Nor yet the other's diftance comfort me. And what was firft but fear what might be done, If he fufpect 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,) 1 Lord. Joy and all comfort in your facred breast! Hel. Peace, peace, my lords, and give experience tongue, They do abuse the king, that flatter him : For flattery is the bellows blows up fin; 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 When fignior 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 Haft 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 durft 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'ft I have power Hel. [Kneeling.] I have ground the axe myself; Do you but strike the blow. Per. Rife, pr'ythee rife; Sit down, fit 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'ft thou have me do? Hel. With patience bear Such griefs as you do lay upon yourself. Per. Thou fpeak'st like a physician, Helicanus ; That thou would'st tremble to receive thyself. Where, as thou know'ft, against the face of death, Bring arms to princes, and to fubjects joys. Her face was to mine eye beyond all wonder ; Which fear fo grew in me, I hither fled, Who feem'd my good protector; and being here, Must feel war's blow, who spares not innocence: Who now reprov'st me for it) Hel.. Alas, fir! Per. Drew fleep out of mine eyes, blood from my cheeks, Mufings into my mind, a thousand doubts How I might stop this tempeft, ere it came ; Hel. Well, my lord, fince you have given me leave to fpeak, Freely I'll peak. Antiochus you fear, And justly too, I think, you fear the tyrant, Therefore, Therefore, my lord, go travel for a while, Day ferves 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 Tharfus Intend my travel, where I'll hear from thee; And by whofe letters I'll dispose myself. On thee I lay, whose wisdom's strength can bear it. That time of both this truth fhall ne'er convince, SCENE III. Tyre. An Ante-chamber in the Palace. Enter THALIARD. Thal. So, this is Tyre, and this is the court. Here muft I kill king Pericles; and if I do not, I am fure to be hang`d at home: 'tis dangerous.—Well, I perceive he was a wife fellow, and had good discretion, that being bid to ask what he would of the king, desired he might know none of his fecrets. Now do I fee he had some reason for it: for if a king bid a man be a villain, he is bound by the the indenture of his oath to be one.—Hush, here come the lords of Tyre. Enter HELICANUS, ESCANES, and other Lords. Hel. You fhall not need, my fellow peers of Tyre, His feal'd commiffion, left in truft with me, Hel. If further yet you will be satisfied, [Afide. Why, as it were unlicens'd of your loves, He would depart, I'll give fome light unto you. Being at Antioch Thal. What from Antioch? [Afide. Hel. Royal Antiochus (on what cause I know not,) With whom each minute threatens life or death. I fhall not be hang'd now, although I would; With meffage unto princely Pericles; But, fince my landing, as I have understood I [Afide. Yet, |