Per.
Let none disturb us: why should this charge of thoughts^{8 note}

Nor yet the other's distance comfort me:
Then it is thus; the passions of the mind,
That have their first conception by mis-dread,
Have after-nourishment and life by care;
And what was first but fear what might be done^{1 note},
Grows elder now, and cares it be not done^{2 note}.
And so with me;—the great Antiochus,
('Gainst whom I am too little to contend,
Since he's so great, can make his will his act,)
Will think me speaking, though I swear to silence;
Nor boots it me to say I honour him^{3 note},
If he suspect I may dishonour him:
And what may make him blush in being known,
He'll stop the course by which it might be known;
With hostile forces he'll o'er-spread the land,
And with th' ostent of war will look so huge^{4 note}

Which care of them, not pity of myself,
(Who owe no more but as the tops of trees,
Which fence the roots they grow by, and defend them,)
Makes^{5 note}

1 Lord.
Joy and all comfort in your sacred breast!

2 Lord.
And keep your mind, till you return to us,
Peaceful and comfortable!

Hel.
Peace, peace, and give experience tongue:
They do abuse the king that flatter him,
For flattery is the bellows blows up sin;
The thing the which is flatter'd, but a spark,
To which that spark gives heat and stronger glowing^{6 note}

Whereas reproof, obedient, and in order,
Fits kings as they are men, for they may err.
When signior Sooth^{7 note}

Per.
All leave us else; but let your cares o'er-look
What shipping, and what lading's in our haven,
And then return to us. Helicanus, thou9Q1305
Hast moved us: what seest thou in our looks?

Hel.
An angry brow, dread lord.

Per.
If there be such a dart in princes' frowns,
How durst thy tongue move anger to our face?

Hel.
How dare the plants look up to heaven, from whence
They have their nourishment^{8 note}

Per.
Thou know'st I have power
To take thy life from thee.

Hel.
I have ground the axe
Myself; do you but strike the blow.

Per.
Rise, prithee rise; sit down, thou art no flatterer;
I thank thee for it; and heaven forbid,
That kings should let their ears hear their faults hid^{9 note}

Fit counsellor, and servant for a prince,
Who by thy wisdom mak'st a prince thy servant,
What would'st thou have me do?

Hel.
To bear with patience such griefs,
As you yourself do lay upon yourself.

Per.
Thou speak'st like a physician, Helicanus;
That minister'st a potion unto me,
That thou wouldst tremble to receive thyself.
Attend me then; I went to Antioch,
Whereas, thou know'st^{1 note}

The rest (hark in thine ear) as black as incest;
Which by my knowledge found, the sinful father,
Seem'd not to strike, but smooth^{3 note}


: but thou know'st this,
'Tis time to fear, when tyrants seem to kiss.
Which fear so grew in me, I hither fled,
Under the covering of a careful night,
Who seem'd my good protector: and being here,
Bethought me what was past, what might succeed;
I knew him tyrannous, and tyrants' fears
Decrease not, but grow faster than the years:
And should he doubt it, (as no doubt he doth^{4 note}

Which love to all (of which thyself art one,
Who now reprov'st me for it)—

Hel.
Alas, sir!

Per.
Drew sleep out of mine eyes, blood from my cheeks,
Musings into my mind, with a thousand doubts
How I might stop this tempest e'er it came;
And finding little comfort to relieve them,
I thought it princely charity to grieve them^{6 note}.

Hel.
Well, my lord, since you have given me leave to speak,
Freely will I speak. Antiochus you fear,
And justly too, I think, you fear the tyrant,
Who either by publick war, or private treason,
Will take away your life.
Therefore, my lord, go travel for a while,
Till that his rage and anger be forgot;
Or till the Destinies do cut his thread of life:
Your rule direct to any; if to me,
Day serves not light more faithful than I'll be.

Per.
I do not doubt thy faith;
But should he wrong my liberties in my absence—

Hel.
We'll mingle our bloods together in the earth,
From whence we had our being and our birth.

Per.
Tyre, I now look from thee then, and to Tharsus
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^{7 note}







.

I'll take thy word for faith, not ask thine oath;
Who shuns not to break one, will sure crack both:
But in our orbs we'll live so round and safe^{8 note}

9Q1306

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