It fits thee not to ask the reason why, Thal. 'Tis done. My lord,. Enter a Messenger. Ant. Enough; Lest your breath cool yourself, telling your haste.. Mess. My lord, prince Pericles is fled. [Exit Messenger. As thou Ant. Thal. My lord, if I Can get him once within my pistol's length, [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 them, eyes shun And danger, which I feared, is at Antioch, Nor boots it me to say, I honour him, If he suspect I may dishonour him: And what may make him blush in being known, He'll stop the course by which it might be 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, 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: For flattery is the bellows blows up sin; The thing the which is flatter'd, but a spark, To which that breath gives heat and stronger glow ing; 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: 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 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, What would'st 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 minister'st a potion unto me, That thou would'st tremble to receive thyself. Where, as thou know'st, against the face of death, 'Tis time to fear, when tyrants seem to kiss. Under the covering of a careful night, Who seem'd my good protector; and being here, Bethought me what was past, what might succeed. I knew him tyrannous; and tyrants' fears 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 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, Or Destinies do cut his thread of life. . Your rule direct to any; if to me, Day serves not light more faithful than I'll be. But should he wrong my liberties in absence |