Page 213 - Shakespeare - Vol. 4

A tempest which his mortal vessel tears, [30]
And yet he rides it out. Now please you wit
The epitaph is for Marina writ
By wicked Dionyza.

The fairest, sweetest, and best lies here,
Who withered in her spring of year. [35]
She was of Tyrus the King’s daughter
On whom foul death hath made this slaughter.

Marina was she called, and at her birth,
Thetis being proud swallowed some part o’th’earth.
Therefore the earth, fearing to be o’erflowed, [40]
Hath Thetis’ birth-child on the heavens bestowed.

Wherefore she does, and swears she’ll never stint,
Make raging battery upon shores of flint.
No visor does become black villainy
So well as soft and tender flattery. [45]

Let Pericles believe his daughter’s dead,
And bear his courses to be orderèd
By Lady Fortune, while our scene must play
His daughter’s woe and heavy well-a-day

In her unholy service. Patience then, [50]
And think you now are all in Mytilene.
Exit.

Scene V IT

Enter two Gentlemen.

FIRST GENTLEMAN
Did you ever hear the like?

SECOND GENTLEMAN
No, nor never shall do in such a place as this, she being once gone.

FIRST GENTLEMAN
But to have divinity preached there! Did you ever dream of such a thing? [5]