1 Fish. I tell you, this is called Pentapolis, And our king, the good Symonides.

Per. The good king Symonides, do you call him? 1 Fish. Ay, sir, and he deserves so to be call'd, For his peaceable reign and good government.

Per. He is a happy king, since he gains from His subjects, the name of good, by his government. How far is his court distant from this shore?

1 Fish. Marry, sir, half a day's journey; and I'll tell you, he hath a fair daughter; and to-morrow is her birth-day; and there are princes and knights come from all parts of the world, to just and tourney for her love. Per. Were my fortunes equal to my desires,

I could wish to make one there.

1 Fish. Oh, sir, things must be as they may; and what a man cannot get, he may lawfully deal for his wife's soul.

The two Fishermen enter, drawing up a Net.

2 Fish. Help, master, help: here's a fish hangs in the net, like a poor man's right in the law, 'twill hardly come out. Habots on't, 'tis come at last, and 'tis turn'd to a rusty armour.

Per. An armour, friends! I pray you let me see it. Thanks, fortune, yet, that after all crosses, Thou giv'st me somewhat to repair myself:

And though it was mine own, part of mine heritage, Which my dead father did bequeath to me,

With this strict charge, even as he left his life :

Ꭰ

Keep it, my Pericles, it hath been a shield
'Twixt me and death; and pointed to this brayse;
For that it sav'd me; keep it in like necessity;
The which the gods protect thee, fame may defend thee.'
It kept where I kept, I so dearly lov'd it,

'Till the rough seas, that spares not any man,
Took it in rage, though calm'd hath given't again :
I thank thee for't, my shipwreck now's no ill,
Since I have here my father's gift in's will.

、 Fish. What mean you, sir ?

Per. To beg of you, kind friends, this coat of worth: For it was sometime target to a king,

I know it by this mark; he lov'd me dearly,
And for his sake, I wish the having of it;
And that you'd guide me to your sovereign's court,
Where with it I may appear a gentleman;

And if that ever my low fortune's better,
I'll pay your bounties; 'till then, rest your debtor.
1 Fish. Why, wilt thou tourney for the lady?
Per. I'll shew the virtue I have borne in arms.

1 Fish. Why, take it, and the gods give thee good

on't.

2 Fish. But hark you, my friend, 'twas we that made up this garment thro' the rough seams of the waters; there are certain condolements, certain vails; I hope, sir, if you thrive, you'll remember from whence you had them.

Per. Believe it I will;

By your furtherance I am cloath'd in steel,
And, spight of all the rupture of the sea,

This Jewel holds his building on my arm;
Unto thy value I will mount myself
Upon a courser, whose delightful steps

Shall make the gazer joy to see him tread:

Only, my friend, I yet am unprovided of a pair of bases. 2 Fish. We'll sure provide; thou shalt have

My best gown to make thee a pair;
And I'll bring thee to the court myself,

Per. Then honour be but a goal to my will,
This day I'll rise, or else add ill to ill.

[Exeunt.

SCENE III.

An open Square near the Palace of Pentapolis. SYMONIDES with Attendants and THAISA, enter.

King. Are the knights ready to begin the triumph? 1 Lord. They are, my liege, and stay your coming, To present themselves.

King. Return them, we are ready; and our daughter

here,

In honour of whose birth, these triumphs are,
Sits here like beauty's child, whom nature gat,
For men to see and, seeing, wonder at,

Thai. It pleaseth you, my royal father, to express
My commendations great, whose merit's less.
King. It's fit it should be so: for princes are

A model which Heav'n makes of itself:
As jewels lose their glory, if neglected,

So princes their renowns if not respected.

'Tis now your honour, daughter, to entertain The labour of each knight, in his device.

Thai. Which to preserve mine honour, I'll perform. [The first knight passes by.

King. Who is the first that doth prefer himself?

Thai. A knight of Sparta, my renowned father,
And the device he bears upon his shield,

Is a black Æthiop reaching at the sun;
The word, Lux tua vita mihi.

King. He loves you well, that holds his life of you.

[The second knight.

Who is the second that presents himself?

Thai. A prince of Macedon, my royal father, And the device he bears upon his shield,

Is an arm'd knight, that's conquer'd by a lady,

The motto thus in Spanish, Pue for dolcera chi por forza.

King. And what's the third?

[The third knight.

Thai. The third of Antioch; and his device

A wreath of chivalry; the word, Me Pompei provexit

apex.

King. And what is the fourth?

[The fourth knight.

Thai. A burning torch turned upside down;

The word, Qui me alit, me extinguit.

King. Which shews that beauty hath his power and

will,

Which can as well enflame, as it can kill.

[The fifth knight.

Thai. The fifth an hand environed with clouds,

A

Holding out gold, that's by the touch-stone try'd;
The motto thus, Sic spectanda fides.

[The sixth knight.

King. And what's the sixth and last, the which the
Knight himself with such a graceful courtesie deliver'd?
Thai. He seems to be a stranger, but his present is
A wither'd branch, that's only green at top;
The motto, In hac spe vivo.

King. A pretty moral:

From the dejected state wherein he is,

He hopes, by you, his fortunes yet may flourish.

1 Lord. He had need mean better than his outward shew

Can any way speak in his just commend :

For, by his rusty outside, he appears

To 'ave practis'd more the whipstock, than the lance. 2 Lord. He well may be a stranger, for he comes To an honour'd triumph, strangely furnish’d.

3 Lord. And on set purpose let his armour rust Until this day, to scour it in the dust.

King. Opinion's but a fool, that makes us scan The outward habit by the inward man.

But stay, the knights are coming.

We will withdraw into the gallery.

[Exeunt.

[Great shouts, and all cry 'The mean knight.

The King and Knights enter from tilting.

King. Knights, to say you're welcome, were super

fluous.

To place upon the volume of your deeds,