ACT 5. SC. 1
Scene 1
Enter Helicanus , to him two Sailors , one from the
Tyrian ship and one from Mytilene .
TYRIAN SAILOR
, ( to Sailor from Mytilene )
Where is Lord Helicanus ? He can resolve you .
O , here he is . —
Sir , there is a barge put off from Mytilene ,
And in it is Lysimachus , the Governor ,
Who craves to come aboard . What is your will ?
HELICANUS
That he have his .
Sailor from Mytilene exits .
Call up some gentlemen .
TYRIAN SAILOR
Ho , gentlemen , my lord calls .
Enter two or three Gentlemen .
GENTLEMAN
Doth your Lordship call ?
HELICANUS
Gentlemen ,
There is some of worth would come aboard .
I pray , greet him fairly .
Enter Lysimachus , with Lords and Sailor from Mytilene .
SAILOR FROM MYTILENE
, to Lysimachus
Sir ,
This is the man that can , in aught you would ,
Resolve you .
LYSIMACHUS
, to Helicanus
Hail , reverend sir . The gods preserve you .
HELICANUS
And you , to outlive the age I am ,
And die as I would do .
LYSIMACHUS
You wish me well .
Being on shore , honoring of Neptune’s triumphs ,
Seeing this goodly vessel ride before us ,
I made to it to know of whence you are .
HELICANUS
First , what is your place ?
LYSIMACHUS
I am the governor of this place you lie before .
[163]ACT 5. SC. 1
HELICANUS
Sir ,
Our vessel is of Tyre , in it the King ,
A man who for this three months hath not spoken
To anyone , nor taken sustenance
But to prorogue his grief .
LYSIMACHUS
Upon what ground is his distemperature ?
HELICANUS
’Twould be too tedious to repeat ,
But the main grief springs from the loss
Of a belovèd daughter and a wife .
LYSIMACHUS
May we not see him ?
HELICANUS
You may ,
But bootless is your sight . He will not speak
To any .
LYSIMACHUS
Yet let me obtain my wish .
HELICANUS
Behold him . Pericles is revealed . This was a goodly
person ,
Till the disaster that one mortal night
Drove him to this .
LYSIMACHUS
Sir king , all hail ! The gods preserve you . Hail ,
Royal sir !
HELICANUS
It is in vain ; he will not speak to you .
LORD
Sir , we have a maid in Mytilene ,
I durst wager would win some words of him .
LYSIMACHUS
’Tis well bethought .
She , questionless , with her sweet harmony
And other chosen attractions , would allure
And make a batt’ry through his defended ports ,
Which now are midway stopped .
She is all happy as the fairest of all ,
And , with her fellow maid , is now upon
The leafy shelter that abuts against
The island’s side .
[165]ACT 5. SC. 1
HELICANUS
Sure , all effectless ; yet nothing we’ll omit
That bears recovery’s name .
Lysimachus signals to a Lord ,
who exits .
But since your kindness
We have stretched thus far , let us beseech you
That for our gold we may provision have ,
Wherein we are not destitute for want ,
But weary for the staleness .
LYSIMACHUS
O , sir , a courtesy
Which , if we should deny , the most just God
For every graft would send a caterpillar ,
And so inflict our province . Yet once more
Let me entreat to know at large the cause
Of your king’s sorrow .
HELICANUS
Sit , sir , I will recount it to you . But see ,
I am prevented .
Enter Lord with Marina and her companion .
LYSIMACHUS
O , here’s the lady that I sent for . —
Welcome , fair one . — Is ’t not a goodly presence ?
HELICANUS
She’s a gallant lady .
LYSIMACHUS
She’s such a one that , were I well assured
Came of a gentle kind and noble stock ,
I’d wish no better choice , and think me rarely wed . —
Fair one , all goodness that consists in beauty :
Expect even here , where is a kingly patient ,
If that thy prosperous and artificial feat
Can draw him but to answer thee in aught ,
Thy sacred physic shall receive such pay
As thy desires can wish .
MARINA
Sir , I will use
My utmost skill in his recovery , provided
That none but I and my companion maid
Be suffered to come near him .
[167]ACT 5. SC. 1
LYSIMACHUS
Come , let us
Leave her , and the gods make her prosperous .
Lysimachus , Helicanus and others move aside .
MARINA
sings
The Song .
