SCENE III. The temple of Diana at Ephesus; Thaisa standing near
the altar, as high priestess; a number of Virgins on each side;
Cerimon and other inhabitants of Ephesus attending.
[Enter Pericles, with his train; Lysimachus, Helicanus, Marina,
and a Lady.]
PERICLES.
Hail, Dian! to perform thy just command,
I here confess myself the king of Tyre;
Who, frighted from my country, did wed
At Pentapolis the fair Thaisa.
At sea in childbed died she, but brought forth
A maid-child call'd Marina; who, O goddess,
Wears yet thy silver livery. She at Tarsus
Was nursed with Cleon; who at fourteen years
He sought to murder: but her better stars
Brought her to Mytilene; 'gainst whose shore
Riding, her fortunes brought the maid aboard us,
Where by her own most clear remembrance, she
Made known herself my daughter.
THAISA.
Voice and favour!
You are, you are -- O royal Pericles!
[Faints.]
PERICLES.
What means the nun? she dies! help, gentlemen!
CERIMON.
Noble sir,
If you have told Diana's altar true,
This is your wife.
PERICLES.
Reverend appearer, no;
I threw her overboard with these very arms.
CERIMON.
Upon this coast, I warrant you.
PERICLES.
'Tis most certain.
CERIMON.
Look to the lady; O, she's but o'er-joy'd.
Early in blustering morn this lady was
Thrown upon this shore. I oped the coffin,
Found there rich jewels; recover'd her, and placed her
Here in Diana's temple.
PERICLES.
May we see them?
CERIMON.
Great sir, they shall be brought you to my house,
Whither I invite you. Look, Thaisa is
Recovered.
THAISA.
O, let me look!
If he be none of mine, my sanctity
Will to my sense bend no licentious ear,
But curb it, spite of seeing. O, my lord,
Are you not Pericles? Like him you spake,
Like him you are: did you not name a tempest,
A birth, and death?
PERICLES.
The voice of dead Thaisa!
THAISA.
That Thaisa am I, supposed dead
And drown'd.
PERICLES.
Immortal Dian!
THAISA.
Now I know you better,
When we with tears parted Pentapolis,
The king my father gave you such a ring.
[Shows a ring.]
PERICLES.
This, this: no more, you gods! your present kindness
Makes my past miseries sports: you shall do well,
That on the touching of her lips I may
Melt and no more be seen. O, come, be buried
A second time within these arms.
MARINA.
My heart
Leaps to be gone into my mother's bosom.
[Kneels to Thaisa.]
PERICLES.
Look, who kneels here! Flesh of thy flesh, Thaisa;
Thy burden at the sea, and call'd Marina
For she was yielded there.
THAISA.
Blest, and mine own!
HELICANUS.
Hail, madam, and my queen!
THAISA.
I know you not.
PERICLES.
You have heard me say, when did fly from Tyre,
I left behind an ancient substitute:
Can you remember what I call'd the man
I have named him oft.
THAISA.
'Twas Helicanus then.
PERICLES.
Still confirmation:
Embrace him, dear Thaisa; this is he.
Now do I long to hear how you were found:
How possibly preserved; and who to thank,
Besides the gods, for this great miracle.
THAISA.
Lord Cerimon, my lord; this man,
Through whom the gods have shown their power; that can
From first to last resolve you.