Sim. Which shows, that beauty hath his power and will, Which can as well inflame, as it can kill. [The fifth Knight passes. 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. 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 whip-stock', 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 But stay, the knights are coming; we'll withdraw 7 [Exeunt. [Great Shouts, and all cry, The mean knight. "He seems to be a stranger; but his present Is a wither'd branch, that's only green at top."-MALONE. the whipstock,] i. e. the carter's whip. 3 The outward habit by the inward man.] i. e. that makes us scan the inward man by the outward habit. This kind of inversion was formerly very common. SCENE III. The same. A Hall of State. A Banquet prepared. Enter SIMONIDES, THAISA, Lords, Knights, and Sim. Knights, To say you are welcome, were superfluous. Were more than you expect, or more than's fit, 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. 'Tis more by fortune, lady, than my merit. 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. Sit, sit, sir; sit. +"You are princes and my guests."—MALONE. Per. By Jove, I wonder, that is king of thoughts, These cates resist me, she not thought upon. Thai. By Juno, that is queen Of marriage, all the viands that I eat Do seem unsavoury, wishing him my meat! Sim. A country gentleman; He's but He has done no more than other knights have done; Thai. To me he seems like diamond to glass. Where now his son's a glow-worm in the night, 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. Sim. Yet pause a while; We thank your grace. Yon knight, methinks, 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? What is it 9 These cates resist me, she not thought upon.] i. e. go against my stomach. Mr. Steevens would read, however,-be not thought upon. Sim. O, attend, my daughter; Therefore to make's entrance' more sweet, here say, Thai. Alas, my father, it befits not me Do as I bid you, or you'll move me else. Thai. Now, by the gods, he could not please me better. Sim. And further tell him, we desire to know, Of whence he is, his name and parentage. [Aside. 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. Thai. And further he desires to know of you, Of whence you are, your name and parentage. Per. A gentleman of Tyre-(my name, Pericles; My education being in arts and arms;) 1 and princes, not doing so, Are like to gnats, which make a sound, but kill'd Are wonder'd at.] i. e. when they are found to be such small insignificant animals, after making so great a noise. 2 Therefore to make's entrance ] By his entrance, I believe, is meant his present trance, the reverie in which he is supposed to be sitting. STEEVENS. But Mr. Malone arranges the words thus: "Therefore to make his entrance more sweet, 3 Here say we drink this standing-bowl of wine to him." this standing-bowl of wine to him.] A standing-bowl was a bowl resting on a foot. Who looking for adventures in the world, Was by the rough seas reft of ships and men, 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. [The Knights dance. So, this was well ask'd, 'twas so well perform'd'. Here is a lady that wants breathing too: 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. 4 Even in your armours, as you are address'd,] As you are accoutered, prepared for combat. 5 So, this was well ask'd, 'twas so well perform'd.] i. e. the excellence of this exhibition has justified the solicitation by which it was obtained. |