Thal. My lord, If I can get him within my pistol's length, I'll make him sure enough: so, farewell to your highness. SCENE II. Tyre. A room in the palace. Per. [to those without] Let none disturb us. The sad companion, dull-ey'd melancholy, In the day's glorious walk or peaceful night, [Exit. Why should can breed me quiet? Here pleasures court mine eyes, and mine eyes shun them, And danger, which I fear'd, 's at Antioch, And what was first but fear what might be done, And so with me: the great Antiochus 'Gainst whom I am too little to contend, - Since he's so great can make his will his act If he suspect I may dishonour him: And what may make him blush in being known, And subjects punish'd that ne'er thought offence: Who am no more but as the tops of trees, And punish that before that he would punish. Enter HELICANUS and other Lords. First Lord. Joy and all comfort in your sacred breast! Sec. Lord. And keep your mind, till you return to us, Peaceful and comfortable! Hel. Peace, peace, 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 blast gives heat and stronger glowing; Per. All leave us else; but let your cares o'erlook And then return to us. [Exeunt Lords.] Helicanus, thou 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 from thee. Thou know'st I've power Hel. [kneeling] I've ground the axe myself; Do you but strike the blow. Per. Rise, prithee, 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 wouldst thou have me do? Hel. To bear with patience Such griefs as you yourself do lay upon yourself. That thou wouldst tremble to receive thyself. Where, as thou know'st, against the face of death, Are arms to princes, and bring joys to subjects. The rest hark in thine ear as black as incest: Which by my knowledge found, the sinful father Seem'd not to strike, but smooth: but thou know'st this, '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, as no doubt he doth, That I should open to the listening air 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, with 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've 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. 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 Tharsus Intend my travel, where I'll hear from thee; And by whose letters I'll dispose myself. "The care I had and have of subjects' good On thee I lay, whose wisdom's strength can bear it. [Exeunt. SCENE III. Tyre. An ante-chamber in the palace. Enter THALIARD. Thal. So, this is Tyre, and this the court. Here must I kill King Pericles; and if I do it 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 't; for if a king bid a man be a villain, he's bound by the indenture of his oath to be one. Hush! here come the lords of Tyre. Enter HELICANUS, ESCANES, and other Lords. Hel. If further yet you will be satisfied, Thal. [aside] What from Antioch? Hel. Royal Antiochus on what cause I know not Took some displeasure at him, at least he judg'd so; And doubting lest that he had err'd or sinn'd, So puts himself unto the shipman's toil, I shall not be hang'd now, although I would; I'll present myself. Peace to the lords of Tyre! Hel. Lord Thaliard from Antiochus is welcome. Thal. From him I come With message unto princely Pericles; But since my landing I have understood Your lord has betook himself to unknown travels, [Exeunt. |