No, Escanes, know this of me:

2.4.2888Antiochus from incest lived not free.

2.4.3889For which the most high gods not minding 890longer

2.4.4To withhold the vengeance that 891they had in store,

2.4.5Due to this heinous 892capital offence,

2.4.6Even in the height and pride 893of all his glory,

2.4.7When he was seated in 894a chariot

2.4.8Of an inestimable value, and his daughter 895with him,

2.4.9A fire from heaven came and shrivelled 896up

2.4.10Their bodies even to loathing, for they so stunk

2.4.11897That all those eyes adored them ere their fall

2.4.12898Scorn now their hand should give them burial.

'Twas very strange.

'Twas very strange. And yet but justice; for though

2.4.14This king were great, 901his greatness was no guard

2.4.15To bar heaven's shaft, 902but sin had his reward.

'Tis very true.

[Apart, to his fellow Lords] See -- not a man, in private conference

2.4.18906Or council, has respect with him but he!

It shall no longer grieve without reproof.

And cursed be he that will not second it.

Follow me then.[Advancing] Lord Helicane, a word.

With me? And welcome. Happy day, my lords!

Know that our griefs are risen to the top,

2.4.24912And now at length they overflow their banks.

Your griefs? For what? 914Wrong not your prince you love.

Wrong not yourself then, noble Helicane!

2.4.27916But if the prince do live, let us salute him,

2.4.28917Or know what ground's made happy by his breath.

2.4.29918If in the world he live, we'll seek him out;

2.4.30919If in his grave he rest, we'll find him there

2.4.31920And be resolved he lives to govern us,

2.4.32921Or dead, gives cause to mourn his funeral

2.4.33922And leaves us to our free election.

Whose death indeed's the strongest in our censure;

2.4.35924And knowing this kingdom is without a head --

2.4.36925Like goodly buildings left without a roof

2.4.37926Soon fall to ruin -- your noble self,

2.4.38927That best know how to rule and how to reign,

2.4.39928We thus submit unto, our sovereign.

[Kneeling] Live, noble Helicane!

Try honor's cause: forbear your suffrages.

2.4.42931If that you love Prince Pericles, forbear.

2.4.43932Take I your wish, I leap into the seas,

2.4.44933Where's hourly trouble for a minute's ease.

2.4.45934A twelve-month longer, let me entreat you

2.4.46935So to forbear the absence of your king,

2.4.47936If in which time expired he not return,

2.4.48937I shall with agèd patience bear your yoke.

2.4.49938But if I cannot win you to this love,

2.4.50939Go search like nobles, like noble subjects,

2.4.51940And in your search, spend your adventurous worth,

2.4.52941Whom if you find and win unto return,

2.4.53942You shall like diamonds sit about his crown.

To wisdom, he's a fool that will not yield.

2.4.55944And since Lord Helicane enjoineth us,

2.4.56945We with our travels will endeavor it.

Then you love us, we you, and we'll clasp hands:

2.4.58947When peers thus knit, a kingdom ever stands.