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Enter HELICANUS and ESCANES.
Enter HELICANUS and ESCANES.
HELICANUS
No, Escanes, know this of me:
Antiochus from incest lived not free,
For which the most high gods not minding longer
To withhold the vengeance that they had in store
5
Due to this heinous capital offense,
Even in the height and pride of all his glory,
When he was seated in a chariot of
An inestimable value, and his daughter with him,
A fire from heaven came and shriveled up
10
Those bodies even to loathing, for they so stunk
That all those eyes adored them, ere their fall,
Scorn now their hand should give them burial.
HELICANUS
No, Escanes, know this of me:
Antiochus from incest lived not free,
For which the most high gods not minding longer
To withhold the vengeance that they had in store
Due to this heinous capital offense,
Even in the height and pride of all his glory,
When he was seated in a chariot of
An inestimable value, and his daughter with him,
A fire from heaven came and shriveled up
Those bodies even to loathing, for they so stunk
That all those eyes adored them, ere their fall,
Scorn now their hand should give them burial.
ESCANES  
’Twas very strange.
ESCANES  
’Twas very strange.
HELICANUS
And yet but justice; for though this king were great,
15
His greatness was no guard to bar heaven’s shaft,
But sin had his reward.
HELICANUS
And yet but justice; for though this king were great,
His greatness was no guard to bar heaven’s shaft,
But sin had his reward.
ESCANES  
’Tis very true.
ESCANES  
’Tis very true.
Enter TWO OR THREE LORDS.
Enter TWO OR THREE LORDS.
FIRST LORD
See, not a man in private conference
Or counsel has respect with him but he.
FIRST LORD
See, not a man in private conference
Or counsel has respect with him but he.
SECOND LORD
20
It shall no longer grieve without reproof.
SECOND LORD
It shall no longer grieve without reproof.
THIRD LORD
And cursed be he that will not second it.
THIRD LORD
And cursed be he that will not second it.
FIRST LORD
Follow me, then.—Lord Helicane, a word.
FIRST LORD
Follow me, then.—Lord Helicane, a word.
HELICANUS
With me? And welcome. Happy day, my lords.
HELICANUS
With me? And welcome. Happy day, my lords.
FIRST LORD
Know that our griefs are risen to the top,
25
And now at length they overflow their banks.
FIRST LORD
Know that our griefs are risen to the top,
And now at length they overflow their banks.
HELICANUS
Your griefs? For what? Wrong not your prince you
love.
HELICANUS
Your griefs? For what? Wrong not your prince you
love.
FIRST LORD
Wrong not yourself, then, noble Helicane.
But if the Prince do live, let us salute him,
30
Or know what ground’s made happy by his breath.
If in the world he live, we’ll seek him out;
If in his grave he rest, we’ll find him there,
And be resolved he lives to govern us,
Or dead, give ’s cause to mourn his funeral
35
And leave us to our free election.
FIRST LORD
Wrong not yourself, then, noble Helicane.
But if the Prince do live, let us salute him,
Or know what ground’s made happy by his breath.
If in the world he live, we’ll seek him out;
If in his grave he rest, we’ll find him there,
And be resolved he lives to govern us,
Or dead, give ’s cause to mourn his funeral
And leave us to our free election.
SECOND LORD
Whose death’s indeed the strongest in our censure;
And knowing this kingdom is without a head—
Like goodly buildings left without a roof
Soon fall to ruin—your noble self,
40
That best know how to rule and how to reign,
We thus submit unto, our sovereign.
SECOND LORD
Whose death’s indeed the strongest in our censure;
And knowing this kingdom is without a head—
Like goodly buildings left without a roof
Soon fall to ruin—your noble self,
That best know how to rule and how to reign,
We thus submit unto, our sovereign.
ALL  
Live, noble Helicane!
ALL  
Live, noble Helicane!
HELICANUS
Try honor’s cause; forbear your suffrages.
If that you love Prince Pericles, forbear.
45
Take I your wish, I leap into the seas,
Where’s hourly trouble for a minute’s ease.
A twelve-month longer let me entreat you
To forbear the absence of your king;
If in which time expired, he not return,
50
I shall with agèd patience bear your yoke.
