Thus ready for the way of life or death, Ant. Read the conclusion then ; Which read and not expounded, 'tis decreed, As these before thee thou thyself shalt bleed. Daugh. In all, save that, may'st thou prove pros perous ! In all, save that, I wish thee happiness! Per. Like a bold champion, I assume the lists, Nor ask advice of any other thought But faithfulness, and courage. [He reads the Riddle.] I am no viper, yet I feed On mother's flesh, which did me breed: Sharp physick is the last: but O you powers! For he's no man on whom perfections wait, Ant. Prince Pericles, touch not, upon thy life, As dangerous as the rest. Your time's expir'd; Per. Great king, Few love to hear the sins they love to act; V Blows dust in others' eyes, to spread itself; wrong'd By man's oppression; and the poor worm doth die for't. Kings are earth's gods: in vice their law's their will; And if Jove stray, who dares say, Jove doth ill ? It is enough you know; and it is fit, What being more known grows worse, to smother it. All love the womb that their first beings bred, Then give my tongue like leave to love 7 Rising to a top or head. my head. Ant. Heaven, that I had thy head! he has found the meaning ; But I will gloze with him. [Aside.] Young prince of Tyre, Though by the tenour of our strict edíct, We might proceed to cancel of your days;" his mercy shows, we'll joy in such a son : [Exeunt ANTIOCHUS, his daughter, and At tendants. Per. How courtesy would seem to cover sin ! Then were it certain, you were not so bad, By the defiling of her parent's bed; And both like serpents are, who though they feed • Flatter, insinuate. 9 To the destruction of your life. I Whereas. Antioch, farewell! for wisdom sees, those men Ay, and the targets, to put off the shame: Re-enter ANTIOCHUS. [Exit. Ant. He hath found the meaning, for the which we mean To have his head. He must not live to trumpet forth my infamy, Nor tell the world, Antiochus doth sin In such a loathed manner: And therefore instantly this prince must die; Thal. Enter THALIARD. Doth your highness call? Ant. Thaliard, you're of our chamber, and our mind Partakes her private actions to your secresy; And for your faithfulness we will advance you. Thaliard, behold, here's poison, and here's gold; We hate the prince of Tyre, and thou must kill him ; It fits thee not to ask the reason why, Because we bid it. Say, is it done? Thal. 'Tis done. My lord, Ant. Enough; Enter a Messenger. Lest your breath cool yourself, telling your haste. Mess. My lord, prince Pericles is fled. Ant. [Exit Messenger. As thou Wilt live, fly after: and, as an arrow, shot From a well-experienc'd archer, hits the mark eye doth level at, so ne'er return, His Unless thou say, Prince Pericles is dead. Thal. My lord, if I Can get him once within my pistol's length, I'll make him sure: so farewell to your highness. [Exit. Ant. Thaliard, adieu! till Pericles be dead, My heart can lend no succour to my head. [Exit. SCENE II. Tyre. A Room in the Palace. Enter PERICLES, HELICANUS, and other Lords. Per. Let none disturb us: Why this charge of thoughts? The sad companion, dull-ey'd melancholy, By me so us'd a guest is, not an hour, In the day's glorious walk, or peaceful night, (The tomb where grief should sleep,) can breed me quiet! Here pleasures court mine eyes, and mine eyes shun them, |