[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. 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]
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