Ant.
Young prince of Tyre^{4 note}, you have at large receiv'd
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^{5 note}

The senate-house of planets all did sit,
To knit in her their best perfections^{7 note}



. Enter the daughter of Antiochus.

Per.
See where she comes, apparel'd like the spring,
Graces her subjects, and her thoughts the king
Of every virtue gives renown to men!
Her face, the book of praises, where is read
Nothing but curious pleasures^{8 note}

Sorrow were ever ras'd^{9 note}, and testy wrath
Could never be her mild companion.
Ye gods that made me man, and sway in love,
That have inflam'd desire in my breast^{1 note},
To taste the fruit of yon celestial tree,
Or die in the adventure, be my helps,
As I am son and servant to your will,
To compass such a boundless happiness^{2 note}!

Ant.
Prince Pericles—

Per.
That would be son to great Antiochus.

Ant.
Before thee stands this fair Hesperides^{3 note}

With golden fruit, but dangerous to be touch'd;
For death-like dragons here affright thee hard:
Her face, like heav'n, enticeth thee to view
Her countless glory^{4 note}, which desert must gain:
And which, without desert because thine eye
Presumes to reach, all thy whole heap must die^{5 note}

That, without covering, save yon field of stars,
Here they stand martyrs, slain in Cupid's wars;
And with dead cheeks advise thee to desist
From going on death's net^{7 note}, whom none resist.

Per.
Antiochus, I thank thee, who hast taught
My frail mortality to know itself,
And by those fearful objects to prepare
This body, like to them, to what I must^{8 note}:
For death remember'd should be like a mirrour,
Who tells us, life's but breath, to trust it error^{9 note}.
I'll make my will then; and as sick men do,
Who know the world, see heav'n, but feeling woe^{1 note}

Ant.
Scorning advice.—Read the conclusion then^{2 note};
Which read and not expounded, 'tis decreed,
As these before, so thou thyself shalt bleed.

Daugh.
Of all said yet, may'st thou prove prosperous!
Of all said9Q1300 yet, 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.
The Riddle ^{note4 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.
He's father, son, and husband mild,
I mother, wife, and yet his child.
How they may be, and yet in two,
As you will live, resolve it you^{5 note}
.
Sharp physick is the last9Q1301: but O ye powers!
That give heav'n countless eyes to view mens' acts^{6 note}

Who, finger'd to make man his lawful musick^{9 note},
Would draw heav'n down, and all the gods to hearken,
But being play'd upon before your time,
Hell only danceth at so harsh a chime:
Good sooth I care not for you.

Ant.
Prince Pericles, touch not upon thy life^{1 note}


,
For that's an article within our law,
As dangerous as the rest. Your time's expir'd;
Either expound now, or receive your sentence.

Per.
Great king,
Few love to hear the sins they love to act;
'Twould 'braid yourself too near for me to tell it.
Who hath a book of all that monarchs do,
He's more secure to keep it shut, than shewn:
For vice repeated, is like the wand'ring wind,
Blows dust in others' eyes, to spread itself^{3 note}

And yet the end of all is bought thus dear,
The breath is gone, and the sore eyes see clear;
To stop the air would hurt them. The blind mole casts
Copp'd^{4 note} hills toward heaven, to tell, the earth is throng'd
By man's oppression^{5 note}
; and the poor worm doth die for't^{6 note}

Ant.
Heaven that I had thy head^{8 note}! he has found the meaning!
But I will gloze with him^{9 note}





. Young prince of Tyre,

Though by the tenour of our strict edict,
Your exposition mis-interpreting^{1 note},
We might proceed to cancel of your days^{2 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,
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 farewel! for wisdom sees, those men
Blush not in actions blacker than the night,
Will shun no course to keep them from the light^{4 note}

Ant.
He hath found the meaning, 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 us there? Enter Thaliard.

Thal.
Doth your highness call?

Ant.
Thaliard, you're of our chamber, 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?

Thal.
My lord, 'tis done. Enter a Messenger.

Ant.
Enough.
Let your breath cool your self, telling your haste.

Mes.
My lord, prince Pericles is fled.

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

Thal.

My lord, if I can get him within my pistol's length, I'll make him sure enough: so farewel to your highness.

Ant.
Thaliard adieu! till Pericles be dead,
My heart can lend no succour to my head^{7 note}



. [Exit. ^note

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