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Act 5, Scene 1 — On board Pericles’ ship, off Mytilene. A close pavilion on
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The argument Off Mytilene. Lysimachus boards Pericles's ship; Pericles is found in silent grief, having neither spoken nor washed for months. Lysimachus sends for Marina to sing to him. Marina's singing and then her conversation slowly penetrate his grief. A fragmented exchange grows into recognition: she mentions Thaisa, she names her father, and Pericles understands he is talking to his daughter. He calls for Helicanus to confirm. He hears music — the music of the spheres, audible only to him — and falls asleep. Diana appears in a vision, directs him to go to Ephesus, and make his story known at her altar. He wakes and announces they sail for Ephesus. Gower enters to bridge the audience to the final scene.
GOWER [no emotion tag available]

Marina thus the brothel ’scapes, and chances

Into an honest house, our story says.

She sings like one immortal, and she dances

As goddess-like to her admired lays;

Deep clerks she dumbs; and with her nee’le composes

Nature’s own shape, of bud, bird, branch, or berry,

That even her art sisters the natural roses;

Her inkle, silk, twin with the rubied cherry:

That pupils lacks she none of noble race,

Who pour their bounty on her; and her gain

She gives the cursed bawd. Here we her place;

And to her father turn our thoughts again,

Where we left him, on the sea. We there him lost;

Whence, driven before the winds, he is arrived

Here where his daughter dwells; and on this coast

Suppose him now at anchor. The city strived

God Neptune’s annual feast to keep: from whence

Lysimachus our Tyrian ship espies,

His banners sable, trimm’d with rich expense;

And to him in his barge with fervour hies.

In your supposing once more put your sight

Of heavy Pericles; think this his bark:

Where what is done in action, more, if might,

Shall be discover’d; please you, sit and hark.

deck, with a curtain before it; Pericles within it, reclined on a

couch. A barge lying beside the Tyrian vessel.

Marina thus the brothel ’scapes, and chances Into an honest house, our story says. She sings like one immortal, and she dances As goddess-like to her admired lays; Deep clerks she dumbs; and with her nee’le composes Nature’s own shape, of bud, bird, branch, or berry, That even her art sisters the natural roses; Her inkle, silk, twin with the rubied cherry: That pupils lacks she none of noble race, Who pour their bounty on her; and her gain She gives the cursed bawd. Here we her place; And to her father turn our thoughts again, Where we left him, on the sea. We there him lost; Whence, driven before the winds, he is arrived Here where his daughter dwells; and on this coast Suppose him now at anchor. The city strived God Neptune’s annual feast to keep: from whence Lysimachus our Tyrian ship espies, His banners sable, trimm’d with rich expense; And to him in his barge with fervour hies. In your supposing once more put your sight Of heavy Pericles; think this his bark: Where what is done in action, more, if might, Shall be discover’d; please you, sit and hark. deck, with a curtain before it; Pericles within it, reclined on a couch. A barge lying beside the Tyrian vessel.

Marina thus the brothel ’scapes, and chances Into an honest house, our story says. She sings like one immortal, and she dances As goddess-like to her admired lays; Deep clerks she dumbs; and with her nee’le composes Nature’s own shape, of bud, bird, branch, or berry, That even her art sisters the natural roses; Her inkle, silk, twin with the rubied cherry: That pupils lacks she none of noble race, Who pour their bounty on her; and her gain She gives the cursed bawd. Here we her place; And to her father turn our thoughts again, Where we left him, on the sea. We there him lost; Whence, driven before the winds, he is arrived Here where his daughter dwells; and on this coast Suppose him now at anchor. The city strived God Neptune’s annual feast to keep: from whence Lysimachus our Tyrian ship espies, His banners sable, trimm’d with rich expense; And to him in his barge with fervour hies. In your supposing once more put your sight Of heavy Pericles; think this his bark: Where what is done in action, more, if might, Shall be discover’d; please you, sit and hark. deck, with a curtain before it; Pericles within it, reclined on a couch. A barge lying beside the Tyrian vessel.

Marina thus the brothel ’scapes, and chances Into an honest house, our story says. She sings like one immortal, and she

Enter two Sailors, one belonging to the Tyrian vessel, the other to
the barge; to them Helicanus.
[_To the Sailor of Mytilene._]
TYRIAN SAILOR ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

Where is lord Helicanus? He can resolve you.

O, here he is.

Sir, there’s a barge put off from Mytilene,

And in it is Lysimachus the governor,

Who craves to come aboard. What is your will?

Where is lord Helicanus? He can resolve you. O, here he is. Sir, there’s a barge put off from Mytilene, And in it is Lysimachus the governor, Who craves to come aboard. What is your will?

Where is lord Helicanus? He can resolve you. O, here he is. Sir, there’s a barge put off from Mytilene, And in it is Lysimachus the governor, Who craves to come aboard. What is your will?

Where is lord Helicanus? He can resolve you. O, here he is. Sir, there’s a barge put off from Mytilene, And in it is Lys

HELICANUS [no emotion tag available]

That he have his. Call up some gentlemen.

That he have his. Call up some gentlemen.

That he have his. Call up some gentlemen.

That he have his. Call up some gentlemen.

TYRIAN SAILOR [no emotion tag available]

Ho, gentlemen! my lord calls.

Ho, gentlemen! my lord calls.

Ho, gentlemen! my lord calls.

Ho, gentlemen! my lord calls.

Enter two or three Gentlemen.
FIRST GENTLEMAN [no emotion tag available]

Doth your lordship call?

Doth your lordship call?

Doth your lordship call?

Doth your lordship call?

HELICANUS ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

Gentlemen, there is some of worth would come aboard;

I pray ye, greet them fairly.

Gentlemen, there is some of worth would come aboard; I pray ye, greet them fairly.

