Enter the King, Simonides, reading of 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 from her by no means can I get. 5 SECOND KNIGHT
May we not get access to her, my lord? SIMONIDES
Faith, by no means; she hath 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 vowed, 10
And on her virgin honor will not break it. THIRD KNIGHT
Loath to bid farewell, we take our leaves. | Meanwhile, back at the palace in Pentapolis, King Simonides breaks some bad news to the eager knights. King Simonides says that Thaisa has decided she doesn't want to get married just yet, so all the knights should just go back home and cool their heels. |
The Knights exit. SIMONIDES So,
They are well dispatched. Now to my daughter’s letter.
She tells me here she’ll wed the stranger knight 15
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 20
Have it be delayed. 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 25
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. 30 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? 35 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. 40 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, 45
A stranger and distressèd gentleman
That never aimed so high to love your daughter,
But bent all offices to honor her. SIMONIDES
Thou hast bewitched my daughter, and thou art
A villain. 50 PERICLES By the gods, I have not!
Never did thought of mine levy offense;
Nor never did my actions yet commence
A deed might gain her love or your displeasure. SIMONIDES
Traitor, thou liest! 55 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. 60 PERICLES
My actions are as noble as my thoughts,
That never relished of a base descent.
I came unto your court for honor’s cause,
And not to be a rebel to her state,
And he that otherwise accounts of me, 65
This sword shall prove he’s honor’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 70
Did e’er solicit or my hand subscribe
To any syllable that made love to you. THAISA
Why, sir, say if you had, who takes offense
At that would make me glad? SIMONIDES
Yea, mistress, are you so peremptory? 75
(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, 80
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’ll make you 85
Man and wife.
Nay, come, your hands and lips must seal it too.
And being joined, I’ll thus your hopes destroy.
And for further grief—God give you joy!
What, are you both pleased? 90 | They all leave... except for Pericles, who shows up late for breakfast. King Simonides starts to mess with his head and accuses him of trying to put the moves on Thaisa.
Pericles is totally offended and whips out his sword, but then Simonides is all, "Haha, just kidding. Thaisa wants to marry you." |