LYSIMACHUS
, coming forward
Marked he your music ?
MARINA
No , nor looked on us .
LYSIMACHUS
, moving aside
See , she will speak to him .
MARINA
, to Pericles
Hail , sir ! My lord , lend ear .
PERICLES
Hum , ha !
He pushes her away .
MARINA
I am a maid , my lord ,
That ne’er before invited eyes , but have
Been gazed on like a comet . She speaks ,
My lord , that may be hath endured a grief
Might equal yours , if both were justly weighed .
Though wayward Fortune did malign my state ,
My derivation was from ancestors
Who stood equivalent with mighty kings .
But time hath rooted out my parentage ,
And to the world and awkward casualties
Bound me in servitude .
Aside .
I will desist ,
But there is something glows upon my cheek ,
And whispers in mine ear
‘Go not till he speak .’PERICLES
My fortunes — parentage — good parentage ,
To equal mine ! Was it not thus ? What say you ?
MARINA
I said , my lord , if you did know my parentage ,
You would not do me violence .
PERICLES
I do think so .
Pray you turn your eyes upon me .
You’re like something that — What
countrywoman ?
Here of these shores ?
[169]ACT 5. SC. 1
MARINA
No , nor of any shores .
Yet I was mortally brought forth , and am
No other than I appear .
PERICLES
I am great with woe , and shall deliver weeping .
My dearest wife was like this maid , and such
A one my daughter might have been : my queen’s
Square brows , her stature to an inch ;
As wandlike straight , as silver-voiced ; her eyes
As jewel-like , and cased as richly ; in pace
Another Juno ; who starves the ears she feeds
And makes them hungry the more she gives them
speech . —
Where do you live ?
MARINA
Where I am but a stranger .
From the deck you may discern the place .
PERICLES
Where were you bred ? And how achieved you these
Endowments which you make more rich to owe ?
MARINA
If I should tell my history , it would seem
Like lies disdained in the reporting .
PERICLES
Prithee , speak .
Falseness cannot come from thee , for thou lookest
Modest as Justice , and thou seemest a palace
For the crownèd Truth to dwell in . I will believe thee
And make my senses credit thy relation
To points that seem impossible , for thou lookest
Like one I loved indeed . What were thy friends ?
Didst thou not say , when I did push thee back —
Which was when I perceived thee — that thou cam’st
From good descending ?
MARINA
So indeed I did .
PERICLES
Report thy parentage . I think thou said’st
Thou hadst been tossed from wrong to injury ,
[171] ACT 5. SC. 1 And that thou thought’st thy griefs might equal mine ,
If both were opened .
MARINA
Some such thing I said ,
And said no more but what my thoughts
Did warrant me was likely .
PERICLES
Tell thy story .
If thine considered prove the thousand part
Of my endurance , thou art a man , and I
Have suffered like a girl . Yet thou dost look
Like Patience gazing on kings’ graves and smiling
Extremity out of act . What were thy friends ?
How lost thou them ? Thy name , my most kind
virgin ,
Recount , I do beseech thee . Come , sit by me .
She sits .
MARINA
My name is Marina .
PERICLES
O , I am mocked ,
And thou by some incensèd god sent hither
To make the world to laugh at me !
MARINA
Patience , good sir ,
Or here I’ll cease .
PERICLES
Nay , I’ll be patient .
Thou little know’st how thou dost startle me
To call thyself Marina .
MARINA
The name
Was given me by one that had some power —
My father , and a king .
PERICLES
How , a king’s daughter ?
And called Marina ?
MARINA
You said you would believe me .
But not to be a troubler of your peace ,
I will end here .
PERICLES
But are you flesh and blood ?
Have you a working pulse , and are no fairy
Motion ? Well , speak on . Where were you born ?
And wherefore called Marina ?
[173]ACT 5. SC. 1
MARINA
Called Marina
For I was born at sea .
PERICLES
At sea ? What mother ?
MARINA
My mother was the daughter of a king ,
Who died the minute I was born ,
As my good nurse Lychorida hath oft
Delivered weeping .
PERICLES
O , stop there a little !
Aside .
This is the rarest dream that e’er dull sleep
Did mock sad fools withal . This cannot be
My daughter , buried . — Well , where were you bred ?
I’ll hear you more , to the bottom of your story ,
And never interrupt you .