But if I cannot win you to this love,
Go search like nobles, like noble subjects,
And in your search spend your adventurous worth,
Whom if you find and win unto return,
55
You shall like diamonds sit about his crown.
HELICANUS
Try honor’s cause; forbear your suffrages.
If that you love Prince Pericles, forbear.
Take I your wish, I leap into the seas,
Where’s hourly trouble for a minute’s ease.
A twelve-month longer let me entreat you
To forbear the absence of your king;
If in which time expired, he not return,
I shall with agèd patience bear your yoke.
But if I cannot win you to this love,
Go search like nobles, like noble subjects,
And in your search spend your adventurous worth,
Whom if you find and win unto return,
You shall like diamonds sit about his crown.
FIRST LORD
To wisdom he’s a fool that will not yield.
And since Lord Helicane enjoineth us,
We with our travels will endeavor.
FIRST LORD
To wisdom he’s a fool that will not yield.
And since Lord Helicane enjoineth us,
We with our travels will endeavor.
HELICANUS
Then you love us, we you, and we’ll clasp hands.
60
When peers thus knit, a kingdom ever stands.
HELICANUS
Then you love us, we you, and we’ll clasp hands.
When peers thus knit, a kingdom ever stands.
They exit.
They exit.
Enter the King, SIMONIDES, reading of a letter at one door; THE KNIGHTS meet him.
Enter the King, SIMONIDES, reading of a letter at one door; THE KNIGHTS meet him.
FIRST KNIGHT
Good morrow to the good Simonides.
FIRST KNIGHT
Good morrow to the good Simonides.
SIMONIDES
Knights, from my daughter this I let you know,
That for this twelvemonth she’ll not undertake
A married life. Her reason to herself is only known,
5
Which from her by no means can I get.
SIMONIDES
Knights, from my daughter this I let you know,
That for this twelvemonth she’ll not undertake
A married life. Her reason to herself is only known,
Which from her by no means can I get.
SECOND KNIGHT
May we not get access to her, my lord?
SECOND KNIGHT
May we not get access to her, my lord?
SIMONIDES
Faith, by no means; she hath so strictly tied her
To her chamber that ’tis impossible.
One twelve moons more she’ll wear Diana’s livery.
10
This by the eye of Cynthia hath she vowed,
And on her virgin honor will not break it.
SIMONIDES
Faith, by no means; she hath so strictly tied her
To her chamber that ’tis impossible.
One twelve moons more she’ll wear Diana’s livery.
This by the eye of Cynthia hath she vowed,
And on her virgin honor will not break it.
THIRD KNIGHT
Loath to bid farewell, we take our leaves.
THE KNIGHTS exit.
THIRD KNIGHT
Loath to bid farewell, we take our leaves.
THE KNIGHTS exit.
SIMONIDES  
So,
They are well dispatched. Now to my daughter’s letter.
15
She tells me here she’ll wed the stranger knight
Or never more to view nor day nor light.
’Tis well, mistress, your choice agrees with mine.
I like that well. Nay, how absolute she’s in ’t,
Not minding whether I dislike or no!
20
Well, I do commend her choice, and will no longer
Have it be delayed. Soft, here he comes.
I must dissemble it.
SIMONIDES  
So,
They are well dispatched. Now to my daughter’s letter.
She tells me here she’ll wed the stranger knight
Or never more to view nor day nor light.
’Tis well, mistress, your choice agrees with mine.
I like that well. Nay, how absolute she’s in ’t,
Not minding whether I dislike or no!
Well, I do commend her choice, and will no longer
Have it be delayed. Soft, here he comes.
I must dissemble it.
Enter PERICLES.
Enter PERICLES.
PERICLES
All fortune to the good Simonides.
PERICLES
All fortune to the good Simonides.
SIMONIDES
To you as much. Sir, I am beholding to you
25
For your sweet music this last night. I do
Protest, my ears were never better fed
With such delightful pleasing harmony.
SIMONIDES
To you as much. Sir, I am beholding to you
For your sweet music this last night. I do
Protest, my ears were never better fed
With such delightful pleasing harmony.
