Is an arm'd knight, that's conquer'd by a lady: The motto thus, in Spanish, Piu per dulzura que per fuerza. Sim. And what the third? [The third Knight passes over. The third of Antioch; And his device, a wreath of chivalry: Sim. What is the fourth? [The fourth Knight passes over. 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. [The fifth Knight passes over. Thai. The fifth, a hand environed with clouds, Holding out gold that 's by the touchstone tried; The motto thus, Sic spectanda fides. [The sixth Knight passes over. Sim. And what 's the sixth and last, the which the knight himself With such a graceful courtesy deliver❜d? Thai. He seems to be 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. Sim. Opinion 's but a fool, that makes us scan The outward habit by the inward man. But stay, the knights are coming; we'll withdraw Into the gallery. [Exeunt. [Great Shouts, and all cry, The mean knight. SCENE III. The Same. A Hall of State. - A Banquet prepared. Enter SIMONIDES, THAISA, Ladies, Lords, Knights, and Attendants. Sim. Knights, To say you are welcome were superfluous. To place upon the volume of your deeds, Thai. But you, my knight and guest; To whom this wreath of victory I give, And crown you king of this day's happiness. Per. 'T is more by fortune, lady, than my merit. And here, I hope, is none that envies it. In framing an artist 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. Marshal. 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. Sit, Sir; sit. Sim. By Jove, I wonder, that is king of thoughts, 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. Yond' king's to me like to my father's picture, Which tells me in that glory once he was; Had princes sit, like stars, about his throne, And he the sun for them to reverence. None that beheld him, but like lesser lights Did vail their crowns to his supremacy; Where now his son, like a glow-worm in the night, (As 1 Knight. Who can be other, in this royal presence? Sim. Here, with a cup that 's stor❜d unto the brim, you do love, fill to your mistress' lips) We drink this health to you. Knights. Sim. Yet pause a while; We thank your grace. Yond' knight doth sit too melancholy, As if the entertainment in our court Had not a show might countervail his worth. Note it not you, Thaisa? Thai. To me, my father? Sim. What is it O! attend, my daughter: Princes, in this, should live like gods above, Who freely give to every one that comes To honour them; and princes, not doing so, Are like to gnats, which make a sound, but kill'd To make his entrance more sweet, here say, He may my proffer take for an offence, Do as I bid you, or you'll move me else. Thai. [Aside.] Now, by the gods, he could not please me better. Sim. And farther tell him, we desire to know, Of whence he is, his name, and parentage. Thai. The king my father, Sir, has drunk to you. Thai. Wishing it so much blood unto your life. Per. I thank both him and you, and pledge him freely. Of whence you are, your name and parentage. Per. A gentleman of Tyre (my name, Pericles, My education been 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 Bereft of ships and men, cast on the shore. Sim. Now by the gods, I pity his misfortune, And will awake him from his melancholy. I will not have excuse, with saying, this Since they love men in arms, as well as beds. [The Knights dance. So, this was well ask'd, 't was so well perform'd. 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. [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, to conduct Per. I am at your grace's pleasure. Sim. Princes, it is too late to talk of love, SCENE IV. Tyre. A Room in the Governor's House. Hel. No, Escanes; know this of me, Antiochus from incest liv'd not free: 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 [Exeunt. |