Will very well become a soldier's dance. I will not have excuse, with saying, this Since they love men in arms, as well as beds. [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 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 These knights unto their several lodgings: Yours, sir, Sim. Princes, it is too late to talk of love, SCENE IV. Tyre. A Room in the Governor's House. Enter HELICANUS and ESCANES. Hel. No, no, my Escanes; know this of me,Antiochus from incest liv'd not free; So, this was well ask'd, 'twas so well perform'd.] i. e. the excellence of this exhibition has justified the solicitation by which it was obtained. For which, the most high gods not minding longer To withhold the vengeance that they had in store, Due to this heinous capital offence; 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 To bar heaven's shaft, but sin had his reward. Esca. 'Tis very true. 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 re proof. 3 Lord. And curs'd be he that will not second it. 1 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 Heli cane; But if the prince do live, let us salute him, Or know what ground's made happy by his breath. 6 • See, not a man, &c.] To what this charge of partiality was designed to conduct, we do not learn; for it appears to have no influence over the rest of the dialogue. If in the world he live, we'll seek him out; Or dead, gives cause to mourn his funeral, 2 Lord. Whose death's, indeed, the strongest in our censure:8 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. ↑ And be resolv'd, he lives to govern us,] Resolv'd is satisfied, free from doubt. Whose death's, indeed, the strongest in our censure:] i, e. the most probable in our opinion. SCENE V. Pentapolis. A Room in the Palace. Enter SIMONIDES, reading a Letter, the Knights meet him. 1 Knight. Good morrow to the good Simonides. That for this twelvemonth, she'll not undertake Her reason to herself is only known, Which from herself by no means can I get. 2 Knight. May we not get access to her, my lord? Sim. 'Faith, by no means; she hath so strictly tied her To her chamber, that it is impossible. One twelve moons more she'll wear Diana's livery; This by the eye of Cynthia hath she vow'd,' And on her virgin honour will not break it. 3 Knight. Though loath to bid farewell, we take our leaves. [Exeunt. Sim. So They're well despatch'd; now to my daughter's letter: She tells me here, she'll wed the stranger knight, Or never more to view nor day nor light. Mistress, 'tis well, your choice agrees with mine; I like that well:-nay, how absolute she's in't, Not minding whether I dislike or no! Well, I commend her choice; 9 This by the eye of Cynthia hath she vow'd,] It were to be wished that Simonides (who is represented as a blameless character) had hit on some more ingenuous expedient for the dismission of these wooers. Here he tells them as a solemn truth, what he knows to be a fiction of his own. And will no longer have it be delay'd. Soft, here he comes:-I must dissemble it. Enter PERICLES. Per. All fortune to the good Simonides! Sim. To you as much, sir! I am beholden to you, For your sweet musick this last night: my ears, I do protest, were never better fed With such delightful pleasing harmony. Per. It is your grace's pleasure to commend; Not my desert. Sim. Sir, you are musick's master. Per. The worst of all her scholars, my good lord. Sim. Let me ask one thing. What do you think, sir, of My daughter? Per. As of a most virtuous princess. Sim. And she is fair too, is she not? Per. As a fair day in summer; wond'rous fair. Sim. My daughter, sir, thinks very well of you; Ay, so well, sir, that you must be her master, And she'll your scholar be; therefore look to it. Per. Unworthy I to be her schoolmaster. Sim. She thinks not so; peruse this writing else. A letter, that she loves the knight of Tyre? [Aside. That never aim'd so high, to love your daughter, But bent all offices to honour her. Sim. Thou hast bewitch'd my daughter, and thou A villain. Per. art By the gods, I have not, sir. |