Ant.
Young prince of Tyre^{1 note}

The danger of the task you undertake.

Per.
I have, Antiochus, and with a soul
Embolden'd with the glory of her praise,
Think death no hazard, in this enterprize. [Musick.

Ant.
Bring in our daughter, clothed like a bride^{2 note}

The senate-house of planets all did sit,
To knit in her their best perfections^{4 note}

Enter the Daughter of Antiochus.

Per.
See, where she comes, apparell'd like the spring,
Graces her subjects, and her thoughts the king
Of every virtue gives renown to men^{5 note}

Her face, the book of praises, where is read
Nothing but curious pleasures^{6 note}

Sorrow were ever ras'd^{7 note}

Ant.
Prince Pericles,—

Per.
That would be son to great Antiochus.

Ant.
Before thee stands this fair Hesperides^{2 note}

With golden fruit, but dangerous to be touch'd;
For death-like dragons here affright thee hard:
Her face, like heaven, enticeth thee to view
Her countless glory^{3 note}

Drawn by report, advent'rous by desire,
Tell thee with speechless tongues, and semblance pale,
That, without covering, save yon field of stars^{6 note}
,
They here stand martyrs, slain in Cupid's wars;
And with dead cheeks advise thee to desist^{7 note}

,
For going on death's net^{8 note}

Per.
Antiochus, I thank thee, who hath taught
My frail mortality to know itself,
And by those fearful objects to prepare
This body, like to them, to what I must^{9 note}:
For death remember'd, should be like a mirror,
Who tells us, life's but breath; to trust it, error.
I'll make my will then; and as sick men do,
Who know the world, see heaven, but feeling woe^{1 note}

Gripe not at earthly joys, as erst they did;
So I bequeath a happy peace to you,
And all good men, as every prince should do;
My riches to the earth from whence they came;
But my unspotted fire of love to you. [To the Daughter of Antiochus.
Thus ready for the way of life or death,
I wait the sharpest blow.

Ant.
Scorning advice.—Read the conclusion then^{2 note}

Daugh.
In all, save that, may'st thou prove prosperous!
In all, save that, I wish thee happiness^{3 note}

Per.
Like a bold champion, I assume the lists,
Nor ask advice of any other thought
But faithfulness, and courage^{4 note}
.
[He reads the Riddle^{5 note}









.]
I am no viper, yet I feed
On mother's flesh, which did me breed:

I sought a husband, in which labour,
I found that kindness in a father^{6 note}

If this be true, which makes me pale to read it?
Fair glass of light, I lov'd you, and could still, [Takes hold of the hand of the Princess.
Were not this glorious casket stor'd with ill:
But I must tell you,—now, my thoughts revolt;
For he's no man on whom perfections wait^{2 note}
That knowing sin within, will touch the gate.
You're a fair viol, and your sense the strings;
Who, finger'd to make man his lawful musick^{3 note},
Would draw heaven down, and all the gods to hearken;
But, being play'd upon before your time,
Hell only danceth at so harsh a chime^{4 note}



;
Good sooth, I care not for you.

Ant.
Prince Pericles, touch not, upon thy life^{5 note}

Per.
Great king,

Few love to hear the sins they love to act;
'Twould 'braid yourself too near for me to tell it.
Who has a book of all that monarchs do,
He's more secure to keep it shut, than shown:
For vice repeated, is like the wand'ring wind,
Blows dust in others' eyes, to spread itself^{6 note}

Copp'd hills^{8 note}

Ant.
Heaven, that I had thy head^{2 note}! he has found the meaning;
But I will gloze with him^{3 note}





. [Aside.] Young prince of Tyre,
Though by the tenour of our strict edíct^{4 note},
Your exposition misinterpreting^{5 note},
We might proceed to cancel of your days^{6 note}

As your fair self, doth tune us otherwise;
Forty days longer we do respite you^{7 note}

Per.
How courtesy would seem to cover sin!
When what is done is like an hypocrite,
The which is good in nothing but in sight.
If it be true that I interpret false,
Then were it certain, you were not so bad,
As with foul incest to abuse your soul;
Where now you're both a father and a son^{9 note}

By your untimely claspings with your child,
(Which pleasure fits an husband not a father;)
And she an eater of her mother's flesh,
By the defiling of her parent's bed;
And both like serpents are, who though they feed
On sweetest flowers, yet they poison breed.
Antioch, farewell! for wisdom sees, those men
Blush not in actions blacker than the night,
Will shun no course to keep them from the light^{1 note}

Re-enter Antiochus.

Ant.
He hath found the meaning^{3 note}, for the which we mean
To have his head.
He must not live to trumpet forth my infamy,
Nor tell the world, Antiochus doth sin
In such a loathed manner:
And therefore instantly this prince must die;
For by his fall my honour must keep high.
Who attends on us there? Enter Thaliard^{4 note}.

Thal.
Doth your highness call?

Ant.
Thaliard, you're of our chamber^{5 note}, and our mind
Partakes her private actions^{6 note}

to your secresy:
And for your faithfulness we will advance you.
Thaliard, 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^{7 note}

?

Thal.
My lord,
Tis done. Enter a Messenger.

Ant.
Enough.
Let your breath cool yourself, telling your haste^{8 note}

Mess.
My lord, prince Pericles is fled. [Exit Messenger.

Ant.
As thou
Wilt live, fly after: and, as^{9 note} an arrow, shot
From a well-experienc'd archer, hits the mark
His eye doth level at, so ne'er return,
Unless thou say, Prince Pericles is dead.

Thal.
My lord, if I
Can get him once within my pistol's length,
I'll make him sure: so farewell to your highness. [Exit.

Ant.
Thaliard, adieu! till Pericles be dead,
My heart can lend no succour to my head^{1 note}

. [Exit.

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