Page:Stories from Old English Poetry-1899.djvu/274

250 They told him that the city of the good Simonides was only a few hours distant, and that on the morrow a grand tournament would be held in celebration of the princess Thaisa, the only child of Simonides. Whilst the fishermen were telling these things, to which Pericles listened with open ears, one of them dropped his net into the sea, and presently drew up, entangled in the lines, a complete suit of armor, somewhat rusty, but still fit for wearing. Pericles seized a hope which the sight of this armor suggested, and begged the fisherman to give it him, that he might be able to attend the tourney on the morrow, and joust in the princess’s honor, hoping that by his skill in feats of arms he might attract the notice, and win the favor of, the king. The kind-hearted fisherman consented, only requesting Pericles to remember him if he were successful, and the good old man who had offered him shelter, generously promised his best gown to make a tunic to wear underneath his armor. So Pericles retired to rest under the humble roof of the fisherman, with his brain full of hopes and plans, and slept the sleep of great weariness.

In the morning Pericles found himself quite bravely furnished forth. The wife of the fisher man had worked all night to make him garments from the ample gown of her husband, and the armor had been mended and polished as well as