Page 149 - Shakespeare - Vol. 4

PERICLES

Tyre, I now look from thee then, and to Tarsus [115]
Intend my travel, where I’ll hear from thee,
And by whose letters I’ll dispose myself.

The care I had and have of subjects’ good
On thee I lay, whose wisdom’s strength can bear it.
I’ll take thy word for faith, not ask thine oath; [120]
Who shuns not to break one will crack both.
But in our orbs we’ll live so round and safe

That time of both this truth shall ne’er convince,
Thou showedst a subject’s shine, I a true prince.
Exeunt.

Scene III IT

Enter Thaliard alone.

THALIARD
So this is Tyre, and this the court. Here must I kill King Pericles; and if I do it
not, I am sure to be hanged 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 [5] none of his secrets. Now do I see he had
some reason for’t, for if a king bid a man be a villain, he’s bound by the
indenture of his oath to be one. Husht! Here comes the lords of Tyre.

Enter Helicanus and Escanes, witb other lords.

HELICANUS
You shall not need, my fellow peers of Tyre, [10]

Further to question me of your King’s departure.
His sealed commission, left in trust with me,
Does speak sufficiently he’s gone to travel.

THALIARD
(aside) How? the King gone?

HELICANUS