| [Enter SIMONIDES, reading a letter, at one door: the Knights meet him] |
|
| First Knight | Good morrow to the good Simonides. |
| SIMONIDES | Knights, from my daughter this I let you know, That for this twelvemonth she'll not undertake A married life. Her reason to herself is only known, Which yet from her by no means can I get. |
| Second Knight | May we not get access to her, my lord? |
| SIMONIDES | 'Faith, by no means; she has so strictly tied Her to her chamber, that 'tis 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. |
| Third Knight | Loath to bid farewell, we take our leaves. |
| [Exeunt Knights] | |
| SIMONIDES | So, They are well dispatch'd; now to my daughter's letter: She tells me here, she'd wed the stranger knight, Or never more to view nor day nor light. 'Tis well, mistress; 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 do commend her choice; And will no longer have it be delay'd. Soft! here he comes: I must dissemble it. |
| [Enter PERICLES] | |
| PERICLES | All fortune to the good Simonides! |
| SIMONIDES | To you as much, sir! I am beholding to you For your sweet music this last night: I do Protest my ears were never better fed With such delightful pleasing harmony. |
| PERICLES | It is your grace's pleasure to commend; Not my desert. |
| SIMONIDES | Sir, you are music's master. |
| PERICLES | The worst of all her scholars, my good lord. |
| SIMONIDES | Let me ask you one thing: What do you think of my daughter, sir? |
| PERICLES | A most virtuous princess. |
| SIMONIDES | And she is fair too, is she not? |
| PERICLES | As a fair day in summer, wondrous fair. |
| SIMONIDES | Sir, my daughter thinks very well of you; Ay, so well, that you must be her master, And she will be your scholar: therefore look to it. |
| PERICLES | I am unworthy for her schoolmaster. |
| SIMONIDES | She thinks not so; peruse this writing else. |
| PERICLES | [Aside] What's here? A letter, that she loves the knight of Tyre! 'Tis the king's subtlety to have my life. O, seek not to entrap me, gracious lord, A stranger and distressed gentleman, That never aim'd so high to love your daughter, But bent all offices to honour her. |
| SIMONIDES | Thou hast bewitch'd my daughter, and thou art A villain. |
| PERICLES | By the gods, I have not: Never did thought of mine levy offence; Nor never did my actions yet commence A deed might gain her love or your displeasure. |
| SIMONIDES | Traitor, thou liest. |
| PERICLES | Traitor! |
| SIMONIDES | Ay, traitor. |
| PERICLES | Even in his throat--unless it be the king-- That calls me traitor, I return the lie. |
| SIMONIDES | [Aside] Now, by the gods, I do applaud his courage. |
| PERICLES | My actions are as noble as my thoughts, That never relish'd of a base descent. I came unto your court for honour's cause, And not to be a rebel to her state; And he that otherwise accounts of me, This sword shall prove he's honour's enemy. |
| SIMONIDES | No? Here comes my daughter, she can witness it. |
| [Enter THAISA] | |
| PERICLES | Then, as you are as virtuous as fair, Resolve your angry father, if my tongue Did ere solicit, or my hand subscribe To any syllable that made love to you. |
| THAISA | Why, sir, say if you had, Who takes offence at that would make me glad? |
| SIMONIDES | Yea, mistress, are you so peremptory? |
| [Aside] | |
| I am glad on't with all my heart.-- I'll tame you; I'll bring you in subjection. Will you, not having my consent, Bestow your love and your affections Upon a stranger? |
|
| [Aside] | |
| who, for aught I know, May be, nor can I think the contrary, As great in blood as I myself.-- Therefore hear you, mistress; either frame Your will to mine,--and you, sir, hear you, Either be ruled by me, or I will make you-- Man and wife: Nay, come, your hands and lips must seal it too: And being join'd, I'll thus your hopes destroy; And for a further grief,--God give you joy!-- What, are you both pleased? |
|
| THAISA | Yes, if you love me, sir. |
| PERICLES | Even as my life, or blood that fosters it. |
| SIMONIDES | What, are you both agreed? |
| BOTH | Yes, if it please your majesty. |
| SIMONIDES | It pleaseth me so well, that I will see you wed; And then with what haste you can get you to bed. |
| [Exeunt] |