Gentlemen, there is some of worth would come aboard; I pray ye, greet them fairly.

Gentlemen, there is some of worth would come aboard; I pray ye, greet them fairly.

[_The Gentlemen and the two Sailors descend and go on board the
barge._]
Enter, from thence, Lysimachus and Lords; with the Gentlemen and the
two Sailors.
TYRIAN SAILOR ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

Sir,

This is the man that can, in aught you would,

Resolve you.

Sir, This is the man that can, in aught you would, Resolve you.

Sir, This is the man that can, in aught you would, Resolve you.

Sir, This is the man that can, in aught you would, Resolve you.

LYSIMACHUS [no emotion tag available]

Hail, reverend sir! the gods preserve you!

Hail, reverend sir! the gods preserve you!

Hail, reverend sir! the gods preserve you!

Hail, reverend sir! the gods preserve you!

HELICANUS ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

And you, sir, to outlive the age I am,

And die as I would do.

And you, sir, to outlive the age I am, And die as I would do.

And you, sir, to outlive the age I am, And die as I would do.

And you, sir, to outlive the age I am, And die as I would do.

LYSIMACHUS ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

You wish me well.

Being on shore, honouring of Neptune’s triumphs,

Seeing this goodly vessel ride before us,

I made to it, to know of whence you are.

You wish me well. Being on shore, honouring of Neptune’s triumphs, Seeing this goodly vessel ride before us, I made to it, to know of whence you are.

You wish me well. Being on shore, honouring of Neptune’s triumphs, Seeing this goodly vessel ride before us, I made to it, to know of whence you are.

You wish me well. Being on shore, honouring of Neptune’s triumphs, Seeing this goodly vessel ride before us, I made to i

HELICANUS [no emotion tag available]

First, what is your place?

First, what is your place?

First, what is your place?

First, what is your place?

LYSIMACHUS [no emotion tag available]

I am the governor of this place you lie before.

I am the governor of this place you lie before.

I am the governor of this place you lie before.

I am the governor of this place you lie before.

HELICANUS ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

Sir, our vessel is of Tyre, in it the king;

A man who for this three months hath not spoken

To anyone, nor taken sustenance

But to prorogue his grief.

Sir, our vessel is of Tyre, in it the king; A man who for this three months hath not spoken To anyone, nor taken sustenance But to prorogue his grief.

Sir, our vessel is of Tyre, in it the king; A man who for this three months hath not spoken To anyone, nor taken sustenance But to prorogue his grief.

Sir, our vessel is of Tyre, in it the king; A man who for this three months hath not spoken To anyone, nor taken sustena

LYSIMACHUS [no emotion tag available]

Upon what ground is his distemperature?

Upon what ground is his distemperature?

Upon what ground is his distemperature?

Upon what ground is his distemperature?

HELICANUS ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

’Twould be too tedious to repeat;

But the main grief springs from the loss

Of a beloved daughter and a wife.

’Twould be too tedious to repeat; But the main grief springs from the loss Of a beloved daughter and a wife.

’Twould be too tedious to repeat; But the main grief springs from the loss Of a beloved daughter and a wife.

’Twould be too tedious to repeat; But the main grief springs from the loss Of a beloved daughter and a wife.

LYSIMACHUS [no emotion tag available]

May we not see him?

May we not see him?

May we not see him?

May we not see him?

HELICANUS ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

You may;

But bootless is your sight: he will not speak

To any.

You may; But bootless is your sight: he will not speak To any.

You may; But bootless is your sight: he will not speak To any.

You may; But bootless is your sight: he will not speak To any.

LYSIMACHUS [no emotion tag available]

Yet let me obtain my wish.

Yet let me obtain my wish.

Yet let me obtain my wish.

Yet let me obtain my wish.

🎭 Dramatic irony Lysimachus tells Helicanus that Marina is a 'paragon' who might be able to reach the silent king — not knowing that the king is Marina's father. He is recommending a daughter to cure her own father of mourning her death.
HELICANUS [no emotion tag available]

Behold him.

Behold him.

Behold him.

Behold him.

[_Pericles discovered._]
This was a goodly person.
Till the disaster that, one mortal night,
Drove him to this.
LYSIMACHUS ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

Sir king, all hail! The gods preserve you!

Hail, royal sir!

Sir king, all hail! The gods preserve you! Hail, royal sir!

Sir king, all hail! The gods preserve you! Hail, royal sir!

Sir king, all hail! The gods preserve you! Hail, royal sir!

HELICANUS [no emotion tag available]

It is in vain; he will not speak to you.

It is in vain; he will not speak to you.

It is in vain; he will not speak to you.

It is in vain; he will not speak to you.

FIRST LORD ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

Sir, we have a maid in Mytilene, I durst wager,

Would win some words of him.

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

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

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

LYSIMACHUS ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

’Tis well bethought.

She questionless with her sweet harmony

And other chosen attractions, would allure,

And make a battery through his deafen’d parts,

Which now are midway stopp’d:

She is all happy as the fairest of all,

And, with her fellow maids, is now upon

The leafy shelter that abuts against

The island’s side.

’Tis well bethought. She questionless with her sweet harmony And other chosen attractions, would allure, And make a battery through his deafen’d parts, Which now are midway stopp’d: She is all happy as the fairest of all, And, with her fellow maids, is now upon The leafy shelter that abuts against The island’s side.

’Tis well bethought. She questionless with her sweet harmony And other chosen attractions, would allure, And make a battery through his deafen’d parts, Which now are midway stopp’d: She is all happy as the fairest of all, And, with her fellow maids, is now upon The leafy shelter that abuts against The island’s side.

