Enter MESSEnger. Ant. Enough. Let your breath cool yourself, telling your haste. Ant. [Exit Messenger. As thou Wilt live, fly after: and, as an arrow, shot Unless thou say, prince Pericles is dead. Tha. My lord, if I Can get him once 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 n.y head. [Exit. SCENE II. Tyre. A room in the palace. Enter PERICLES, HELICANUS, and other Lords. Per. Let none disturb us: why should this charge of thoughts? The sad companion, dull-eyed melancholy, By me so used 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 them; And danger, which I feared, is at Antioch, shun And what was first but fear what might be done, If he suspect I may dishonor him : And what may make him blush in being known, (Who wants no more but as the tops of trees, 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 glowing; Whereas reproof, obedient, and in order, 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 norishment? 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 fault hid! Fit counsellor, and servant for a prince, Who by thy wisdom makest a prince thy servant, What wouldst 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 wouldst tremble to receive thyself. Attend me then: I went to Antioch, Where, as thou know'st, against the face of death, "Tis time to fear, when tyrants seem to kiss. Who seem'd my good protector; and being here, Bethought me what was past, what might succeed. I knew him tyrannous; and tyrants' fears Must feel war's blow, who spares not innocence : Who now reprovest 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, Therefore, my lord, go travel for awhile, Or Destinies do cut his thread of life. Day serves not light more faithful than I'll be. |