William Shakespeare: The Complete Works 2nd Edition (486 page)
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Authors: William Shakespeare
Tags: #Drama, #Literary Criticism, #Shakespeare
BOOK: William Shakespeare: The Complete Works 2nd Edition
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KING SIMONIDES (to the knights)
To say you’re welcome were superfluous.
To place upon the volume of your deeds
As in a title page your worth in arms
Were more than you expect, or more than’s fit,
Since every worth in show commends itself.
Prepare for mirth, for mirth becomes a feast.
You’re princes, and my guests.
To place upon the volume of your deeds
As in a title page your worth in arms
Were more than you expect, or more than’s fit,
Since every worth in show commends itself.
Prepare for mirth, for mirth becomes a feast.
You’re princes, and my guests.
THAISA (
to Pericles
) But you, my knight and guest; To whom this wreath of victory I give, And crown you king of this day’s happiness.
to Pericles
) But you, my knight and guest; To whom this wreath of victory I give, And crown you king of this day’s happiness.
PERICLES
’Tis more by fortune, lady, than my merit.
KING SIMONIDES
Call it by what you will, the day is yours,
And here I hope is none that envies it.
In framing artists art hath thus decreed,
To make some good, but others to exceed.
You are her laboured scholar. (To Thaisa) Come,
queen o’th’ feast—
For, daughter, so you are—here take your place.
(To Marshal) Marshal the rest as they deserve their
grace.
And here I hope is none that envies it.
In framing artists art hath thus decreed,
To make some good, but others to exceed.
You are her laboured scholar. (To Thaisa) Come,
queen o’th’ feast—
For, daughter, so you are—here take your place.
(To Marshal) Marshal the rest as they deserve their
grace.
KNIGHTS
We are honoured much by good Simonides.
KING SIMONIDES
Your presence glads our days; honour we love,
For who hates honour hates the gods above.
For who hates honour hates the gods above.
MARSHAL (
to Pericles
)
to Pericles
)
Sir, yonder is your place.
PERICLES Some other is more fit.
FIRST KNIGHT
Contend not, sir, for we are gentlemen
Have neither in our hearts nor outward eyes
Envied the great, nor shall the low despise.
Have neither in our hearts nor outward eyes
Envied the great, nor shall the low despise.
PERICLES
You are right courteous knights.
KING SIMONIDES Sit, Sir, sit.
⌈
Pericles sits directly over against the King and Thaisa. The guests feed apace. Pericles sits still and eats nothing
⌉⌈
Aside
⌉ By Jove I wonder, that is king of thoughts, These cates distaste me, he but thought upon.
THAISA ⌈
aside
⌉
aside
⌉
By Juno, that is queen of marriage,
I am amazed all viands that I eat
Do seem unsavoury, wishing him my meat.
⌈
To the King
⌉ Sure he’s a gallant gentleman.
I am amazed all viands that I eat
Do seem unsavoury, wishing him my meat.
⌈
To the King
⌉ Sure he’s a gallant gentleman.
KING SIMONIDES
He’s but a country gentleman.
He’s done no more than other knights have done.
He’s broke a staff or so, so let it pass.
He’s done no more than other knights have done.
He’s broke a staff or so, so let it pass.
THAISA ⌈
aside
⌉
aside
⌉
To me he seems like diamond to glass.
PERICLES ⌈
aside
⌉
aside
⌉
Yon king’s to me like to my father’s picture,
Which tells me in what glory once he was—
Had princes sit like stars about his throne,
And he the sun for them to reverence.
None that beheld him but like lesser lights
Did vail their crowns to his supremacy;
Where now his son’s a glow-worm in the night,
The which hath fire in darkness, none in light;
Whereby I see that time’s the king of men;
He’s both their parent and he is their grave,
And gives them what he will, not what they crave.
Which tells me in what glory once he was—
Had princes sit like stars about his throne,
And he the sun for them to reverence.
None that beheld him but like lesser lights
Did vail their crowns to his supremacy;
Where now his son’s a glow-worm in the night,
The which hath fire in darkness, none in light;
Whereby I see that time’s the king of men;
He’s both their parent and he is their grave,
And gives them what he will, not what they crave.
KING SIMONIDES What, are you merry, knights? ⌈THE OTHER KNIGHTS⌉
Who can be other in this royal presence?
KING SIMONIDES
Here with a cup that’s stored unto the brim,
As you do love, full to your mistress’ lips,
We drink this health to you.
As you do love, full to your mistress’ lips,
We drink this health to you.
⌈THE OTHER KNIGHTS⌉ We thank your grace.
KING SIMONIDES
Yet pause a while. Yon knight doth sit too
melancholy,
As if the entertainment in our court
Had not a show might countervail his worth.
Note it not you, Thaisa?
melancholy,
As if the entertainment in our court
Had not a show might countervail his worth.
Note it not you, Thaisa?
THAISA What is’t to me, my father?