’Tis well bethought. She questionless with her sweet harmony And other chosen attractions, would allure, And make a batt

[_Whispers a Lord who goes off in the barge of Lysimachus._]
HELICANUS ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

Sure, all’s effectless; yet nothing we’ll omit

That bears recovery’s name. But, since your kindness

We have stretch’d thus far, let us beseech you

That for our gold we may provision have,

Wherein we are not destitute for want,

But weary for the staleness.

Sure, all’s effectless; yet nothing we’ll omit That bears recovery’s name. But, since your kindness We have stretch’d thus far, let us beseech you That for our gold we may provision have, Wherein we are not destitute for want, But weary for the staleness.

Sure, all’s effectless; yet nothing we’ll omit That bears recovery’s name. But, since your kindness We have stretch’d thus far, let us beseech you That for our gold we may provision have, Wherein we are not destitute for want, But weary for the staleness.

Sure, all’s effectless; yet nothing we’ll omit That bears recovery’s name. But, since your kindness We have stretch’d th

LYSIMACHUS ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

O, sir, a courtesy

Which if we should deny, the most just gods

For every graff would send a caterpillar,

And so inflict our province. Yet once more

Let me entreat to know at large the cause

Of your king’s sorrow.

O, sir, a courtesy Which if we should deny, the most just gods For every graff would send a caterpillar, And so inflict our province. Yet once more Let me entreat to know at large the cause Of your king’s sorrow.

O, sir, a courtesy Which if we should deny, the most just gods For every graff would send a caterpillar, And so inflict our province. Yet once more Let me entreat to know at large the cause Of your king’s sorrow.

O, sir, a courtesy Which if we should deny, the most just gods For every graff would send a caterpillar, And so inflict

HELICANUS ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

Sit, sir, I will recount it to you:

But, see, I am prevented.

Sit, sir, I will recount it to you: But, see, I am prevented.

Sit, sir, I will recount it to you: But, see, I am prevented.

Sit, sir, I will recount it to you: But, see, I am prevented.

Re-enter from the barge, Lord with Marina and a young Lady.
LYSIMACHUS ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

O, here is the lady that I sent for. Welcome, fair one!

Is’t not a goodly presence?

O, here is the lady that I sent for. Welcome, fair one! Is’t not a goodly presence?

O, here is the lady that I sent for. Welcome, fair one! Is’t not a goodly presence?

O, here is the lady that I sent for. Welcome, fair one! Is’t not a goodly presence?

HELICANUS [no emotion tag available]

She’s a gallant lady.

She’s a gallant lady.

She’s a gallant lady.

She’s a gallant lady.

LYSIMACHUS ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

She’s such a one, that, were I well assured

Came of a gentle kind and noble stock,

I’d wish no better choice, and think me rarely wed.

Fair one, all goodness that consists in bounty

Expect even here, where is a kingly patient:

If that thy prosperous and artificial feat

Can draw him but to answer thee in aught,

Thy sacred physic shall receive such pay

As thy desires can wish.

She’s such a one, that, were I well assured Came of a gentle kind and noble stock, I’d wish no better choice, and think me rarely wed. Fair one, all goodness that consists in bounty Expect even here, where is a kingly patient: If that thy prosperous and artificial feat Can draw him but to answer thee in aught, Thy sacred physic shall receive such pay As thy desires can wish.

She’s such a one, that, were I well assured Came of a gentle kind and noble stock, I’d wish no better choice, and think me rarely wed. Fair one, all goodness that consists in bounty Expect even here, where is a kingly patient: If that thy prosperous and artificial feat Can draw him but to answer thee in aught, Thy sacred physic shall receive such pay As thy desires can wish.

She’s such a one, that, were I well assured Came of a gentle kind and noble stock, I’d wish no better choice, and think

MARINA ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

Sir, I will use

My utmost skill in his recovery, provided

That none but I and my companion maid

Be suffer’d to come near him.

Sir, I will use My utmost skill in his recovery, provided That none but I and my companion maid Be suffer’d to come near him.

Sir, I will use My utmost skill in his recovery, provided That none but I and my companion maid Be suffer’d to come near him.

Sir, I will use My utmost skill in his recovery, provided That none but I and my companion maid Be suffer’d to come near

LYSIMACHUS ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

Come, let us leave her,

And the gods make her prosperous!

Come, let us leave her, And the gods make her prosperous!

Come, let us leave her, And the gods make her prosperous!

Come, let us leave her, And the gods make her prosperous!

[_Marina sings._]
LYSIMACHUS [no emotion tag available]

Mark’d he your music?

Mark’d he your music?

Mark’d he your music?

Mark’d he your music?

MARINA [no emotion tag available]

No, nor look’d on us.

No, nor look’d on us.

No, nor look’d on us.

No, nor look’d on us.

LYSIMACHUS [no emotion tag available]

See, she will speak to him.

See, she will speak to him.

See, she will speak to him.

See, she will speak to him.

MARINA [no emotion tag available]

Hail, sir! My lord, lend ear.

Hail, sir! My lord, lend ear.

Hail, sir! My lord, lend ear.

Hail, sir! My lord, lend ear.

PERICLES [no emotion tag available]

Hum, ha!

Hum, ha!

Hum, ha!

Hum, ha!

MARINA ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

I am a maid,

My lord, that ne’er before invited eyes,

But have been gazed on like a comet: she speaks,

My lord, that, may be, hath endured a grief

Might equal yours, if both were justly weigh’d.

Though wayward Fortune did malign my state,

My derivation was from ancestors

Who stood equivalent with mighty kings:

But time hath rooted out my parentage,

And to the world and awkward casualties

Bound me in servitude.

I am a maid, My lord, that ne’er before invited eyes, But have been gazed on like a comet: she speaks, My lord, that, may be, hath endured a grief Might equal yours, if both were justly weigh’d. Though wayward Fortune did malign my state, My derivation was from ancestors Who stood equivalent with mighty kings: But time hath rooted out my parentage, And to the world and awkward casualties Bound me in servitude.