PERICLES
It is your Grace’s pleasure to commend,
Not my desert.
PERICLES
It is your Grace’s pleasure to commend,
Not my desert.
SIMONIDES  
30
Sir, you are music’s master.
SIMONIDES  
Sir, you are music’s master.
PERICLES
The worst of all her scholars, my good lord.
PERICLES
The worst of all her scholars, my good lord.
SIMONIDES  
Let me ask you one thing:
What do you think of my daughter, sir?
SIMONIDES  
Let me ask you one thing:
What do you think of my daughter, sir?
PERICLES  
A most virtuous princess.
PERICLES  
A most virtuous princess.
SIMONIDES  
35
And she is fair too, is she not?
SIMONIDES  
And she is fair too, is she not?
PERICLES
As a fair day in summer, wondrous fair.
PERICLES
As a fair day in summer, wondrous fair.
SIMONIDES
Sir, my daughter thinks very well of you,
Ay, so well that you must be her master,
And she will be your scholar. Therefore, look to it.
SIMONIDES
Sir, my daughter thinks very well of you,
Ay, so well that you must be her master,
And she will be your scholar. Therefore, look to it.
PERICLES
40
I am unworthy for her schoolmaster.
PERICLES
I am unworthy for her schoolmaster.
SIMONIDES
She thinks not so. Peruse this writing else.
SIMONIDES
She thinks not so. Peruse this writing else.
PERICLES, aside
What’s here?
A letter that she loves the knight of Tyre?
’Tis the King’s subtlety to have my life.—
45
O, seek not to entrap me, gracious lord,
A stranger and distressèd gentleman
That never aimed so high to love your daughter,
But bent all offices to honor her.
PERICLES, aside
What’s here?
A letter that she loves the knight of Tyre?
’Tis the King’s subtlety to have my life.—
O, seek not to entrap me, gracious lord,
A stranger and distressèd gentleman
That never aimed so high to love your daughter,
But bent all offices to honor her.
SIMONIDES
Thou hast bewitched my daughter, and thou art
50
A villain.
SIMONIDES
Thou hast bewitched my daughter, and thou art
A villain.
PERICLES  
By the gods, I have not!
Never did thought of mine levy offense;
Nor never did my actions yet commence
A deed might gain her love or your displeasure.
PERICLES  
By the gods, I have not!
Never did thought of mine levy offense;
Nor never did my actions yet commence
A deed might gain her love or your displeasure.
SIMONIDES
55
Traitor, thou liest!
SIMONIDES
Traitor, thou liest!
PERICLES  
Traitor?
PERICLES  
Traitor?
SIMONIDES  
Ay, traitor.
SIMONIDES  
Ay, traitor.
PERICLES
Even in his throat, unless it be the King
That calls me traitor, I return the lie.
PERICLES
Even in his throat, unless it be the King
That calls me traitor, I return the lie.
SIMONIDES , aside
60
Now, by the gods, I do applaud his courage.
SIMONIDES , aside
Now, by the gods, I do applaud his courage.
PERICLES
My actions are as noble as my thoughts,
That never relished of a base descent.
I came unto your court for honor’s cause,
And not to be a rebel to her state,
65
And he that otherwise accounts of me,
This sword shall prove he’s honor’s enemy.
PERICLES
My actions are as noble as my thoughts,
That never relished of a base descent.
I came unto your court for honor’s cause,
And not to be a rebel to her state,
And he that otherwise accounts of me,
This sword shall prove he’s honor’s enemy.
SIMONIDES  
No?
Here comes my daughter. She can witness it.
SIMONIDES  
No?
Here comes my daughter. She can witness it.
Enter THAISA.
Enter THAISA.
PERICLES
Then as you are as virtuous as fair,
70
Resolve your angry father if my tongue
Did e’er solicit or my hand subscribe
To any syllable that made love to you.
PERICLES
Then as you are as virtuous as fair,
Resolve your angry father if my tongue
Did e’er solicit or my hand subscribe
To any syllable that made love to you.
THAISA
Why, sir, say if you had, who takes offense
At that would make me glad?
THAISA
Why, sir, say if you had, who takes offense
At that would make me glad?
