Pericles, Prince of Tyre (1609)/Act 5

by William Shakespeare (1564-1616)

Enter Gower.

Marina thus the Brothell scapes, and chaunces
Into an Honest-house our Storie sayes:
Shee sings like one immortall, and shee daunces
As Goddesse-like to her admired layes.
Deepe clearks she dumb's, and with her neele composes,
Natures owne shape, of budde, bird, branche, or berry.
That euen her art sisters the naturall Roses
Her Inckle, Silke Twine, with the rubied Cherrie,
That puples lackes she none of noble race,
Who powre their bountie on her: and her gaine
She gives the cursed Bawd, here wee her place,
And to hir Father turne our thoughts againe,
Where wee left him on the Sea, wee there him left,
Where driuen before the windes, hee is arriu'de
Heere where his daughter dwels, and on this coast,
Suppose him now at Anchor: the Citie striu'de
God Neptunes Annuall feast to keepe, from whence
Lysimachus our Tyrian Shippe espies,
His banners Sable, trim'd with rich expence,
And to him in his Barge with former hyes,
In your supposing once more put your sight,
Of heauy Pericles, thinke this his Barke:
Where what is done in action, more if might
Exit.Shalbe discouerd, please you sit and harke.

Enter Helicanus, to him 2. Saylers.

1. Say.Where is Lord Helicannus? hee can resolue you, O here he is Sir, there is a barge put off from Metaline, and in it is Lysimachus the Gouernour, who craues to come aboord, what is your will?

Helly.That hee haue his, call vp some Gentlemen.

2. Say.Ho Gentlemen, my Lord calls.

Enter two or three Gentlemen.

1. Gent.Doeth your Lordship call?

Helli.Gentlemen there is some of worth would come aboord, I pray greet him fairely.

Enter Lysimachus.

Hell.Sir, this is the man that can in ought you would resolue you.

Lys.Hayle reuerent Syr, the Gods preserue you.

Hell.And you to out-liue the age I am, and die as I would doe.

Li.You wish mee well, beeing on shore, honoring of Neptunes triumphs, seeing this goodly vessell ride before vs, I made to it, to knowe of whence you are.

Hell.First what is your place?

Li.I am the Gouernour of this place you lie before.

Hell.Syr our vessell is of Tyre, in it the King, a man, who for this three moneths hath not spoken to anie one, nor taken sustenance, but to prorogue his griefe.

Li.Vpon what ground is his distemperature?

Hell.Twould be too tedious to repeat, but the mayne griefe springs frō the losse of a beloued daughter & a wife.

Li.May wee not see him?

Hell.You may, but bootlesse. Is your sight see, will not speake to any, yet let me obtaine my wish.

Lys.Behold him, this was a goodly person.

Hell.Till the disaster that one mortall wight droue him to this.

Lys.Sir King all haile, the Gods preserue you, haile royall sir.

Hell.It is in vaine, he will not speake to you.

Lord.Sir we haue a maid in Meseline, I durst wager would winsome words of him.

Lys.Tis well bethought, she questionlesse with her sweet harmonie, and other chosen attractions, would allure and make a battrie through his defend parts, which now are midway stopt, shee is all happie, as the fairest of all, and her fellow maides, now vpon the leauie shelter that abutts against the Islands side.

Hell.Sure all effectlesse, yet nothing weele omit that beares recoueries name. But since your kindnesse wee haue stretcht thus farre, let vs beseech you, that for our golde we may prouision haue, wherein we are not destitute for want, but wearie for the stalenesse.

Lys.O sir, a curtesie, which if we should denie, the most iust God for euery graffe would send a Caterpillar, and so inflict our Prouince: yet once more let mee intreate to knowe at large the cause of your kings sorrow.

Hell.Sit sir, I will recount it to you, but see I am preuented.

Lys.O hee'rs the Ladie that I sent for.
Welcome faire one, ist not a goodly presente?

Hell.Shee's a gallant Ladie.

Lys.Shee's such a one, that were I well assurde
Came of a gentle kinde, and noble stocke, I do wish
No better choise, and thinke me rarely to wed,
Faire on all goodnesse that consists in beautie,
Expect euen here, where is akingly patient,
If that thy prosperous and artificiall fate,
Can draw him but to answere thee in ought,
Thy sacred Physicke shall receiue such pay,
As thy desires can wish.

Mar.Sir I will vse my vtmost skill in his recouerie, prouided that none but I and my companion maid be suffered to come neere him.

