The lady shrieks, and, well-a-near! This stage, the ship, upon whose deck SCENE I. Enter PERICLES, on a ship at sea. [Exit. Per. Thou God of this great vast, rebuke these surges, Which wash both heaven and hell; and thou, that hast Upon the winds command, bind them in brass, Having call'd them from the deep! O still thy deaf'ning, Thy dreadful thunders; gently quench thy nimble, Sulphureous flashes!-O how, Lychorida, How does my queen?-Thou storm, thou! venomously Wilt thou spit all thyself?-The seaman's whistle O Divinest patroness, and midwife, gentle To those that cry by night, convey thy deity Enter LYCHORIDA, with an Infant. Lyc. Here is a thing Too young for such a place, who, if it had Conceit, would die as I am like to do. Take in your arms this piece of your dead queen. Lyc. Patience, good sir; do not assist the storm. Here's all that is left living of your queen, A little daughter; for the sake of it, Be manly, and take comfort. Per. O you gods! Why do you make us love your goodly gifts, Lyc. Patience, good sir, Even for this charge. Per. Now, mild may be thy life! For a more blust'rous birth had never babe : Quiet and gentle thy conditions! For thou'rt the rudeliest welcom'd to this world, As fire, air, water, earth, and heaven can make, Enter two Sailors. 1 Sail. What courage, sir? God save you. 1 Sail. Slack the bolins there; thou wilt not, wilt thou? Blow, and split thyself. 2 Sail. But sea-room, an the brine and cloudy billow kiss the moon, I care not. 1 Sail. Sir, your queen must overboard; the sea works high, the wind is loud, and will not lie till the ship be cleared of the dead. Per. That's your superstition. 1 Sail. Pardon us, sir; with us at sea it still hath been observed; and we are strong in earnest. Therefore briefly yield her; for she must overboard straight. Per. Be it as you think meet.-Most wretched queen! Lyc. Here she lies, sir. Per. A terrible child-bed hast thou had, my dear; To give thee hallow'd to thy grave, but straight Bid Nestor bring me spices, ink and paper, Per. I thank thee. Mariner, say what coast is this? 2 Sail. We are near Tharsus. Per. Thither, gentle mariner, Alter thy course for Tyre. When can'st thou reach it? 2 Sail. By break of day, if the wind cease. Per. O make for Tharsus. There will I visit Cleon, for the babe Cannot hold out to Tyrus: there I'll leave it At careful nursing. Go thy ways, good mariner; [Exeunt. SCENE II.-Ephesus. A room in Cerimon's house. Enter CERIMON, a Servant, and some Persons who have been shipwrecked. Cer. Philemon, ho! Enter PHILEMON. Phil. Doth my lord call? Cer. Get fire and meat for these poor men; It hath been a turbulent and stormy night. Serv. I have been in many; but such a night as this, Till now, I ne'er endur'd. Cer. Your master will be dead ere you return; There's nothing can be minister'd to nature, That can recover him. Give this to the 'pothecary, And tell me how it works. [To Philemon. [Exeunt Philemon, Servant, and those who had been shipwrecked. Enter two Gentlemen. 1 Gent. Good morrow, sir. 2 Gent. Good morrow to your lordship. Our lodgings, standing bleak upon the sea, The very principals did seem to rend, And all to topple ; pure surprise and fear 2 Gent. That is the cause we trouble you so early; "Tis not our husbandry. Cer. O, you say well. 1 Gent. But I much marvel that your lordship, having Rich tire about you, should at these early hours It is most strange, Nature should be so conversant with pain, Cer. I held it ever, Virtue and cunning were endowments greater (Together with my practice,) made familiar That nature works, and of her cures; which give me Or tie my treasure up in silken bags, To please the fool and death. 2 Gent. Your honour has through Ephesus pour'd forth Your charity, and hundreds call themselves L3 |