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Pericles - Act 5, scene 1
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Pericles - Act 5, scene 1Act 5, scene 1
⌜Scene 1⌝
Synopsis:
Lysimachus visits Pericles’ ship and sends for Marina, whose music he thinks will revive the grief-stricken king. When Marina tells her story, Pericles realizes that she is his daughter. Diana appears to Pericles in a vision and tells him to go to her temple in Ephesus.
Enter Helicanus, to him two Sailors, ⌜one from theTyrian ship and one from Mytilene.⌝
TYRIAN SAILOR, ⌜(to Sailor from Mytilene)⌝
2066 Where is Lord Helicanus? He can resolve you.
2067 O, here he is.—
2068 Sir, there is a barge put off from Mytilene,
2069 And in it is Lysimachus, the Governor,
2070 5 Who craves to come aboard. What is your will?
HELICANUS
2071 That he have his.⌜Sailor from Mytilene exits.⌝
2072 Call up some gentlemen.
⌜TYRIAN⌝ SAILOR 2073 Ho, gentlemen, my lord calls.
Enter two or three Gentlemen.
GENTLEMAN
2074 Doth your Lordship call?
HELICANUS 2075 10 Gentlemen,
2076 There is some of worth would come aboard.
2077 I pray, greet him fairly.
Enter Lysimachus, ⌜with Lords and Sailor from Mytilene.⌝
SAILOR ⌜FROM MYTILENE, to Lysimachus⌝ 2078 Sir,
2079 This is the man that can, in aught you would,
2080 15 Resolve you.
LYSIMACHUS, ⌜to Helicanus⌝
2081 Hail, reverend sir. The gods preserve you.
HELICANUS 2082 And you, to outlive the age I am,
2083 And die as I would do.
LYSIMACHUS 2084 You wish me well.
2085 20 Being on shore, honoring of Neptune’s triumphs,
2086 Seeing this goodly vessel ride before us,
2087 I made to it to know of whence you are.
HELICANUS 2088 First, what is your place?
LYSIMACHUS
2089 I am the governor of this place you lie before.
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HELICANUS
2090
25Sir,2091 Our vessel is of Tyre, in it the King,
2092 A man who for this three months hath not spoken
2093 To anyone, nor taken sustenance
2094 But to prorogue his grief.
LYSIMACHUS
2095 30 Upon what ground is his distemperature?
HELICANUS 2096 ’Twould be too tedious to repeat,
2097 But the main grief springs from the loss
2098 Of a belovèd daughter and a wife.
LYSIMACHUS 2099 May we not see him?
HELICANUS 2100 35You may,
2101 But bootless is your sight. He will not speak
2102 To any.
⌜LYSIMACHUS⌝ 2103 Yet let me obtain my wish.
⌜HELICANUS⌝
2104 Behold him. ⌜Pericles is revealed.⌝ This was a goodly
2105 40 person,
2106 Till the disaster that one mortal ⌜night⌝
2107 Drove him to this.
LYSIMACHUS
2108 Sir king, all hail! The gods preserve you. Hail,
2109 Royal sir!
HELICANUS
2110 45 It is in vain; he will not speak to you.
LORD
2111 Sir, we have a maid in Mytilene,
2112 I durst wager would win some words of him.
LYSIMACHUS 2113 ’Tis well bethought.
2114 She, questionless, with her sweet harmony
2115 50 And other chosen attractions, would allure
2116 And make a batt’ry through his ⌜defended ports,⌝
2117 Which now are midway stopped.
2118 She is all happy as the fairest of all,
2119 And, ⌜with⌝ her fellow ⌜maid, is⌝ now upon
2120 55 The leafy shelter that abuts against
2121 The island’s side.
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HELICANUS 2122 Sure, all effectless; yet nothing we’ll omit
2123 That bears recovery’s name.
⌜Lysimachus signals to a Lord, who exits.⌝
2124 But since your kindness
2125 60 We have stretched thus far, let us beseech you
2126 That for our gold we may provision have,
2127 Wherein we are not destitute for want,
2128 But weary for the staleness.
LYSIMACHUS 2129 O, sir, a courtesy
2130 65 Which, if we should deny, the most just God
2131 For every graft would send a caterpillar,
2132 And so inflict our province. Yet once more
2133 Let me entreat to know at large the cause
2134 Of your king’s sorrow.
HELICANUS
2135 70 Sit, sir, I will recount it to you. But see,
2136 I am prevented.
⌜Enter Lord with Marina and her companion.⌝
LYSIMACHUS 2137 O, here’s the lady that I sent for.—
2138 Welcome, fair one.—Is ’t not a goodly ⌜presence?⌝
HELICANUS 2139 She’s a gallant lady.
