That knowing sin within, will touch the gate. Would draw heaven 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, As dangerous as the rest. Your time's expir'd ; Few love to hear the sins they love to act; What being more known grows worse, to smother it. Ant. Heaven, that I had thy head! he has found the meaning; But I will gloze with him. [Aside.] Young prince of Tyre, We might proceed to cancel of your days; [1] That is, which blows dust, &c. The man who knows of the ill practices of princes, is unwise if he reveals what he knows; for the publisher of vicious actions resembles the wind, which, while it passes along, blows dust into men's eyes.-When the blast is over, the eye that has been affected by the dust, suffers no farther pain, but can see as clearly as before; so by the relation of criminal acts, the eyes of mankind (though they are affected, and turn away with horror, are opened, and see clearly what before was not even suspected: but by exposing the crimes of others the relater suffers himself as the breeze passes away, so the breath of the informer is gone; he dies for his temerity. Yet, to stop the course or ventilation of the air, would hurt the eyes; and to prevent informers from divulging the crimes of men would be prejudicial to mankind. Such, I think, is the meaning of this obscure passage. MALONE. Yet hope, succeeding from so fair a tree [Exe. ANTIOCHUS, his Daughter, and Attendants. Then were it certain, you were not so bad, And both like serpents are, who though they feed Re-enter ANTIOCHUS. [Exit. Ant. He hath found the meaning, for the which we mean To have his head. He must not live to trumpet forth my infamy, In such a loathed manner : And therefore instantly this prince must die; [2] Where in this place has the power of whereas. STEEVENS. [3] The expression is here, as in many other places in this play, eliptical; for wis om sees, that those who do not blush to commit actions blacker than the night, will not shun any course in order to preserve them from being made public. MALONE. Who attends on us there? Enter THALIARD. Thal. Doth your highness call? Ant. Thaliard, you're of our chamber, and our mind Partakes her private actions to your secresy: And for your faithfulness we will advance you. Because we bid it. Say, is it done? Thal. My lord, 'Tis done. Lest your breath cool yourself, telling your haste. Wilt live, fly after: and, as an arrow, shot From a well-experienc'd archer, hits the mark His eye doth level at, so ne'er return, Unless thou say, Prince Pericles is dead. Thal. My lord, if I Can get him once within my pistol's length, I'll make him sure: so farewell to your highness. [Exit. SCENE II. [Exit Tyre. A Room in the Palace. Enter PERICLES, HELICANUS, » and other Lords. Per.Let none disturb us: Why this charge of thoughts? The sad companion, dull-ey'd melancholy, By me so us'd a guest is, not an hour, In the day's glorious walk, or peaceful night, (The tomb where grief should sleep,)can breed me quiet! Here pleasures court mine eyes, and mine eyes shun them, And danger, which I feared, is at Antioch,' Whose arm seems far too short to hit me here: Yet neither pleasure's art can joy my spirits, Then it is thus: the passions of the mind; 2* VOL. IX. That have their first conception by mis-dread, And what was first but fear what might be done, If he suspect I may dishonour him : And what may make him blush in being known, 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, my lords, 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 breath gives heat and stronger glowing; Fits kings, as they are men, for they may err. Per. All leave us else; but let your cares o'erlook What shipping and what lading's in our haven, And then return to us. [Exeunt Lords.] Helicanus, thou Per. If there be such a dart in princes' frowns, Hel How dare the plants look up to heaven, from whence They have their nourishment? Per. Thou know'st I have power To take thy life. Hel. [Kneeling] I have ground the axe myself; Do you but strike the blow. Per. Rise, pr'ythee rise ; Sit down, sit down; thou art no flatterer : I thank thee for it; and high heaven forbid, That kings should let their ears hear their faults hid! Fit counsellor, and servant for a prince, Who by thy wisdom mak'st a prince thy servant, Hel. With patience bear Such griefs as you do lay upon yourself. Per. Thou speak'st like a physician, Helicanus ; That thou would'st tremble to receive thyself. Where, as thou know'st, against the face of death, Under the covering of a careful night, Who seem'd my good protector; and being here, I knew him tyrannous; and tyrants' fears And make pretence of wrong that I have done him ; When all, for mine, if I may call't offence, Must feel war's blow, who spares not innocence: |