Ant. Prince Pericles, Per. That would be son to great Antiochus. Ant. Before thee stands this fair Hesperides, With golden fruit, but dangerous to be touch'd; For death-like dragons here affright thee hard: Her face, like heaven, enticeth thee to view Her countless glory, which desert must gain; On mother's flesh which did me breed; 64 68 Sharp physic is the last: but, O you powers! 72 That give heaven countless eyes to view men's acts, Why cloud they not their sights perpetually, But being play'd upon before your time, 84 Ant. Prince Pericles, touch not, upon thy life, 88 For that's an article within our law, 56 109 Enter THALIARD. Ant. Thaliard, Doth your highness call? 153 You're of our chamber, and our mind partakes We hate the Prince of Tyre, and thou must kill It fits thee not to ask the reason why, All love the womb that their first being bred, 116 120 156 160 124 If I can get him within my pistol's length, 168 I'll make him sure enough: so, farewell to your highness. Per. How courtesy would seem to cover sin, [Exit THALIARD. Till Pericles be dead, My heart can lend no succour to my head. [Exit. By the defiling of her parent's bed; And both like serpents are, who though they feed SCENE I.-Tyre. A Room in the Palace. 132 Ant. Thaliard, adieu! Here pleasures court mine eyes, and mine eyes Ant. He hath found the meaning, for which | That have their first conception by mis-dread, 12 And therefore instantly this prince must die, 148 Since he's so great can make his will his act, - For by his fall my honour must keep high. Who attends us there? Will think me speaking, though I swear to silence; 84 They do abuse the king that flatter him; glowing; Whereas reproof, obedient and in order, Fits kings, as they are men, for they may err: When Signior Sooth here does proclaim a peace, He flatters you, makes war upon your life. 45 Prince, pardon me, or strike me, if you please; I cannot be much lower than my knees. Per. All leave us else; but let your cares o'erlook 48 What shipping and what lading's in our haven, And then return to us. [Exeunt Lords. Helicanus, thou Hast mov'd us; what seest thou in our looks? Hel. An angry brow, dread lord. 52 Per. If there be such a dart in prince's 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? Thou know'st I have power 56 To take thy life from thee. Hel. [Kneeling.] I have ground the axe my- Do you but strike the blow. Rise, prithee, rise; Sit down; thou art no flatterer: I thank thee for it; and heaven forbid I knew him tyrannous; and tyrants' fears When all, for mine, if I may call 't, offence, 92 Musings into my mind, with thousand doubts Freely will I speak. Antiochus you fear, 60 And justly too, I think, you fear the tyrant, Who either by public war or private treason 104 Intend my travel, where I'll hear from thee, 116 On thee I'll lay, whose wisdom's strength can I'll take thy word for faith, not ask thine oath; Who shuns not to break one will sure crack both. 121 But in our orbs we'll live so round and safe, That time of both this truth shall ne'er convince, Thou show'dst a subject's shine, I a true prince. [Exeunt. SCENE III.- The Same. An Antechamber in the Palace. Enter THALIARD. Thal. So this is Tyre, and this the court. Here must I kill King Pericles; and if I do not, I am sure to be hanged 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. 10 Enter HELICANUS, ESCANES, and other Lords. Further to question me of your king's depar- 16 His seal'd commission, left in trust with me, 13 Thal. From him I come, them louder; That if heaven slumber while their creatures want, [Aside.] What from Antioch? They may awake their helps to comfort them. Hel. Royal Antiochus-on what cause I I'll then discourse our woes, felt several years, know not20 And wanting breath to speak help me with tears. |