Page 212 - Shakespeare - Vol. 4

Enter Gower.

GOWER
Thus time we waste, and long leagues make short,
Sail seas in cockles, have and wish but for’t,
Making to take our imagination
From bourn to bourn, region to region.

By you being pardoned, we commit no crime [5]
To use one language in each several clime
Where our scene seems to live. I do beseech you

To learn of me, who stand i’th’gaps to teach you
The stages of our story. Pericles
Is now again thwarting the wayward seas, [10]
Attended on by many a lord and knight,
To see his daughter, all his life’s delight.

Old Helicanus goes alone. Behind
Is left govern it, you bear in mind,
Old Escanes, whom Helicanus late [15]

Advanced in time to great and high estate.
Well-sailing ships and bounteous winds have brought
This king to Tarsus − think his pilot thought;
So with his steerage shall your thoughts grow on −
To fetch his daughter home, who first is gone. [20]

Like motes and shadows see them move awhile;
Your ears unto your eyes I’ll reconcile.

DUMB SHOW
Enter Pericles at one door with all his train, Cleon and Dionyza at the

other. Cleon shows Pericles the tomb, whereat Pericles makes lamentation,
puts on sackcloth, and in a mighty passion departs.

See how belief may suffer by foul show!
This borrowed passion stands for true old woe,

And Pericles, in sorrow all devoured, [25]
With sighs shot through, and biggest tears o’ershowered,
Leaves Tarsus and again embarks. He swears
Never to wash his face, nor cut his hairs.
He puts on sackcloth, and to sea. He bears