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, Enter a Messenger. Ant. Enough. Let your breath cool yourself, telling your haste. Ant. [Exit Messenger. Wilt live, fly after: and, as an arrow, shot Thal. My lord, As thou If I can get him 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. Per. [As he enters.] Let none disturb us. The sad companion, dull-ey'd melancholy, In the day's glorious walk, or peaceful night Why (The tomb where grief should sleep,) can breed me quiet? Here pleasures court mine eyes, and mine eyes shun them, And danger, which I feared, is at Antioch, Whose arm seems far too short to hit me here; Nor yet the other's distance comfort me. And what was first but fear what might be done, ('Gainst whom I am too little to contend, If he suspect I may dishonour him: And what may make him blush in being known, (Who am no more but as the tops of trees, Which fence the roots they grow by, and defend them) Makes both my body pine and soul to languish, Enter HELICANUS, and other Lords. 1 Lord. Joy and all comfort in your sacred breast! 2 Lord. And keep your mind, till you return to us, Peaceful and comfortable. Helicanus. tongue. Peace, peace! and give experience They do abuse the king, that flatter him : To which that blast gives heat and stronger glowing; Fits kings, as they are men, for they may err: I cannot be much lower than my knees. Per. All leave us else; but let your cares o'er look What shipping and what lading's in our haven, 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. Thou know'st I have power To take thy life from thee. Hel. I have ground the axe myself; Do you but strike the blow. Per. Rise, pr'ythee, rise; Sit down; thou art no flatterer : I thank thee for it; and Heaven forbid That kings should let their ears hear their faults chid. Fit counsellor and servant for a prince, Who by thy wisdom mak'st a prince thy servant, What would'st thou have me do? Hel. To bear with patience Such griefs as you yourself do lay upon yourself. That thou would'st tremble to receive thyself. : Where as thou know'st, against the face of death, I sought the purchase of a glorious beauty, From whence an issue I might propagate, [ ] Are arms to princes, and bring joys to subjects. 'Tis time to fear when tyrants seem to kiss. Which fear so grew in me, I hither fled Under the covering of a careful night, Who seem'd my good protector; and being here, To lop that doubt he'll fill this land with arms, And make pretence of wrong that I have done him; When all, for mine if I may call 't- offence, Must feel war's blow, who spares not innocence: Hel. Alas, sir! Per. Drew sleep out of mine eyes, blood from my cheeks, Musings into my mind, a thousand doubts How I might stop this tempest ere it came ; And finding little comfort to relieve them, I thought it princely charity to grieve them. Hel. Well, my lord, since you have given me leave to speak, Freely will I speak. Antiochus you fear, And justly too, I think, you fear the tyrant, Therefore, my lord, go travel for a while, Or till the Destinies do cut his thread of life. Day serves not light more faithful than I'll be. Per. I do not doubt thy faith; But should he wrong my liberties in my absence? Hel. We'll mingle our bloods together in the earth, From whence we had our being and our birth. Per. Tyre, I now look from thee, then; and to Intend my travel, where I'll hear from thee, On thee I lay, whose wisdom's strength can bear it. [Exeunt. |