Act II, Scene 5

Pentapolis. A room in the palace.

[Enter SIMONIDES, reading a letter, at one door:] [p]the Knights meet him]

• First Knight. Good morrow to the good Simonides.

• Simonides. Knights, from my daughter this I let you know, 1015
  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? 1020

• 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. 1025

• 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, 1030
  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; 1035
  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 1040
  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. 1045

• 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. 1050

• 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. 1055

• 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. 1060
  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 1065
  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. 1070

• 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. 1075

• 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; 1080
  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, 1090
  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. 1095
  Will you, not having my consent,
  Bestow your love and your affections
  Upon a stranger?
  [Aside]
  who, for aught I know, 1100
  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— 1105
  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? 1110

• 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; 1115
  And then with what haste you can get you to bed.

[Exeunt]