she speaks,My lord, that, may be, hath endured a griefMight equal yours, if both were justly weigh'd.Though wayward fortune did malign my state,My derivation was from ancestorsWho stood equivalent with mighty kings:But time hath rooted out my parentage,And to the world and awkward casualtiesBound 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.'PERICLESMy fortunes – parentage – good parentage —To equal mine! – was it not thus? what say you?MARINAI said, my lord, if you did know my parentage.You would not do me violence.PERICLESI do think so. Pray you, turn your eyes upon me.You are like something that – What country-woman?Here of these shores?MARINANo, nor of any shores:Yet I was mortally brought forth, and amNo other than I appear.PERICLESI am great with woe, and shall deliver weeping.My dearest wife was like this maid, and such a oneMy 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-likeAnd 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?MARINAWhere I am but a stranger: from the deckYou may discern the place.PERICLESWhere were you bred?And how achieved you these endowments, whichYou make more rich to owe?MARINAIf I should tell my history, it would seemLike lies disdain'd in the reporting.PERICLESPrithee, speak:Falseness cannot come from thee; for thou look'stModest as Justice, and thou seem'st a palaceFor the crown'd Truth to dwell in: I will believe thee,And make my senses credit thy relationTo points that seem impossible; for thou look'stLike 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 earnestFrom good descending?MARINASo indeed I did.PERICLESReport thy parentage. I think thou said'stThou hadst been toss'd from wrong to injury,And that thou thought'st thy griefs might equal mine,If both were open'd.MARINASome such thing,I said, and said no more but what my thoughtsDid warrant me was likely.PERICLESTell thy story;If thine consider'd prove the thousandth partOf my endurance, thou art a man, and IHave suffer'd like a girl: yet thou dost lookLike Patience gazing on kings' graves, and smilingExtremity 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.MARINAMy name is Marina.PERICLESO, I am mock'd,And thou by some incensed god sent hitherTo make the world to laugh at me.MARINAPatience, good sir,Or here I'll cease.PERICLESNay, I'll be patient.Thou little know'st how thou dost startle me,To call thyself Marina.MARINAThe nameWas given me by one that had some power,My father, and a king.PERICLESHow! a king's daughter?And call'd Marina?MARINAYou said you would believe me;But, not to be a troubler of your peace,I will end here.PERICLESBut are you flesh and blood?Have you a working pulse? and are no fairy?Motion! Well; speak on. Where were you born?And wherefore call'd Marina?MARINACall'd MarinaFor I was born at sea.PERICLESAt sea! what mother?MARINAMy mother was the daughter of a king;Who died the minute I was born,As my good nurse Lychorida hath oftDeliver'd weeping.PERICLESO, stop there a little!

[Aside.]

This is the rarest dream that e'er dull sleepDid mock sad fools withal: this cannot be:My daughter's buried. Well: where were: you bred?I'll hear you more, to the bottom of your story,And never interrupt you.MARINA. You scorn: believe me, 'twere best I did give o'er. -PERICLESI will believe you by the syllableOf what you shall deliver. Yet, give me leave:How came you in these parts? where were you bred?MARINAThe king my father did in Tarsus leave me;Till cruel Cleon, with his wicked wife,Did seek to murder me: and having woo'dA 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.PERICLESHo, Helicanus!HELICANUSCalls my lord?PERICLESThou 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?HELICANUSI know not; butHere is the regent, sir, of MytileneSpeaks nobly of her.LYSIMACHUSShe would never tellHer parentage; being demanded that,She would sit still and weep.PERICLESO Helicanus, strike me, honour'd sir;Give me a gash, put me to present pain;Lest this great sea of joys rushing upon meO'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 loudAs 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 sleepMARINAFirst, sir, I pray,What is your title?PERICLESI am Pericles of Tyre: but tell me nowMy drown'd queen's name, as in the rest you saidThou hast been godlike perfect,The heir of kingdoms and another likeTo Pericles thy father.MARINAIs it no more to be your daughter thanTo say my mother's name was Thaisa?Thaisa was my mother, who did endThe minute I began.PERICLESNow, 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 knowledgeShe is thy very princess. Who is this?HELICANUSSir, 'tis the governor of Mytilene,Who, hearing of your melancholy state,Did come to see you.PERICLESI 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 himO'er, point by point, for yet he seems to doubt,How sure you are my daughter. But, what music?HELICANUSMy lord, I hear none.PERICLESNone!The music of the spheres! List, my Marina.LYSIMACHUSIt is not good to cross him; give him wayPERICLESRarest sounds! Do ye not hear?LYSIMACHUSMy lord, I hear.

[Music.]

PERICLESMost heavenly music!It nips me unto listening, and thick slumberHangs upon mine eyes: let me rest.

[Sleeps.]

LYSIMACHUSA 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 as in a vision.]

DIANAMy 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, callAnd give them repetition to the life.Or perform my bidding, or thou livest in woe:Do it, and happy; by my silver bow!Awake, and tell thy dream.

[Disappears.]

PERICLESCelestial Dian, goddess argentine,I will obey thee. Helicanus!

[Re-enter Helicanus, Lysimachus, and Marina.]

HELICANUSSir?PERICLESMy purpose was for Tarsus, there to strikeThe inhospitable Cleon; but I amFor other service first: toward EphesusTurn 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 provisionAs our intents will need?LYSIMACHUSSir,With all my heart; and when you come ashore,I have another suit.PERICLESYou shall prevail,Were you to woo my daughter; for it seemsYou have been noble towards her.LYSIMACHUSSir, lend me your arm.PERICLESCome, my Marina.

[Exeunt.]

SCENE II. Enter Gower, before the temple of Diana at Ephesus

GOWERNow 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 supposeWhat pageantry, what feats, what shows,What minstrelsy, and pretty din,The regent made in MytileneTo greet the king. So he thrived,That he is promised to be wivedTo fair Marina; but in no wiseTill he had done his 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,Cur king and all his company.That he can hither come so soon,Is by your fancy's thankful doom.

[Exit.]