Sim. Opinion's but a fool, that makes us scan [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. 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. Sim. Call it by what you will, the day is yours; And here, I hope, is none that envies it. In framing artists, art hath thus decreed, To make some good, but others to exceed ; 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.' MALONE. [9] That is, that makes us scan the inward man by the outward habit. [1] If this speech belongs to Pericles, he must mean to say, that when he ceases Thai. By Juno, that is queen Of marriage, all the viands that I eat Do seem unsavoury, wishing him my meat! Sim. He's but A country gentleman; He has done no more than other knights have done; Thai. To me he seems like diamond to glass. men, 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. We thank your grace. Sim. Yet pause a while; Yon knight, methinks, doth sit too melancholy, Had not a show might countervail his worth. Thai. What is it To me, my father? Sim. O, attend, my daughter; Princes, in this, should live like gods above, to think of his mistress, his stomach fails him. As displeasing sensations are known to diminish appetite, so pleasant ideas may be supposed to increase it. MALONE. [2] The sense appears to be this.---When kings, like insects, lie dead before us, our admiration is excited by contemplating how in both instances the powers of creating bustle were superior to those which either object should seem to have promis 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 bet ter. Sim. And further, tell him, we desire to know, Thai. The king my father, sir, has drunk to you. Thai. Wishing it so much blood unto your life. [Aside. 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 ;)— Who looking for adventures in the world, Was, by the rough seas reft of ships and men, And, after shipwreck, driven upon this shore. 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. ed. The worthless monarch, and the idle gnat, have only lived to make an empty bluster; and when both alike are dead, we wonder how it happened that they made so much, or that we permitted them to make it :-a natural reflection on the death of au unserviceable prince, who having dispensed no blessings, can hope for no ber ter character. STEEVENS. [3] A standing-bowl was a bowl resting on a foot. STEEVENS. MALONE. [4] i. e. the loud noise made by the clashing of their armour. Come, sir ; 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 Sim. Princes, it is too late to talk of love, SCENE IV. Tyre. A Room in the Governor's House. [Exeunt. Enter HELI Hel. No, no, my Escanes; know this of me,- For which, the most high gods not minding longer Even in the height and pride of all his glory, A fire from heaven came, and shrivell'd up Hel. And yet but just; for though This king were great, his greatness was no guard Enter Three Lords. 1 Lord. See, not a man in private conference, Or council, has respect with him but he. 2 Lord. It shall no longer grieve without reproof. 3 Lord. And curs'd be he that will not second it. i Lord. Follow me then: Lord Helicane, a word. Hel. With me? and welcome: Happy day, my lords. 1 Lord. Know, that our griefs are risen to the top, And now at length they overflow their banks. Hel. Your griefs, for what? wrong not the prince you love. 1 Lord. Wrong not yourself then, noble Helicane ; Or dead, gives cause to mourn his funeral, [censure:$ 2 Lord. Whose death's, indeed, the strongest in our And knowing this kingdom, if without a head, (Like goodly buildings left without a roof,) Will soon to ruin fall, your noble self, That best know'st how to rule, and how to reign, We thus submit unto, our sovereign. All. Live, noble Helicane ! Hel. Try honour's cause; forbear your suffrages: Go search like noblemen, like noble subjects, You shall like diamonds sit about his crown. ; 1 Lord. To wisdom he's a fool that will not yield; And, since lord Helicane enjoineth us, We with our travels will endeavour it. Hel. Then you love us, we you, and we'll clasp hands; When peers thus knit, a kingdom ever stands. [Exeunt. [5] i. e. the most probable in our opinion. Censure is thus used in King Richara "To give your censures in this weighty business." STEEVENS. 16 VOL. X. L |