Page:Stories from Old English Poetry-1899.djvu/269





THE WONDERFUL ADVENTURES OF

PERICLES, PRINCE OF TYRE. HE old city of Tyre was once one of the proudest and wealthiest cities on the globe. Its commerce was extensive, its merchants prosperous, and its kings very powerful. But Tyre had lost something of its ancient grandeur when young Pericles ascended the throne of his fathers. Rival kingdoms had arisen whose power was feared and dreaded in Tyre. It was, therefore, very necessary that the young prince, who was learned and thoughtful, and possessed the virtues of mature manhood, should ally himself in marriage with some kingdom whose influence and power would prop the falling fortunes of Tyre.

With this purpose the prince began to look about him as soon as he was of age to marry. The kingdom of Syria was ruled by King Antiochus, a powerful put cruel monarch. He had one daughter of whom Pericles had heard as one of the fairest and most accomplished of women.