Hel.
No, no, my Escanes; know this of me^{3 note}

Due to this heinous capital offence;
Even in the height and pride of all his glory,
When he was seated, and his daughter with him,
In a chariot of inestimable value,
A fire from heaven came, and shrivell'd up
Their bodies^{4 note}






, even to loathing; for they so stunk,
That all those eyes ador'd them, ere their fall,
Scorn now their hand should give them burial^{5 note}

.

Esca.
'Twas very strange.

Hel.
And yet but just; for though
This king were great, his greatness was no guard
To bar heaven's shaft, but sin had his reward.

Esca.
'Tis very true. Enter Three Lords.

1 Lord.
See, not a man in private conference,
Or council, has respect with him but he^{6 note}.

2 Lord.
It shall no longer grieve without reproof.

3 Lord.
And curs'd be he that will not second it.

1 Lord.
Follow me then: Lord Helicane, a word.

Hel.
With me? and welcome: Happy day, my lords.

1 Lord.
Know, that our griefs are risen to the top,

And now at length they overflow their banks.

Hel.
Your griefs, for what? wrong not the prince you love.

1 Lord.
Wrong not yourself then, noble Helicane;
But if the prince do live, let us salute him,
Or know what ground's made happy by his breath.
If in the world he live, we'll seek him out;
If in his grave he rest, we'll find him there;
And be resolv'd, he lives to govern us^{7 note}
,
Or dead, gives cause to mourn his funeral,
And leaves us^{8 note} to our free election.

2 Lord.
Whose death's, indeed, the strongest in our censure^{9 note}

That best know'st how to rule, and how to reign,
We thus submit unto,—our sovereign.

All.
Live, noble Helicane!

Hel.
Try honour's cause^{3 note}
; forbear your suffrages:
If that you love prince Pericles, forbear.
Take I your wish, I leap into the seat,
Where's hourly trouble, for a minute's ease^{4 note}

But if I cannot win you to this love,
Go search like noblemen, like noble subjects,
And in your search spend your adventurous worth;
Whom if you find, and win unto return,
You shall like diamonds sit about his crown^{6 note}

1 Lord.
To wisdom he's a fool that will not yield;
And, since lord Helicane enjoineth us,
We with our travels will endeavour it^{7 note}

Hel.
Then you love us, we you, and we'll clasp hands:
When peers thus knit, a kingdom ever stands. [Exeunt.

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