SIMONIDES
75
Yea, mistress, are you so peremptory?
( Aside.) I am glad on ’t with all my heart.—
I’ll tame you! I’ll bring you in subjection.
Will you, not having my consent,
Bestow your love and your affections
80
Upon a stranger? ( Aside.) Who, for aught I know,
May be—nor can I think the contrary—
As great in blood as I myself.—
Therefore, hear you, mistress: either frame
Your will to mine—and you, sir, hear you:
85
Either be ruled by me—or I’ll make you
Man and wife.
Nay, come, your hands and lips must seal it too.
And being joined, I’ll thus your hopes destroy.
And for further grief—God give you joy!
90
What, are you both pleased?
SIMONIDES
Yea, mistress, are you so peremptory?
( Aside.) I am glad on ’t with all my heart.—
I’ll tame you! I’ll bring you in subjection.
Will you, not having my consent,
Bestow your love and your affections
Upon a stranger? ( Aside.) Who, for aught I know,
May be—nor can I think the contrary—
As great in blood as I myself.—
Therefore, hear you, mistress: either frame
Your will to mine—and you, sir, hear you:
Either be ruled by me—or I’ll make you
Man and wife.
Nay, come, your hands and lips must seal it too.
And being joined, I’ll thus your hopes destroy.
And for further grief—God give you joy!
What, are you both pleased?
THAISA  
Yes, ( to PERICLES) if you love me, sir.
THAISA  
Yes, ( to PERICLES) if you love me, sir.
PERICLES
Even as my life my blood that fosters it.
PERICLES
Even as my life my blood that fosters it.
SIMONIDES  
What, are you both agreed?
SIMONIDES  
What, are you both agreed?
BOTH  
Yes, if ’t please your Majesty.
BOTH  
Yes, if ’t please your Majesty.
SIMONIDES
95
It pleaseth me so well that I will see you wed,
And then with what haste you can, get you to bed.
SIMONIDES
It pleaseth me so well that I will see you wed,
And then with what haste you can, get you to bed.
They exit.
They exit.

Original Text

Modern Text
Enter HELICANUS and ESCANES.
Enter HELICANUS and ESCANES.
HELICANUS
No, Escanes, know this of me:
Antiochus from incest lived not free,
For which the most high gods not minding longer
To withhold the vengeance that they had in store
5
Due to this heinous capital offense,
Even in the height and pride of all his glory,
When he was seated in a chariot of
An inestimable value, and his daughter with him,
A fire from heaven came and shriveled up
10
Those bodies even to loathing, for they so stunk
That all those eyes adored them, ere their fall,
Scorn now their hand should give them burial.
HELICANUS
No, Escanes, know this of me:
Antiochus from incest lived not free,
For which the most high gods not minding longer
To withhold the vengeance that they had in store
Due to this heinous capital offense,
Even in the height and pride of all his glory,
When he was seated in a chariot of
An inestimable value, and his daughter with him,
A fire from heaven came and shriveled up
Those bodies even to loathing, for they so stunk
That all those eyes adored them, ere their fall,
Scorn now their hand should give them burial.
ESCANES  
’Twas very strange.
ESCANES  
’Twas very strange.
HELICANUS
And yet but justice; for though this king were great,
15
His greatness was no guard to bar heaven’s shaft,
But sin had his reward.
HELICANUS
And yet but justice; for though this king were great,
His greatness was no guard to bar heaven’s shaft,
But sin had his reward.
ESCANES  
’Tis very true.
ESCANES  
’Tis very true.
Enter TWO OR THREE LORDS.
Enter TWO OR THREE LORDS.
FIRST LORD
See, not a man in private conference
Or counsel has respect with him but he.
FIRST LORD
See, not a man in private conference
Or counsel has respect with him but he.
SECOND LORD
20
It shall no longer grieve without reproof.
SECOND LORD
It shall no longer grieve without reproof.
THIRD LORD
And cursed be he that will not second it.
THIRD LORD
And cursed be he that will not second it.
FIRST LORD
Follow me, then.—Lord Helicane, a word.
FIRST LORD
Follow me, then.—Lord Helicane, a word.
