Hel. We'll mingle bloods together in the earth, Intend my travel, where I'll hear from thee; [Exeunt. SCENE III. TYRE. AN ANTI-CHAMBER 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 be hang'd at home: 'tis dangerous.Well, I perceive 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. [Aside. Hel. You shall not need, my fellow peers of Tyre, Further to question of your king's departure. His seal'd commission, left in trust with me, Doth speak sufficiently, he's gone to travel. Thal. How! the king gone! Hel. If further yet you will be satisfied, Why, as it were unlicens'd of your loves, He would depart, I'll give some light unto you. Being at Antioch Thal. What from Antioch? [Aside. Hel. Royal Antiochus (on what cause I know not,) Took some displeasure at him; at least he judg'd so: With whom each minute threatens life or death. [Aside. I shall not be hang'd now, although I would; But I'll present me. Peace to the lords of Tyre! With message unto princely Pericles; But, since my landing, as I have understood Your lord has took himself to unknown travels, My message must return from whence it came. Hel. We have no reason to desire it, since Commended to our master, not to us: Yet, ere you shall depart, this we desire,- [Exeunt. SCENE IV. THARSUS. A ROOM IN THE GOVERNOR'S HOUSE. Enter Cleon, Dionyza, and Attendants. Cle. My Dionyza, shall we rest us here, Dio. That were to blow at fire, in hope to quench it; For who digs hills because they do aspire, Throws down one mountain, to cast up a higher. my distressed lord, even such our griefs; Here they're but felt, and seen with mistful eyes, But like to groves, being topp'd, they higher rise. Cle. O Dionyza, Who wanteth food, and will not say, he wants it, Our tongues and sorrows do sound deep our woes Cle. This Tharsus, o'er which I have govern ment, (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, And strangers ne'er beheld, but wonder'd at; All poverty was scorn'd, and pride so great, Dio. O, 'tis too true. 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, They are now starv'd for want of exercise: C Have scarce strength left to give them burial. Dio. Our cheeks and hollow eyes do witness it. Cle. O, let those cities, that of Plenty's cup And her prosperities so largely taste, With their superfluous riots, hear these tears! Enter a Lord. Lord. Where's the lord governor? 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. Cle. I thought as much. One sorrow never comes, but brings an heir, That may succeed as his inheritor; And so in our's: some neighbouring nation, Taking advantage of our misery, Hath stuff'd these hollow vessels with their power, To beat us down, the which are down already; And make a conquest of unhappy me, 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, Who makes the fairest show, means most deceit. But bring they what they will, what need we fear? |