Thal. [aside] How! the king gone! Hel. If further yet you will be satisfied, He would depart, I'll give some light unto you. Thal. [aside] What from Antioch? Hel. Royal Antiochus-on what cause I know not— Took some displeasure at him,—at least he judged so; 20 And doubting lest that he had err'd or sinn'd, To show his sorrow, he'ld correct himself; So puts himself unto the shipman's toil, With whom each minute threatens life or death. Thal. [aside] Well, I perceive I shall not be hang'd now, although I would; but since he's gone, the king's seas must please,—he scaped the land, to perish at the sea. I'll present myself.-Peace to the lords of Tyre! Hel. Lord Thaliard from Antiochus is welcome. Thal. From him I come With message unto princely Pericles; But since my landing I have understood Hel. We have no reason to desire it, As friends to Antioch, we may feast in Tyre. [Exeunt. SCENE IV. Tarsus. A room in the Governor's house. Enter CLEON the Governor of Tarsus, with his Wife Cle. My Dionyza, shall we rest us here, And by relating tales of others' griefs, See if 'twill teach us to forget our own? Dio. That were to blow at fire in hope to quench it; For who digs hills because they do aspire 30 Throws down one mountain to cast up a higher. Cle. O Dionyza, Who wanteth food, and will not say he wants it, Our tongues and sorrows do sound deep our woes Cle. This Tarsus, o'er which I have the 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 kist the clouds, Whose men and dames so jetted and adorn'd, 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 who but of late earth, sea, and air, Although they gave their creatures in abundance, 10 20 30 40 Those mothers who, to nousle up their babes, Dio. Our cheeks and hollow eyes do witness it. With their superfluous riots, hear these tears! Enter a Lord. Lord. Where's the lord governor ? Cle. Here. Speak out thy sorrows which thou bring'st in haste, 50 Lord. We have descried, upon our neighbouring shore, 60 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 ours: some neighbouring nation, Taking advantage of our misery, Hath stuft 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: Who makes the fairest show means most deceit. 70 But bring they what they will and what they can, The ground's the lowest, and we are half-way there. To know for what he comes, and whence he comes, 80 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, Nor come we to add sorrow to your tears, Are stored with corn to make your needy bread, And we'll pray for you. Per. The curse of heaven and men succeed their evils! Per. Which welcome we'll accept; feast here awhile, [Exeunt. 90 100 ACT II. Enter Gower. Gow. Here have you seen a mighty king A better prince, and benign lord, That will prove awful both in deed and word. I'll show you those in troubles reign, 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 the letter to CLEON; gives the Messenger a reward, and knights him. Exit PERICLES at one door, and CLEON at another. Good Helicane, that stay'd at home, Not to eat honey like a drone From others' labours; for though he strive And to fulfil his prince' desire, Sends word of all that haps in Tyre: How Thaliard came full bent with sin And hid intent to murder him; |