Page 167 - Shakespeare - Vol. 4
P. 167

SIMONIDES

               A pretty moral,
               From the dejected state wherein he is, [45]
               He hopes by you his fortunes yet may flourish.



              FIRST LORD
               He had need mean better than his outward show

               Can any way speak in his just commend,
               For by his rusty outside he appears
               To have practised more the whipstock than the lance. [50]



              SECOND LORD
               He well may be a stranger, for he comes
               To an honoured triumph strangely furnishèd.



              THIRD LORD

               And on set purpose let his armour rust
               Until this day, to scour it in the dust.



              SIMONIDES
               Opinion’s but a fool, that makes us scan [55]
               The outward habit by the inward man.

               But stay, the knights are coming.
               We will withdraw into the gallery.
                                                                                                        Exeunt.
          Great shouts, and all cry ‘The mean knight!’.



                                                    Scene III         IT



                  Enter Simonides, Thaisa, Pericles, and Knights from tilting, with lords,
                                         ladies, Marshal, and attendants.



              SIMONIDES
               Knights,
               To say you’re welcome were superfluous.

               To place upon the volume of your deeds,
               As in a title-page, your worth in arms,
   162   163   164   165   166   167   168   169   170   171   172