I am a maid, My lord, that ne’er before invited eyes, But have been gazed on like a comet: she speaks, My lord, that, may be, hath endured a grief Might equal yours, if both were justly weigh’d. Though wayward Fortune did malign my state, My derivation was from ancestors Who stood equivalent with mighty kings: But time hath rooted out my parentage, And to the world and awkward casualties Bound me in servitude.

I am a maid, My lord, that ne’er before invited eyes, But have been gazed on like a comet: she speaks, My lord, that, ma

🎭 Dramatic irony Marina tells Pericles she may have endured grief equal to his, that her parentage was royal, and that fortune cut her off from family. She is describing her own origins to her father without knowing it. They are describing the same wounds from opposite ends of the same story.
[_Aside._] I will desist;
But there is something glows upon my cheek,
And whispers in mine ear ‘Go not till he speak.’
PERICLES ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

My fortunes—parentage—good parentage—

To equal mine!—was it not thus? what say you?

My fortunes—parentage—good parentage— To equal mine!—was it not thus? what say you?

My fortunes—parentage—good parentage— To equal mine!—was it not thus? what say you?

My fortunes—parentage—good parentage— To equal mine!—was it not thus? what say you?

MARINA ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

I said, my lord, if you did know my parentage,

You would not do me violence.

I said, my lord, if you did know my parentage, You would not do me violence.

I said, my lord, if you did know my parentage, You would not do me violence.

I said, my lord, if you did know my parentage, You would not do me violence.

PERICLES ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

I do think so. Pray you, turn your eyes upon me.

You are like something that—what country-woman?

Here of these shores?

I do think so. Pray you, turn your eyes upon me. You are like something that—what country-woman? Here of these shores?

I do think so. Pray you, turn your eyes upon me. You are like something that—what country-woman? Here of these shores?

I do think so. Pray you, turn your eyes upon me. You are like something that—what country-woman? Here of these shores?

MARINA ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

No, nor of any shores:

Yet I was mortally brought forth, and am

No other than I appear.

No, nor of any shores: Yet I was mortally brought forth, and am No other than I appear.

No, nor of any shores: Yet I was mortally brought forth, and am No other than I appear.

No, nor of any shores: Yet I was mortally brought forth, and am No other than I appear.

PERICLES ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

I am great with woe, and shall deliver weeping.

My dearest wife was like this maid, and such a one

My daughter might have been: my queen’s square brows;

Her stature to an inch; as wand-like straight;

As silver-voiced; her eyes as jewel-like

And cased as richly; in pace another Juno;

Who starves the ears she feeds, and makes them hungry,

The more she gives them speech. Where do you live?

I am great with woe, and shall deliver weeping. My dearest wife was like this maid, and such a one My daughter might have been: my queen’s square brows; Her stature to an inch; as wand-like straight; As silver-voiced; her eyes as jewel-like And cased as richly; in pace another Juno; Who starves the ears she feeds, and makes them hungry, The more she gives them speech. Where do you live?

I am great with woe, and shall deliver weeping. My dearest wife was like this maid, and such a one My daughter might have been: my queen’s square brows; Her stature to an inch; as wand-like straight; As silver-voiced; her eyes as jewel-like And cased as richly; in pace another Juno; Who starves the ears she feeds, and makes them hungry, The more she gives them speech. Where do you live?

I am great with woe, and shall deliver weeping. My dearest wife was like this maid, and such a one My daughter might hav

MARINA ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

Where I am but a stranger: from the deck

You may discern the place.

Where I am but a stranger: from the deck You may discern the place.

Where I am but a stranger: from the deck You may discern the place.

Where I am but a stranger: from the deck You may discern the place.

PERICLES ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

Where were you bred?

And how achieved you these endowments, which

You make more rich to owe?

Where were you bred? And how achieved you these endowments, which You make more rich to owe?

Where were you bred? And how achieved you these endowments, which You make more rich to owe?

Where were you bred? And how achieved you these endowments, which You make more rich to owe?

MARINA ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

If I should tell my history, it would seem

Like lies disdain’d in the reporting.

If I should tell my history, it would seem Like lies disdain’d in the reporting.

If I should tell my history, it would seem Like lies disdain’d in the reporting.

If I should tell my history, it would seem Like lies disdain’d in the reporting.

PERICLES ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

Prithee, speak:

Falseness cannot come from thee; for thou look’st

Modest as Justice, and thou seem’st a palace

For the crown’d Truth to dwell in: I will believe thee,

And make my senses credit thy relation

To points that seem impossible; for thou look’st

Like one I loved indeed. What were thy friends?

Didst thou not say, when I did push thee back—

Which was when I perceived thee—that thou cam’st

From good descending?

Prithee, speak: Falseness cannot come from thee; for thou look’st Modest as Justice, and thou seem’st a palace For the crown’d Truth to dwell in: I will believe thee, And make my senses credit thy relation To points that seem impossible; for thou look’st Like one I loved indeed. What were thy friends? Didst thou not say, when I did push thee back— Which was when I perceived thee—that thou cam’st From good descending?

Prithee, speak: Falseness cannot come from thee; for thou look’st Modest as Justice, and thou seem’st a palace For the crown’d Truth to dwell in: I will believe thee, And make my senses credit thy relation To points that seem impossible; for thou look’st Like one I loved indeed. What were thy friends? Didst thou not say, when I did push thee back— Which was when I perceived thee—that thou cam’st From good descending?

Prithee, speak: Falseness cannot come from thee; for thou look’st Modest as Justice, and thou seem’st a palace For the c

MARINA [no emotion tag available]

So indeed I did.

So indeed I did.

So indeed I did.

So indeed I did.

