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Thus time we waste, and longest leagues make short; Sail seas in cockles, have an wish but for’t; Making, to take your imagination, From bourn to bourn, region to region. By you being pardon’d, we commit no crime To use one language in each several clime Where our scenes seem to live. I do beseech you To learn of me, who stand i’ the gaps to teach you, The stages of our story. Pericles Is now again thwarting the wayward seas, Attended on by many a lord and knight. To see his daughter, all his life’s delight. Old Escanes, whom Helicanus late Advanced in time to great and high estate, Is left to govern. Bear you it in mind, Old Helicanus goes along behind. Well-sailing ships and bounteous winds have brought This king to Tarsus,--think his pilot thought; So with his steerage shall your thoughts grow on,-- To fetch his daughter home, who first is gone. Like motes and shadows see them move awhile; Your ears unto your eyes I’ll reconcile. DUMB SHOW.
Thus we waste time, and make long journeys seem short; Sail across seas in tiny boats, wishing only for it; Taking you, to stir your imagination, From place to place, region to region. By your forgiveness, we commit no crime Using one language in different places Where our scenes seem to happen. I ask you To learn from me, standing in the gaps to teach you, The steps of our story. Pericles Is now again fighting the rough seas, Attended by many lords and knights. He’s going to see his daughter, his life’s joy. Old Escanes, whom Helicanus recently Raised to a high position, Is left to rule. Remember this, Old Helicanus follows behind. Well-sailing ships and favorable winds have brought This king to Tarsus, think his captain thought; So with his steering, your thoughts will follow,-- To bring his daughter home, who was first lost. Like dust and shadows, see them move for a while; I’ll bring your ears to match your eyes. DUMB SHOW.
See how belief may suffer by foul show! This borrow’d passion stands for true old woe; And Pericles, in sorrow all devour’d, With sighs shot through, and biggest tears o’ershower’d, Leaves Tarsus and again embarks. He swears Never to wash his face, nor cut his hairs: He puts on sackcloth, and to sea. He bears A tempest, which his mortal vessel tears, And yet he rides it out. Now please you wit. The epitaph is for Marina writ By wicked Dionyza.
See how belief can suffer from a false show! This borrowed grief stands for real old sorrow; And Pericles, consumed by sadness, With sighs piercing through him, and huge tears pouring down, Leaves Tarsus and sails again. He swears Never to wash his face, nor cut his hair: He wears sackcloth, and heads to sea. He faces A storm, which tears his ship apart, But he still survives it. Now, please understand. The epitaph was written for Marina By wicked Dionyza.
’The fairest, sweet’st, and best lies here, Who wither’d in her spring of year. She was of Tyrus the king’s daughter, On whom foul death hath made this slaughter; Marina was she call’d; and at her birth, Thetis, being proud, swallow’d some part o’ the earth: Therefore the earth, fearing to be o’erflow’d, Hath Thetis’ birth-child on the heavens bestow’d: Wherefore she does, and swears she’ll never stint, Make raging battery upon shores of flint.’ No visor does become black villany So well as soft and tender flattery. Let Pericles believe his daughter’s dead, And bear his courses to be ordered By Lady Fortune; while our scene must play His daughter’s woe and heavy well-a-day In her unholy service. Patience, then, And think you now are all in Mytilene.
’The fairest, sweetest, and best lies here, Who withered in her springtime. She was the daughter of the king of Tyrus, Whom foul death has claimed; Marina was her name; and at her birth, Thetis, proud of herself, swallowed part of the earth: That’s why the earth, fearing it might overflow, Gave Thetis’ child to the heavens: So now she does, and swears she’ll never stop, Attacking the shores of flint.’ No mask fits black evil So well as gentle flattery. Let Pericles believe his daughter’s dead, And let fortune guide his path While our scene shows His daughter’s grief and sorrow In her wicked service. Patience, then, And remember you are all in Mytilene.