HELICANUS
With me? And welcome. Happy day, my lords.
HELICANUS
With me? And welcome. Happy day, my lords.
FIRST LORD
Know that our griefs are risen to the top,
25
And now at length they overflow their banks.
FIRST LORD
Know that our griefs are risen to the top,
And now at length they overflow their banks.
HELICANUS
Your griefs? For what? Wrong not your prince you
love.
HELICANUS
Your griefs? For what? Wrong not your prince you
love.
FIRST LORD
Wrong not yourself, then, noble Helicane.
But if the Prince do live, let us salute him,
30
Or know what ground’s made happy by his breath.
If in the world he live, we’ll seek him out;
If in his grave he rest, we’ll find him there,
And be resolved he lives to govern us,
Or dead, give ’s cause to mourn his funeral
35
And leave us to our free election.
FIRST LORD
Wrong not yourself, then, noble Helicane.
But if the Prince do live, let us salute him,
Or know what ground’s made happy by his breath.
If in the world he live, we’ll seek him out;
If in his grave he rest, we’ll find him there,
And be resolved he lives to govern us,
Or dead, give ’s cause to mourn his funeral
And leave us to our free election.
SECOND LORD
Whose death’s indeed the strongest in our censure;
And knowing this kingdom is without a head—
Like goodly buildings left without a roof
Soon fall to ruin—your noble self,
40
That best know how to rule and how to reign,
We thus submit unto, our sovereign.
SECOND LORD
Whose death’s indeed the strongest in our censure;
And knowing this kingdom is without a head—
Like goodly buildings left without a roof
Soon fall to ruin—your noble self,
That best know how to rule and how to reign,
We thus submit unto, our sovereign.
ALL  
Live, noble Helicane!
ALL  
Live, noble Helicane!
HELICANUS
Try honor’s cause; forbear your suffrages.
If that you love Prince Pericles, forbear.
45
Take I your wish, I leap into the seas,
Where’s hourly trouble for a minute’s ease.
A twelve-month longer let me entreat you
To forbear the absence of your king;
If in which time expired, he not return,
50
I shall with agèd patience bear your yoke.
But if I cannot win you to this love,
Go search like nobles, like noble subjects,
And in your search spend your adventurous worth,
Whom if you find and win unto return,
55
You shall like diamonds sit about his crown.
HELICANUS
Try honor’s cause; forbear your suffrages.
If that you love Prince Pericles, forbear.
Take I your wish, I leap into the seas,
Where’s hourly trouble for a minute’s ease.
A twelve-month longer let me entreat you
To forbear the absence of your king;
If in which time expired, he not return,
I shall with agèd patience bear your yoke.
But if I cannot win you to this love,
Go search like nobles, like noble subjects,
And in your search spend your adventurous worth,
Whom if you find and win unto return,
You shall like diamonds sit about his crown.
FIRST LORD
To wisdom he’s a fool that will not yield.
And since Lord Helicane enjoineth us,
We with our travels will endeavor.
FIRST LORD
To wisdom he’s a fool that will not yield.
And since Lord Helicane enjoineth us,
We with our travels will endeavor.
HELICANUS
Then you love us, we you, and we’ll clasp hands.
60
When peers thus knit, a kingdom ever stands.
HELICANUS
Then you love us, we you, and we’ll clasp hands.
When peers thus knit, a kingdom ever stands.
They exit.
They exit.
Enter the King, SIMONIDES, reading of a letter at one door; THE KNIGHTS meet him.
Enter the King, SIMONIDES, reading of a letter at one door; THE KNIGHTS meet him.
FIRST KNIGHT
Good morrow to the good Simonides.
FIRST KNIGHT
Good morrow to the good Simonides.
SIMONIDES
Knights, from my daughter this I let you know,
That for this twelvemonth she’ll not undertake
A married life. Her reason to herself is only known,
5
Which from her by no means can I get.
SIMONIDES
Knights, from my daughter this I let you know,
That for this twelvemonth she’ll not undertake
A married life. Her reason to herself is only known,
Which from her by no means can I get.
SECOND KNIGHT
May we not get access to her, my lord?
