88 PERICLES.

that he thought she must be of too humble parentage to become the wife
of one in his high position.

The wicked Dionyza believed, from her servant’s report, that Marina
was really dead, and so she put up a monument to her memory, and
showed it to King Pericles, when after long years of absence he came to
see his much-loved child. When he heard that she, his only joy in life,
was dead, his grief was terrible to see. He set sail once more, and
putting on sackcloth, vowed never to wash his face or cut his hair
again. There was a pavilion erected on deck and there he lay alone,
curtained from the sight of all, and for three months he spoke word
to none.

At last it chanced that his ship came into the port of Mitylene, and
Lysimachus, the Governor, went on board to enquire whence the vessel
came. When he heard the story of Pericles’ sorrow and silence, he
bethought him of Marina, and, believing that she could rouse the King
from his stupor, sent for her and bade her try her utmost to persuade the
King to speak, promising whatever reward she would, if she succeeded.
Marina gladly obeyed, and sending the rest away, she sat and sang to
her poor grief-laden father, yet, sweet as was her voice, he made no
sign. So presently she spoke to him, saying that her grief might
equal his, if both were justly weighed, and that, though she was a
slave, she came from ancestors that stood equivalent with mighty
kings.

Something in her voice and story touched the King’s heart, and
he looked up at her, and as he looked, he saw with wonder how lke she
" was to his lost wife, so with a great hope springing up in his heart, he
bade her tell her story.

Then, with many interruptions from the King, she told him who she
was and how she had escaped from the cruel Dionyza. So Pericles knew
that this was indeed his daughter, and he kissed her again and again,
crying that his great seas of joy drowned him with their sweetness.
‘Give me my robes,” he said: ““O Heavens, bless my girl !”

Then there came to him, though none else could hear it, the sound
of heavenly music, and falling asleep, he beheld the goddess Diana, in a
vision.

“Go,” she said to him, “to my temple at Ephesus, and when