KING SIMONIDES
O, attend, my daughter. Princes in this
Should live like gods above, who freely give
To everyone that come to honour them.
And princes not so doing are like gnats
Which make a sound but, killed, are wondered at.
Therefore to make his entertain more sweet,
Here bear this standing-bowl of wine to him.
Should live like gods above, who freely give
To everyone that come to honour them.
And princes not so doing are like gnats
Which make a sound but, killed, are wondered at.
Therefore to make his entertain more sweet,
Here bear this standing-bowl of wine to him.
THAISA
Alas, my father, it befits not me
Unto a stranger knight to be so bold.
He may my proffer take for an offence,
Since men take women’s gifts for impudence.
Unto a stranger knight to be so bold.
He may my proffer take for an offence,
Since men take women’s gifts for impudence.
KING SIMONIDES
How? Do as I bid you, or you’ll move me else.
THAISA (
aside
)
Now, by the gods, he could not please me better.
THAISA (
aside
)
Now, by the gods, he could not please me better.
KING SIMONIDES
Furthermore, tell him we desire to know
Of whence he is, his name and parentage.
⌈
Thaisa bears the cup to Pericles
⌉
Of whence he is, his name and parentage.
⌈
Thaisa bears the cup to Pericles
⌉
THAISA
The King my father, sir, has drunk to you,
Wishing it so much blood unto your life.
Wishing it so much blood unto your life.
PERICLES
I thank both him and you, and pledge him freely.
He pledges the King
He pledges the King
THAISA
And further he desires to know of you
Of whence you are, your name and parentage.
Of whence you are, your name and parentage.
PERICLES
A gentleman of Tyre, my name Pericles,
My education been in arts and arms,
Who, looking for adventures in the world,
Was by the rough unconstant seas bereft
Unfortunately both of ships and men,
And after shipwreck driven upon this shore.
My education been in arts and arms,
Who, looking for adventures in the world,
Was by the rough unconstant seas bereft
Unfortunately both of ships and men,
And after shipwreck driven upon this shore.
⌈
Thaisa returns to the King
⌉
THAISA
He thanks your grace, names himself Pericles,
A gentleman of Tyre, who, seeking adventures,
Was solely by misfortune of the seas
Bereft of ships and men, cast on this shore.
A gentleman of Tyre, who, seeking adventures,
Was solely by misfortune of the seas
Bereft of ships and men, cast on this shore.
KING SIMONIDES
Now by the gods I pity his mishaps,
And will awake him from his melancholy.
And will awake him from his melancholy.
⌈
Simonides, rising from his state, goes forthwith and embraces Pericles
⌉
Be cheered, for what misfortune hath impaired you of,
Fortune by my help can repair to you.
My self and country both shall be your friends,
And presently a goodly milk-white steed
And golden spurs I first bestow upon you,
The prizes due your merit, and ordained
For this day’s enterprise.
Fortune by my help can repair to you.
My self and country both shall be your friends,
And presently a goodly milk-white steed
And golden spurs I first bestow upon you,
The prizes due your merit, and ordained
For this day’s enterprise.
PERICLES
Your kingly courtesy I thankfully accept.
KING SIMONIDES
Come, gentlemen, we sit too long on trifles,
And waste the time which looks for other revels.
Ev’n in your armours, as you are addressed,
Your limbs will well become a soldier’s dance.
I will not have excuse with saying this,
‘Loud music is too harsh for ladies’ heads’,
Since they love men in arms as well as beds.
So this was well asked, ’twas so well performed.
Come, here’s a lady that wants breathing too.
(
To Pericles
) And I have heard, sir, that the knights of
Tyre
Are excellent in making ladies trip,
And that their measures are as excellent.
And waste the time which looks for other revels.
Ev’n in your armours, as you are addressed,
Your limbs will well become a soldier’s dance.
I will not have excuse with saying this,
‘Loud music is too harsh for ladies’ heads’,
Since they love men in arms as well as beds.
The knights dance
Come, here’s a lady that wants breathing too.
(
To Pericles
) And I have heard, sir, that the knights of
Tyre
Are excellent in making ladies trip,
And that their measures are as excellent.
PERICLES
In those that practise them they are, my lord.
KING SIMONIDES
O, that’s as much as you would be denied
Of your fair courtesy. Unclasp, unclasp.
Of your fair courtesy. Unclasp, unclasp.
They dance
Thanks, gentlemen, to all. All have done well,
(
To Pericles
) But you the best.—Lights, pages, to
conduct
These knights unto their sev’ral lodgings.—Yours, sir,
We have giv’n order should be next our own.
(
To Pericles
) But you the best.—Lights, pages, to
conduct
These knights unto their sev’ral lodgings.—Yours, sir,
We have giv’n order should be next our own.
PERICLES I am at your grace’s pleasure.
KING SIMONIDES
Princes, it is too late to talk of love,
And that’s the mark I know you level at.
