This city then, Antioch the great (I tell you what mine authors say :) What now ensues, to the judgment of your eye 4 Wife, the word signifies a mate or companion. "Pointing to the scene of the palace gate at Antioch, on which the heads of those unfortunate wights were fixed. SCENE I. Antioch. A Room in the Palace. Enter ANTIOCHUS, PERICLES, and Attendants. receiv'd The danger of the task you undertake. [Musick. Ant. Bring in our daughter, clothed like a bride, For the embracements even of Jove himself; At whose conception, (till Lucina reign'd,) Nature this dowry gave, to glad her presence, The senate-house of planets all did sit, To knit in her their best perfections. Enter the Daughter of ANTIOCHUS. Per. See, where she comes, apparell'd like the spring, Graces her subjects, and her thoughts the king Her face, the book of praises, where is read Per. That would be son to great Antiochus. Ant. Before thee stands this fair Hesperides, With golden fruit, but dangerous to be touch'd; For death-like dragons here affright thee hard: Her face, like heaven, enticeth thee to view A countless glory, which desert must gain: And which, without desert, because thine eye Presumes to reach, all thy whole heap must die. Yon sometime famous princes, like thyself, Drawn by report, advent'rous by desire, Tell thee with speechless tongues, and semblance pale, That without covering, save yon field of stars, And by those fearful objects to prepare And all good men, as every prince should do; [To the Daughter of ANTIOCHUS. Thus ready for the way of life or death, Scorning advice. Ant. Read the conclusion then; Which read and not expounded, 'tis decreed, Daugh. In all, save that, may'st thou prove prosperous! In all, save that, I wish thee happiness! Per. Like a bold champion, I assume the lists, Nor ask advice of any other thought But faithfulness, and courage. [He reads the Riddle.] I am no viper, yet I feed On mother's flesh, which did me breed: Sharp physick is the last: but O you powers! [Takes hold of the Hand of the Princess. 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, For that's an article within our law, As dangerous as the rest. Your time's expir'd; Either expound now, or receive your sentence. Few love to hear the sins they love to act; And yet the end of all is bought thus dear, The breath is gone, and the sore eyes see clear. casts Copp'd hills towards heaven, to tell, the earth is wrong'd By man's oppression; and the poor worm doth die for't. Kings are earth's gods: in vice their law's their will; And if Jove stray, who dares say, Jove doth ill? What being more known grows worse, to smother it. All love the womb that their first beings bred, Then give my tongue like leave to love my head. Ant. Heaven, that I had thy head! he has found the meaning; But I will glozes with him. [Aside.} Young prince of Tyre, Though by the tenour of our strict edíct, We might proceed to cancel of your days ;9 7 Rising to a top or head. 8 Flatter, insinuate. 9 To the destruction of your life. |