Enter two Servants, with a chest. Serv. So; lift there. Cer. What is that? Serv. Sir, even now Did the sea toss upon our shore this chest ; 'Tis of some wreck. Cer. Set it down, let's look on it. 2 Gent. "Tis like a coffin, sir. Cer. Whate'er it be, "Tis wondrous heavy. Wrench it open straight; It belches upon us. 2 Gent. "Tis so, my lord. Cer. How close 'tis caulk'd and bitum'd! Did the sea cast it up? Serv. I never saw so huge a billow, sir, As, toss'd it upon shore. Cer. Come, wrench it open; Soft, soft!-it smells most sweetly in my sense. 2 Gent. A delicate odour. Cer. As ever hit my nostril; so,-up with it. O you most potent god! what's here? a corse! i Gent. Most strange! Cer. Shrouded in cloth of state; balm'd and en treasur'd With bags of spices full! A passport too! Apollo, perfect me i'the characters! [Unfolds a scroll. [Reads. Here I give to understand, I, king Pericles, have lost This queen, worth all our mundane cost, Who finds her, give her burying, She was the daughter of a king; Besides this treasure for a fee, If thou liv'st, Pericles, thou hast a heart, That even cracks for woe!-This chanc'd to-night. 2 Gent. Most likely, sir. Cer. Nay, certainly to-night; For look, how fresh she looks!-They were too rough, That threw her in the sea. Make fire within ; Enter a Servant, with boxes, napkins, and fire. The vial once more:-How thou stirr'st, thou block?- This queen will live: nature awakes; a warmth See, how she 'gins to blow Into life's flower again! 1 Gent. The heavens, sir, Through you, increase our wonder, and set up Cer. She is alive; behold, Her eye-lids, cases to those heavenly jewels Which Pericles hath lost, Begin to part their fringes of bright gold; And make us weep to hear your fate, fair creature, Rare as you seem to be! Thai. O dear Diana, [She moves. Where am I? Where's my lord? What world is this? 2 Gent. Is not this strange? 1 Gent. Most rare. Cer. Hush, gentle neighbours; Lend me your hands: to the next chamber bear her. For her relapse is mortal. Come, come, come; [Exeunt, carrying Thaisa away. SCENE III.-Tharsus. A room in Cleon's house. Enter PERICLES, CLEON, DIONYZA, LYCHORIDA, and MARINA. Per. Most honour'd Cleon, I must needs be gone; Take from my heart all thankfulness! The gods Cle. Your shafts of fortune, though they hurt you mortally, Yet glance full wand'ringly on us. Dion. O your sweet queen! That the strict fates had pleas'd you had brought her hither, To have bless'd mine eyes! Per. We cannot but obey The powers above us. Could I rage and roar To give her princely training, that she may be Cle. Fear not, my lord: Your grace, that fed my country with your corn, By you Per. I believe you ; Your honour and your goodness teach me credit, Without your vows. Till she be married, madam, By bright Diana, whom we honour all, Unscissar'd shall this hair of mine remain, Dion. I have one myself, Who shall not be more dear to my respect, Per. Madam, my thanks and prayers. Cle. We'll bring your grace even to the edge o'the shore ; Then give you up to the mask'd Neptune, and The gentlest winds of heaven. Per. I will embrace Your offer. Come, dear'st madam.-O, no tears, Look to your little mistress, on whose grace [Exeunt. SCENE IV.-Ephesus. A room in Cerimon's house. Enter CERIMON and THAISA. Cer. Madam, this letter, and some certain jewels, That I was shipp'd at sea, I well remember, I cannot rightly say: But since king Pericles, And never more have joy. Cer. Madam, if this you purpose as you speak, Where you may 'bide until your date expire. Shall there attend you. Thai. My recompense is thanks, that's all; Yet my good will is great, though the gift small. [Exeunt. ACT IV. Enter GowER. Gow. Imagine Pericles at Tyre, |