Therefore each one betake him to his rest;
Tomorrow all for speeding do their best.
And that’s the mark I know you level at.
Therefore each one betake him to his rest;
Tomorrow all for speeding do their best.
Exeunt
⌈
severally
⌉
Enter Helicanus and Aeschines
HELICANUS
No, Aeschines, know this of me:
Antiochus from incest lived not free,
For which the most high gods, not minding longer
To hold the vengeance that they had in store
Due to this heinous capital offence,
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, both apparelled all in jewels,
A fire from heaven came and shrivelled up
Their bodies e’en to loathing, for they so stunk
That all those eyes adored them ere their fall
Scorn now their hands should give them burial.
Antiochus from incest lived not free,
For which the most high gods, not minding longer
To hold the vengeance that they had in store
Due to this heinous capital offence,
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, both apparelled all in jewels,
A fire from heaven came and shrivelled up
Their bodies e’en to loathing, for they so stunk
That all those eyes adored them ere their fall
Scorn now their hands should give them burial.
AESCHINES
’Twas very strange.
HELICANUS And yet but justice, for though
This king were great, his greatness was no guard To bar heav’n’s shaft, but sin had his reward.
AESCHINES ’Tis very true.
Enter three Lords, and stand aside
FIRST LORD
See, not a man in private conference
Or council has respect with him but he.
Or council has respect with him but he.
SECOND LORD
It shall no longer grieve without reproof.
THIRD LORD
And cursed be he that will not second it.
FIRST LORD
Follow me, then.—Lord Helicane, a word.
HELICANUS
With me? And welcome. Happy day, my lords.
FIRST LORD
Know that our griefs are risen to the top,
And now at length they overflow their banks.
And now at length they overflow their banks.
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
Or know what ground’s made happy by his step,
And be resolved he lives to govern us,
Or dead, give ’s cause to mourn his funeral
And leave us to our free election.
But if the prince do live, let us salute him
Or know what ground’s made happy by his step,
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 indeed’s the strongest in our censure,
And knowing this—kingdoms without a head,
Like goodly buildings left without a roof,
Soon fall to utter ruin—your noble self,
That best know how to rule and how to reign,
We thus submit unto as sovereign.
And knowing this—kingdoms without a head,
Like goodly buildings left without a roof,
Soon fall to utter ruin—your noble self,
That best know how to rule and how to reign,
We thus submit unto as sovereign.
ALL ⌈
kneeling
⌉ Live, noble Helicane!
kneeling
⌉ Live, noble Helicane!
HELICANUS
By honour’s cause, forbear your suffrages.
If that you love Prince Pericles, forbear.
If that you love Prince Pericles, forbear.
⌈
The lords rise
⌉
Take I your wish I leap into the seas
Where’s hourly trouble for a minute’s ease,
But if I cannot win you to this love,
A twelvemonth longer then let me entreat you
Further to bear the absence of your king;
If in which time expired he not return,
I shall with aged patience bear your yoke.
Go, seek your noble prince 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.
Where’s hourly trouble for a minute’s ease,
But if I cannot win you to this love,
A twelvemonth longer then let me entreat you
Further to bear the absence of your king;
If in which time expired he not return,
I shall with aged patience bear your yoke.
Go, seek your noble prince 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 endeavour us.
If in the world he live we’ll seek him out;
If in his grave he rest, we’ll find him there.
And since Lord Helicane enjoineth us,
We with our travels will endeavour us.
If in the world he live we’ll seek him out;
If in his grave he rest, we’ll find him there.
HELICANUS
Then you love us, we you, and we’ll clasp hands.
When peers thus knit, a kingdom ever stands. Exeunt
Sc. 8aWhen peers thus knit, a kingdom ever stands. Exeunt
Enter Pericles with Gentlemen with lights
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Here is your lodging, sir.
PERICLES Pray leave me private.
Only for instant solace pleasure me
With some delightful instrument, with which,
And with my former practice, I intend
To pass away the tediousness of night, 5
Though slumbers were more fitting.
With some delightful instrument, with which,
And with my former practice, I intend
To pass away the tediousness of night, 5
Though slumbers were more fitting.
FIRST GENTLEMAN Presently.
Exit First Gentleman
SECOND GENTLEMAN
Your will’s obeyed in all things, for our master
Commanded you be disobeyed in nothing.
Commanded you be disobeyed in nothing.
Enter First Gentleman with a stringed instrument
PERICLES
I thank you. Now betake you to your pillows,
And to the nourishment of quiet sleep. 10
And to the nourishment of quiet sleep. 10
Exeunt GentlemenPericles plays and sings
Day—that hath still that sovereignty to draw back
The empire of the night, though for a while
In darkness she usurp—brings morning on.
I will go give his grace that salutation
Morning requires of me.
The empire of the night, though for a while
In darkness she usurp—brings morning on.
I will go give his grace that salutation
Morning requires of me.
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