SCENE III. THE TEMPLE OF DIANA AT EPHESUS; THAISA STANDING NEAR THE ALTAR, AS HIGH PRIESTESS; A NUMBER OF VIRGINS ON EACH SIDE; CERIMON AND OTHER INHABITANTS OF EPHE SUS ATTENDING. Enter Pericles, with his Train; Lysimachus, Helicanus, Marina, and a Lady. Per. Hail Dian! to perform thy just command, I here confess myself the king of Tyre; Who, frighted from my country, did wed The fair Thaisa, at Pentapolis. At sea in childbed died she, but brought forth Thai. Voice and favour! You are, you are-O royal Pericles!- [She faints. Per. What means the woman? she dies! help, gentlemen! Cer. Noble sir, If you have told Diana's altar true, This is your wife. H Per. Reverend appearer, no; I threw her o'erboard with these very arms. Cer. Upon this coast, I warrant you. Per. 'Tis most certain. Cer. Look to the lady;-O, she's but o'erjoy'd. Early, one blust'ring morn, this lady was Thrown on this shore. I op'd the coffin, and Found there rich jewels; recover'd her, and plac'd her Here in Diana's temple. Per. May we see them? Cer. Great sir, they shall be brought you to my house, Whither I invite you. Look! Thaisa is Recover'd. Thai. O, let me look! If he be none of mine, my sanctity Per. The voice of dead Thaisa! Thai. That Thaisa am I, supposed dead, And drown'd. Per. Immortal Dian! Thai. Now I know you better. When we with tears parted Pentapolis, The king, my father, gave you such a ring. [Shows a ring. Per. This, this: no more, you gods! your pre sent kindness Makes my past miseries sport: You shall do well, That on the touching of her lips I may Melt, and no more be seen. O come, be buried A second time within these arms. Per. Look, who kneels here! Flesh of thy flesh, Thaisa; Thy burden at the sea, and call'd Marina, For she was yielded there. Thai. Bless'd, and mine own! I know you not. Hel. Hail, madam, and my queen! Thai. Per. You have heard me say, when I did fly from Tyre, I left behind an ancient substitute. Can you remember what I call'd the man? I have nam'd him oft. Thai. 'Twas Helicanus then. Per. Still confirmation: Embrace him, dear Thaisa; this is he. Now do I long to hear how you were found; Thai. Lord Cerimon, my lord; this man, Through whom the gods have shown their that can From first to last resolve you. Per. Reverend sir, The gods can have no mortal officer power; More like a god than you. Will you deliver How this dead queen re-lives? Cer. I will, my lord. Beseech you, first go with me to my house, How she came placed here within the temple; Per. Pure Diana! I bless thee for thy vision, and will offer My night oblations to thee. Thaisa, This prince, the fair-betrothed of your daughter, And what this fourteen years no razor touch'd, Thai. Lord Cerimon hath letters of good credit, Sir, that my father's dead. Per. Heavens make a star of him! Yet there, my queen, We'll celebrate their nuptials, and ourselves [Exeunt. Enter Gower. Gow. In Antioch, and his daughter, you have heard Of monstrous lust the due and just reward: (Although assail'd with fortune fierce and keen,) Virtue preserv'd from fell destruction's blast, Led on by heaven, and crown'd with joy at last. In Helicanus may you well descry name Of Pericles, to rage the city turn; That him and his they in his palace burn. So, on your patience evermore attending, ending. |