PERICLES ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

Report thy parentage. I think thou said’st

Thou hadst been toss’d from wrong to injury,

And that thou thought’st thy griefs might equal mine,

If both were open’d.

Report thy parentage. I think thou said’st Thou hadst been toss’d from wrong to injury, And that thou thought’st thy griefs might equal mine, If both were open’d.

Report thy parentage. I think thou said’st Thou hadst been toss’d from wrong to injury, And that thou thought’st thy griefs might equal mine, If both were open’d.

Report thy parentage. I think thou said’st Thou hadst been toss’d from wrong to injury, And that thou thought’st thy gri

MARINA ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

Some such thing,

I said, and said no more but what my thoughts

Did warrant me was likely.

Some such thing, I said, and said no more but what my thoughts Did warrant me was likely.

Some such thing, I said, and said no more but what my thoughts Did warrant me was likely.

Some such thing, I said, and said no more but what my thoughts Did warrant me was likely.

PERICLES ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

Tell thy story;

If thine consider’d prove the thousand part

Of my endurance, thou art a man, and I

Have suffer’d like a girl: yet thou dost look

Like Patience gazing on kings’ graves, and smiling

Extremity out of act. What were thy friends?

How lost thou them? Thy name, my most kind virgin?

Recount, I do beseech thee: come, sit by me.

Tell thy story; If thine consider’d prove the thousand part Of my endurance, thou art a man, and I Have suffer’d like a girl: yet thou dost look Like Patience gazing on kings’ graves, and smiling Extremity out of act. What were thy friends? How lost thou them? Thy name, my most kind virgin? Recount, I do beseech thee: come, sit by me.

Tell thy story; If thine consider’d prove the thousand part Of my endurance, thou art a man, and I Have suffer’d like a girl: yet thou dost look Like Patience gazing on kings’ graves, and smiling Extremity out of act. What were thy friends? How lost thou them? Thy name, my most kind virgin? Recount, I do beseech thee: come, sit by me.

Tell thy story; If thine consider’d prove the thousand part Of my endurance, thou art a man, and I Have suffer’d like a

MARINA [no emotion tag available]

My name is Marina.

My name is Marina.

My name is Marina.

My name is Marina.

PERICLES ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

O, I am mock’d,

And thou by some incensed god sent hither

To make the world to laugh at me.

O, I am mock’d, And thou by some incensed god sent hither To make the world to laugh at me.

O, I am mock’d, And thou by some incensed god sent hither To make the world to laugh at me.

O, I am mock’d, And thou by some incensed god sent hither To make the world to laugh at me.

MARINA ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

Patience, good sir,

Or here I’ll cease.

Patience, good sir, Or here I’ll cease.

Patience, good sir, Or here I’ll cease.

Patience, good sir, Or here I’ll cease.

PERICLES ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

Nay, I’ll be patient.

Thou little know’st how thou dost startle me,

To call thyself Marina.

Nay, I’ll be patient. Thou little know’st how thou dost startle me, To call thyself Marina.

Nay, I’ll be patient. Thou little know’st how thou dost startle me, To call thyself Marina.

Nay, I’ll be patient. Thou little know’st how thou dost startle me, To call thyself Marina.

MARINA ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

The name

Was given me by one that had some power,

My father, and a king.

The name Was given me by one that had some power, My father, and a king.

The name Was given me by one that had some power, My father, and a king.

The name Was given me by one that had some power, My father, and a king.

PERICLES ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

How! a king’s daughter?

And call’d Marina?

How! a king’s daughter? And call’d Marina?

How! a king’s daughter? And call’d Marina?

How! a king’s daughter? And call’d Marina?

MARINA ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

You said you would believe me;

But, not to be a troubler of your peace,

I will end here.

You said you would believe me; But, not to be a troubler of your peace, I will end here.

You said you would believe me; But, not to be a troubler of your peace, I will end here.

You said you would believe me; But, not to be a troubler of your peace, I will end here.

PERICLES ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

But are you flesh and blood?

Have you a working pulse? and are no fairy?

Motion! Well; speak on. Where were you born?

And wherefore call’d Marina?

But are you flesh and blood? Have you a working pulse? and are no fairy? Motion! Well; speak on. Where were you born? And wherefore call’d Marina?

But are you flesh and blood? Have you a working pulse? and are no fairy? Motion! Well; speak on. Where were you born? And wherefore call’d Marina?

But are you flesh and blood? Have you a working pulse? and are no fairy? Motion! Well; speak on. Where were you born? An

MARINA ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

Call’d Marina

For I was born at sea.

Call’d Marina For I was born at sea.

Call’d Marina For I was born at sea.

Call’d Marina For I was born at sea.

PERICLES [no emotion tag available]

At sea! What mother?

At sea! What mother?

At sea! What mother?

At sea! What mother?

MARINA ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

My mother was the daughter of a king;

Who died the minute I was born,

As my good nurse Lychorida hath oft

Deliver’d weeping.

My mother was the daughter of a king; Who died the minute I was born, As my good nurse Lychorida hath oft Deliver’d weeping.

My mother was the daughter of a king; Who died the minute I was born, As my good nurse Lychorida hath oft Deliver’d weeping.

My mother was the daughter of a king; Who died the minute I was born, As my good nurse Lychorida hath oft Deliver’d weep

PERICLES [no emotion tag available]

O, stop there a little! [_Aside._] This is the rarest dream that e’er

dull sleep

Did mock sad fools withal: this cannot be:

My daughter, buried. Well, where were you bred?

I’ll hear you more, to the bottom of your story,

And never interrupt you.

O, stop there a little! [_Aside._] This is the rarest dream that e’er dull sleep Did mock sad fools withal: this cannot be: My daughter, buried. Well, where were you bred? I’ll hear you more, to the bottom of your story, And never interrupt you.

