Page:Stories from Old English Poetry-1899.djvu/272

248 judged that the wicked monarch would pursue him to the uttermost with his schemes for vengeance. He knew, too, that Tyre was not strong enough to engage in war with Antioch, and he thought it best to secrete himself for the present, judging that Antiochus would not harm Tyre if he should absent himself for a time from that city and go into some other kingdom. As soon as he reached his own palace, therefore, he called to him a friend and counselor called Helicanus, a man of most remarkable probity and loyalty, and, leaving his kingdom and all his affairs in his hands, set sail for the city of Tharsus.

Pericles had heard rumors of a famine in Tharsus, and he prudently loaded his ships with corn, believing that by relieving the distresses of the people he should gain their good-will, and be able to remain there, quietly hidden from the vengeance of Antiochus. He arrived at Tharsus and found Cleon, the governor, and his wife Dionyza, plunged in great affliction on account of the distress of the city. People were dying in the streets for want of food, and at the very gates of the governor’s palace young Pericles stumbled over the dead bodies of mothers, who lay clasping to their breasts the forms of their famished babes.

The corn with which his ships were loaded