Talk:Pericles, Prince of Tyre

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Should "synopsis" go as the last section on the article? ~ Dpr 09:45, 31 May 2005 (UTC)

[edit] The riddle

The riddle seems to be just the 1st 4 couplets of Pericles' lines; the rest (unrhymed) looks like his reaction. Here's the text, from http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext98/2ws3810.txt (stage directions in square brackets)

[He reads the riddle.]

I am no viper, yet I feed

On mother's flesh which did me breed.

I sought a husband, in which labour

I found that kindness in a father:

He's father, son, and husband mild;

I mother, wife, and yet his child.

How they may be, and yet in two,

As you will live, resolve it you.

Sharp physic is the last: but, O you powers

That give heaven countless eyes to view men's acts,

Why cloud they not their sights perpetually,

If this be true, which makes me pale to read it?

Fair glass of light, I loved you, and could still,

[Takes hold of the hand of the Princess.]

Were not this glorious casket stored with ill:

But I must tell you, now my thoughts revolt;

For he's no man on whom perfections wait

That, knowing sin within, will touch the gate,

You are a fair viol, and your sense the strings;

Who, finger'd to make man his lawful music,

Would draw heaven down, and all the gods to hearken;

But being play'd upon before your time,

Hell only danceth at so harsh a chime.

Good sooth, I care not for you. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Rewinn (talk • contribs).

• Yes, I agree with your conclusion on that one. AndyJones 12:17, 17 July 2006 (UTC)