Pentapolis. A Room in the Palace.
 Enter SIMONIDES reading of a letter at one door. The KNIGHTS meet him.

1st Knight	Good morrow to the good Simonides.

Simonides	Knights, from my daughter this I let you know:
	That for this twelvemonth she'll not undertake
	A married life.
	Her reason to herself is only known,
	Which from her by no means can I get.

2nd Knight	May we not get access to her, my lord?

Simonides	Faith, by no means; she has so strictly tied
	Her to her chamber that 'tis impossible.
	One twelve moons more she'll wear Diana's livery;
	This by the eye of Cynthia hath she vowed,
	And on her virgin honour will not break it.

3rd Knight	Loath to bid farewell, we take our leaves.
										[Exeunt KNIGHTS.

Simonides	So, they are well dispatched. Now to my daughter's letter.
	She tells me here she'll wed the stranger knight,
	Or never more to view nor day nor light.
	'Tis well, mistress, your choice agrees with mine;
	I like that well. Nay, how absolute she's in't,
	Not minding whether I dislike or no!
	Well, I do commend her choice,
	And will no longer have it be delayed.
	Soft, here he comes: I must dissemble it.

                             Enter PERICLES.

Pericles	All fortune to the good Simonides!

Simonides	To you as much. Sir, I am beholding to you
	For your sweet music this last night. I do
	Protest my ears were never better fed
	With such delightful pleasing harmony.

Pericles	It is your grace's pleasure to commend,
	Not my desert.

Simonides	Sir, you are music's master.

Pericles	The worst of all her scholars, my good lord.

Simonides	Let me ask you one thing.
	What do you think of my daughter, sir?

Pericles	A most virtuous princess.

Simonides	And she is fair too, is she not?

Pericles	As a fair day in summer, wondrous fair.

Simonides	Sir, my daughter thinks very well of you;
	Ay, so well that you must be her master
	And she will be your scholar; therefore look to it.

Pericles	I am unworthy for her schoolmaster.

Simonides	She thinks not so; peruse this writing else.

Pericles	[Aside.] What's here?
	A letter that she loves the knight of Tyre!
	'Tis the king's subtlety to have my life.
	[To SIMONIDES.] O, seek not to entrap me, gracious lord,
	A stranger and distressd gentleman
	That never aimed so high to love your daughter,
	But bent all offices to honour her.

Simonides	Thou hast bewitched my daughter,
	And thou art a villain.

Pericles	By the gods, I have not.
	Never did thought of mine levy offence,
	Nor never did my actions yet commence
	A deed might gain her love or your displeasure.

Simonides	Traitor, thou liest.

Pericles	Traitor?

Simonides	Ay, traitor.

Pericles	Even in his throat, unless it be the king,
	That calls me traitor, I return the lie.

Simonides	[Aside.] Now, by the gods, I do applaud his courage.

Pericles	My actions are as noble as my thoughts,
	That never relished of a base descent.
	I came unto your court for honour's cause,
	And not to be a rebel to her state;
	And he that otherwise accounts of me,
	This sword shall prove he's honour's enemy.

Simonides	No? Here comes my daughter, she can witness it.

                              Enter THAISA.

Pericles	Then, as you are as virtuous as fair,
	Resolve your angry father if my tongue
	Did e'er solicit or my hand subscribe
	To any syllable that made love to you.

Thaisa	Why, sir, say if you had, who takes offence
	At that would make me glad?

Simonides	Yea, mistress, are you so peremptory?
	[Aside.] I am glad on't with all my heart.
	[Aloud.] I'll tame you, I'll bring you in subjection.
	Will you, not having my consent,
	Bestow your love and your affections
	Upon a stranger? [Aside.] Who, for aught I know,
	May be, nor can I think the contrary,
	As great in blood as I myself.
	[Aloud.] Therefore hear you, mistress: either frame
	Your will to mine; and you, sir, hear you:
	Either be ruled by me, or I will make you
	Man and wife.
	Nay, come, your hands and lips must seal it too,
	And being joined, I'll thus your hopes destroy;
	And for further grief - God give you joy!
	What, are you both pleased?

Thaisa	Yes, if you love me, sir.

Pericles	Even as my life my blood that fosters it.

Simonides	What, are you both agreed?

Pericles &
Thaisa	Yes, if't please your majesty.

Simonides	It pleaseth me so well that I will see you wed,
	And then, with what haste you can, get you to bed.
										[Exeunt.
