Hel.
No, ^note Escanes, know this of me,
Antiochus from incest lived not free:
For which, the most high gods not minding longer
To withhold the vengeance that they had in store,
Due to this ^note heinous capital offence,
Even in the height and pride of all his glory, ^note
When he was seated in a chariot

Of an inestimable value, and his ^note daughter with him, ^note
A fire from heaven came, and shrivell'd up ^note
Their ^note bodies, even to loathing; for they so stunk, ^note
That all those ^note eyes adored them ere their fall
Scorn now their hand should give them burial.

Esca.
'Twas ^note very strange.

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

Esca.
'Tis very true. Enter two or three ^note Lords.

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

Sec. Lord.
It shall no longer grieve without reproof.

Third Lord.
And cursed be he that will not second it.

First Lord.
Follow me then. Lord Helicane, a word.

Hel.
With me? and welcome: happy ^note day, my lords.

First 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 your prince ^note you love. ^note

First 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 resolved he lives to govern us,
Or dead, give's ^note cause to mourn his funeral,
And leave ^note us to our free election.

Sec. Lord.
Whose death's ^note indeed the strongest in our censure:
And knowing this kingdom is ^note without a head,—
Like goodly buildings left without a roof ^note
Soon ^notefall to ruin ^{note note}—your ^note noble self,
That best know ^note how to rule and how to reign, ^note
We thus submit unto, our sovereign.

All. ^note
Live, noble Helicane!

Hel.
For honour's cause, ^note forbear your suffrages:
If that you love Prince Pericles, forbear.
Take I your wish, I leap into the seas ^note,
Where's hourly trouble for a minute's ease ^note.
A twelvemonth longer ^note, let me entreat ^note you
To forbear the ^note absence of your king;
If in which time expired he not return,
I shall with aged patience bear your yoke.
But if I cannot win you to this love,
Go search like nobles ^note, like noble subjects,

And in your search ^note spend your adventurous worth;
Whom if you find and win unto return ^note,
You shall like diamonds sit about his crown.

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

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

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