LYSIMACHUS
2140 75 She’s such a one that, were I well assured
2141 Came of a gentle kind and noble stock,
2142 ⌜I’d⌝ wish no better choice, and think me rarely wed.—
2143 Fair one, all goodness that consists in beauty:
2144 Expect even here, where is a kingly patient,
2145 80 If that thy prosperous and artificial ⌜feat⌝
2146 Can draw him but to answer thee in aught,
2147 Thy sacred physic shall receive such pay
2148 As thy desires can wish.
MARINA 2149 Sir, I will use
2150 85 My utmost skill in his recovery, provided
2151 That none but I and my companion maid
2152 Be suffered to come near him.
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LYSIMACHUS
2153
Come, let us2154 Leave her, and the gods make her prosperous.
⌜Lysimachus, Helicanus and others move aside.⌝
⌜MARINA sings⌝
The Song.
LYSIMACHUS, ⌜coming forward⌝
2155 90 ⌜Marked⌝ he your music?
MARINA 2156 No, nor looked on us.
LYSIMACHUS, ⌜moving aside⌝
2157 See, she will speak to him.
MARINA, ⌜to Pericles⌝ 2158 Hail, sir! My lord, lend ear.
PERICLES 2159 Hum, ha!⌜He pushes her away.⌝
MARINA 2160 95I am a maid, my lord,
2161 That ne’er before invited eyes, but have
2162 Been gazed on like a comet. She speaks,
2163 My lord, that may be hath endured a grief
2164 Might equal yours, if both were justly weighed.
2165 100 Though wayward Fortune did malign my state,
2166 My derivation was from ancestors
2167 Who stood equivalent with mighty kings.
2168 But time hath rooted out my parentage,
2169 And to the world and awkward casualties
2170 105 Bound me in servitude. ⌜Aside.⌝ I will desist,
2171 But there is something glows upon my cheek,
2172 And whispers in mine ear “Go not till he speak.”
PERICLES
2173 My fortunes—parentage—good parentage,
2174 To equal mine! Was it not thus? What say you?
MARINA
2175 110 I said, my lord, if you did know my parentage,
2176 You would not do me violence.
PERICLES 2177 I do think so.
2178 Pray you turn your eyes upon me.
2179 ⌜You’re⌝ like something that—What
2180 115 ⌜countrywoman?⌝
2181 Here of these ⌜shores?⌝
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169
MARINA
2182
No, nor of any ⌜shores.⌝2183 Yet I was mortally brought forth, and am
2184 No other than I appear.
PERICLES
2185 120 I am great with woe, and shall deliver weeping.
2186 My dearest wife was like this maid, and such
2187 A one my daughter might have been: my queen’s
2188 Square brows, her stature to an inch;
2189 As wandlike straight, as silver-voiced; her eyes
2190 125 As jewel-like, and cased as richly; in pace
2191 Another Juno; who starves the ears she feeds
2192 And makes them hungry the more she gives them
2193 speech.—
2194 Where do you live?
MARINA 2195 130 Where I am but a stranger.
2196 From the deck you may discern the place.
PERICLES
2197 Where were you bred? And how achieved you these
2198 Endowments which you make more rich to owe?
MARINA
2199 If I should tell my history, it would seem
2200 135 Like lies disdained in the reporting.
PERICLES 2201 Prithee, speak.
2202 Falseness cannot come from thee, for thou lookest
2203 Modest as Justice, and thou seemest a palace
2204 For the crownèd Truth to dwell in. I will believe thee
2205 140 And make ⌜my⌝ senses credit thy relation
2206 To points that seem impossible, for thou lookest
2207 Like one I loved indeed. What were thy friends?
2208 Didst thou not ⌜say,⌝ when I did push thee back—
2209 Which was when I perceived thee—that thou cam’st
2210 145 From good descending?
