My message must return from whence it came. (39) [Exeunt. SCENE IV. Tharsus. A room in the Governor's house. Enter CLEON, DIONYZA, and Attendants. Cle. My Dionyza, shall we rest us here, Dio. That were to blow at fire in hope to quench it; Who wanteth food, and will not say he wants it, Our tongues and sorrows do sound deep our woes 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, And strangers ne'er beheld but wonder'd at; 7 All poverty was scorn'd, and pride so great, Dio. O, 'tis too true. Cle. But see what heaven can do! By this our change, Those mouths who 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," (44) Dio. Our cheeks and hollow eyes do witness it. With their superfluous riots, hear(45) these tears! Enter a Lord. Lord. Where's the lord governor ? Cle. Here. Speak out thy sorrows which thou bring'st in haste, For comfort is too far for us t' 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, Taking advantage of our misery, Hath stuff'd these(46) hollow vessels with their power, VOL. VIII. (47) To beat us down, the which are down already; 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 lowest, and we're half-way there. To know for what he comes, and whence he comes, Lord. I go, 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, And we'll pray for you. Per. Rise, I pray you, rise :(50) [Exit. Till when, the which I hope shall ne'er be seen,- Per. Which welcome we'll accept ; feast here awhile, [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, Till he hath pass'd necessity. I'll show you those in troubles reign, Thinks all is writ he spoken can; And, to remember what he does, Build52) his statue to make him glorious: But tidings to the contrary Are brought your eyes; what need speak I? DUMB-SHOW. Enter, from one side, PERICLES, talking with CLEON; their Trains with them. Enter, from the other side, a Gentleman, with a letter to PERICLES; who shows the letter to CLEON; then gives the Messenger a reward, and knights him. Exeunt severally PERICLES and CLEON, with their Trains. Good Helicane, that(53) stay'd at home, Not to eat honey like a drone (51) From others' labours; for though he strive To killen bad, keep good alive; And to fulfil his prince' desire, (55) Sends word of all that haps in Tyre: How Thaliard came full bent with sin Should house him safe is wreck'd and split ;(58) All perishen of man, of pelf, [Exit. SCENE I. Pentapolis. An open place by the sea-side. Enter PERICLES, wet. Per. Yet cease your ire, you angry stars of heaven! Wind, rain, and thunder, remember, earthly man Is but a substance that must yield to you; And I, as fits my nature, do obey you: Alas, the sea hath cast me on the rocks, Wash'd me from shore to shore, and left me(60) breath Let it suffice the greatness of your powers To have bereft a prince of all his fortunes; And having thrown him from your watery grave, Enter three Fishermen. First Fish. What, ho, Pilch! Sec. Fish. Ho, come) and bring away the nets! |