O, stop there a little! [_Aside._] This is the rarest dream that e’er dull sleep Did mock sad fools withal: this cannot be: My daughter, buried. Well, where were you bred? I’ll hear you more, to the bottom of your story, And never interrupt you.

O, stop there a little! [_Aside._] This is the rarest dream that e’er dull sleep Did mock sad fools withal: this cannot

MARINA [no emotion tag available]

You scorn: believe me, ’twere best I did give o’er.

You scorn: believe me, ’twere best I did give o’er.

You scorn: believe me, ’twere best I did give o’er.

You scorn: believe me, ’twere best I did give o’er.

PERICLES ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

I will believe you by the syllable

Of what you shall deliver. Yet, give me leave:

How came you in these parts? Where were you bred?

I will believe you by the syllable Of what you shall deliver. Yet, give me leave: How came you in these parts? Where were you bred?

I will believe you by the syllable Of what you shall deliver. Yet, give me leave: How came you in these parts? Where were you bred?

I will believe you by the syllable Of what you shall deliver. Yet, give me leave: How came you in these parts? Where wer

MARINA ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

The king my father did in Tarsus leave me;

Till cruel Cleon, with his wicked wife,

Did seek to murder me: and having woo’d

A villain to attempt it, who having drawn to do’t,

A crew of pirates came and rescued me;

Brought me to Mytilene. But, good sir.

Whither will you have me? Why do you weep? It may be,

You think me an impostor: no, good faith;

I am the daughter to King Pericles,

If good King Pericles be.

The king my father did in Tarsus leave me; Till cruel Cleon, with his wicked wife, Did seek to murder me: and having woo’d A villain to attempt it, who having drawn to do’t, A crew of pirates came and rescued me; Brought me to Mytilene. But, good sir. Whither will you have me? Why do you weep? It may be, You think me an impostor: no, good faith; I am the daughter to King Pericles, If good King Pericles be.

The king my father did in Tarsus leave me; Till cruel Cleon, with his wicked wife, Did seek to murder me: and having woo’d A villain to attempt it, who having drawn to do’t, A crew of pirates came and rescued me; Brought me to Mytilene. But, good sir. Whither will you have me? Why do you weep? It may be, You think me an impostor: no, good faith; I am the daughter to King Pericles, If good King Pericles be.

The king my father did in Tarsus leave me; Till cruel Cleon, with his wicked wife, Did seek to murder me: and having woo

PERICLES [no emotion tag available]

Ho, Helicanus!

Ho, Helicanus!

Ho, Helicanus!

Ho, Helicanus!

Enter Helicanus and Lysimachus.
HELICANUS [no emotion tag available]

Calls my lord?

Calls my lord?

Calls my lord?

Calls my lord?

PERICLES ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

Thou art a grave and noble counsellor,

Most wise in general: tell me, if thou canst,

What this maid is, or what is like to be,

That thus hath made me weep.

Thou art a grave and noble counsellor, Most wise in general: tell me, if thou canst, What this maid is, or what is like to be, That thus hath made me weep.

Thou art a grave and noble counsellor, Most wise in general: tell me, if thou canst, What this maid is, or what is like to be, That thus hath made me weep.

Thou art a grave and noble counsellor, Most wise in general: tell me, if thou canst, What this maid is, or what is like

HELICANUS ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

I know not,

But here is the regent, sir, of Mytilene

Speaks nobly of her.

I know not, But here is the regent, sir, of Mytilene Speaks nobly of her.

I know not, But here is the regent, sir, of Mytilene Speaks nobly of her.

I know not, But here is the regent, sir, of Mytilene Speaks nobly of her.

LYSIMACHUS ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

She would never tell

Her parentage; being demanded that,

She would sit still and weep.

She would never tell Her parentage; being demanded that, She would sit still and weep.

She would never tell Her parentage; being demanded that, She would sit still and weep.

She would never tell Her parentage; being demanded that, She would sit still and weep.

PERICLES ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

O Helicanus, strike me, honour’d sir;

Give me a gash, put me to present pain;

Lest this great sea of joys rushing upon me

O’erbear the shores of my mortality,

And drown me with their sweetness.

O Helicanus, strike me, honour’d sir; Give me a gash, put me to present pain; Lest this great sea of joys rushing upon me O’erbear the shores of my mortality, And drown me with their sweetness.

O Helicanus, strike me, honour’d sir; Give me a gash, put me to present pain; Lest this great sea of joys rushing upon me O’erbear the shores of my mortality, And drown me with their sweetness.

O Helicanus, strike me, honour’d sir; Give me a gash, put me to present pain; Lest this great sea of joys rushing upon m

[_To Marina_] O, come hither,
Thou that beget’st him that did thee beget;
Thou that wast born at sea, buried at Tarsus,
And found at sea again! O Helicanus,
Down on thy knees, thank the holy gods as loud
As thunder threatens us: this is Marina.
What was thy mother’s name? tell me but that,
For truth can never be confirm’d enough,
Though doubts did ever sleep.
MARINA [no emotion tag available]

First, sir, I pray, what is your title?

First, sir, I pray, what is your title?

First, sir, I pray, what is your title?

First, sir, I pray, what is your title?

PERICLES ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

I am Pericles of Tyre: but tell me now

My drown’d queen’s name, as in the rest you said

Thou hast been godlike perfect,

The heir of kingdoms and another life

To Pericles thy father.

I am Pericles of Tyre: but tell me now My drown’d queen’s name, as in the rest you said Thou hast been godlike perfect, The heir of kingdoms and another life To Pericles thy father.

I am Pericles of Tyre: but tell me now My drown’d queen’s name, as in the rest you said Thou hast been godlike perfect, The heir of kingdoms and another life To Pericles thy father.