MARINA
You scorn . Believe me , ’twere best I did give o’er .
PERICLES
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 ?
MARINA
The King my father did in Tarsus leave me ,
Till cruel Cleon with his wicked wife
Did seek to murder me ; and having wooed a villain
To attempt it , who , having drawn to do ’t ,
A crew of pirates came and rescued me ,
Brought me to Mytilene — 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 .
PERICLES
Ho , Helicanus !
HELICANUS
Calls my lord ?
PERICLES
Thou art a grave and noble counselor ,
[175] ACT 5. SC. 1 Most wise in general . Tell me , if thou canst ,
What this maid is , or what is like to be ,
That thus hath made me weep .
HELICANUS
I know not ;
But here’s the regent , sir , of Mytilene
Speaks nobly of her .
LYSIMACHUS
She never would tell
Her parentage . Being demanded that ,
She would sit still and weep .
PERICLES
O , Helicanus ! Strike me , honored 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 beget’st him that did thee beget ,
Thou that wast born at sea , buried at Tarsus ,
And found at sea again ! — O , Helicanus ,
Down on thy knees ! Thank the holy gods as loud
As thunder threatens us . This is Marina . —
What was thy mother’s name ? Tell me but that ,
For truth can never be confirmed enough ,
Though doubts did ever sleep .
MARINA
First , sir , I pray , what is your title ?
PERICLES
I am Pericles of Tyre . But tell me now
My drowned queen’s name , as in the rest you said
Thou hast been godlike perfect , the heir of kingdoms ,
And another life to Pericles thy father .
MARINA
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 .
[177]ACT 5. SC. 1
PERICLES
Now , blessing on thee ! Rise . Thou ’rt my child . —
Give me fresh garments . — Mine own Helicanus ,
She is not dead at Tarsus , as she should
Have been , by savage Cleon . She shall tell thee all ,
When thou shalt kneel , and justify in knowledge
She is thy very princess . Who is this ?
HELICANUS
Sir , ’tis the Governor of Mytilene ,
Who , hearing of your melancholy state ,
Did come to see you .
PERICLES
, to Lysimachus
I embrace you . —
Give me my robes . — I am wild in my beholding .
They put fresh garments on him .
O heavens bless my girl ! But hark , what music ?
Tell Helicanus , my Marina , tell him o’er
Point by point , for yet he seems to doubt ,
How sure you are my daughter . — But what music ?
HELICANUS
My lord , I hear none .
PERICLES
None ?
The music of the spheres ! — List , my Marina .
LYSIMACHUS
It is not good to cross him . Give him way .
PERICLES
Rarest sounds ! Do you not hear ?
LYSIMACHUS
Music , my lord ? I hear —
PERICLES
Most heavenly music .
It nips me unto list’ning , and thick slumber
Hangs upon mine eyes . Let me rest .
He sleeps .
LYSIMACHUS
A pillow for his head . So , leave him all .
Lysimachus and others begin to exit .
Well , my companion friends , if this but answer
To my just belief , I’ll well remember you .
All but Pericles exit .
[179]ACT 5. SC. 1
Diana descends .
DIANA
My temple stands in Ephesus . Hie thee thither
And do upon mine altar sacrifice .
There , when my maiden priests are met together ,
Before the people all ,
Reveal how thou at sea didst lose thy wife .
To mourn thy crosses , with thy daughter’s , call ,
And give them repetition to the life .
Or perform my bidding , or thou livest in woe ;
Do ’t , and happy , by my silver bow .
Awake , and tell thy dream .
She ascends .
PERICLES
Celestial Dian ,
Goddess argentine , I will obey thee . —
Helicanus !
Enter Helicanus , Lysimachus , Marina , and
Attendants .
HELICANUS
Sir .
PERICLES
My purpose was for Tarsus , 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 . —
Shall we refresh us , sir , upon your shore ,
And give you gold for such provision
As our intents will need ?
LYSIMACHUS
Sir ,
With all my heart . And when you come ashore ,
I have another suit .
PERICLES
You shall prevail
Were it to woo my daughter , for it seems
You have been noble towards her .
LYSIMACHUS
Sir , lend me your arm .
PERICLES
Come , my Marina .
They exit .
