Page 143 - Shakespeare - Vol. 4

Will shun no course to keep them from the light.
One sin, I know, another doth provoke:
Murder’s as near to lust as flame to smoke.
Poison and treason are the hands of sin, [140]

Ay, and the targets to put off the shame.
Then, lest my life be cropped to keep you clear,
By flight I’Il shun the danger which I fear.
Exit.

Enter Antiochus.

ANTIOCHUS
He hath found the meaning,
For which we mean to have his head. [145]
He must not live to trumpet forth my infamy,
Nor tell the world Antiochus doth sin

In such a loathèd manner;
And therefore instantly this prince must die,
For by his fall my honour must keep high. [150]
Who attends us there?

Enter Thaliard.

THALIARD

Doth your highness call?

ANTIOCHUS
Thaliard, you are of our chamber, Thaliard,
And our mind partakes her private actions
To your secrecy; and for your faithfulness
We will advance you, Thaliard. [155]

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?

THALIARD

My lord, ’tis done. [160]