SECOND KNIGHT
May we not get access to her, my lord?
SIMONIDES
Faith, by no means; she hath so strictly tied her
To her chamber that ’tis impossible.
One twelve moons more she’ll wear Diana’s livery.
10
This by the eye of Cynthia hath she vowed,
And on her virgin honor will not break it.
SIMONIDES
Faith, by no means; she hath so strictly tied her
To her chamber that ’tis impossible.
One twelve moons more she’ll wear Diana’s livery.
This by the eye of Cynthia hath she vowed,
And on her virgin honor will not break it.
THIRD KNIGHT
Loath to bid farewell, we take our leaves.
THE KNIGHTS exit.
THIRD KNIGHT
Loath to bid farewell, we take our leaves.
THE KNIGHTS exit.
SIMONIDES  
So,
They are well dispatched. Now to my daughter’s letter.
15
She tells me here she’ll wed the stranger knight
Or never more to view nor day nor light.
’Tis well, mistress, your choice agrees with mine.
I like that well. Nay, how absolute she’s in ’t,
Not minding whether I dislike or no!
20
Well, I do commend her choice, and will no longer
Have it be delayed. Soft, here he comes.
I must dissemble it.
SIMONIDES  
So,
They are well dispatched. Now to my daughter’s letter.
She tells me here she’ll wed the stranger knight
Or never more to view nor day nor light.
’Tis well, mistress, your choice agrees with mine.
I like that well. Nay, how absolute she’s in ’t,
Not minding whether I dislike or no!
Well, I do commend her choice, and will no longer
Have it be delayed. Soft, here he comes.
I must dissemble it.
Enter PERICLES.
Enter PERICLES.
PERICLES
All fortune to the good Simonides.
PERICLES
All fortune to the good Simonides.
SIMONIDES
To you as much. Sir, I am beholding to you
25
For your sweet music this last night. I do
Protest, my ears were never better fed
With such delightful pleasing harmony.
SIMONIDES
To you as much. Sir, I am beholding to you
For your sweet music this last night. I do
Protest, my ears were never better fed
With such delightful pleasing harmony.
PERICLES
It is your Grace’s pleasure to commend,
Not my desert.
PERICLES
It is your Grace’s pleasure to commend,
Not my desert.
SIMONIDES  
30
Sir, you are music’s master.
SIMONIDES  
Sir, you are music’s master.
PERICLES
The worst of all her scholars, my good lord.
PERICLES
The worst of all her scholars, my good lord.
SIMONIDES  
Let me ask you one thing:
What do you think of my daughter, sir?
SIMONIDES  
Let me ask you one thing:
What do you think of my daughter, sir?
PERICLES  
A most virtuous princess.
PERICLES  
A most virtuous princess.
SIMONIDES  
35
And she is fair too, is she not?
SIMONIDES  
And she is fair too, is she not?
PERICLES
As a fair day in summer, wondrous fair.
PERICLES
As a fair day in summer, wondrous fair.
SIMONIDES
Sir, my daughter thinks very well of you,
Ay, so well that you must be her master,
And she will be your scholar. Therefore, look to it.
SIMONIDES
Sir, my daughter thinks very well of you,
Ay, so well that you must be her master,
And she will be your scholar. Therefore, look to it.
PERICLES
40
I am unworthy for her schoolmaster.
PERICLES
I am unworthy for her schoolmaster.
SIMONIDES
She thinks not so. Peruse this writing else.
SIMONIDES
She thinks not so. Peruse this writing else.
PERICLES, aside
What’s here?
A letter that she loves the knight of Tyre?
’Tis the King’s subtlety to have my life.—
45
O, seek not to entrap me, gracious lord,
A stranger and distressèd gentleman
That never aimed so high to love your daughter,
But bent all offices to honor her.
PERICLES, aside
What’s here?
A letter that she loves the knight of Tyre?
’Tis the King’s subtlety to have my life.—
O, seek not to entrap me, gracious lord,
A stranger and distressèd gentleman
That never aimed so high to love your daughter,
But bent all offices to honor her.
SIMONIDES
Thou hast bewitched my daughter, and thou art
50
A villain.
