[Enter THALIARD]
- Thaliard. So, this is Tyre, and this the court. Here must I
kill King Pericles; and if I do it not, I am sure to
be hanged at home: 'tis dangerous. Well, I perceive
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he was a wise fellow, and had good discretion, that,
being bid to ask what he would of the king, desired
he might know none of his secrets: now do I see he
had some reason for't; for if a king bid a man be a
villain, he's bound by the indenture of his oath to
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be one! Hush! here come the lords of Tyre.
[Enter HELICANUS and ESCANES, with other Lords of Tyre]
- Helicanus. You shall not need, my fellow peers of Tyre,
Further to question me of your king's departure:
His seal'd commission, left in trust with me,
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Doth speak sufficiently he's gone to travel.
- Thaliard. [Aside] How! the king gone!
- Helicanus. If further yet you will be satisfied,
Why, as it were unlicensed of your loves,
He would depart, I'll give some light unto you.
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Being at Antioch—
- Thaliard. [Aside] What from Antioch?
- Helicanus. Royal Antiochus—on what cause I know not—
Took some displeasure at him; at least he judged so:
And doubting lest that he had err'd or sinn'd,
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To show his sorrow, he'ld correct himself;
So puts himself unto the shipman's toil,
With whom each minute threatens life or death.
- Thaliard. [Aside] Well, I perceive
I shall not be hang'd now, although I would;
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But since he's gone, the king's seas must please:
He 'scaped the land, to perish at the sea.
I'll present myself. Peace to the lords of Tyre!
- Helicanus. Lord Thaliard from Antiochus is welcome.
- Thaliard. From him I come
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With message unto princely Pericles;
But since my landing I have understood
Your lord has betook himself to unknown travels,
My message must return from whence it came.
- Helicanus. We have no reason to desire it,
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Commended to our master, not to us:
Yet, ere you shall depart, this we desire,
As friends to Antioch, we may feast in Tyre.
[Exeunt]
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