MARINA 2211 So indeed I did.
PERICLES
2212 Report thy parentage. I think thou said’st
2213 Thou hadst been tossed from wrong to injury,
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2214
And that thou thought’st thy griefs might equal mine,2215 150 If both were opened.
MARINA 2216 Some such thing I said,
2217 And said no more but what my thoughts
2218 Did warrant me was likely.
PERICLES 2219 Tell thy story.
2220 155 If thine considered prove the thousand part
2221 Of my endurance, thou art a man, and I
2222 Have suffered like a girl. Yet thou dost look
2223 Like Patience gazing on kings’ graves and smiling
2224 Extremity out of act. What were thy friends?
2225 160 How lost thou ⌜them?⌝ Thy name, my most kind
2226 virgin,
2227 Recount, I do beseech thee. Come, sit by me.
⌜She sits.⌝
MARINA
2228 My name is Marina.
PERICLES 2229 O, I am mocked,
2230 165 And thou by some incensèd god sent hither
2231 To make the world to laugh at me!
MARINA 2232 Patience, good sir,
2233 Or here I’ll cease.
PERICLES 2234 Nay, I’ll be patient.
2235 170 Thou little know’st how thou dost startle me
2236 To call thyself Marina.
MARINA 2237 The name
2238 Was given me by one that had some power—
2239 My father, and a king.
PERICLES 2240 175 How, a king’s daughter?
2241 And called Marina?
MARINA 2242 You said you would believe me.
2243 But not to be a troubler of your peace,
2244 I will end here.
PERICLES 2245 180 But are you flesh and blood?
2246 Have you a working pulse, and are no fairy
2247 Motion? Well, speak on. Where were you born?
2248 And wherefore called Marina?
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MARINA
2249
Called Marina2250 185 For I was born at sea.
PERICLES 2251 At sea? What mother?
MARINA
2252 My mother was the daughter of a king,
2253 Who died the minute I was born,
2254 As my good nurse Lychorida hath oft
2255 190 Delivered weeping.
PERICLES 2256 O, stop there a little!
2257 ⌜Aside.⌝ This is the rarest dream that e’er ⌜dull⌝ sleep
2258 Did mock sad fools withal. This cannot be
2259 My daughter, buried.—Well, where were you bred?
2260 195 I’ll hear you more, to the bottom of your story,
2261 And never interrupt you.
MARINA
2262 You scorn. Believe me, ’twere best I did give o’er.
PERICLES
2263 I will believe you by the syllable
2264 Of what you shall deliver. Yet give me leave:
2265 200 How came you in these parts? Where were you bred?
MARINA
2266 The King my father did in Tarsus leave me,
2267 Till cruel Cleon with his wicked wife
2268 Did seek to murder me; and having wooed a villain
2269 To attempt it, who, having drawn to do ’t,
2270 205 A crew of pirates came and rescued me,
2271 Brought me to Mytilene—But, good sir,
2272 Whither will you have me? Why do you weep?
2273 It may be you think me an impostor.
2274 No, good faith.
2275 210 I am the daughter to King Pericles,
2276 If good King Pericles be.
⌜PERICLES⌝ 2277 Ho, Helicanus!
HELICANUS 2278 Calls my lord?
PERICLES
2279 Thou art a grave and noble counselor,
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2280
215 Most wise in general. Tell me, if thou canst,2281 What this maid is, or what is like to be,
2282 That thus hath made me weep.
HELICANUS 2283 I know not;
2284 But here’s the regent, sir, of Mytilene
2285 220 Speaks nobly of her.
