And danger, which I feared, is at Antioch, Whose arm seems far too short to hit me here: And what was first but fear what might be done, If he suspect I may dishonour him : And what may make him blush in being known, 1 Lord. Joy and all comfort in your sacred breast! 2 Lord. And keep your mind, till you return to us, Peaceful and comfortable! Hel. Peace, peace, my lords, and give experience tongue, They do abuse the king, that flatter him: The thing the which is flatter'd, but a spark, Fits kings, as they are men, for they may err. Per. All leave us else; but let your cares o'erlook What shipping, and what lading's in our haven, And then return to us. [Exeunt Lords.] Helicanus, thou Hast moved us: what seest thou in our looks? Hel. An angry brow, dread lord. Per. If there be such a dart in princes' frowns, How durst thy tongue move anger to our face? Hel. How dare the plants look up to heaven, from whence They have their nourishment? Per. To take thy life. Thou know'st I have power Hel. [Kneeling.] I have ground the axe myself; Do you but strike the blow. Per. Rise, pr'ythee rise; Sit down, sit down; thou art no flatterer : I thank thee for it; and high heaven forbid, That kings should let their ears hear their faults hid! Fit counsellor, and servant for a prince, Who by thy wisdom mak'st a prince thy servant, Hel. With patience bear Such griefs as you do lay upon yourself. Per. Thou speak'st like a physician, Helicanus; Who minister'st a potion unto me, That thou would'st tremble to receive thyself. Where, as thou know'st, against the face of death, this, 'Tis time to fear, when tyrants seem to kiss. Who seem'd my good protector; and being here, Must feel war's blow, who spares not innocence: Who now reprov'st me for it) Hel. Alas, sir! Per, Drew sleep out of mine eyes, blood from my cheeks, Musings into my mind, a thousand doubts Hel. Well, my lord, since you have given me leave to speak, Freely I'll speak. Antiochus you fear, And justly too, I think, you fear the tyrant, Will take away your life. Therefore, my lord, go travel for a while, Day serves not light more faithful than I'll be. But should he wrong my liberties in absence- Intend my travel, where I'll hear from thee; On thee I lay, whose wisdom's strength can bear it. 2 In our different spheres. That time of both this truth shall ne'er convince,3 Thou show'dst a subject's shine, I a true prince. [Exeunt. SCENE III. Tyre. An Ante-chamber in the Palace. Enter THALIARD. Thal. So, this is Tyre, and this is the court. Here must I kill king Pericles; and if I do not, I am sure to be hang'd at home: 'tis dangerous.-Well, I perceive he was a wise fellow, and had good discretion, that being bid to ask what he would of the king, desired he might know none of his secrets. Now do I see he had some reason for it: for if a king bid a man be a villain, he is bound by the indenture of his oath to be one.-Hush, here come the lords of Tyre. Enter HELICANUS, ESCANES, and other Lords. Hel. You shall not need, my fellow peers of Tyre, Further to question of your king's departure. His seal'd commission, left in trust with me, Doth speak sufficiently, he's gone to travel. Thal. How! the king gone! Hel. If further yet you will be satisfied, [Aside. Why, as it were unlicens'd of your loves, Thal. What from Antioch? [Aside. Hel. Royal Antiochus (on what cause I know not,) 3 Overcome. |