ABSTRACT
So with this flattery, (which is like a Skreene before the gravest Judgements) deceiving the Cittizens, and all doone, unsuspected she returned home, when Cleon, who not at all consented to this treason, but so soone as he heard therof, being strucke into amazement, he apparelled himselfe in mourning garments, lamenting the untimely ruine of so goodly a Lady, saying to himselfe, Alas now, what mischiefe am I wrapped in, what might I do or say heerein? The Father of that Virgine delivered this Citty from the perill of death, for this Citties sake hee suffered shipwracke, lost his goodes, and endured penury, and now he is requited with evill for good, his daughter which hee committed by my care to be brought up, is now devoured by the cruelty of my wife, so that I am deprived, as it were, of mine owne eyes, and forced to bewaile the death of that Innocent, she in whose presence, as in the fortune of mine own posterity I shoulde have had delight. And then demaunding of Dyonysa how she could give prince Pericles accompt of his childe, having robbed him of his childe, how she could appease the fury of his wrath, if her acte were knowne to him? or how alay the displeasure of the gods, from whome nothing can be hid. For Pericles quoth she, if such a pious innocent as your selfe do not reveale it unto him,2 how should he come to the knowledge thereof, since that the whole Citty is satisfied by the monument I caused to be erected, and by our dissembling outside, that she died naturally, and for the gods, let
them that list be of the minde to thinke they can make stones speake, and raise them up in evidence, for my parte I have my wish, I have my safety, and feare no daunger till it fall upon me. But Clean rather cursing then commending this obduracy in her, he continued mourning unfainedly, but she according to her sinful condition. 1 By this time the pirats (who before rescued Marina, when she should have beene slaine by trecherous Leonine) are now arived at Meteline, and in the Market place of the Cittie, according to the custome, amongst other bondslaves, offered her to be solde, whither all sorts of people, comming to supply their purposes, Marina was not without much commendations gazed upon of the buyers, come commending her beauty, others her sober countenaunce, all pittying her mishap, and praysing her perfections, which prayses of her, were so spread through the Citty, that from all parts they came crowding to see her, amongst the number of which, was a Lena or bawde, yet one who had not set up shop, and kept trade for himselfe, but was yet but journey-man to the devill. This Lena amongst others, staring upon her, and knowing her face to be a fit faire signe for his maisters house, and with which signe he made no doubt, but to lodge under their roofe, all th'intemperate (even from youth to age) thorow the whole Citty, hee foorthwith demaunded the price, intending to buy her, at what rate soever, and in the end, went thorow, and bargained to have her, paying a hundred Sestercies of golde, and so presently having given earnest, he takes Marina, and the rest of the Pirates home with him to his Maisters house, Marina was there to be taught how to give her body uppe a prostitute to sinne, and the Pirates for their new stuffe to receive their money.2
