ABSTRACT
The Painfull Adventures of Pericles Prince of Tyre 509 Lux tua vita mihi: which being by the knights Page delivered to the Lady, and from her presented to the King her father, hee made playne to her the meaning of each imprese: and for this first, it was, that the Macedonian Prince loved her so well hee helde his life of her. The second, a Prince of Corinth,l and the Device hee bare upon his shield was a wreathe of Chivalry, the word, Me pomplE provexet apex, the desire of renowne drew him to this enterprise. The third of Antioch,2 and his Device was an armed Knight, being conquered by a Lady, the word, Pue per dolcera qui per sforsa: more by lenitie than by force. The fourth of Sparta,3 and the Device he bare was a mans arme environed with a cloude, holding out golde thats by the touchstone tride, the word, Sic spectandafides, so faith is to be looked into. The fift of Athens,4 and his Device was a flaming Torch turned downeward, the word, Qui me alit me extinguit, that which gives me life gives me death. The sixt and last was Pericles Prince of Tyre, who having neither Page to deliver his shield, nor shield to deliver, making his Device according to his fortunes, which was a withered Braunch being onely greene at the top, which prooved the abating of his body, decayed not the noblenesse of his minde, his word, In hac spe vivo, In that hope I live.5 Himselfe with a most gracefull curtesie presented it unto her, which shee as curteously received, whilest the Peeres attending on the King forbare not to scoffe, both at his presence, and the present hee brought, being himselfe in a rusty Armour, the Caparison of his horse of plaine country russet, and his owne Bases but the skirtes of a poore Fishermans coate, which the King mildely reprooving them for, hee tolde them, that as Vertue was not to be approoved by wordes, but by actions, so the outward habite was the least table of the inward minde, and counselling them not to condemne ere they had cause to accuse.6 They went forward to the triumph, in which noble exercise they came almost all as short of Pericles perfections, as a body dying, of a life flourishing. To be short, both of Court and Commons, the praises of none were spoken of, but of the meane Knights? (for by any other name he was yet unknowne to any.) But the Triumphes being ended, Pericles as chiefe, (for in this dayes honour hee was Champion) with all the other Princes, were by the Kings Marshall conducted into the Presence, where Symonides and his daughter Thaysa, with a most stately banquet stayed to give them a thankefull intertainment. At