ACT 5. SC. 3
Scene 3
Enter Cerimon and Diana’s Priestesses , including
Thaisa ; at another door enter Pericles , Marina ,
Helicanus , Lysimachus , and Attendants .
PERICLES
Hail , Dian ! To perform thy just command ,
I here confess myself the King of Tyre ,
Who , frighted from my country , did wed
[183] ACT 5. SC. 3 At Pentapolis the fair Thaisa .
At sea in childbed died she , but brought forth
A maid child called Marina , whom , O goddess ,
Wears yet thy silver livery . She at Tarsus
Was nursed with Cleon , who at fourteen years
He sought to murder . But her better stars
Brought her to Mytilene , ’gainst whose shore riding ,
Her fortunes brought the maid aboard us , where ,
By her own most clear remembrance , she made known
Herself my daughter .
THAISA
Voice and favor !
You are , you are — O royal Pericles !
She falls in a faint .
PERICLES
What means the nun ? She dies ! Help , gentlemen !
CERIMON
Noble sir ,
If you have told Diana’s altar true ,
This is your wife .
PERICLES
Reverend appearer , no .
I threw her overboard with these very arms .
CERIMON
Upon this coast , I warrant you .
PERICLES
’Tis most certain .
CERIMON
Look to the lady . O , she’s but overjoyed .
Early one blustering morn this lady was
Thrown upon this shore . I oped the coffin ,
Found there rich jewels , recovered her , and placed her
Here in Diana’s temple .
PERICLES
May we see them ?
CERIMON
Great sir , they shall be brought you to my house ,
Whither I invite you . Look , Thaisa
Is recoverèd .
Thaisa rises .
THAISA
O , let me look !
If he be none of mine , my sanctity
[185] ACT 5. SC. 3 Will to my sense bend no licentious ear ,
But curb it , spite of seeing . — O , my lord ,
Are you not Pericles ? Like him you spake ,
Like him you are . Did you not name a tempest ,
A birth and death ?
PERICLES
The voice of dead Thaisa !
THAISA
That Thaisa am I , supposèd dead
And drowned .
PERICLES
Immortal Dian !
THAISA
Now I know you better .
She points to the ring on his hand .
When we with tears parted Pentapolis ,
The king my father gave you such a ring .
PERICLES
This , this ! No more , you gods ! Your present kindness
Makes my past miseries sports . You shall do well
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 !
They embrace .
MARINA
, kneeling
My heart
Leaps to be gone into my mother’s bosom .
PERICLES
Look who kneels here , flesh of thy flesh , Thaisa ,
Thy burden at the sea , and called Marina
For she was yielded there .
THAISA
, embracing Marina
Blessed , and mine own !
HELICANUS
Hail , madam , and my queen .
THAISA
I know you not .
PERICLES
You have heard me say , when I did fly from Tyre
I left behind an ancient substitute .
Can you remember what I called the man ?
I have named him oft .
THAISA
’Twas Helicanus then .
[187]ACT 5. SC. 3
PERICLES
Still confirmation !
Embrace him , dear Thaisa . This is he .
They embrace .
Now do I long to hear how you were found ,
How possibly preserved , and who to thank ,
Besides the gods , for this great miracle .
THAISA
Lord Cerimon , my lord , this man
Through whom the gods have shown their power ,
that can
From first to last resolve you .
PERICLES
Reverend sir ,
The gods can have no mortal officer
More like a god than you . Will you deliver
How this dead queen relives ?
CERIMON
I will , my lord .
Beseech you , first go with me to my house ,
Where shall be shown you all was found with her ,
How she came placed here in the temple ,
No needful thing omitted .
PERICLES
Pure Dian , I bless thee for thy vision , and
Will offer night oblations to thee . — Thaisa ,
This prince , the fair betrothèd of your daughter ,
Shall marry her at Pentapolis . — And now this
ornament
Makes me look dismal will I clip to form ,
And what this fourteen years no razor touched ,
To grace thy marriage day I’ll beautify .
THAISA
Lord Cerimon hath letters of good credit , sir ,
My father’s dead .
PERICLES
Heavens make a star of him ! Yet there , my queen ,
We’ll celebrate their nuptials , and ourselves
Will in that kingdom spend our following days .
Our son and daughter shall in Tyrus reign . —
[189] EPILOGUE Lord Cerimon , we do our longing stay
To hear the rest untold . Sir , lead ’s the way .
They exit .