Ant. Thaliard, you're of our chamber, and our mind Partakes1 her private actions to your secrecy; And for your faithfulness we will advance you. Thaliard, behold, here's poison, and here's gold. We hate the prince of Tyre, and thou must kill him; It fits thee not to ask the reason why, Because we bid it. Say, is it done? Thal. 'Tis done. My lord, Enter a Messenger. Ant. Enough. Let your breath cool yourself, telling your haste. Mess. My lord, prince Pericles is fled. Ant. 2 [Exit Messenger. As thou Wilt live, fly after; and, as an arrow, shot 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 succor to my head. [Exit. SCENE II. Tyre. A Room in the Palace. Enter PERICLES, HELICANUS, and other Lords. Per. Let none disturb us; why should this change of thought? 3 The sad companion, dull-eyed melancholy, By me so used a guest is, not an hour, 1 In The Winter's Tale the word partake is used in an active sense for participate. ? These words are addressed to the messenger, who enters in haste. 3 "Why should this change in our thoughts disturb us ? ” 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 shun them, And danger, which I feared, is at Antioch, Whose arm seems far too short to hit me here; If he suspect I may dishonor him. 1 And what may make him blush in being known, 3 (Who am3 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 sacred breast! 2 Lord. And keep your mind, till you return to us, Peaceful and comfortable! 1 Him was supplied by Rowe for the sake of the metre. 2 Old copies :— "And with the stent of war will look so huge." The emendation was suggested by Mr. Tyrwhitt. 3 The old copy reads, "Who once no more," &c. The emendation is by Steevens. Malone reads, "Who wants no more," &c. 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 flattered, but a spark, To which that breath1 gives heat and stronger glowing; Whereas reproof, obedient, and in order, Fits kings, as they are men, for they may err. 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? Per. If there be such a dart in princes' frowns, 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, Hel. With patience bear Such griefs as you do lay upon yourself. Per. Thou speak'st like a physician, Helicanus; 1 i. e. the breath of flattery. The word spark was here accidentally repeated by the compositor in the old copy. Who minister'st a potion unto me, That thou wouldst tremble to receive thyself. Where, as thou know'st, against the face of death, "Tis time to fear when tyrants seem to kiss. Who seemed 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; 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; 1 "From whence I might propagate an issue that are arms," &c. Steevens reads: Bring arms to princes, and to subjects joys." 2 To smooth is to soothe, coax, or flatter. 3 The quarto of 1609 reads, "And should he doot," &c.; from which the reading of the text has been formed. And finding little comfort to relieve them, I thought it princely charity to grieve them.1 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 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 Intend my travel, where I'll hear from thee; [Exeunt. SCENE III. Tyre. An Antechamber in the Palace. Enter THALIARD. Thal. So, this is Tyre, and this is the court. Here must I kill king Pericles; and if I do not, I am sure to 1 That is, to lament their fate. The first quarto reads, " to grieve for them." |