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PERICLES.

       I never practised it.

       SECOND FISHERMAN. Nay, then thou wilt starve, sure; for here’s nothing to be got now-a-days, unless thou canst fish for ‘t.

       PERICLES.

       What I have been I have forgot to know;

       But what I am, want teaches me to think on:

       A man throng’d up with cold: my veins are chill,

       And have no more of life than may suffice

       To give my tongue that heat to ask your help;

       Which if you shall refuse, when I am dead,

       For that I am a man, pray see me buried.

       FIRST FISHERMAN. Die quoth-a? Now gods forbid! I have a gown here; come, put it on; keep thee warm. Now, afore me, a handsome fellow! Come, thou shalt go home, and we’ll have flesh for holidays, fish for fasting-days, and moreo’er puddings and flap-jacks, and thou shalt be welcome.

       PERICLES.

       I thank you, sir.

       SECOND FISHERMAN.

       Hark you, my friend; you said you could not beg.

       PERICLES.

       I did but crave.

       SECOND FISHERMAN. But crave! Then I’ll turn craver too, and so I shall ‘scape whipping.

       PERICLES.

       Why, are your beggars whipped, then?

       SECOND FISHERMAN.

       O, not all, my friend, not all; for if all your beggars 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

      

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