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Act 5, Scene 3
Pericles Translation Act 5, Epilogue
Enter GOWER
GOWER
In Antiochus and his daughter you have heard Of monstrous lust the due and just reward: In Pericles, his queen and daughter, seen, Although assail'd with fortune fierce and keen, Virtue preserved from fell destruction's blast, Led on by heaven, and crown'd with joy at last: In Helicanus may you well descry A figure of truth, of faith, of loyalty: In reverend Cerimon there well appears The worth that learned charity aye wears: For wicked Cleon and his wife, when fame Had spread their cursed deed, and honour'd name Of Pericles, to rage the city turn, That him and his they in his palace burn; The gods for murder seemed so content To punish them; although not done, but meant. So, on your patience evermore attending, New joy wait on you! Here our play has ending.
GOWER
You heard about the just deserts that Antiochus and his daughter got for their monstrous actions. And you've seen how Pericles, his queen, and his daughter—despite the bad fortune life threw at them—kept their virtue safe from misfortune's attacks, trusted the gods, and are happy at last. You can see that Helicanus is an example of truth, faith, and loyalty; Cerimon displays how wisdom and generosity can do good in the world. Once the word got out about what Cleon and his wife had done, the city of Tarsus (which loved Pericles) reacted in a rage, burning them to death in their own palace. The gods punished them that way for their attempted murder—though they didn't do it, they meant it. So, thanks again for your patience, and may you be blessed! This is the end of our play.
Exit
