Motion!-Well; speak on. Where were you born? Mar. For I was born at sea. Per. Call'd Marina At sea! what mother? Mar. My mother was the daughter of a king; Who died the minute I was born, As my good nurse Lychorida hath oft Deliver'd weeping. Per. O, stop there a little! [Aside.] This is the rarest dream that e'er dull sleep My daughter's buried.-Well:—where were you bred? 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 woo'd A villain to attempt it, who having drawn to do't, Brought me to Mitylene. But, good sir, Whither will you have me? Why do you weep? It may be You think me an impostor: no, good faith; I am the daughter to King Pericles, If good King Pericles be. Per. Ho, Helicanus ! Hel. Calls my lord? Per. Thou art a grave and noble counsellor, Hel. I know not; but Here is the regent, sir, of Mitylene Lys. She would never tell Her parentage; being demanded that, She would sit still and weep. Per. O Helicanus, strike me, honour'd sir; Give me a gash, put me to present pain; Lest this great sea of joys rushing upon me O'erbear the shores of my mortality, And drown me with their sweetness.-O, come hither, Thou that begett'st him that did thee beget; Down on thy knees, thank the holy gods as loud What was thy mother's name? tell me but that, Mar. What is your title? First, sir, I pray, Per. I am Pericles of Tyre: but tell me now Thou'st been godlike perfect, thou'rt the heir of kingdom 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 childGive me fresh garments.-Mine own, Helicanus, She is not dead at Tharsus, as she should have been By savage Cleon: she shall tell thee all; When thou shalt kneel, and justify in knowledge Per. I embrace you.— Give me my robes.-I am wild in my beholding- O'er, point by point, for yet he seems to doubt, Per. None! The music of the spheres!-List, my Marina. Lys. Per. Most heavenly music! My lord, I hear. [Music. [Sleeps. It nips me unto listening, and thick slumber Lys. A pillow for his head : So, leave him all.-Well, my companion-friends, If this but answer to my just belief, [Exeunt all but PERICLES DIANA appears to PERICLES 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, Reveal how thou at sea didst lose thy wife: To mourn thy crosses, with thy daughter's, call, Or perform my bidding or thou liv'st in woe; Awake, and tell thy dream. Per. Celestial Dian, goddess argentine, I will obey thee.-Helicanus! [Disappears. Re-enter HELICANUS, LYSIMACHUS, MARINA, &c. 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, [To LYSIMACHUS. And give you gold for such provision As our intents will need? Lys. Sir, With all my heart; and when you come ashore 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 me 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, my last boon, give me, For such kindness must relieve me, That you aptly will suppose What pageantry, what feats, what shows, To fair Marina; but in no wise [Exit. SCENE II.-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, Per. Hail, Dian! to perform thy just command, At sea in childbed died she, but brought forth Thai. Voice and favour!You are, you are-O royal Pericles! If [Faints. Per. What means the woman? she dies! help, gentle men! Cer. Noble sir, you have told Diana's altar true, This is your wife. Per. Reverend appearer, no; I threw her o'erboard with these very arms. Cer. Upon this coast, I warrant you. Per. 'Tis most certain. Cer. Look to the lady ;-0, she's but o'erjoy'd. Early in blustering morn this lady was Thrown upon this shore. I op'd the coffin, Found there rich jewels; recover'd her, and plac'd her Per. May we see them? Cer. Great sir, they shall be brought you to my house, Whither I invite you.-Look, Thaisa is Recover'd. Thai. O, let me look! If he be none of mine, my sanctity Per. The voice of dead Thaisa ! Thai. That Thaisa am I, supposed dead And drown'd. Per. Immortal Dian! Thai. When we with tears parted 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 kindMakes my past miseries sport: you shall do well, [ness That on the touching of her lips I may Melt, and no more be seen. O, come, be buried A second time within these arms. Mar. My heart Leaps to be gone into my mother's bosom. [Kneels to THAISA. Per. Look, who kneels here! Flesh of thy flesh, Thaisa; Thy burden at the sea, and call'd Marina Per. You have heard me say, when I did fly from Tyre, I left behind an ancient substitute: Can you remember what I call'd the man? I have nam'd him oft. Thai. 'Twas Helicanus then. Per. Still confirmation : Embrace him, dear Thaisa; this is he. Now do I long to hear how you were found; Besides the gods, for this great miracle. Thai. Lord Cerimon, my lord; this man, through whom The gods have shown their power; 'tis he That can from first to last resolve you. |