Per. Nay, I'll be patient; Thou little know'st how thou dost startle me, Mar. The name Marina Was given me by one that had some power; My father, and a king. Per. And called Marina? Mar. How! a king's daughter? You said you would believe me; But are you flesh and blood? But, not to be a troubler of your peace, I will end here. Per. Have you a working pulse? and are no fairy? Mar. For I was born at sea. Per. Called Marina, At sea? thy mother? Mar. My mother was the daughter of a king; Who died the very minute I was born, As my good nurse Lychorida hath oft O, stop there a little! This is the rarest dream that e'er dull sleep My daughter's buried. [Aside.] Well;-where were you bred? I'll hear you more, to the bottom of your story, And never interrupt you. Mar. You'll scarce believe me; 'twere best I did give o'er. Per. I will believe you by the syllable Of what you shall deliver. Yet, give me leave;— How came you in these parts? where were you bred? Mar. The king, my father, did in Tharsus leave me; Till cruel Cleon, with his wicked wife, Did seek to murder me; and having wooed A villain to attempt it, who having drawn to do't, Why do you weep? It may be, Calls my gracious lord? Fer. Thou art a grave and noble counsellor, Most wise in general. Tell me, if thou canst, Hel. I know not; but Here is the regent, sir, of Mitylene, Speaks nobly of her. Lys. She would never tell Her parentage; being demanded that, Per. O Helicanus, strike me, honored sir; O, come hither, Thou that beget'st him that did thee beget; Thou that wast born at sea, buried at Tharsus, Down on thy knees, thank the holy gods, as loud What was thy mother's name? tell me but that, Though doubts did ever sleep. Mar. What is your title? First, sir, I pray, Per. I am Pericles of Tyre; but tell me now My drowned queen's name, (as in the rest thou hast Been godlike perfect,) thou'rt the heir of kingdoms, And another life to Pericles thy father. Mar. Is it no more to be your daughter, than To say, my mother's name was Thaisa? Thaisa was my mother, who did end, The minute I began. Per. Now, blessing on thee, rise; thou art my child. Give me fresh garments. Mine own Helicanus, (Not dead at Tharsus, as she should have been, When thou shalt kneel and justify in knowledge, Hel. Sir, 'tis the governor of Mitylene, Per. I embrace you, sir. Give me my robes; I am wild in my beholding. O Heavens bless my girl! But hark, what music? Tell Helicanus, my Marina, tell him O'er point by point, for yet he seems to doubt, Per. None? The music of the spheres; list, my Marina. Lys. It is not good to cross him; give him way. Per. Most heavenly music; Music? My lord, I hear [He sleeps. It nips me unto listening, and thick slumber Hangs on mine eyelids; let me rest. Lys. A pillow for his head; [The curtain before the pavilion of PERICLES is closed. So leave him all. Well, my companion-friends, I'll well remember you. [Exenut LYSIMACHUS, HELICANUS, Marina, and attendant Lady. SCENE II. The same. PERICLES on the deck asleep; DIANA appearing to him as in a vision. Dia. My 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, call, Perform my bidding, or thou liv'st in woe; [DIANA disappears. Per. Celestial Dian, goddess argentine, I will obey thee!-Helicanus! Hel. Enter LYSIMACHUS, HELICANUS, and MARINA. Sir. Per. My purpose was for Tharsus, there to strike The inhospitable Cleon; but I am For other service first. Toward Ephesus Turn our blown sails; eftsoons I'll tell thee why.— [To HELICANUS. Shall we refresh us, sir, upon your shore, And give you gold for such provision As our intents will need? Lys. With all my heart, sir; and when you come ashore, I have another suit. Per. You shall prevail, Were it to woo my daughter; for it seems You have been noble towards her. Lys. Per. Come, my Marina. Sir, lend your arm. [Exeunt. Enter GOWER, before the temple of DIANA, at Ephesus. Gow. Now our sands are almost run; More a little, and then done. This, as my last boon, give me, (For such kindness must relieve me,) That you aptly will suppose What pageantry, what feats, what shows, To greet the king. So he has thrived, [Exit. SCENE III. The Temple of DIANA at Ephesus; THAISA standing near the Altar, as High Priestess; a number of Virgins on each side; CERIMON and other Inhabitants of Ephesus attending. Enter PERICLES, with his Train; LYSIMACHUS, HELICANUS, MARINA, and a Lady. Per. Hail, Dian! to perform thy just command, I here confess myself the king of Tyre; Who, frighted from my country, did wed The fair Thaisa, at Pentapolis. At sea in childbed died she, but brought forth A maid-child called Marina; who, O goddess, Voice and favor! Thai.. You are you are-O royal Pericles! [She faints. Per. What means the woman? She dies; help, gentlemen! Cer. Noble sir, If you have told Diana's altar true, This is your wife. Per. Reverend appearer, no; I threw her overboard with these very arms. Per. 'Tis most certain. Cer. Look to the lady;-O, she's but o'erjoyed! Early, one blustering morn, this lady was Thrown on this shore. I oped the coffin, and Found there rich jewels; recovered her, and placed her Here in Diana's temple. Per. Cer. Great sir, they Whither I invite you. Recovered. Thai. O, let me May we see them? shall be brought you to my house, Look! Thaisa is look! If he be none of mine, my sanctity Will to my sense bend no licentious ear, Per. The voice of dead Thaisa! Thai. That Thaisa am I, supposed dead, And drowned. Per. Immortal Dian! Thai. When we with tears parted at Pentapolis, Now I know you better. [Shows a ring. The king, my father, gave you such a ring. Per. This, this; no more, you gods! your present kindness Makes my past miseries sport. You shall do well, |