No Fear Shakespeare: Pericles: Act 4 Scene 6

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Pericles

William Shakespeare

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Modern Text

Original Text

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Enter BAWD, PANDER, and BOLT.	Enter BAWD, PANDER, and BOLT.
PANDER Well, I had rather than twice the worth of her she had ne’er come here.	PANDER 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 5 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 10 he should cheapen a kiss of her.	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.
BOLT Faith, I must ravish her, or she’ll disfurnish us of all our cavalleria, and make our swearers priests.	BOLT Faith, I must ravish her, or she’ll disfurnish us of all our cavalleria, and make our swearers priests.
PANDER Now the pox upon her greensickness for me!	PANDER Now the pox upon her greensickness for me!
BAWD Faith, there’s no way to be rid on ’t but by the 15 way to the pox. Enter LYSIMACHUS. Here comes the Lord Lysimachus disguised.	BAWD Faith, there’s no way to be rid on ’t but by the way to the pox. Enter LYSIMACHUS. Here comes the Lord Lysimachus disguised.
BOLT We should have both lord and lown, if the peevish baggage would but give way to customers.	BOLT We should have both lord and lown, if the peevish baggage would but give way to customers.
LYSIMACHUS , removing his disguise How now! How a 20 dozen of virginities?	LYSIMACHUS , removing his disguise How now! How a dozen of virginities?
BAWD Now the gods to-bless your Honor!	BAWD Now the gods to-bless your Honor!
BOLT I am glad to see your Honor in good health.	BOLT I am glad to see your Honor in good health.
LYSIMACHUS You may so. ’Tis the better for you that your resorters stand upon sound legs. How now? 25 Wholesome iniquity have you that a man may deal withal and defy the surgeon?	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.	BAWD We have here one, sir, if she would—but there never came her like in Mytilene.
LYSIMACHUS If she’d do the deeds of darkness, thou 30 wouldst say?	LYSIMACHUS If she’d do the deeds of darkness, thou wouldst say?
BAWD Your Honor knows what ’tis to say, well enough.	BAWD Your Honor knows what ’tis to say, well enough.
LYSIMACHUS Well, call forth, call forth. PANDER exits.	LYSIMACHUS Well, call forth, call forth. PANDER exits.
BOLT For flesh and blood, sir, white and red, you shall see a rose; and she were a rose indeed, if she had 35 but—	BOLT For flesh and blood, sir, white and red, you shall see a rose; and she were a rose indeed, if she had but—
LYSIMACHUS What, prithee?	LYSIMACHUS What, prithee?
BOLT O, sir, I can be modest.	BOLT O, 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 40 chaste.	LYSIMACHUS That dignifies the renown of a bawd no less than it gives a good report to a number to be chaste.
Enter PANDER with MARINA.	Enter PANDER with MARINA.
BAWD Here comes that which grows to the stalk, never plucked yet, I can assure you. Is she not a fair creature?	BAWD Here comes that which grows to the stalk, never plucked yet, I can assure you. Is she not a fair creature?
LYSIMACHUS Faith, she would serve after a long voyage 45 at sea. Well, there’s for you. He gives money. Leave us.	LYSIMACHUS Faith, she would serve after a long voyage at sea. Well, there’s for you. He gives money. Leave us.
BAWD I beseech your Honor, give me leave a word, and I’ll have done presently.	BAWD I beseech your Honor, give me leave a word, and I’ll have done presently.
LYSIMACHUS I beseech you, do. He moves aside.	LYSIMACHUS I beseech you, do. He moves aside.
BAWD, to MARINA 50 First, I would have you note this is an honorable man.	BAWD, to MARINA First, I would have you note this is an honorable man.
MARINA I desire to find him so, that I may worthily note him.	MARINA I desire to find him so, that I may worthily note him.
BAWD Next, he’s the governor of this country and a 55 man whom I am bound to.	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 honorable he is in that I know not.	MARINA If he govern the country, you are bound to him indeed, but how honorable he is in that I know not.
BAWD Pray you, without any more virginal fencing, 60 will you use him kindly? He will line your apron with gold.	BAWD Pray you, without any more virginal fencing, will you use him kindly? He will line your apron with gold.
MARINA What he will do graciously, I will thankfully receive.	MARINA What he will do graciously, I will thankfully receive.
LYSIMACHUS, coming forward Ha’ you done?	LYSIMACHUS, coming forward Ha’ you done?
BAWD 65 My lord, she’s not paced yet. You must take some pains to work her to your manage.—Come, we will leave his Honor and her together. Go thy ways.	BAWD My lord, she’s not paced yet. You must take some pains to work her to your manage.—Come, we will leave his Honor and her together. Go thy ways.
BAWD , PANDER and BOLT exit.	BAWD , PANDER and BOLT exit.
LYSIMACHUS Now, pretty one, how long have you been at this trade?	LYSIMACHUS Now, pretty one, how long have you been at this trade?