I am Pericles of Tyre: but tell me now My drown’d queen’s name, as in the rest you said Thou hast been godlike perfect,

MARINA ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

Is it no more to be your daughter than

To say my mother’s name was Thaisa?

Thaisa was my mother, who did end

The minute I began.

Is it no more to be your daughter than To say my mother’s name was Thaisa? Thaisa was my mother, who did end The minute I began.

Is it no more to be your daughter than To say my mother’s name was Thaisa? Thaisa was my mother, who did end The minute I began.

Is it no more to be your daughter than To say my mother’s name was Thaisa? Thaisa was my mother, who did end The minute

PERICLES ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

Now, blessing on thee! rise; thou art my child.

Give me fresh garments. Mine own, Helicanus;

She is not dead at Tarsus, as she should have been,

By savage Cleon: she shall tell thee all;

When thou shalt kneel, and justify in knowledge

She is thy very princess. Who is this?

Now, blessing on thee! rise; thou art my child. Give me fresh garments. Mine own, Helicanus; She is not dead at Tarsus, as she should have been, By savage Cleon: she shall tell thee all; When thou shalt kneel, and justify in knowledge She is thy very princess. Who is this?

Now, blessing on thee! rise; thou art my child. Give me fresh garments. Mine own, Helicanus; She is not dead at Tarsus, as she should have been, By savage Cleon: she shall tell thee all; When thou shalt kneel, and justify in knowledge She is thy very princess. Who is this?

Now, blessing on thee! rise; thou art my child. Give me fresh garments. Mine own, Helicanus; She is not dead at Tarsus,

HELICANUS ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

Sir, ’tis the governor of Mytilene,

Who, hearing of your melancholy state,

Did come to see you.

Sir, ’tis the governor of Mytilene, Who, hearing of your melancholy state, Did come to see you.

Sir, ’tis the governor of Mytilene, Who, hearing of your melancholy state, Did come to see you.

Sir, ’tis the governor of Mytilene, Who, hearing of your melancholy state, Did come to see you.

PERICLES ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

I embrace you.

Give me my robes. I am wild in my beholding.

O heavens bless my girl! But, hark, what music?

Tell Helicanus, my Marina, tell him

O’er, point by point, for yet he seems to doubt,

How sure you are my daughter. But, what music?

I embrace you. Give me my robes. I am wild in my beholding. O heavens bless my girl! But, hark, what music? Tell Helicanus, my Marina, tell him O’er, point by point, for yet he seems to doubt, How sure you are my daughter. But, what music?

I embrace you. Give me my robes. I am wild in my beholding. O heavens bless my girl! But, hark, what music? Tell Helicanus, my Marina, tell him O’er, point by point, for yet he seems to doubt, How sure you are my daughter. But, what music?

I embrace you. Give me my robes. I am wild in my beholding. O heavens bless my girl! But, hark, what music? Tell Helican

HELICANUS [no emotion tag available]

My lord, I hear none.

My lord, I hear none.

My lord, I hear none.

My lord, I hear none.

PERICLES ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

None!

The music of the spheres! List, my Marina.

None! The music of the spheres! List, my Marina.

None! The music of the spheres! List, my Marina.

None! The music of the spheres! List, my Marina.

LYSIMACHUS [no emotion tag available]

It is not good to cross him; give him way.

It is not good to cross him; give him way.

It is not good to cross him; give him way.

It is not good to cross him; give him way.

PERICLES [no emotion tag available]

Rarest sounds! Do ye not hear?

Rarest sounds! Do ye not hear?

Rarest sounds! Do ye not hear?

Rarest sounds! Do ye not hear?

Music, my lord? I hear.
[_Music._]
PERICLES ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

Most heavenly music!

It nips me unto listening, and thick slumber

Hangs upon mine eyes: let me rest.

Most heavenly music! It nips me unto listening, and thick slumber Hangs upon mine eyes: let me rest.

Most heavenly music! It nips me unto listening, and thick slumber Hangs upon mine eyes: let me rest.

Most heavenly music! It nips me unto listening, and thick slumber Hangs upon mine eyes: let me rest.

[_Sleeps._]
LYSIMACHUS ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

A pillow for his head:

So, leave him all. Well, my companion friends,

If this but answer to my just belief,

I’ll well remember you.

A pillow for his head: So, leave him all. Well, my companion friends, If this but answer to my just belief, I’ll well remember you.

A pillow for his head: So, leave him all. Well, my companion friends, If this but answer to my just belief, I’ll well remember you.

A pillow for his head: So, leave him all. Well, my companion friends, If this but answer to my just belief, I’ll well re

[_Exeunt all but Pericles._]
Diana appears to Pericles as in a vision.
First appearance
DIANA

The goddess appears to Pericles in a dream while he sleeps after the recognition. She speaks only once in the play, in a vision, commanding him to go to Ephesus and declare his history at her altar. Her appearance is not theatrical surprise — it is structural necessity. The plot requires a mechanism to get Pericles to Ephesus, where Thaisa is waiting as a priestess. Diana provides it. She is the play's governing deity: patron of chastity, of Thaisa's vestal calling, of Marina's preservation in the brothel, and now the agent of the final reunion. She doesn't need personality; she needs authority.

DIANA ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

My temple stands in Ephesus: hie thee thither,

And do upon mine altar sacrifice.

There, when my maiden priests are met together,

Before the people all,

Reveal how thou at sea didst lose thy wife:

To mourn thy crosses, with thy daughter’s, call

And give them repetition to the life.

Or perform my bidding, or thou livest in woe:

Do it, and happy; by my silver bow!

Awake and tell thy dream.

My temple stands in Ephesus: hie thee thither, And do upon mine altar sacrifice. There, when my maiden priests are met together, Before the people all, Reveal how thou at sea didst lose thy wife: To mourn thy crosses, with thy daughter’s, call And give them repetition to the life. Or perform my bidding, or thou livest in woe: Do it, and happy; by my silver bow! Awake and tell thy dream.

