READ STUDY GUIDE: Act II, Scenes i-iii |
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Act II, Scene iii
| [Enter Helicanus and Escanes.] |
| HELICANUS.: |
| No, 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 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 heavn came and shrivell'd up |
| Their bodies, even to loathing; for they so stunk, |
| That all those eyes adored them ere their fall |
| Scorn now their hand should give them burial. |
| ESCANES.: |
| 'Twas very strange |
| HELICANUS.: |
| And yet but justice; for though |
| This king were great; his greatness was no guard. |
| To bar heaven's shaft, but sin had his reward. |
| ESCANES.: |
| 'Tis very true. |
| [Enter two or three Lords.] |
| FIRST LORD.: |
| See, not a man in private conference |
| Or council has respect with him but he. |
| SECOND LORD.: |
| It shall no longer grieve with out reproof. |
| THIRD LORD.: |
| And cursed be he that will not second it. |
| FIRST LORD.: |
| Follow me, then. Lord Helicane, a word. |
| HELICANE.: |
| With me? and welcome: happy day, my lords. |
| FIRST LORD.: |
| Know that our griefs are risen to the top, |
| And now at length they overflow their banks. |
| HELICANE.: |
| Your griefs! for what? wrong not your prince your love. |
| 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 there; |
| And be resolved he lives to govern us, |
| Or dead, give's cause to mourn his funeral, |
| And leave us to our free election. |
| SECOND LORD.: |
| Whose death indeed 's the strongest in our censure: |
| And knowing this kingdom is without a head,— |
| Like goodly buildings left without a roof |
| Soon fall to ruin,—your noble self, |
| That best know how to rulle and how to reign, |
| We thus submit unto,—our sovereign. |
| ALL.: |
| Live, noble Helicane! |
| HELICANUS.: |
| For 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. |
| A twelve month longer, let me entreat you to |
| Forbear the 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, 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. |
| FIRST LORD.: |
| To wisdom he's a fool that will not yield; |
| And since Lord Helicane enjoineth us, |
| We with our travels will endeavour us. |
| HELICANUS.: |
| Then you love us, we you, and we'll clasp hands: |
| When peers thus knit, a kingdom ever stands. |
| [Exeunt.] |
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