Pericles, Prince of Tyre: Act 2, Scene 5

    comedy

    Pentapolis. A room in the palace.

    Scene Summary

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    Simonides has received letters from Thaisa saying she will not marry any of the Pentapolis knights — she has chosen Pericles. Simonides pretends in public to be furious with Pericles, accusing him of witchcraft, then reveals he approves entirely and gives him his daughter's hand.

    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