LYSIMACHUS 2286 She never would tell
2287 Her parentage. Being demanded that,
2288 She would sit still and weep.
PERICLES
2289 O, Helicanus! Strike me, honored sir.
2290 225 Give me a gash, put me to present pain,
2291 Lest this great sea of joys rushing upon me
2292 O’erbear the shores of my mortality
2293 And drown me with their sweetness.—O, come hither,
2294 Thou that beget’st him that did thee beget,
2295 230 Thou that wast born at sea, buried at Tarsus,
2296 And found at sea again!—O, Helicanus,
2297 Down on thy knees! Thank the holy gods as loud
2298 As thunder threatens us. This is Marina.—
2299 What was thy mother’s name? Tell me but that,
2300 235 For truth can never be confirmed enough,
2301 Though doubts did ever sleep.
MARINA
2302 First, sir, I pray, what is your title?
PERICLES
2303 I am Pericles of Tyre. But tell me now
2304 My drowned queen’s name, as in the rest you said
2305 240 Thou hast been godlike perfect, the heir of kingdoms,
2306 And another ⌜life⌝ to Pericles thy father.
MARINA
2307 Is it no more to be your daughter than
2308 To say my mother’s name was Thaisa?
2309 Thaisa was my mother, who did end
2310 245 The minute I began.
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PERICLES 2311 Now, blessing on thee! Rise. Thou ’rt my child.—
2312 Give me fresh garments.—Mine own Helicanus,
2313 She is not dead at Tarsus, as she should
2314 Have been, by savage Cleon. She shall tell thee all,
2315 250 When thou shalt kneel, and justify in knowledge
2316 She is thy very princess. Who is this?
HELICANUS
2317 Sir, ’tis the Governor of Mytilene,
2318 Who, hearing of your melancholy state,
2319 Did come to see you.
PERICLES, ⌜to Lysimachus⌝ 2320 255 I embrace you.—
2321 Give me my robes.—I am wild in my beholding.
⌜They put fresh garments on him.⌝
2322 O heavens bless my girl! But hark, what music?
2323 Tell Helicanus, my Marina, tell him o’er
2324 Point by point, for yet he seems to ⌜doubt,⌝
2325 260 How sure you are my daughter.—But what music?
HELICANUS 2326 My lord, I hear none.
PERICLES 2327 None?
2328 The music of the spheres!—List, my Marina.
LYSIMACHUS
2329 It is not good to cross him. Give him way.
PERICLES 2330 265Rarest sounds! Do you not hear?
LYSIMACHUS
2331 Music, my lord? I hear—
PERICLES 2332 Most heavenly music.
2333 It nips me unto list’ning, and thick slumber
2334 Hangs upon mine eyes. Let me rest.⌜He sleeps.⌝
LYSIMACHUS
2335 270 A pillow for his head. So, leave him all.
⌜Lysimachus and others begin to exit.⌝
2336 Well, my companion friends, if this but answer
2337 To my just belief, I’ll well remember you.
⌜All but Pericles exit.⌝
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Diana ⌜descends.⌝DIANA
2338 My temple stands in Ephesus. Hie thee thither
2339 And do upon mine altar sacrifice.
2340 275 There, when my maiden priests are met together,
2341 Before the people all,
2342 Reveal how thou at sea didst lose thy wife.
2343 To mourn thy crosses, with thy daughter’s, call,
2344 And give them repetition to the ⌜life.⌝
2345 280 Or perform my bidding, or thou livest in woe;
2346 Do ’t, and happy, by my silver bow.
2347 Awake, and tell thy dream.⌜She ascends.⌝
PERICLES 2348 Celestial Dian,
2349 Goddess argentine, I will obey thee.—
2350 285 Helicanus!
⌜Enter Helicanus, Lysimachus, Marina, and
Attendants.⌝
HELICANUS 2351 Sir.
PERICLES
2352 My purpose was for Tarsus, there to strike
2353 The inhospitable Cleon, but I am
2354 For other service first. Toward Ephesus
2355 290 Turn our blown sails. Eftsoons I’ll tell thee why.—
2356 Shall we refresh us, sir, upon your shore,
2357 And give you gold for such provision
2358 As our intents will need?
LYSIMACHUS 2359 Sir,
2360 295 With all my heart. And when you come ashore,
2361 I have another ⌜suit.⌝
PERICLES 2362 You shall prevail
2363 Were it to woo my daughter, for it seems
2364 You have been noble towards her.
LYSIMACHUS
2365 300 Sir, lend me your arm.
PERICLES 2366 Come, my Marina.
They exit.