Pentapolis. A room in the palace.
Enter SIMONIDES, reading a letter, at one door: the Knights meet him
First Knight
1 Good morrow to the good Simonides.
SIMONIDES
Knights, from my daughter this I let you know,
3 That for this twelvemonth she'll not undertake
4 A married life.
5 Her reason to herself is only known,
6 Which yet from her by no means can I get.
Second Knight
7 May we not get access to her, my lord?
SIMONIDES
'Faith, by no means; she has so strictly tied
9 Her to her chamber, that 'tis impossible.
10 One twelve moons more she'll wear Diana's livery;
11 This by the eye of Cynthia hath she vow'd
12 And on her virgin honour will not break it.
Third Knight
13 Loath to bid farewell, we take our leaves.
Exeunt Knights
SIMONIDES
So,
15 They are well dispatch'd; now to my daughter's letter:
16 She tells me here, she'd wed the stranger knight,
17 Or never more to view nor day nor light.
'Tis well, mistress; your choice agrees with mine;
19 I like that well: nay, how absolute she's in't,
20 Not minding whether I dislike or no!
Well, I do commend her choice;
22 And will no longer have it be delay'd.
Soft! here he comes: I must dissemble it.
Enter PERICLES
PERICLES
24 All fortune to the good Simonides!
SIMONIDES
25 To you as much, sir! I am beholding to you
26 For your sweet music this last night: I do
27 Protest my ears were never better fed
28 With such delightful pleasing harmony.
PERICLES
29 It is your grace's pleasure to commend;
30 Not my desert.
SIMONIDES
Sir, you are music's master.
PERICLES
32 The worst of all her scholars, my good lord.
SIMONIDES
33 Let me ask you one thing:
34 What do you think of my daughter, sir?
PERICLES
35 A most virtuous princess.
SIMONIDES
36 And she is fair too, is she not?
PERICLES
37 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,
40 And she will be your scholar: therefore look to it.
PERICLES
41 I am unworthy for her schoolmaster.
SIMONIDES
42 She thinks not so; peruse this writing else.
PERICLES
Aside What's here?
44 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,
47 A stranger and distressed gentleman,
48 That never aim'd so high to love your daughter,
49 But bent all offices to honour her.
SIMONIDES
50 Thou hast bewitch'd my daughter, and thou art
51 A villain.
PERICLES
52 By the gods, I have not:
53 Never did thought of mine levy offence;
54 Nor never did my actions yet commence
55 A deed might gain her love or your displeasure.
SIMONIDES
Traitor, thou liest.
PERICLES
Traitor!
SIMONIDES
Ay, traitor.
PERICLES
59 Even in his throat--unless it be the king--
60 That calls me traitor, I return the lie.
SIMONIDES
Aside Now, by the gods, I do applaud his courage.
PERICLES
62 My actions are as noble as my thoughts,
63 That never relish'd of a base descent.
64 I came unto your court for honour's cause,
65 And not to be a rebel to her state;
66 And he that otherwise accounts of me,
67 This sword shall prove he's honour's enemy.
SIMONIDES
68 No?
69 Here comes my daughter, she can witness it.
Enter THAISA
PERICLES
Then, as you are as virtuous as fair,
Resolve 71 your angry father, if my tongue
72 Did ere solicit, or my hand subscribe
73 To any syllable that made love to you.
THAISA
Why, sir, say if you had,
75 Who takes offence at that would make me glad?
SIMONIDES
Yea, mistress, are you so peremptory?
Aside
77 I am glad on't with all my heart.--
78 I'll tame you; I'll bring you in subjection.
79 Will you, not having my consent,
80 Bestow your love and your affections
81 Upon a stranger?
Aside
who, for aught I know,
83 May be, nor can I think the contrary,
84 As great in blood as I myself.--
85 Therefore hear you, mistress; either frame
86 Your will to mine,--and you, sir, hear you,
87 Either be ruled by me, or I will make you--
88 Man and wife:
Nay, come, your hands and lips must seal it too:
90 And being join'd, I'll thus your hopes destroy;
91 And for a further grief,--God give you joy!--
What, are you both pleased?
THAISA
Yes, if you love me, sir.
PERICLES
94 Even as my life, or blood that fosters it.
SIMONIDES
What, are you both agreed?
BOTH
Yes, if it please your majesty.
SIMONIDES
97 It pleaseth me so well, that I will see you wed;
98 And then with what haste you can get you to bed.
Exeunt