By the defiling of her parent's bed; And both like ferpents are, who though they feed 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 fin In fuch a loathed manner: And therefore instantly this prince must die; Enter THALIARD. Thal. Doth your highness call? Ant. Thaliard, you're of our chamber, and our mind Partakes her private actions to your fecrecy; 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? B 4 Thal, Thal. 'Tis done. My lord, Ant. Enough; Enter a Meffenger. Left your breath cool yourself, telling your hafte. Mef. My lord, prince Pericles is fled. [Exit Meffenger. Ant. As thou Wilt live, fly after: and, as an arrow, shot From a well-experienc'd archer, hits the mark His eye doth level at, so thou ne'er return, Unless thou fay, Prince Pericles is dead. Thal. My lord, if I Can get him once within my pistol's length, I'll make him fure: fo farewell to your highness. [Exit. Ant. Thaliard, adieu! till Pericles be dead, My heart can lend no fuccour 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 fad companion, dull-ey'd melancholy, By me fo 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 fhun them, And danger, which I feared, is at Antioch, Whofe arm feems far too short to hit me here: Nor Nor yet the other's distance comfort me. And what was firft but fear what might be done, If he fufpect I may dishonour him : And what may make him blufh in being known, (Who am no more but as the tops of trees, Which fence the roots they grow by, and defend them,) Lord. Joy and all comfort in your facred breast! Hel. Peace, peace, my lords, and give experience tongue. They do abuse the king, that flatter him : For flattery is the bellows blows up fin; The thing the which is flatter'd, but a spark, To which that breath gives heat and stronger glowing; Whereas reproof, obedient, and in order, Fits kings, as they are men, for they may err. When When fignior Sooth here does proclaim a peace, 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 Haft moved us: what feeft thou in our looks? Hel. An angry brow, dread lord. Per. If there be fuch a dart in princes' frowns, How durft 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'ft I have power Hel. [Kneeling.] I have ground the axe myself; but ftrike the blow. you Do Per. Rife, pr'ythee rife; Sit down, fit down; thou art no flatterer : I thank thee for it; and high heaven forbid, That kings should let their ears hear their faults hid! Who by thy wisdom mak'st a prince thy fervant, What would'ft thou have me do? Hel. With patience bear Such griefs as you do lay upon yourself. Per. Thou speak'st like a physician, Helicanus; Who minifter'ft a potion unto me, That thou would'st tremble to receive thy felf. Where, as thou know'st, against the face of death, Bring arms to princes, and to fubjects joys. 'Tis time to fear, when tyrants seem to kiss. Which fear fo grew in me, I hither fled, Who seem'd my good protector; and being here, Hel. Alas, fir! Per. Drew fleep out of mine eyes, blood from my cheeks, Mufings into my mind, a thousand doubts How I might stop this tempeft, ere it came; And finding little comfort to relieve them, I thought it princely charity to grieve them. Hel. Well, my lord, fince you have given me leave to speak, Freely I'll speak. Antiochus you fear, And justly too, I think, you fear the tyrant, Who either by publick war, or private treason, away your life. Therefore, |