PERICLES, PRINCE OF TYRE. LITERARY AND HISTORICAL NOTICE. THIS play, the authorship of which has been much disputed, was probably written about the year 1608. Pope ranks it among" the wretched pieces," which cannot be attributed to Shakspeare; but Malone, who divided it into scenes, considers the internal evidence, (such as the congenial sentiments, the situation of the persons, the colour of the style, and the similitude of its expressions, to passages in his undisputed dramas) suffici ently decisive as to his having written the last three acts, and occasional portions of the preceding two. Indeed, unless it be considered as the production of some inferior playwright, amended by Shakspeare, an earlier date must be assigned to its production, than acknowledged authorities will warrant; for no play in the English language is so incorrect as this---the metre is seldom attended to---verse is frequently printed as prose---and the grossest errors appear throughout. With all these faults, however, it is mentioned as a very popular per formance; and may still be read with pleasure; for it abounds with situations of difficulty and danger, is full of bustle and vivacity, the interest never lags, and the results are all gratifying. Some of the dialogues are nevertheless gross and nonsensical---those which take place in the brothel are superlatively disgusting, nor can they be excusedby the moral intended to be drawn from them. Steevens, upon this portion, has judiciously remarked, that Marina, who is designed for a character of juvenile innocence, appears much too knowing in the impurities of a brothel; nor are her expressions more chastised than her ideas. The unities of time and place are equally outraged: the action of the piece is alternately occurring at Antioch in Syria---Tyre in Phoenicia --Tarsus in Cilicia---Mitylene in the island of Lesbos---and Ephesus the capital of Ionia. The story on which the play is founded, is of great antiquity; but the dramatic hero bears no resemblance to his great Athenian namesake. It is taken from the history of Appolonius, king of Tyre, in the Gesta Romanorum, a very old book; which is also related by Gower, in his Confessio Amantis, a poem. Many incidents of the play may be found in the latter work, and even a few of its particular expressions; and, therefore, as Gower himself is introduced, (like the chorus of old) it is reasonable to suppose that Shakspeare chiefly followed the work of that poet. ACT I. Enter GoWER. Before the Palace of Antioch. To sing a song of old was sung, To glad your ear, and please your eyes. If you, born in these latter times, When wit's more ripe, accept my raymes, I life would wish and that I might, (I tell you what mine authors say :) • Wife, the word signifies a mate or companion. t Accounted. To seek her as a bed-fellow, Ant. Read the conclusion thea; Per. Like a bold champion, I assume the Nor ask advice of any other thought now ensues, to the judgment of But faithfulness, and courage. your eye I give, my cause who best can justify. [Exit. SOENE 1.-Antioch.-A Room in the Palace. Enter ANTIOCHUS, PERICLES, and Attendants. Ant. Young prince of Tyre, you have at large receiv'd The danger of the task you undertake. Per. I have, Antiochus; and with a soul Embolden'd with the glory of her praise, Think death no hazard, in this enterprise. [Music. Ant. Bring in our daughter clothed like a bride, For the embracements even of Jove himself; Enter the DAUGHTER of ANTIOCHUS. Per. See where she comes, apparell'd like the spring, Graces her subjects, and her thoughts the king Ye gods that made me man, and sway in love, To compass such a boundless happiness! Per. That would be son to great Antiochus. That, without covering, save yon' field of stars, Gripe not at earthly joys, as erst they did: [To the DAUGHTER of ANTIOCHUS. • Pointing to the scene of the palace gate at Antioch, on which the heads of these unfortunate wights were fised. tl. e. That gives. [He reads the Riddle.] I am no viper, yet I feed On mother's fresh, which did me breed: Why cloud they not their sights perpetually, [Takes hold of the hand of the princess. But, being play'd upon before your time, Ant. Prince Pericles, touch not, upon thy life, For that's an article within our law, As dangerous as the rest. Your time's expir'd : Either expound now, or receive your sentence. Per. Great king, Few love to hear the sins they love to act: 'Twould 'braid yourself too near for me to tell it. Who has a book of all that monarchs do, Copp'd hills towards heaven, to tell the earth And if Jove stray, who dares say, Jove doth ill? smother it. All love the womb that their first beings bred, Then give my tongue like leave to love my bead. Ant. Heaven, that I had thy head; He has found the meaning:But I will gloze + with him. [Aside.] Young prince of Tyre, Though by the tenour of our strict edict, Per. How courtesy would seem to cover sin ! One sin, I know, another doth provoke; Re-enter ANTIOCHUS. [Exit. Yet neither pleasure's art can joy my spirits, Grows elder now, and cares it be not done.⚫ Nor boots it me to say, I honour him, known: With hostile forces he'll o'erspread the land, Which care of them, not pity of myself, Ant. He hath found the meaning, for the which Which fence the roots they grow by, and defend them,) Makes both my body pine, and soul to languish, And punish that before, that he would punish. 1 Lord. Joy and all comfort in your sacred breast! 2 Lord. And keep your mind, till you return Peaceful and comfortable ! [to us, Hel. Peace, peace, my lords, and give expe rience tongue. They do abuse the king, that flatter him Whereas reproof, obedient and in order, Per. All leave us else: but let your cares o'erlook What shipping and what lading's in our haven, And then return to us. [Exeunt LORDS.] Helicanus, thou Hast moved us: what seest thou in our looks? Hel. An angry brow, dread lord. Per. If there be such a dart in princes' frowns, How durst thy tongue move anger to our face? Hel. How dare the plants look up to heaven, from whence Sit down, sit down; thou art no flatterer : [Exit.I thank thee for it; and high heaven forbid That kings should let their ears hear their faults SCENE II.-Tyre.-A Room in the Palace. Enter PERICLES, HELICANUS, and other Lords. Per. Let none disturb us: Why this charge of thoughts? The sad companion, dull-ey'd melancholy, By me so us'd a guest is, not an hour, In the day's glorious walk or peaceful night, (The tomb where grief should sleep,) can breed me quiet! Here pleasures court mine eyes, and mine eyes shun them, And danger, which I feared, is at Antioch, Whose arm seems far too short too hit me here: • Whereas. hid! Fit counsellor and servant for a prince, Hel. With patience bear Such griefs as you do lay upon yourself. Per. Thou speak'st like a physician, Helicanus; Who minister'st a potion unto me, That thou would'st tremble to receive thyself. Attend me then: I went to Antioch, Where, as thou know'st, against the face of death I sought the purchase of a glorious beauty, From whence an issue I might propagate, Bring arms to princes, and to subjects joys. Her face was to mine eye beyond all wonder; • 1. e. Takes care it be not done. |