Page 245 - Shakespeare - Vol. 4
P. 245
EPILOGUE IT
GOWER
In Antiochus and his daughter you have heard
Of monstrous lust the due and just reward;
In Pericles, his queen, and daughter seen,
Although assailed with fortune fierce and keen,
Virtue preserved from fell destruction’s blast, [5]
Led on by heaven, and crowned with joy at last.
In Helicanus may you well descry
A figure of truth, of faith, of loyalty.
In reverend Cerimon there well appears
The worth that learnèd charity aye wears. [10]
For wicked Cleon and his wife, when fame
Had spread his cursèd deed, the honoured name
Of Pericles to rage the city turn,
That him and his they in his palace burn.
The gods for murder seemèd so content [15]
To punish; although not done, but meant.
So on your patience evermore attending,
New joy wait on you! Here our play has ending.
Exit.
