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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 king, 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! Hush! here come the lords of Tyre.
So, this is Tyre, and this is the court. Here I must kill King Pericles; and if I don’t do it, I’m sure to be hanged when I go home: it’s risky. Well, I see he was a smart guy, and had good sense, that, when asked what he wanted from the king, he asked not to know any of his secrets: now I see he had good reason for it; because if a king tells a man to be a villain, he’s bound by his oath to do it! Hush! here come the lords of Tyre.
You shall not need, my fellow peers of Tyre, Further to question me of your king’s departure: His seal’d commission, left in trust with me, Doth speak sufficiently he’s gone to travel.
You don’t need to ask me any more, my fellow leaders of Tyre, About the king’s departure: His official orders, left in my care, Clearly say he’s gone on a journey.
[Aside] How! the king gone!
[Aside] What! The king’s gone!
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--
If you need more clarification, Well, since it might seem like you’re questioning my loyalty, He decided to leave, and I’ll explain further. He was in Antioch--
[Aside] What from Antioch?
[Aside] What happened in Antioch?
Royal Antiochus--on what cause I know not-- Took some displeasure at him; at least he judged so: And doubting lest that he had err’d or sinn’d, To show his sorrow, he’ld correct himself; So puts himself unto the shipman’s toil, With whom each minute threatens life or death.
King Antiochus—though I don’t know the exact reason— Became angry with him, at least that’s how it seemed: And fearing he might have done something wrong, To show his regret, he decided to correct himself; So he put himself through the sailor’s hardships, Where every moment threatens life or death.
[Aside] Well, I perceive I shall not be hang’d 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!
[Aside] Well, I see I won’t be hanged now, even though I thought I would; But since he’s gone, the king’s fate is sealed: He escaped the land to die at sea. I’ll make my move. Peace to the lords of Tyre!
Lord Thaliard from Antiochus is welcome.
Lord Thaliard from Antiochus is welcome.
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.
I come from him With a message for Prince Pericles; But since I arrived, I’ve learned That your lord has gone on an unknown journey, So my message must return to where it came from.
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.
We don’t need that, It was meant for our master, not for us: Still, before you leave, we ask one thing, As friends of Antioch, we’d like to host a feast in Tyre.