Hel.
No, Escanes, know this of me,
Antiochus from incest liv'd not free;

For which, the most high gods not minding longer
To with-hold the vengeance that they had in store,
Due to this heinous capital offence;
Even in the height and pride of all his glory,
When he was seated in a chariot of
An inestimable value, and his daughter
With him, a fire from heaven came and shrivel'd up
Those bodies^{8 note}

Esca.
'Twas very strange.

Hel.
And yet but justice; for though
This king were great, his greatness was no guard
To bar heav'n's shaft, but sin had his reward^{1 note}.

Esca.
'Tis very true. Enter three Lords.

1 Lord.
See, not a man in private conference,
Or council, hath respect with him but he.

2 Lord.
It shall no longer grieve without reproof.

3 Lord.
And curst 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 your 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^{2 note}
,
Or dead, gives cause to mourn his funeral,
And leaves us to our free election.

2 Lord.
Whose death's, indeed, the strongest in our censure^{3 note}
:
And knowing this kingdom, if without a head^{4 note},
(Like goodly buildings left without a roof^{5 note}


)
Soon will fall to ruin, your noble self,

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

Omn.
Live, noble Helicane.

Hel.
Try honour's cause; forbear your suffrages:
If that you love prince Pericles, forbear.
Take I your wish, I leap into the seas,
Where's hourly trouble, for a minute's ease.9Q1320
A twelvemonth longer, let me entreat you
To forbear the absence of your king;
If in which time expir'd, he not return,
I shall with aged patience bear your yoke.
But if I cannot win you to this love,
Go search like nobles, 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.

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^{6 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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