Tyre. A Room in the Governor's House.
 Enter HELICANUS and ESCANES.

Helicanus	No, Escanes, know this of me,
	Antiochus from incest lived not free,
	For which, the most high gods not minding longer
	To withhold the vengeance that they had in store,
	Due to this heinous capital offence,
	Even in the height and pride of all his glory,
	When he was seated in a chariot
	Of an inestimable value, and his daughter with him,
	A fire from heaven came and shrivelled up
	Those bodies, even to loathing, for they so stunk
	That all those eyes adored them ere their fall
	Scorn now their hand should give them burial.

Escanes	'Twas very strange.

Helicanus	And yet but justice, for though
	This king were great, his greatness was no guard
	To bar heaven's shaft, but sin had his reward.

Escanes	'Tis very true.

                            Enter three LORDS.

1st Lord	See, not a man in private conference
	Or council has respect with him but he.

2nd Lord	It shall no longer grieve without reproof.

3rd Lord	And cursed be he that will not second it.

1st Lord	Follow me then. Lord Helicane, a word.

Helicanus	With me? - and welcome. Happy day, my lords.

1st Lord	Know that our griefs are risen to the top,
	And now, at length, they overflow their banks.

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

1st Lord	Wrong not yourself then, noble Helicane;
	But if the prince do live, let us salute him,
	Or know what ground's made happy by his breath.
	If in the world he live, we'll seek him out,
	If in his grave he rest, we'll find him there;
	And be resolved he lives to govern us,
	Or dead, gives cause to mourn his funeral,
	And leaves us to our free election,

2nd Lord	Whose death indeed's the strongest in our censure,
	And knowing this kingdom is without a head,
	Like goodly buildings left without a roof
	Soon fall to ruin, your noble self,
	That best know how to rule and how to reign,
	We thus submit unto, our sovereign.

All Lords	Live, noble Helicane!

Helicanus	By honour's cause, forbear your suffrages.
	If that you love Prince Pericles, forbear.
	Take I your wish, I leap into the seas,
	Where's hourly trouble for a minute's ease.
	A twelvemonth longer let me entreat you
	To forbear the absence of your king;
	If in which time expired he not return,
	I shall with agd patience bear your yoke.
	But if I cannot win you to this love,
	Go search like nobles, like noble subjects,
	And in your search spend your adventurous worth;
	Whom if you find, and win unto return,
	You shall like diamonds sit about his crown.

1st Lord	To wisdom he's a fool that will not yield,
	And since Lord Helicane enjoineth us,
	We with our travels will endeavour it.

Helicanus	Then you love us, we you, and we'll clasp hands.
	When peers thus knit, a kingdom ever stands.
										[Exeunt.
