Page 148 - Shakespeare - Vol. 4

To lop that doubt, he’ll fill this land with arms, [90]
And make pretence of wrong that I have done him,
When all for mine − if I may call − offence
Must feel war’s blow, who spares not innocence;

Which love to all, of which thyself art one,
Who now reprovedst me for’t −

HELICANUS
Alas, sir! [95]

PERICLES
Drew sleep out of mine eyes, blood from my cheeks,
Musings into my mind, with thousand doubts,

How I might stop this tempest ere it came;
And, finding little comfort to relieve them,
I thought it princely charity to grieve for them. [100]

HELICANUS
Well, my lord, since you have given me leave to speak,
Freely will I speak. Antiochus you fear,

And justly too, I think, you fear the tyrant
Who either by public war or private treason
Will take away your life. [105]

Therefore, my lord, go travel for a while,
Till that his rage and anger be forgot,
Or till the destinies do cut his thread of life.
Your rule direct to any; if to me,
Day serves not light more faithful than I’ll be. [110]

PERICLES
I do not doubt thy faith,
But should he wrong my liberties in my absence?

HELICANUS
We’ll mingle our bloods together in the earth,
From whence we had our being and our birth.