ceive 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 it: for if a king bid a man be a villain, he is 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, [Aside. Being at Antioch 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, To show his sorrow, would correct himself; So puts himself unto the shipman's toil, With whom each minute threatens life or death. Thal. Well, I perceive [Aside. I shall not be hang'd now, although I would; Hel. Lord Thaliard from Antiochus is welcome. With message unto princely Pericles; But, since my landing, as I have understood As friends to Antioch, we may feast in Tyre. [Exeunt. SCENE IV. THARSUS. A Room in the Governor's House. Dio. That were to blow at fire, in hope to quench it; Who wanteth food, and will not say he wants it, Our tongues and sorrows do sound deep our woes Fetch breath that may proclaim them louder; that, Cle. This Tharsus, o'er which I have government (A city, on whom plenty held full hand), For riches, strew'd herself even in the streets; Whose towers bore heads so high, they kiss'd the clouds, Cle. But see what heaven can do! By this our change, These mouths, whom but of late, earth, sea, and air, Were all too little to content and please, Although they gave their creatures in abundance, As houses are defil'd for want of use, Dio. Our cheeks and hollow eyes do witness it. With their superfluous riots, hear these tears! Speak out thy sorrows which thou bring'st, in haste, For comfort is too far for us to expect. Lord. We have descried, upon our neighbouring shore, A portly sail of ships make hitherward. One sorrow never comes, but brings an heir, And so in ours: some neighbouring nation, Taking advantage of our misery, Hath stuff'd these hollow vessels with their power, Whereas no glory's got to overcome. Lord. That's the least fear: for, by the semblance Of their white flags display'd, they bring us peace, And come to us as favourers, not as foes. Cle. Thou speak'st like him 's untutor❜d to repeat, To know for what he comes, and whence he comes, Lord. I go, my lord. [Exit, Cle. Welcome is peace, if he on peace consist; If wars, we are unable to resist. Enter PERICLES, with Attendants. Per. Lord governor, for so we hear you are, Let not our ships and number of our men, Be, like a beacon fir'd, to amaze your eyes. We have heard your miseries as far as Tyre, And seen the desolation of your streets: Nor come we to add sorrow to your tears, But to relieve them of their heavy load; And these our ships you happily may think Are, like the Trojan horse, war-stuff'd within, With bloody views, expecting overthrow, Are stor'd with corn, to make your needy bread, And give them life, who are hunger-starv'd, half dead. All. The gods of Greece protect you! And we'll pray for you. Per. Per. Which welcome we'll accept; feast here awhile, Until our stars, that frown, lend us a smile. [Exeunt. Gow. Here have you seen a mighty king (To whom I give my benizon), But tidings to the contrary Are brought your eyes; what need speak I? DUMB SHOW. Enter, at one Door, PERICLES, talking with CLEON; all the Train with them. Enter, at another Door, a Gentleman, with a Letter to PERICLES; PERICLES shows B |