Sim. Return them, we are ready; and our daughter, In honour of whose birth these triumphs are, Sits here, like beauty's child, whom nature gat For men to see, and seeing wonder at. [Exit a Lord. Thai. It pleaseth you, my father, to express My commendations great, whose merit's less. Sim. "Tis fit it should be so; for princes are A model, which heaven makes like to itself: As jewels lose their glory, if neglected, So princes their renown, if not respected. 'Tis now your honour, daughter, to explain The labour of each knight, in his device. Thai. Which, to perserve mine honour, I'll perform. Enter a Knight; he passes over the Stage, and his Squire presents his Shield to the PRINCESS. Sim. Who is the first that doth prefer himself? Thai. A knight of Sparta, my renowned father: And the device he bears upon his shield Is a black Æthiop, reaching at the sun; The word, Lux tua vita mihi. Sim. He loves you well, that holds his life of you. [The second Knight passes. Who is the second, that presents himself? Thai. A prince of Macedon, my royal father; And the device he bears upon his shield Is an arm'd knight, that's conquer'd by a lady: The motto thus, in Spanish, Piu per dulcura que per fuerca. Sim. And what's the third? [The third Knight passes. The third, of Antioch; Thai. Sim. What is the fourth? [The fourth Knight passes. 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. Thai. The fifth, an 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 With such a graceful courtesy deliver'd? [himself Thai. He seems a stranger: but his present is A wither'd branch, that's only green at top; 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 Can any way speak in his just commend : For, by his rusty outside, he appears [show 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 But stay, the knights are coming; we'll withdraw [Exeunt. [Great Shouts, and all cry, The mean knight ! SCENE III. The same. A Hall of State.-A Banquet prepared. Enter SIMONIDES, THAISA, Lords, Knights, and Attendants. Sim. Knights, To say you are welcome, were superfluous. To place upon the volume of your deeds, As in a title-page, your worth in arms, Were more than you expect, or more than's fit, Thai. But you, my knight, and guest; 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. Per. You are right courteous knights. Sim. Sit, sit, sir; sit. 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; Broken a staff, or so, so let it pass. Thai. To me he seems like diamond to glass. Per. Yon 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's a glowworm in the night, The which hath fire in darkness, none in light; Whereby I see that Time's the king of men, For he's their parent, and he is their grave, And gives them what he will, not what they crave. Sim. What, are you merry, knights? 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 awhile; We thank your grace. Yon knight, methinks, doth sit too melancholy, Had not a show might countervail his worth. Thai. To me, my father? What is it Sim. Therefore to make's entrance more sweet, here say, Do as I bid you, or you'll move me else. Thai. Now, by the gods, he could not please me better. [Aside. Sim. And further 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. you, Of whence you are, your name and parentage. 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. Come, sir; 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. Sim. O, that's as much, as you would be deny'd [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 Sim. Princes, it is too late to talk of love, [Exeunt. SCENE IV. TYRE. A Room in the Governor's House. Enter HELICANUS and ESCANES. Hel. No, no, my Escanes; know this of me,- For which, the most high gods not minding longer |