Enter Pericles, at Tarsus, with Cleon and Dionyza, and
Lychorida with the child. PERICLES
Most honored Cleon, I must needs be gone.
My twelve months are expired, and Tyrus stands
In a litigious peace. You and your lady
Take from my heart all thankfulness. The gods
Make up the rest upon you. 5 CLEON
Your shakes of fortune, though they haunt you
mortally,
Yet glance full wond’ringly on us. DIONYZA
O, your sweet queen! That the strict Fates had pleased
You had brought her hither to have blessed mine 10
eyes with her! PERICLES
We cannot but obey the powers above us.
Could I rage and roar as doth the sea
She lies in, yet the end must be as ’tis.
My gentle babe Marina, 15
Whom, for she was born at sea, I have named so,
Here I charge your charity withal,
Leaving her the infant of your care,
Beseeching you to give her princely training,
That she may be mannered as she is born. 20 | Meanwhile, Pericles has been chilling out in Tharsus with Cleon and Dionyza, who have agreed to raise hisdaughter, Marina, while he goes back to Tyre. (Remember, Pericles has to get back home, otherwise his people will replace him with a new leader. We're just not sure why he's not taking his kid home with him.) |
CLEON Fear not, my lord, but think
Your Grace, that fed my country with your corn,
For which the people’s prayers still fall upon you,
Must in your child be thought on. If neglection
Should therein make me vile, the common body, 25
By you relieved, would force me to my duty.
But if to that my nature need a spur,
The gods revenge it upon me and mine,
To the end of generation! PERICLES I believe you. 30
Your honor and your goodness teach me to ’t
Without your vows.—Till she be married, madam,
By bright Diana, whom we honor, all
Unscissored shall this hair of mine remain,
Though I show ill in ’t. So I take my leave. 35
Good madam, make me blessèd in your care
In bringing up my child. DIONYZA I have one myself,
Who shall not be more dear to my respect
Than yours, my lord. 40 PERICLES Madam, my thanks and prayers. CLEON
We’ll bring your Grace e’en to the edge o’ th’ shore,
Then give you up to the maskèd Neptune
And the gentlest winds of heaven. PERICLES
I will embrace your offer.—Come, dearest madam.— 45
O, no tears, Lychorida, no tears!
Look to your little mistress, on whose grace
You may depend hereafter.—Come, my lord. They exit. | Cleon reminds Pericles that he totally owes the guy for feeding his starving people. Cleon promises to take good care of little Marina and says he hopes the gods take vengeance on him if he goes back on his word. |