I do protest, were never better fed With such delightful pleasing harmony. Per. It is your grace's pleasure to commend; Not my desert. Sim. Sir, you are musick's master. Per. The worst of all her scholars, my good lord. Sim. Let me ask one thing. What do you think, sir, of My daughter? Per. As of a most virtuous princess. Per. As a fair day in summer; wond'rous fair. Sim. She thinks not so; peruse this writing else. A letter, that she loves the knight of Tyre? 'Tis the king's subtilty, to have my life. O, seek not to intrap, my gracious lord, A stranger and distressed gentleman, [Aside That never aim'd so high, to love your daughter, Sim. Thou hast bewitch'd my daughter, and thou art A villain. Per. By the gods, I have not, sir. Never did thought of mine levy offence; Nor never did my actions yet commence A deed might gain her love, or your displeasure. Sim. Traitor, thou liest. Per. Sim. Traitor! Ay, traitor, sir. Per. Even in his throat, (unless it be the king,) That calls me traitor, I return the lie. Sim. Now, by the gods, I do applaud his courage. [Aside. Per. My actions are as noble as my thoughts, That never relish'd of a base descent. I came unto your court, for honour's cause, And he that otherwise accounts of me, Here comes my daughter, she can witness it. Enter THAISA. Per. Then, as you are as virtuous as fair, Who takes offence at that would make me glad? I am glad of it with all my heart. [Aside.] I'll tame you; Will you, not having my consent, bestow [Aside. Hear therefore, mistress; frame your will to mine,-- Nay, come; your hands and lips must seal it too.- Thai. Yes, if you love me, sir Per. Even as my life, my blood that fosters it. Sim. What, are you both agreed? Both. Yes, 'please your majesty. Sim. It pleaseth me so well, I'll see you wed; Then, with what haste you can, get you to bed. [Exeunt, ACT III. Enter GOWER. Gow. Now sleep yslaked hath the rout; Dumb show. Enter PERICLES and SIMONIDES at one door, with Attendants; a Messenger meets them, kneels, and gives PERICLES a letter. PERICLES shows it to SIMONIDES, the Lords kneel to the former. Then enter THAISA with child, and LYCHORIDA. SIMONIDES shows his daughter the letter; she rejoices: she and PERICLES take leave of her father, and depart. Then SIMONIDES, &c. retire. Gow. By many a dearn and painful perch, Are letters brought the tenour these: The crown of Tyre, but he will none: Come not, in twice six moons, home, Will take the crown. The sum of this, Brought hither to Pentapolis, Y-ravished the regions round, And every one with claps, 'gan sound, Who dream'd, who thought of such a thing? Lychorida, her nurse, she takes, That, as a duck for life that dives Which might not what by me is told. This stage, the ship, upon whose deck - [Exit. SCENE I. Enter PERICLES, on a ship at sea. Per. Thou God of this great vast, rebuke these surges Which wash both heaven and hell; and thou, that hast Upon the winds command, bind them in brass, Having call'd them from the deep! O still thy deaf'ning, Thy dreadful thunders; gently quench thy nimble, Sulphureous flashes!-O how, Lychorida, How does my queen?-Thou storm, thou! venomously Wilt thou spit all thyself?-The seaman's whistle |