KNIGHTS. Who can be other in this royal presence? SIMONIDES. Here, with a cup that’s stored unto the brim,— As you do love, fill to your mistress’ lips,— We drink this health to you. KNIGHTS. We thank your grace. SIMONIDES. Yet pause awhile. Yon knight doth sit too melancholy, As if the entertainment in our court Had not a show might countervail his worth. Note it not you, Thaisa? THAISA. What is’t to me, my father? SIMONIDES. O attend, my daughter: Princes in this should live like gods above, Who freely give to everyone that comes to honour them: And princes not doing so are like to gnats, Which make a sound, but kill’d are wonder’d at. Therefore to make his entrance more sweet, Here, say we drink this standing-bowl of wine to him. THAISA. Alas, my father, it befits not me Unto a stranger knight to be so bold: He may my proffer take for an offence, Since men take women’s gifts for impudence. SIMONIDES. How? Do as I bid you, or you’ll move me else. THAISA. [_Aside._] Now, by the gods, he could not please me better. SIMONIDES. And furthermore tell him, we desire to know of him, Of whence he is, his name and parentage. THAISA. The king my father, sir, has drunk to you. PERICLES. I thank him. THAISA. Wishing it so much blood unto your life. PERICLES. I thank both him and you, and pledge him freely. THAISA. And further he desires to know of you, Of whence you are, your name and parentage. PERICLES. A gentleman of Tyre; my name, Pericles; My education been in arts and arms; Who, looking for adventures in the world, Was by the rough seas reft of ships and men, And after shipwreck driven upon this shore. THAISA. He thanks your grace; names himself Pericles, A gentleman of Tyre, Who only by misfortune of the seas Bereft of ships and men, cast on this shore. SIMONIDES. Now, by the gods, I pity his misfortune, And will awake him from his melancholy. Come, gentlemen, we sit too long on trifles, And waste the time, which looks for other revels. Even in your armours, as you are address’d, Will well become a soldier’s dance. I will not have excuse, with saying this, ‘Loud music is too harsh for ladies’ heads’ Since they love men in arms as well as beds. [_The Knights dance._] So, this was well ask’d, ’twas so well perform’d. Come, sir; here is a lady which wants breathing too: And I have heard you knights of Tyre Are excellent in making ladies trip; And that their measures are as excellent. PERICLES. In those that practise them they are, my lord. SIMONIDES. O, that’s as much as you would be denied Of your fair courtesy. [_The Knights and Ladies dance._] Unclasp, unclasp: Thanks gentlemen, to all; all have done well. [_To Pericles._] But you the best. Pages and lights to conduct These knights unto their several lodgings. [_To Pericles._] Yours, sir, we have given order to be next our own. PERICLES. I am at your grace’s pleasure.