Lys.Come, let vs leave her, and the Gods make her prosperous.

The Song.

Lys.Marke he your Musicke?

Mar.No nor lookt on vs.

Lys.See she will speake to him.

Mar.Haile sir, my Lord lend care.

Per.Hum, ha.

Mar.I am a maid, my Lorde, that nere before inuited eyes, but haue beene gazed on like a Comet: She speaks my Lord, that may he, hath endured a griefe might equall yours, if both were iustly wayde, though wayward fortune did maligne my state, my deriuation was from ancestors, who stood equiuolent with mightie Kings, but time hath rooted out my parentage, and to the world, and augward casualties, bound me in seruitude, I will desist, but there is something glowes vpon my cheek, and whispers in mine care, go not till he speake.

Per.My fortunes, parentage, good parentage, to equall mine, was it not thus, what say you?

Mari.I sed my Lord, if you did know my parentage, you would not do me violence.

Per.I do thinke so, pray you turne your eyes vpon me, your like something that, what Countrey women heare of these shewes?

Mar.No, nor of any shewes, yet I was mortally brought forth, and am no other then I appeare.

Per.I am great with woe, and shall deliuer weeping: my dearest wife was like this maid, and such a one my daughter might have beene: My Queenes square browes, her stature to an inch, as wandlike: straight, as siluer voyst, her eyes as Iewell-like, and caste as richly, in pace an other Iuno. Who starues the eares shee feedes, and makes them hungrie, the more she giues them fpeech, Where doe you liue?

Mar.Where I am but a straunger from the decke, you may discerne the place.

Per.Where were you bred? and how atchieu'd you these indowments which you make more rich to owe?

Mar.If I should tell my hystorie, it would seeme like lies disdaind in the reporting.

Per.Prethee speake, falsnesse cannot come from thee, for thou lookest modest as iustice, & thou seemest a Pallas for the crownd truth to dwell in, I wil beleeue thee & make senses credit thy relation, to points that seeme impossible, for thou lookest like one I loued indeede: what were thy friends? didst thou not stay when I did push thee backe, which was when I perceiu'd thee that thou camst from good discending.

Mar.So indeed I did.

Per.Report thy parentage, I think thou saidst thou hadst beene tost from wrong to iniurie, and that thou thoughts thy griefs might equall mine, if both were opened.

Mar.Some such thing I sed, and sed no more, but what my thoughts did warrant me was likely.

Per.Tell thy storie, if thine considered proue the thousand part of my enduraunce, thou art a man, and I haue suffered like a girle, yet thou doest looke like patience, gazing on Kings graues, and smiling extremitie out of act, what were thy friends? howe lost thou thy name, my most kinde Virgin? recount I doe beseech thee, Come sit by mee.

Mar.My name is Marina.

Per.Oh I am mockt, and thou by some insenced God sent hither to make the world to laugh at me.

Mar.Patience good sir: or here Ile cease.

Per.Nay Ile be patient: thou little knowst howe thou doest startle me to call thy selfe Marina.

Mar.The name was giuen mee by one that had some power, my father, and a King.

Per.How, a Kings daughter, and cald Marina?

Mar.You sed you would beleeue me, but not to bee a troubler of your peace, I will end here.

Per.But are you flesh and bloud?
Haue you a working pulse, and are no Fairie?
Motion well, speake on, where were you borne?
And wherefore calld Marina?

Mar.Calld Marina, for I was borne at sea.

Plr.At sea, what mother?

Mar.My mother was the daughter of a King, who died the minute I was borne, as my good Nurse Licherida hath oft deliuered weeping.

Per.O stop there a little, this is the rarest dreame
That ere duld sleepe did mocke sad fooles withall,
This cannot be my daughter, buried, well, where were you bred? Ile heare you more too'th bottome of your storie, and neuer interrupt you.

Mar.You scorne, beleeue me twere best I did give ore.

Per.I will beleeue you by the syllable of what you shall deliuer, yet giue me leaue, how came you in these parts? where were you bred?

Mar.The King my father did in Tharsus leaue me,
Till cruel Cleon with his wicked wife,
Did seeke to murther me: and hauing wooed a villaine,
To attempt it, who hauing drawne to doo't,
A crew of Pirats came and rescued me,
Brought me to Metaline.
But good sir whither wil you haue me? why doe you weep?
It may be you thinke mee an imposture, no good sayth: I am the dsughter to King Pericles, if good king Pericles be.

