Page 227 - Shakespeare - Vol. 4

Yet let me obtain my wish.

Helicanus draws a curtain revealing Pericles lying on a couch.

HELICANUS
Behold him. This was a goodly person,
Till the disaster that one mortal night
Drove him to this.

LYSIMACHUS

Sir King, all hail! The gods preserve you! [35]
Hail, royal sir!

HELICANUS
It is in vain. He will not speak to you.

LORD
Sir,
We have a maid in Mytilene, I durst wager,
Would win some words of him.

LYSIMACHUS
’Tis well bethought. [40]
She questionless, with her sweet harmony
And other chosen attractions, would allure,
And make a battery through his deafened ports,

Which now are midway stopped.
She is all happy as the fairest of all, [45]
And with her fellow maids is now upon
The leafy shelter that abuts against

The island’s side.
Exit Lord.

HELICANUS
Sure, all effectless; yet nothing we’ll omit
That bears recovery’s name. But since your kindness [50]

We have stretched thus far, let us beseech you