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  • Title: Pericles, Prince of Tyre (Modern)
  • Editor: Tom Bishop

  • Copyright Internet Shakespeare Editions. This text may be freely used for educational, non-proift purposes; for all other uses contact the Coordinating Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: Tom Bishop
    Not Peer Reviewed

    Pericles, Prince of Tyre (Modern)

    Enter Thaliard alone.
    350[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 he was a wise fellow and had good discretion, that being bid to ask what he would of the 355king, 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 be one. Husht, here comes the Lords of Tyre!
    [He stands aside.]
    360Enter Helicanus, Escanes, with other Lords.
    Helicanus
    You shall not need, my fellow peers of Tyre,
    Further to question me of your king's departure.
    His sealed commission, left in trust with me,
    Does speak suffici365ently 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.
    Being at Antioch --
    370Thaliard
    [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 he had erred or sinned,
    To show his sorrow, he'd correct himself;
    So puts himself unto the ship375man's toil,
    With whom each minute threatens life or death.
    Thaliard
    [Aside] Well, I perceive
    I shall not be hanged now, although I would.
    But since he's gone, the king's ears it must please:
    He 'scaped the land to perish at the seas.
    I'll 380present my self.[He comes forward.] Peace to the lords of Tyre.
    [Helicanus]
    Lord Thaliard from Antiochus is welcome.
    Thaliard
    From him I come
    With message unto princely Pericles,
    But since my landing, I have understood
    Your lord has betook himself to unknown travels.
    Now message 385must return from whence it came.
    Helicanus
    We have no reason to desire it,
    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.