Hell.Hoe, Hellicanus?

Hel.Calls my Lord.

Per.Thou art a graue and noble Counseller.
Most wise in generall, tell me if thou canst, what this mayde is, or what is like to bee, that thus hath made mee weepe.

Hel.I know not, but heres the Regent sir of Metaline, speakes nobly of her.

Lys.She neuer would tell her parentage,
Being demaunded, that she would sit still and weepe.

Per.Oh Hellicanus, strike me honored sir, giue mee a gash, put me to present paine, least this great sea of ioyes rushing vpon me, ore-beare the shores of my mortalitie, and drowne me with their sweetnesse: Oh come hither, thou that begetst him that did thee beget,
Thou that wast borne at sea, buried at Tharsus,
And found at sea agen, O Hellicanus,
Downe on thy knees, thanke the holie Gods as loud
As thunder threatens vs, this is Marina.
What was thy mothers name? tell me, but that
for truth can neuer be confirm'd inough,
Though doubts did euer sleepe.

Mar.Frist sir, I pray what is your title?

Per.I am Pericles of Tyre, but tell mee now my
Drownd Queenes name, as in the rest you sayd,
Thou hast beene God-like perfit, the heir of kingdomes,
And an other like to Pericles thy father.

Ma.Is it no more to be your daughter, then to say, my mothers name was Thaisa, Thaisa was my mother, who did end the minute I began.

Pe.Now blessing on thee, rise th'art my child.
Give me fresh garments, mine owne Hellicanus, shee is not dead at Tharsus as shee should haue beene by sauage Cleon, she shall tell thee all, when thou shalt kneele, and iustifie in knowledge, she is thy verie Princes, who is this?

Hel.Sir, tis the gouernor of Metaline, who hearing of your melancholie state, did come to see you.

Per.I embrace you, giue me my robes.
I am wilde in my beholding, O heauens blesse my girle,
But harke what Musicke tell, Hellicanus my Marina,
Tell him ore point by point, for yet he seemes to doat.
How sure you are my daughter, but what musicke?

HelMy Lord I heare none.

Per.None, the Musicke of the Spheres, list my Marina.

Lys.It is not good to crosse him, giue him way.

Per.Rarest sounds, do ye not heare?

Lys.Musicke my Lord? I heare.

Per.Most heauenly Musicke.
It nips me vnto listning, and thicke slumber
Hangs vpon mine eyes, let me rest.

Lys.A Pillow for his head, so leaue him all.
Well my companion friends, if this but answere to my iust beliefe, lle well remember you.

Diana.

Dia.My Temple stands in Ephesus,
Hie thee thither, and doe vppon mine Altar sacrifice, There when my maiden priests are met together before the people all, reueale how thou at sea didst loose thy wife, to mourne thy crosses with thy daughters, call, & giue them repetition to the like, or performe my bidding, or thou liuest in woe: doo't, and happie, by my siluer bow, awake and tell thy dreame.

Per.Celestiall Dian, Goddesse Argentine.
I will obey thee Hellicanus.

Hell.Sir.

Per.My purpose was for Tharsus there to strike,
The inhospitable Cleon, but I am for other seruice first,
Toward Ephesus turne our blowne sayles,
Eftsoones lle tell thee why, shall we refresh vs sir vpon your shore, and giue you golde for such prouision as our intents will neede.

Lys.Sir, with all my heart, and when you come a shore, I haue another sleight.

Per.You shall preuaile were it to wooe my daughter, for it seemes you haue beene noble towards her.

Lys.Sir, lend me your arme.

Exeunt.Per.Come my Marina.

Gower.Now our sands are almost run,
More a little, and then dum.
This my last boone giue mee,
For such kindnesse must relieue mee:
That you aptly will suppose,
What pageantry, what feats, what showes,
What minstrelsie, and prettie din,
The Regent made in Metalin.
To greet the King, so he thriued,
That he is promisde to bewiued
To faire Marina, but in no wise,
Till he had done his sacrifice.
As Dian bad, whereto being bound,
The Interim pray, you all confound.
In fetherd briefenes sayles are fild,
And wishes fall out as they'r wild,
At Ephesus the Temple see,
Our King and all his companie.
That he can hither come so soone,
Is by your fancies thankfull doome.