MARINA 70 What trade, sir?	MARINA What trade, sir?
LYSIMACHUS Why, I cannot name ’t but I shall offend.	LYSIMACHUS Why, I cannot name ’t but I shall offend.
MARINA I cannot be offended with my trade. Please you to name it.	MARINA I cannot be offended with my trade. Please you to name it.
LYSIMACHUS How long have you been of this profession?	LYSIMACHUS How long have you been of this profession?
MARINA 75 E’er since I can remember.	MARINA E’er since I can remember.
LYSIMACHUS Did you go to ’t so young? Were you a gamester at five or at seven?	LYSIMACHUS Did you go to ’t so young? Were you a gamester at five or at seven?
MARINA Earlier too, sir, if now I be one.	MARINA Earlier too, sir, if now I be one.
LYSIMACHUS Why, the house you dwell in proclaims 80 you to be a creature of sale.	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’re of honorable parts and are the governor of this place.	MARINA Do you know this house to be a place of such resort, and will come into ’t? I hear say you’re of honorable parts and are the governor of this place.
LYSIMACHUS Why, hath your principal made known 85 unto you who I am?	LYSIMACHUS Why, hath your principal made known 85 unto you who I am?
MARINA Who is my principal?	MARINA Who is my principal?
LYSIMACHUS Why, your herbwoman, she that sets seeds and roots of shame and iniquity. O, you have heard something of my power, and so stand aloof 90 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.	LYSIMACHUS Why, your herbwoman, 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.
MARINA If you were born to honor, show it now; 95 If put upon you, make the judgment good That thought you worthy of it.	MARINA If you were born to honor, show it now; If put upon you, make the judgment good That thought you worthy of it.
LYSIMACHUS How’s this? How’s this? Some more. Be sage.	LYSIMACHUS How’s this? How’s this? Some more. Be sage.
MARINA For me That am a maid, though most ungentle Fortune 100 Have placed me in this sty, where, since I came, Diseases have been sold dearer than physic— That the gods Would set me free from this unhallowed place, Though they did change me to the meanest bird 105 That flies i’ the purer air!	MARINA For me That am a maid, though most ungentle Fortune Have placed me in this sty, where, since I came, Diseases have been sold dearer than physic— That the gods Would set me free from this unhallowed place, Though they did change me to the meanest bird That flies i’ the purer air!
LYSIMACHUS I did not think Thou couldst have spoke so well, ne’er dreamt thou couldst. Had I brought hither a corrupted mind, 110 Thy speech had altered it. Hold, here’s gold for thee. Persevere in that clear way thou goest And the gods strengthen thee! He gives her money.	LYSIMACHUS I did not think Thou couldst have spoke so well, ne’er dreamt thou couldst. Had I brought hither a corrupted mind, Thy speech had altered it. Hold, here’s gold for thee. Persevere in that clear way thou goest And the gods strengthen thee! He gives her money.
MARINA The good gods preserve you.	MARINA The good gods preserve you.
LYSIMACHUS For me, be you thoughten 115 That I came with no ill intent, for to me The very doors and windows savor vilely. Fare thee well. Thou art a piece of virtue, And I doubt not but thy training hath been noble. Hold, here’s more gold for thee. He gives her money. 120 A curse upon him, die he like a thief, That robs thee of thy goodness! If thou dost Hear from me, it shall be for thy good. He begins to exit.	LYSIMACHUS For me, be you thoughten That I came with no ill intent, for to me The very doors and windows savor vilely. Fare thee well. Thou art a piece of virtue, And I doubt not but thy training hath been noble. Hold, here’s more gold for thee. He gives her money. A curse upon him, die he like a thief, That robs thee of thy goodness! If thou dost Hear from me, it shall be for thy good. He begins to exit.
BOLT, at the door I beseech your Honor, one piece for me.	BOLT, at the door I beseech your Honor, one piece for me.
LYSIMACHUS 125 Avaunt, thou damnèd doorkeeper! Your house, but for this virgin that doth prop it, Would sink and overwhelm you. Away! He exits.	LYSIMACHUS Avaunt, thou damnèd doorkeeper! Your house, but for this virgin that doth prop it, Would sink and overwhelm you. Away! He exits.
BOLT How’s this? We must take another course with you! If your peevish chastity, which is not worth a 130 breakfast in the cheapest country under the cope, shall undo a whole household, let me be gelded like a spaniel. Come your ways.	BOLT 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.
MARINA Whither would you have me?	MARINA Whither would you have me?
BOLT I must have your maidenhead taken off, or the 135 common hangman shall execute it. Come your way. We’ll have no more gentlemen driven away. Come your ways, I say.	BOLT I must have your maidenhead taken off, or the common hangman shall execute it. Come your way. We’ll have no more gentlemen driven away. Come your ways, I say.
