SCENE IV. Tharsus. A Room in the Governor's House. Enter CLEON, DIONYZA, and Attendants. See if 't will teach us to forget our own? Dio. That were to blow at fire in hope to quench it; For who dig hills because they do aspire, Throws down one mountain to cast up a higher. O my distressed lord! even such our griefs; Who wanteth food, and will not say he wants it, Till tongues fetch breath that may proclaim them louder; They may awake their helps to comfort them. I'll then discourse our woes, felt several years, And, wanting breath to speak, help me with tears. Dio. I'll do my best, Sir. Cle. This Tharsus, o'er which I have the government, A city, on whom plenty held full hand, For riches strew'd herself even in the streets, Whose towers bore heads so high, they kiss'd the clouds, All poverty was scorn'd, and pride so great, Cle. But see what heaven can do! By this our change, These mouths, whom but of late, earth, sea, and air, Were all too little to content and please, Although they gave their creatures in abundance, They are now starv'd for want of exercise: Those palates, who not yet two summers younger, Dio. Our cheeks and hollow eyes do witness it. With their superfluous riots, hear these tears: Speak out thy sorrows which thou bring'st, in haste, For comfort is too far for us to expect. Lord. We have descried, upon our neighbouring shore, A portly sail of ships make hitherward. Cle. I thought as much. One sorrow never comes, but brings an heir That may succeed as his inheritor; And so in ours. Some neighbouring nation, Hath stuff'd these hollow vessels with their power, To beat us down, the which are down already; Whereas no glory 's got to overcome. Lord. That's the least fear; for by the semblance Cle. Thou speak'st like him's untutor'd to repeat; The ground's the low'st, and we are half way there. To know for what he comes, and whence he comes, Lord. Igo, my lord. Cle. Welcome is peace, if he on peace consist; If wars, we are unable to resist. Enter PERICLES, with Attendants. Per. Lord governor, for so we hear you are, Are stor❜d with corn to make your needy bread, And we'll pray for you. Per. Arise, I pray you, arise: Cle. The which when any shall not gratify, [Exit. Or pay you with unthankfulness in thought, Be it our wives, our children, or ourselves, Till when, (the which, I hope, shall ne'er be seen) Per. Which welcome we 'll accept; feast here a while, [Exeunt. ACT II. Enter GowEr. Gow. Here have you seen a mighty king His child, I wis, to incest bring; A better prince, and benign lord, That will prove awful both in deed and word. Be quiet, then, as men should be, I'll show you those in troubles reign, (To whom I give my benizon) Is still at Tharsus, where each man And to remember what he does, Build his statue to make him glorious: But tidings to the contrary Are brought your eyes; what need speak I? Dumb show. Enter at one door PERICLES, talking with CLEON; all the Train with them. Enter at another door, a Gentleman, with a Letter to PERICLES: PERICLES shows the Letter to CLEON; then gives the Messenger a reward, and knights him. Exeunt PERICLES, CLEON, &c. severally. Gow. Good Helicane hath stay'd at home, From others' labours; for though he strive And, to fulfil his prince' desire, He, knowing so, put forth to seas, Where when men been, there 's seldom ease, All perishen of man, of pelf, Ne aught escapen but himself; Till fortune, tired with doing bad, SCENE I. Pentapolis. An open Place by the Sea Side. Enter PERICLES, wet. Per. Yet cease your ire, you angry stars of heaven! Let it suffice the greatness of your powers, [Exit. |