Page 154 - Shakespeare - Vol. 4

Who makes the fairest show means most deceit. [75]
But bring they what they will and what they can,
What need we leave?
Our ground’s the lowest and we are half-way there.

Go tell their general we attend him here,
To know for what he comes and whence he comes [80]
And what he craves.

LORD
I go, my lord.

Exit.

CLEON

Welcome is peace if he on peace consist;
If wars, we are unable to resist.

Enter Pericles with attendants.

PERICLES
Lord governor, for so we hear you are, [85]
Let not our ships and number of our men

Be like a beacon fired t’amaze your eyes.
We have heard your miseries as far as Tyre
And seen the desolation of your streets;
Nor come we to add sorrow to your tears, [90]

But to relieve them of their heavy load;
And these our ships you happily may think
Are like the Trojan horse, was stuffed within
With bloody veins expecting overthrow,

Are stored with corn to make your needy bread [95]
And give them life whom hunger starved half dead.

ALL
The gods of Greece protect you!
And we’ll pray for you.
They kneel.

PERICLES