Enter BAWD and PANDER.	Enter BAWD and PANDER.
BAWD How now, what’s the matter?	BAWD How now, what’s the matter?
BOLT Worse and worse, mistress. She has here spoken 140 holy words to the Lord Lysimachus!	BOLT Worse and worse, mistress. She has here spoken holy words to the Lord Lysimachus!
BAWD O, abominable!	BAWD O, abominable!
BOLT He makes our profession as it were to stink afore the face of the gods.	BOLT He makes our profession as it were to stink afore the face of the gods.
BAWD Marry, hang her up forever.	BAWD Marry, hang her up forever.
BOLT 145 The nobleman would have dealt with her like a nobleman, and she sent him away as cold as a snowball, saying his prayers too.	BOLT 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 Bolt, take her away, use her at thy pleasure, crack the glass of her virginity, and make the rest 150 malleable.	BAWD Bolt, take her away, use her at thy pleasure, crack the glass of her virginity, and make the rest malleable.
BOLT An if she were a thornier piece of ground than she is, she shall be plowed.	BOLT An if she were a thornier piece of ground than she is, she shall be plowed.
MARINA Hark, hark, you gods!	MARINA Hark, hark, you gods!
BAWD She conjures. Away with her! Would she had 155 never come within my doors.—Marry, hang you!— She’s born to undo us.—Will you not go the way of womenkind? Marry come up, my dish of chastity with rosemary and bays! BAWD and PANDER exit.	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 womenkind? Marry come up, my dish of chastity with rosemary and bays! BAWD and PANDER exit.
BOLT Come, mistress, come your way with me.	BOLT Come, mistress, come your way with me.
MARINA 160 Whither wilt thou have me?	MARINA Whither wilt thou have me?
BOLT To take from you the jewel you hold so dear.	BOLT To take from you the jewel you hold so dear.
MARINA Prithee, tell me one thing first.	MARINA Prithee, tell me one thing first.
BOLT Come, now, your one thing.	BOLT Come, now, your one thing.
MARINA What canst thou wish thine enemy to be?	MARINA What canst thou wish thine enemy to be?
BOLT 165 Why, I could wish him to be my master, or rather, my mistress.	BOLT Why, I could wish him to be my master, or rather, my mistress.
MARINA Neither of these are so bad as thou art, Since they do better thee in their command. Thou hold’st a place for which the pained’st fiend 170 Of hell would not in reputation change. Thou art the damnèd doorkeeper to every Coistrel that comes enquiring for his Tib. To the choleric fisting of every rogue Thy ear is liable. Thy food is such 175 As hath been belched on by infected lungs.	MARINA Neither of these are so bad as thou art, Since they do better thee in their command. Thou hold’st a place for which the pained’st fiend Of hell would not in reputation change. Thou art the damnèd doorkeeper to every Coistrel that comes enquiring for his Tib. To the choleric fisting of every rogue Thy ear is liable. Thy food is such As hath been belched on by infected lungs.
BOLT 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?	BOLT 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?
MARINA 180 Do anything but this thou dost. Empty Old 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, 185 Would own a name too dear. That the gods Would safely deliver me from this place! Here, here’s gold for thee. She gives him money. If that thy master would gain by me, Proclaim that I can sing, weave, sew, and dance, 190 With other virtues which I’ll keep from boast, And will undertake all these to teach. I doubt not but this populous city Will yield many scholars.	MARINA Do anything but this thou dost. Empty Old 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. That the gods Would safely deliver me from this place! Here, here’s gold for thee. She gives him money. 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 will undertake all these to teach. I doubt not but this populous city Will yield many scholars.
BOLT But can you teach all this you speak of?	BOLT But can you teach all this you speak of?
MARINA 195 Prove that I cannot, take me home again And prostitute me to the basest groom That doth frequent your house.	MARINA Prove that I cannot, take me home again And prostitute me to the basest groom That doth frequent your house.
BOLT Well, I will see what I can do for thee. If I can place thee, I will.	BOLT Well, I will see what I can do for thee. If I can place thee, I will.
MARINA 200 But amongst honest women.	MARINA But amongst honest women.
BOLT Faith, my acquaintance lies little amongst them. But since my master and mistress hath bought you, there’s no going but by their consent. Therefore I will make them acquainted with your 205 purpose, and I doubt not but I shall find them tractable enough. Come, I’ll do for thee what I can. Come your ways.	BOLT Faith, my acquaintance lies little amongst them. But since my master and mistress hath 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. Come, I’ll do for thee what I can. Come your ways.
They exit.	They exit.