Act II, Scene iv

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 hath 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'll 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 it,

Not minding whether I dislike or no!

Well, I do commend her choice;

And will no longer have it 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.]

A letter, that she loves the knight of Tyre!

'Tis the king's subtilty 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 e'er 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 my 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.]