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- William Shakespeare: Pericles, Act II, Scene II
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Scene IIThe same. A public way or platform leading to the lists. A pavilion by the side of it for the reception of King, Princess, Lords, &cEnter Simonides, Thaisa, Lords, and AttendantsSimonidesAre the knights ready to begin the triumph?First LordThey are, my liege; And stay your coming to present themselves.SimonidesReturn them, we are ready; and our daughter, 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.Exit a LordThaisaIt pleaseth you, my royal father, to express My commendations great, whose merit’s less.SimonidesIt’s fit it should be so; for princes are A model which heaven makes like to itself: As jewels lose their glory if neglected, So princes their renowns if not respected. ‘Tis now your honour, daughter, to explain The labour of each knight in his device.ThaisaWhich, to preserve mine honour, I’ll perform.Enter a Knight; he passes over, and his Squire presents his shield to the PrincessSimonidesWho is the first that doth prefer himself?ThaisaA knight of Sparta, my renowned father; And the device he bears upon his shield Is a black Ethiope reaching at the sun The word, ‘Lux tua vita mihi.‘SimonidesHe loves you well that holds his life of you.The Second Knight passes overWho is the second that presents himself?ThaisaA 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, ‘Piu por dulzura que por fuerza.‘The Third Knight passes overSimonidesAnd what’s the third?ThaisaThe third of Antioch; And his device, a wreath of chivalry; The word, ‘Me pompae provexit apex.‘The Fourth Knight passes overSimonidesWhat is the fourth?ThaisaA burning torch that’s turned upside down; The word, ‘Quod me alit, me extinguit.‘SimonidesWhich shows that beauty hath his power and will, Which can as well inflame as it can kill.The Fifth Knight passes overThaisaThe fifth, an hand environed with clouds, Holding out gold that’s by the touchstone tried; The motto thus, ‘Sic spectanda fides.‘The Sixth Knight, Pericles, passes overSimonidesAnd what’s The sixth and last, the which the knight himself With such a graceful courtesy deliver’d?ThaisaHe 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.‘SimonidesA pretty moral; From the dejected state wherein he is, He hopes by you his fortunes yet may flourish.First LordHe had need mean better than his outward show Can any way speak in his just commend; For by his rusty outside he appears To have practised more the whipstock than the lance.Second LordHe well may be a stranger, for he comes To an honour’d triumph strangely furnished.Third LordAnd on set purpose let his armour rust Until this day, to scour it in the dust.SimonidesOpinion’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.ExeuntGreat shouts within and all cry ‘The mean knight!’
William Shakespeare: Pericles, Act II
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William Shakespeare: Pericles, Act II, Scene III
- William Shakespeare: Pericles, Act II, Scene III
TrendingHere are the facts and trivia that people are buzzing about.
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The Twelve Dancing Princesses
Current Events This Week: January 2023
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Andersen’s Fairy Tales: Contents
The Celtic Twilight: A Teller of Tales
TrendingHere are the facts and trivia that people are buzzing about.
Did Birds Evolve from Dinosaurs?
The Twelve Dancing Princesses
Current Events This Week: January 2023
African Americans by the Numbers
Andersen’s Fairy Tales: Contents
The Celtic Twilight: A Teller of Tales
- Did Birds Evolve from Dinosaurs?
- The Twelve Dancing Princesses
- Current Events This Week: January 2023
- African Americans by the Numbers
- Andersen’s Fairy Tales: Contents
- The Celtic Twilight: A Teller of Tales