Per.Haile Dian, to performe thy iust commaund,
I here confesse my selfe the King of Tyre,
Who frighted from my countrey did wed at Pentapelis, the faire Thaisa, at Sea in childbed died she, but brought forth a Mayd child calld Marina whom O Goddesse wears yet thy siluer liuerey, shee at Tharsus was nurst with Cleon, who at fourteene yeares he sought to murder, but her better stars brought her to Meteline, gainst whose shore ryding, her Fortunes brought the mayde aboord vs, where by her owne most cleere remembrance, shee made knowne her selfe my Daughter.

Th.Voyce and fauour, you are, you are, O royall Pericles.

Per.What meanes the Nunn? shee die's, helpe Gentlemen.

Ceri.Noble Sir, if you haue tolde Dianaes Altar true, this is your wife?

Per.Reuerent appearer no, I threwe her ouer-board with these verie armes.

Ce.Vpon this coast, I warrant you.

Pe.T'is most certaine.

Cer.Looke to the Ladie, O shee's but ouer-joyde, Earlie in blustering morne this Ladie was throwne vpon this shore.
I op't the coffin, found there rich Iewells, recouered her, and plac'ste her heere in Dianaes temple.

Per.May we see them?

Cer.Great Sir, they shalbe brought you to my house, whither I inuite you, looke Thaisa is recouered.

Th.O let me looke if hee be none of mine, my sanctitie will to my sense bende no licentious eare, but curbe it spight of seeing: O my Lord are you not Pericles? like him you spake, like him you are, did you not name a tempest, a birth, and death?

Per.The voyce of dead Thaisa.

Th.That Thaisa am I, supposed dead and drownd.

Per.I mortall Dian.

Th.Now I knowe you better, when wee with teares parted Pentapolis, the king my father gaue you such a ring.

Per.This, this, no more, you gods, your present kindenes makes my past miseries sports, you shall doe well that on the touching of her lips I may melt, and no more be seene, O come, be buried a second time within these armes.

Ma.My heart leaps to be gone into my mothers bosome.

Per.Looke who kneeles here, flesh of thy flesh Thaisa, thy burden at the Sea, and call'd Marina, for she was yeelded there.

Th.Blest, and mine owne.

Hell.Hayle Madame, and my Queene.

Th.I knowe you not.

Hell.You haue heard mee say when I did flie from Tyre, I left behind an ancient substitute, can you remember what I call'd the man, I haue nam'de him oft.

Th.T'was Hellicanus then.

Per.Still confirmation, imbrace him deere Thaisa, this is hee, now doe I long to heare how you were found? how possiblie preserued? and who to thanke (besides the gods) for this great miracle?

Th.Lord Cerimon, my Lord, this man through whom the Gods haue showne their power, that can from first to last resolue you.

Per.Reuerent Syr, the gods can have no mortall officer more like a god then you, will you deliuer how this dead Queene reliues?

Cer.I will my Lord, beseech you first, goe with mee to my house, where shall be showne you all was found with her. How shee came plac'ste heere in the Temple, no needfulll thing omitted.

Per.Pure Dian blesse thee for thy vision, and will offer night oblations to thee Thaisa, this Prince, the faire betrothed of your daughter, shall marrie her at Pentapolis, and now this ornament makes mee looke dismall, will I clip to forme, and what this fourteene yeeres no razer touch't, to grace thy marridge-day, Ile beautifie.

Th.Lord Cerimon hath letters of good credit. Sir, my father's dead.

Per.Heauens make a Starre of him, yet there my Queene, wee'le celebrate their Nuptialls, and our selues will in that kingdome spend our following daies, our sonne and daughter shall in Tyrus raigne.
Lord Cerimon wee doe our longing stay,
To heare the rest vntolde, Sir lead's the way.

FINIS.

Gower.
In Antiochus and his daughter you haue heard
Of monstrous lust, the due and iust reward:
In Pericles his Queene and Daughter seene,
Although assay I'de with Fortune fierce and keene.
Vertue preferd from fell deftructions blast,
Lead on by heauen, and crown'd with ioy at last.
In Helycanus may you well descrie,
A figure of trueth, of faith, of loyaltie:
In reuerend Cerimon there well appeares,
The worth that learned charitie aye weares.
For wicked Cleon and his wife, when Fame
Had spred his cursed deede, the honor'd name
Of Pericles, to rage the Cittie turne,
That him and his they in his Pallace burne:
The gods for murder seemde so content,
To punish, although not done, but meant.
So on your Patience euermore attending,
New ioy wayte on you, heere our play has ending.

FINIS.