Thai. A prince of Macedon, my royal father; And the device he bears upon his shield Is an arm'd knight, that's conquer'd by a lady : The motto thus, in Spanish, Piu per dulçura que per fuerça. Sim. And what's the third? [The third Knight passes. And his device, a wreath of chivalry : The word, Me pompa provexit apex. Sim. What is the fourth? [The fourth Knight passes. Thai. A burning torch, that's turned upside down; The word, Quod me alit, me extinguit. Sim. Which shows, that beauty hath his power and will, Which can as well inflame, as it can kill. Thai. The fifth, an hand environed with clouds; Holding out gold, that's by the touchstone tried: [The fifth Knight passes. [The sixth Knight passes. The motto thus, Sic spectanda fides. Sim. And what's the sixth and last, which the knight himself With such a graceful courtesy deliver'd? Thai. He seems a stranger; but his present is A wither'd branch, that's only green at top; The motto, In hac spe vivo. Sim. A pretty moral; From the dejected state wherein he is, He hopes by you his fortunes yet may flourish. 1 Lord. He had need mean better than his outward show Can any way speak in his just commend : For, by his rusty outside, he appears To have practis'd more the whipstock, than the lance. 2 Lord. He well may be a stranger, for he comes To an honour'd triumph, strangely furnished. 3 Lord. And on set purpose let his armour rust Until this day, to scour it in the dust. [7] That is, more by sweetness than by force. The author should have written Ma per dulcura, &e. Più in Italian signifies more: but, I believe, there is no such Spa nish word. MALONE. [8] That is, the carter's whip. STEEVENS. Sim. Opinion's but a fool, that makes us scan The same. [Exeunt. [Great shouts, and all cry, The mean knight. SCENE III. A Hall of State.-A Banquet prepared. Enter SIMONIDES, THAISA, Lords, Knights, and Attendants. Sim. Knights, To say you are welcome, were superfluous. As in a title-page, your worth in arms, Were more than you expect, or more than's fit, Thai. But you, my knight and guest; my merit. Sim. 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; And you're her labour'd scholar. Come, queen o'the feast, (For, daughter, so you are,) here take your place : Marshal the rest, as they deserve their grace. Knights. We are honour'd much by good Simonides. Sim. Your presence glads our days; honour we love, For who hates honour, hates the gods above. Marsh. Sir, yond's your place. Per. Some other is more fit. 1 Knight. Contend not, sir; for we are gentlemen, That neither in our hearts, nor outward eyes, Envy the great, nor do the low despise. Per. You are right courteous knights. Sim. Sit, sit, sir; sit. Per. By Jove, I wonder, that is king of thoughts, These cates resist me, she not thought upon.' MALONE. [9] That is, that makes us scan the inward man by the outward habit. [1] If is speech belongs to Pericles, he must mean to say, that when he ceases Thai. By Juno, that is queen Of marriage, all the viands that I eat Do seem unsavoury, wishing him my meat! Sim. He's but A country gentleman ; He has done no more than other knights have done; Thai. To me he seems like diamond to glass. Per. Yon king's to me, like to my father's picture, 1 Knight. Who can be other, in this royal presence? Sim. Here, with a cup that's stor'd unto the brim, (As you do love, fill to your mistress' lips,) We drink this health to you. Knights. We thank your grace. Sim. Yet pause a while; Yon knight, methinks, doth sit too melancholy, Had not a show might countervail his worth. Thai. What is it To me, my father? Sim. O, attend, my daughter; Princes, in this, should live like gods above, to think of his mistress, his stomach fails him. As displeasing sensations are known to diminish appetite, so pleasant ideas may be supposed to increase it. MALONE. [2] The sense appears to be this.---When kings, like insects, lie dead beore us, our admiration is excited by contemplating how in both instances the powe's of creating bustle were superior to those which either object should seem to have promis Therefore to make's entrance more sweet, here say, Do as I bid you, or you'll move me else. Thai. Now, by the gods, he could not please me bet ter. Sim. And further, tell him, we desire to know, Thai. The king my father, sir, has drunk to you. [Aside. Thai. Wishing it so much blood unto your life. Of whence you are, your name and parentage. Per. A gentleman of Tyre-(my name, Pericles; My education being in arts and arms;)— Who looking for adventures in the world, Was, by the rough seas reft of ships and men, And, after shipwreck, driven upon this shore. Thai. He thanks your grace; names himself Pericles, A gentleman of Tyre, who only by Misfortune of the seas has been bereft Of ships and men, and cast upon this shore. Sim. Now by the gods, I pity his misfortune, [The Knights dance. So, this was well ask'd, 'twas so well perform'd. ed. The worthless monarch, and the idle gnat, have only lived to make an empty bluster; and when both alike are dead, we wonder how it happened that they made so much, or that we permitted them to make it:-a natural reflection on the death of an unserviceable prince, who having dispensed no blessings, can hope for no better character. STEEVENS. [8] A standing-bowl was a bowl resting on a foot. STEEVENS. [4] i. e, the loud noise made by the clashing of their armour. MALONE. Come, sir; Here is a lady that wants breathing too; And I have often heard, you knights of Tyre And that their measures are as excellent. Per. In those that practise them, they are, my lord. Sim. O, that's as much, as you would be denied [The Knights and Ladies dance. Of your fair courtesy.-Unclasp, unclasp ; Thanks, gentlemen, to all; all have done well, But you the best. [To PERICLES.] Pages and lights conduct These knights unto their several lodgings :-Yours, sir, We have given order to be next our own. Per. I am at your grace's pleasure. Sim. Princes, it is too late to talk of love, For that's the mark I know you level at: Therefore each one betake him to his rest To-morrow, all for speeding do their best. SCENE IV. Tyre. A Room in the Governor's House. CANUS and ESCANES. [Exeunt. Enter HELI Hel. No, no, my Escanes; know this of me,- For which, the most high gods not minding longer Even in the height and pride of all his glory, A fire from heaven came, and shrivell'd up Hel. And yet but just; for though This king were great, his greatness was no guard Enter Three Lords. 1 Lord. See, not a man in private conference, Or council, has respect with him but he. |