In marriage-pleasures play-fellow: 34 40 [Pointing to the impaled heads. What now ensues, to the judgment of your eye I give, my cause who best can justify.] [Exit. SCENE I. The same. A room in the palace. Enter ANTIOCHUS, PERICLES, and Attendants. Ant. Young prince of Tyre, you have at large receiv'd2 The danger of the task you undertake. Per. I have, Antiochus; and, with a soul Emboldened with the glory of her praise, Think death no hazard in this enterprise. Ant. Bring in our daughter, clothed like a bride, [For the embracements even of Jove himself; Music. Enter the PRINCESS, attended. 10 [Per [Aside] See where she comes, apparell'd like the spring, Graces her subjects, and her thoughts the king Of every virtue gives renown to men! Her face the book of praises, where is read (Nothing but curious pleasures, as from thence Sorrow were ever ras'd, and testy wrath Could never be her mild companion.7 You gods that made me man, and sway in love, That have inflam'd desires in my breast To taste the fruit of yon celestial tree, Or die in the adventure, be my helps, As I am son and servant to your will, To compass such a boundless happiness!] 1 Told not, not having been expounded. 20 25 Ant. Prince Pericles,Per. That would be son to great Antiochus. Ant. Before thee stands this fair Hesperides, With golden fruit, but dangerous to be touch'd; For death-like dragons here affright thee hard:" Her face, like heaven, enticeth thee to view Her countless glory, which desert must gain; And which, without desert, because thine eye Presumes to reach, all thy whole heap must die. Yon sometimes10 famous princes, like thyself, Drawn by report, adventurous by desire, Tell thee, with speechless tongues and semblance pale, That, without covering, save yon field of stars, Here they stand martyrs, slain in Cupid's wars; And with dead cheeks advise thee to desist For going on 11 death's net, whom none resist. Per. Antiochus, I thank thee, who hath taught 41 9 Hard, strongly, greatly. 10 Sometimes, formerly. 11 For going on, lest you should fall into. 12 To what I must, the state to which I must come. 13 Who, i.c. death who. 14 Which read, i.e. which having been read. 15 All say'd yet, all who have hitherto made the trial. 60 Were not this glorious casket stor'd with ill: But being play'd upon before your time, 83 Ant. Prince Pericles, touch not, upon thy life, For that's an article within our law, As dangerous as the rest. Your time's expir'd: Either expound now, or receive your sentence. Per. Great king, 91 Few love to hear the sins they love to act; Who has a book of all that monarchs do, Copp'd hills towards heaven, to tell the earth is throng'ds By man's oppression; and the poor worm doth die for 't. Kings are earth's gods; in vice their law's their will; And if Jove stray, who dares say Jove doth ill? All love the womb that their first being bred, Then give my tongue like leave to love my head. Ant. [Aside] Heaven, that I had thy head! he has found the meaning: 119 If by which time our secret be undone,11 Per. How courtesy would seem to cover sin, 130 7 To stop the air would hurt them, how to stop (for the future) the gust that would hurt them. To tell the earth is throng'd, to tell how the earth is burdened. 9 Gloze, use deceit. 10 Misinterpreting, i.e. being an incorrect interpretation. 11 Our secret be undone, i.e. our problem be solved (by you). 12 Sight, i.e. outward appearance. Enter a Messenger. Let your breath cool yourself, telling your haste. Mess. My lord, Prince Pericles is fled. [Exit. Ant. [To Thaliard] As thou wilt live, fly after; and, like an arrow Shot from a well-experienc'd archer, hits Unless thou say "Prince Pericles is dead." If I can get him within my pistol's length,2 I'll make him sure enough: so, farewell to your highness. Ant. Thaliard,] adieu! [Exit Thaliard.] Till Pericles be dead 170 My heart can lend no succour to my head. [Exit. SCENE II. Tyre. A room in the palace. Enter PERICLES. Per. [To those without] Let none disturb us. Why should this change of thoughts, The sad companion, dull-ey'd melancholy, Be my so-us'd a guest3 as 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 shun them, 10 And danger, which I fear'd, 's at Antioch, Grows elder now, and cares it be not done. Makes both my body pine, and soul to languish, 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: 41 7 Boots it me, is it any use to me. 8 Th' ostent of war, i.e. the mere display of his armament. 9 Amazement, consternation. 11 Sooth, flattery. 10 Blows, that blows. 12 Lading, cargoes. That minister'st a potion unto me I sought the purchase of a glorious beauty, Her face was to mine eye beyond all wonder; 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 Freely will I speak. Antiochus you fear, Therefore, my lord, go travel for a while, 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 Tarsus Intend9 my travel,-where I'll hear from thee; 119 |