Page 138 - Shakespeare - Vol. 4

The beauty of this sinful dame
Made many princes thither frame
To seek her as a bedfellow,
In marriage pleasures playfellow;

Which to prevent he made a law, [35]
To keep her still and men in awe,
That whoso asked her for his wife,
His riddle told not, lost his life.

So for her many a wight did die,
As yon grim looks do testify. [40]
What now ensues, to the judgement of your eye −
I give my cause, who best can justify.

Exit.

Scene I IT

Enter Antiochus, Prince Pericles, and followers.

ANTIOCHUS
Young Prince of Tyre, you have at large received

The danger of the task you undertake?

PERICLES

I have, Antiochus, and with a soul
Emboldened with the glory of her praise
Think death no hazard in this enterprise. [5]

ANTIOCHUS
Music!

Bring in our daughter, clothèd like a bride
For embracements even of Jove himself,
At whose conception, till Lucina reigned,
Nature this dowry gave: to glad her presence, [10]

The senate-house of planets all did sit
To knit in her their best perfections.

Enter Antiochus’s Daughter.