SECOND LORD.
And keep your mind, till you return to us,
Peaceful and comfortable!
HELICANUS.
Peace, peace, and give experience tongue.
They do abuse the king that flatter him:
For flattery is the bellows blows up sin;
The thing the which is flatter’d, but a spark,
To which that spark gives heat and stronger glowing:
Whereas reproof, obedient and in order,
Fits kings, as they are men, for they may err.
When Signior Sooth here does proclaim peace,
He flatters you, makes war upon your life.
Prince, pardon me, or strike me, if you please;
I cannot be much lower than my knees.
PERICLES.
All leave us else, but let your cares o’erlook
What shipping and what lading’s in our haven,
And then return to us.
[Exeunt Lords.]
Helicanus, thou
Hast moved us: what seest thou in our looks?
HELICANUS.
An angry brow, dread lord.
PERICLES.
If there be such a dart in princes’ frowns,
How durst thy tongue move anger to our face?
HELICANUS.
How dares the plants look up to heaven, from whence
They have their nourishment?
PERICLES.
Thou know’st I have power
To take thy life from thee.
HELICANUS. [Kneeling.]
I have ground the axe myself;
Do but you strike the blow.