My temple stands in Ephesus: hie thee thither, And do upon mine altar sacrifice. There, when my maiden priests are met together, Before the people all, Reveal how thou at sea didst lose thy wife: To mourn thy crosses, with thy daughter’s, call And give them repetition to the life. Or perform my bidding, or thou livest in woe: Do it, and happy; by my silver bow! Awake and tell thy dream.

My temple stands in Ephesus: hie thee thither, And do upon mine altar sacrifice. There, when my maiden priests are met t

[_Disappears._]
PERICLES ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

Celestial Dian, goddess argentine,

I will obey thee. Helicanus!

Celestial Dian, goddess argentine, I will obey thee. Helicanus!

Celestial Dian, goddess argentine, I will obey thee. Helicanus!

Celestial Dian, goddess argentine, I will obey thee. Helicanus!

Re-enter Helicanus, Lysimachus and Marina.
HELICANUS [no emotion tag available]

Sir?

Sir?

Sir?

Sir?

PERICLES ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

My purpose was for Tarsus, there to strike

The inhospitable Cleon; but I am

For other service first: toward Ephesus

Turn our blown sails; eftsoons I’ll tell thee why.

My purpose was for Tarsus, there to strike The inhospitable Cleon; but I am For other service first: toward Ephesus Turn our blown sails; eftsoons I’ll tell thee why.

My purpose was for Tarsus, there to strike The inhospitable Cleon; but I am For other service first: toward Ephesus Turn our blown sails; eftsoons I’ll tell thee why.

My purpose was for Tarsus, there to strike The inhospitable Cleon; but I am For other service first: toward Ephesus Turn

[_To Lysimachus._] Shall we refresh us, sir, upon your shore,
And give you gold for such provision
As our intents will need?
LYSIMACHUS ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

Sir, with all my heart,

And when you come ashore I have another suit.

Sir, with all my heart, And when you come ashore I have another suit.

Sir, with all my heart, And when you come ashore I have another suit.

Sir, with all my heart, And when you come ashore I have another suit.

PERICLES ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

You shall prevail, were it to woo my daughter;

For it seems you have been noble towards her.

You shall prevail, were it to woo my daughter; For it seems you have been noble towards her.

You shall prevail, were it to woo my daughter; For it seems you have been noble towards her.

You shall prevail, were it to woo my daughter; For it seems you have been noble towards her.

LYSIMACHUS [no emotion tag available]

Sir, lend me your arm.

Sir, lend me your arm.

Sir, lend me your arm.

Sir, lend me your arm.

PERICLES [no emotion tag available]

Come, my Marina.

Come, my Marina.

Come, my Marina.

Come, my Marina.

[_Exeunt._]
Enter Gower before the temple of Diana at Ephesus.
GOWER ≋ verse [no emotion tag available]

Now our sands are almost run;

More a little, and then dumb.

This, my last boon, give me,

For such kindness must relieve me,

That you aptly will suppose

What pageantry, what feats, what shows,

What minstrelsy, and pretty din,

The regent made in Mytilene

To greet the king. So he thrived,

That he is promised to be wived

To fair Marina; but in no wise

Till he had done his sacrifice,

As Dian bade: whereto being bound,

The interim, pray you, all confound.

In feather’d briefness sails are fill’d,

And wishes fall out as they’re will’d.

At Ephesus, the temple see,

Our king and all his company.

That he can hither come so soon,

Is by your fancy’s thankful doom.

Now our sands are almost run; More a little, and then dumb. This, my last boon, give me, For such kindness must relieve me, That you aptly will suppose What pageantry, what feats, what shows, What minstrelsy, and pretty din, The regent made in Mytilene To greet the king. So he thrived, That he is promised to be wived To fair Marina; but in no wise Till he had done his sacrifice, As Dian bade: whereto being bound, The interim, pray you, all confound. In feather’d briefness sails are fill’d, And wishes fall out as they’re will’d. At Ephesus, the temple see, Our king and all his company. That he can hither come so soon, Is by your fancy’s thankful doom.

Now our sands are almost run; More a little, and then dumb. This, my last boon, give me, For such kindness must relieve me, That you aptly will suppose What pageantry, what feats, what shows, What minstrelsy, and pretty din, The regent made in Mytilene To greet the king. So he thrived, That he is promised to be wived To fair Marina; but in no wise Till he had done his sacrifice, As Dian bade: whereto being bound, The interim, pray you, all confound. In feather’d briefness sails are fill’d, And wishes fall out as they’re will’d. At Ephesus, the temple see, Our king and all his company. That he can hither come so soon, Is by your fancy’s thankful doom.

Now our sands are almost run; More a little, and then dumb. This, my last boon, give me, For such kindness must relieve

[_Exit._]

The Reckoning

This is the scene the entire play has been building toward. Everything — the storm, Thaisa's burial, Marina's childhood in Tarsus, her years in the brothel converting customers — has been structural preparation for this encounter between a father who has stopped living and a daughter who doesn't yet know who she is. The recognition doesn't happen in a flash; it happens in increments, question by question, the way someone waking from a very long sleep comes back to the world slowly. Pericles tests her, doubts her, pushes back — because the grief of being wrong again would be unsurvivable. The scene is about the risk of hope.

If this happened today…

A man who lost his wife and later heard his daughter died has been sitting alone on a ship for three months, not eating much, not talking. A young woman who grew up in an orphanage, never knowing her parents, is brought on board to sing to him. They start talking. She mentions things that shouldn't be possible. He asks questions he's afraid to have answered. Slowly — terribly slowly — they both begin to understand what they are to each other. He finally says her name.

Continue to 5.3 →