Act 2, Scene V - Page 2

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

Enter GOWER
GOWER
Now sleep y-slaked hath the rout;
No din but snores the house about,
Made louder by the o'er-fed breast
Of this most pompous marriage-feast.
The cat, with eyne of burning coal,
Now crouches fore the mouse's hole;
And crickets sing at the oven's mouth,
E'er the blither for their drouth.
Hymen hath brought the bride to bed.
Where, by the loss of maidenhead,
A babe is moulded. Be attent,
And time that is so briefly spent
With your fine fancies quaintly eche:
What's dumb in show I'll plain with speech.
DUMB SHOW.

Enter, PERICLES and SIMONIDES at one door, with Attendants; a Messenger meets them, kneels, and gives PERICLES