---

Скачать книгу

---

were

       whipped, I would wish no better office than to be beadle.

       But, master, I’ll go draw up the net.

       [Exit with Third Fisherman.]

       PERICLES. [Aside.]

       How well this honest mirth becomes their 1abour!

       FIRST FISHERMAN.

       Hark you, sir, do you know where ye are?

       PERICLES.

       Not well.

       FIRST FISHERMAN. Why, I’ll tell you: this is called Pentapolis, and our king the good Simonides.

       PERICLES.

       The good King Simonides, do you call him?

       FIRST FISHERMAN. Ay, sir; and he deserves so to be called for his peaceable reign and good government.

       PERICLES. He is a happy king, since he gains from his subjects the name of good government. How far is his court distant from this shore?

       FIRST FISHERMAN. Marry sir, half a day’s journey: and I’ll tell you, he hath a fair daughter, and tomorrow is her birthday; and there are princes and knights come from all parts of the world to just and tourney for her love.

       PERICLES. Were my fortunes equal to my desires, I could wish to make one there.

       FIRST FISHERMAN. O, sir, things must be as they may; and what a man cannot get, he may lawfully deal for — his wife’ soul.

       [Re-enter Second and Third Fishermen, drawing up a net.]

       SECOND FISHERMAN. Help, master, help! here’s a fish hangs in the net, like a poor man’s right in the law; ‘twill hardly come out. Ha! bots on’t, ‘tis come at last, and ‘tis turned to a rusty armour.

       PERICLES.

       An armour, friends! I pray you, let me see it.

       Thanks, fortune, yet, that, after all my crosses,

       Thou givest me somewhat to repair myself,

       And though it was mine own, part of my heritage,

       Which my dead father did bequeath to me,

       With this strict charge, even as he left his life.

       ‘Keep it, my Pericles; it hath been a shield

       ‘Twixt me and death;’ — and pointed to this brace; —

       For that it saved me, keep it; in like necessity —

       The which the gods protect thee from! — may defend thee.’

       It kept where I kept, I so dearly loved it;

       Till the rough seas, that spare not any man,

       Took it in rage, though calm’d have given’t again:

       I thank thee for ‘t: my shipwreck now’s no ill,

       Since I have here my father’s gift in’s will.

       FIRST FISHERMAN.

       What mean you’ sir?

       PERICLES.

       To beg of you, kind friends, this coat of worth,

       For it was sometime target to a king;

       I know it by this mark. He loved me dearly,

       And for his sake I wish the having of it;

       And that you’ld guide me to your sovereign court,

       Where with it I may appear a gentleman;

       And if that ever my fortune’s better,

       I’ll pay your bounties; till then rest your debtor.

       FIRST FISHERMAN.

       Why, wilt thou tourney for the lady?

       PERICLES.

       I’ll show the virtue I have borne in arms.

       FIRST FISHERMAN.

       Why, do’e take it, and the gods give thee good on ‘t!

       SECOND FISHERMAN. Ay, but hark you, my friend; ‘twas we that made up this garment through the rough seams of the waters: there are certain condolements, certain vails. I hope, sir, if you thrive, you’ll remember from whence you had it.

       PERICLES.

       Believe’t I will.

       By your furtherance I am clothed in steel;

       And, spite of all the rapture of the sea,

       This jewel holds his building on my arm:

       Unto thy value I will mount myself

       Upon a courser, whose delightful steps

       Shall make the gazer joy to see him tread.

       Only, my friend, I yet am unprovided

       Of a pair of bases.

       SECOND FISHERMAN. We’ll sure provide: thou shalt have my best gown to make thee a pair; and I’ll bring thee to the court myself.

       PERICLES.

       Then honour be but a goal to my will,

       This day I’ll rise, or else add ill to ill.

       [Exeunt.]

       SCENE II. The same. A public way, or platform leading to the lists. A pavilion by the side of it for the reception of the King, Princess, Lords, etc.

       [Enter Simonides, Lords and Attendants.]

       SIMONIDES.

       Are the knights ready to begin the triumph?

       FIRST LORD.

       They are, my liege;

       And stay your coming to present themselves.

       SIMONIDES.

       Return them, we are ready; and our daughter,

       In honour of whose birth these triumphs are,

       Sits here, like beauty’s child, whom nature gat

       For men to see, and seeing wonder at.

       [Exit a Lord.]

       THALIARD.

       It pleaseth you1 my royal father, to express

       My commendations great, whose merit’s less.

       SIMONIDES.

       It’s fit it should be so; for princes are

       A model, which heaven makes like to itself:

       As jewels lose their glory if neglected,

       So princes their renowns if not respected.

       ‘Tis now your honour, daughter, to explain

       The labour of each knight in his device.

       THALIARD.

       Which, to preserve mine honour, I’ll perform.

       [Enter a Knight; he passes over, and his Squire presents his shield to the Princess.]

       SIMONIDES.

       Who is the first that doth prefer himself?

       THALIARD.

       A knight of Sparta, my renowned father;

       And the device he bears upon his shield

       Is a black Ethiope reaching at the sun:

       The word, ‘Lux tua vita mihi.’

       SIMONIDES.

       He loves you well that holds his life of you.

       [The Second Knight passes over.]

       Who is the second that presents himself?

       THALIARD.

       A prince of Macedon, my royal father;

       And the device he bears upon his shield

       Is an arm’d knight that’s conquer’d by a lady;

       The

---

Скачать книгу