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Tyre. An ante-chamber in the palace.
[Enter THALIARD]
THALIARD
So, this is Tyre, and this is the court, here must I kill King Pericles, and
if I do it not, I am sure to be hanged at home: it is dangerous.
Well, I perceive 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 it: for if a king bid a man be
a villain, he's bound by the indenture of his oath to 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 sealed commission left in trust with me, doth speak
sufficiently, he's gone to travel.
THALIARD
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.
THALIARD
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 erred or sinned, to show
his sorrow, he would correct himself; so puts himself unto the shipman's
toil, with whom each minute threatens life or death.
THALIARD
Well, I perceive I shall not be hanged now, although I would; 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 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, 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]