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Modern English
Marina thus the brothel ’scapes, and chances Into an honest house, our story says. She sings like one immortal, and she dances As goddess-like to her admired lays; Deep clerks she dumbs; and with her needle composes Nature’s own shape, of bud, bird, branch, or berry, That even her art sisters the natural roses; Her inkle, silk, twin with the rubied cherry: That pupils lacks she none of noble race, Who pour their bounty on her; and her gain She gives the cursed bawd. Here we her place; And to her father turn our thoughts again, Where we left him, on the sea. We there him lost; Whence, driven before the winds, he is arrived Here where his daughter dwells; and on this coast Suppose him now at anchor. The city strived God Neptune’s annual feast to keep: from whence Lysimachus our Tyrian ship espies, His banners sable, trimm’d with rich expense; And to him in his barge with fervor hies. In your supposing once more put your sight Of heavy Pericles; think this his bark: Where what is done in action, more, if might, Shall be discover’d; please you, sit and hark.
Marina escapes the brothel, and by chance Ends up in a decent home, as our story tells. She sings as if she’s immortal, and dances Like a goddess to the music people admire; She silences learned men; and with her needle, she makes Nature’s own shape, whether it’s a bud, a bird, a branch, or a berry, So skillful that her art rivals the natural roses; Her fabric, silk, is as beautiful as a cherry: She has no lack of noble students, Who shower her with gifts; and the money she makes She gives to the corrupt madam. Here is her story; And now let’s turn our attention back to her father, Where we left him, at sea. He was lost there; Driven by the winds, he has now arrived Here, where his daughter lives; let’s imagine he’s anchored here. The city tried to celebrate Neptune’s yearly feast: from there, Lysimachus spots our ship from Tyre, Its flags dark, trimmed with rich gold; And he eagerly heads towards it in his barge. Now, imagine again the scene with heavy-hearted Pericles; think of this as his ship: Where what happens in action, more if possible, Will be revealed; please sit back and listen.