Page:Stories from Old English Poetry-1899.djvu/282

256 prince. After long search they heard of him in Pentapolis, and going to that city they besought him to accompany them back to Tyre.

When Thaisa found that he was really a prince of so much repute, she did not love him more, since that was impossible, but she rejoiced at his good fortune, and begged him to go immediately to Tyre. He would have had her remain at her father’s court till he could go to his kingdom and make preparations to receive her, but she longed so much to accompany him that he had not the will to forbid her. A ship was fitted out with all possible comfort and elegance, an ample train of female attendants accompanied Thaisa, and in great state they set sail from the harbor of Pentapolis. Everything seemed to promise a calm and pleasant journey. But the ill fortune which had for a season seemed to forget Pericles, again assailed him. A few days they sailed fairly and prosperously, but at the end of that time a violent storm arose, and the ship was beaten and tossed about by the waves. In the midst of this disaster, while the winds and the waves were at their worst, amid the roaring of waters, the creaking of timbers, and the volleying of thunder, an infant daughter was born to Pericles. Thaisa did not live to see the face of her babe; for worn out with her anxiety, and the terror she had endured from the storm, she