SIMONIDES
Thou hast bewitched my daughter, and thou art
A villain.
PERICLES  
By the gods, I have not!
Never did thought of mine levy offense;
Nor never did my actions yet commence
A deed might gain her love or your displeasure.
PERICLES  
By the gods, I have not!
Never did thought of mine levy offense;
Nor never did my actions yet commence
A deed might gain her love or your displeasure.
SIMONIDES
55
Traitor, thou liest!
SIMONIDES
Traitor, thou liest!
PERICLES  
Traitor?
PERICLES  
Traitor?
SIMONIDES  
Ay, traitor.
SIMONIDES  
Ay, traitor.
PERICLES
Even in his throat, unless it be the King
That calls me traitor, I return the lie.
PERICLES
Even in his throat, unless it be the King
That calls me traitor, I return the lie.
SIMONIDES , aside
60
Now, by the gods, I do applaud his courage.
SIMONIDES , aside
Now, by the gods, I do applaud his courage.
PERICLES
My actions are as noble as my thoughts,
That never relished of a base descent.
I came unto your court for honor’s cause,
And not to be a rebel to her state,
65
And he that otherwise accounts of me,
This sword shall prove he’s honor’s enemy.
PERICLES
My actions are as noble as my thoughts,
That never relished of a base descent.
I came unto your court for honor’s cause,
And not to be a rebel to her state,
And he that otherwise accounts of me,
This sword shall prove he’s honor’s enemy.
SIMONIDES  
No?
Here comes my daughter. She can witness it.
SIMONIDES  
No?
Here comes my daughter. She can witness it.
Enter THAISA.
Enter THAISA.
PERICLES
Then as you are as virtuous as fair,
70
Resolve your angry father if my tongue
Did e’er solicit or my hand subscribe
To any syllable that made love to you.
PERICLES
Then as you are as virtuous as fair,
Resolve your angry father if my tongue
Did e’er solicit or my hand subscribe
To any syllable that made love to you.
THAISA
Why, sir, say if you had, who takes offense
At that would make me glad?
THAISA
Why, sir, say if you had, who takes offense
At that would make me glad?
SIMONIDES
75
Yea, mistress, are you so peremptory?
( Aside.) I am glad on ’t with all my heart.—
I’ll tame you! I’ll bring you in subjection.
Will you, not having my consent,
Bestow your love and your affections
80
Upon a stranger? ( Aside.) Who, for aught I know,
May be—nor can I think the contrary—
As great in blood as I myself.—
Therefore, hear you, mistress: either frame
Your will to mine—and you, sir, hear you:
85
Either be ruled by me—or I’ll make you
Man and wife.
Nay, come, your hands and lips must seal it too.
And being joined, I’ll thus your hopes destroy.
And for further grief—God give you joy!
90
What, are you both pleased?
SIMONIDES
Yea, mistress, are you so peremptory?
( Aside.) I am glad on ’t with all my heart.—
I’ll tame you! I’ll bring you in subjection.
Will you, not having my consent,
Bestow your love and your affections
Upon a stranger? ( Aside.) Who, for aught I know,
May be—nor can I think the contrary—
As great in blood as I myself.—
Therefore, hear you, mistress: either frame
Your will to mine—and you, sir, hear you:
Either be ruled by me—or I’ll make you
Man and wife.
Nay, come, your hands and lips must seal it too.
And being joined, I’ll thus your hopes destroy.
And for further grief—God give you joy!
What, are you both pleased?
THAISA  
Yes, ( to PERICLES) if you love me, sir.
THAISA  
Yes, ( to PERICLES) if you love me, sir.
PERICLES
Even as my life my blood that fosters it.
PERICLES
Even as my life my blood that fosters it.
SIMONIDES  
What, are you both agreed?
SIMONIDES  
What, are you both agreed?
BOTH  
Yes, if ’t please your Majesty.
BOTH  
Yes, if ’t please your Majesty.
SIMONIDES
95
It pleaseth me so well that I will see you wed,
And then with what haste you can, get you to bed.
SIMONIDES
It pleaseth me so well that I will see you wed,
And then with what haste you can, get you to bed.
They exit.
They exit.
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