Lest your breath cool yourself, telling your haste. Ant. As thou Wilt live, fly after: and as an arrow, shot [Ex. Mess. From a well-experienc'd archer, hits the mark Unless thou say, prince Pericles is dead. Thal. 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 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-eyed 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 eyes shur them, And danger, which I feared, is at Antioch, Whose arm seems far too short to hit me here: Have after-nourishment and life by care; And what was first but fear what might be done, 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, 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. When signior Sooth here does proclaim a peace, 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. Thou know'st I have power To take thy life. 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, 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, I sought the purchase of a glorious beauty, 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, Who seem'd my good protector: and being here, And make pretence of wrong that I have done him; Must feel war's blow, who spares not innocence : 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 How I might stop this tempest, ere it came; 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, Will take away your life. Therefore, my lord, go travel for a while, Day serves not light more faithful than I'll be. But should he wrong my liberties in absence— Per. Tyre, I now look from thee then; and to Tharsus [Exeunt. SCENE III.-Tyre, An anti-chamber in the Palace. Enter THALIARD. Thal. So, this is Tyre; and this is the court. Here |