Miranda.
Mira.
If by your art (my dearest father) you have
Put the wild waters in this roar, allay them:
The sky, it seems, would pour down stinking pitch,
But that the sea, mounting to th' welkin's cheek,
Dashes the fire out. O! I have suffer'd,
With those that I saw suffer: a brave vessel
(Who had, no doubt, some noble creatures in her)
Dash'd all to pieces. O! the cry did knock
Against my very heart: poor souls, they perish'd!
Had I been any God of Pow'r, I should
Have sunk the sea within the earth, or ere
It should the good ship so have swallow'd, and
The fraighting souls within her† note.
Pro.
Be collected;
No more amazement; tell your piteous heart,
There's no harm done.
Mira.
O woe the day!
Pro.
No harm.
I have done nothing but in care of thee,
(Of thee, my dear one, thee, my daughter) who
Art ignorant of what thou art, nought knowing
Of whence I am; nor that I am more better‡ note,
-- 8 --
Than Prospero, master of a full-poor cell,
And thy no greater father.
Mira.
More to know
Did never meddle with my thoughts.
Pro.
'Tis time,
I should inform thee farther. Lend thy hand,
And pluck my magic garment from me; so!
[Lays down his mantle.
Lie there, my art. Wipe thou thine eyes, have comfort.
The direful spectacle of the wreck, which touch'd
The real virtue of compassion in thee,
I have with such provision in mine art,
So safely order'd, that there is no soul lost,
No, not so much perdition as an hair,
Betid to any creature in the vessel
Which thou heard'st cry, which thou saw'st sink: attend;
For thou must now know farther.
Mira.
You have often
Begun to tell me what I am, but stopt,
And left me to a bootless inquisition;
Concluding, Stay, not yet.—
Pro.
The hour's now come,
The very minute bids thee ope thine ear;
Obey, and be attentive. Canst thou remember
A time, before we came unto this cell?
I do not think, thou canst; for then thou wast not
Out three years old.
Mira.
Certainly, sir, I can.
Pro.
By what? by any other house, or person?
Of any thing the image tell me, that
Hath kept in thy remembrance* note.
Mira.
'Tis far off;
And rather like a dream, than an assurance,
That my remembrance warrants. Had I not
Four or five women, once, that tended me?
Pro.
Thou hadst, and more, Miranda: but how is it,
That this lives in thy mind? what seest thou else,
-- 9 --
In the dark back-ward and abysme of time?
If thou remember'st aught, ere thou cam'st here;
How thou cam'st here, thou may'st.
Mira.
But that I do not.
Pro.
'Tis twelve years since, Miranda; twelve years since,
Thy father was the Duke of Milan, and
A Prince of pow'r.
Mira.
Sir, are not you my father?
Pro.
Thy mother was a piece of virtue, and
She said, thou wast my daughter; and thy father
Was Duke of Milan, and thou his only heir
A Princess, no worse issu'd.
Mira.
O, the heav'ns!
What foul play had we, that we came from thence?
Or blessed was't, we did?
Pro.
Both, both, my girl:
By foul play (as thou say'st) were we heav'd thence
But blessedly help'd hither.
Mira.
O, my heart bleeds
To think o'th' teene that I have turn'd you to,
Which is from my remembrance. Please you, farther.
Pro.
My brother, and thy uncle, call'd Anthonio—
I pray thee, mark me;—(that a brother should* note
Be so perfidious!) he whom next thyself
Of all the world I lov'd, and to him put
The manage of my state; (as, at that time,
Through all the signiories it was the first;
And Prospero the prime Duke, being so reputed
In dignity; and for the liberal arts,
Without a parallel; those being all my study:)
The government I cast upon my brother,
And to my state grew stranger; being transported,
And rapt in secret studies. Thy false uncle—
(Dost thou attend me?)
Mira.
Sir, most heedfully.
Pro.
I pray thee, mark me, then.
He being thus lorded,
-- 10 --
Not only with what my revenue yielded,
But what my power might else exact; like one,
Who having unto truth, by telling oft;
Made such a sinner of his memory,
To credit his own lie, he did believe
He was, indeed, the Duke; from substitution,
And executing th'outward face of royalty,
With all prerogative. Hence his ambition growing—
Dost thou hear?
Mira.
Your tale, sir, would cure deafness.
Pro.
To have no screen between this part he playd,
And him he playd it for, he needs will be
Absolute Milan. Me, poor man!—my library
Was Dukedom large enough; of temporal royalties
He thinks me now incapable: confederates
(* noteSo dry he was for sway) wi'th' King of Naples
To give him annual tribute, do him homage;
Subject his coronet to his crown; and bend
The Dukedom, yet unbow'd, (alas, poor Milan!)
To most ignoble stooping.
Mira.
O the heav'ns!
Pro.
Mark his condition, and th'event; then tell me
If this might be a Brother?
Mira.
I should sin,
To think but nobly of my grandmother.
Pro.
Now the condition:
This King of Naples, being an enemy
To me inveterate, hearks my brother's suit;
Which was, that he in lieu o'th' premises,
Of homage, and I know not how much tribute,
Should presently extirpate me and mine,
Out of the Dukedom; and confer fair Milan,
With all the honours, on my brother. Whereon
A treacherous army levy'd, one mid-night,
† noteFated to th' purpose, did Anthonio open
-- 11 --
The gates of Milan; and, i'th' dead of darkness,
The ministers for the purpose hurry'd thence
Me, and thy crying self.
Mira.
Alack, for pity!
I, not remembring how I cry'd out then.
Will cry it o'er again; it is a hint,
That wrings mine eyes to't.
Pro.
Hear a little further,
And then I'll bring thee to the present business,
Which now's upon's; without the which, this story
Were most impertinent.
Mira.
Why did they not
That hour destroy us?
Pro.
Well demanded, wench;
My tale provokes that question. Dear, they durst not
(So dear the love my people bore me) set
A mark so bloody on the business; but
With colours fairer painted their foul ends.
In few, they hurry'd us aboard a bark;
Bore us some leagues to sea; where they prepar'd
A rotten carcase of a boat, not rigg'd,
Nor tackle, sail, nor mast; the very rats
Instinctively had quit it: there they hoist us,
To cry to th' sea, that roar'd to us; to sigh
To th' winds, whose pity, sighing back again,
Did us but loving wrong* note.
Mira.
Alack! what trouble
Was I then to you?
Pro.
O! a cherubim† note
Thou wast, that did preserve me: Thou didst smile,
Infused with a fortitude from heav'n,
(When I have deck'd the sea with drops full-salt;
Under my burden groan'd;) which rais'd in me
An undergoing stomach, to bear up
Against what should ensue.
-- 12 --
Mira.
How came we ashore?
Pro.
By providence divine.
Some food we had, and some fresh water, that
A noble Neapolitan, Gonzalo,
Out of his charity (being then appointed
Master of this design) did give us, with
Rich garments, linens, stuffs, and necessaries,
Which since have steaded much. So of his gentleness,
Knowing I lov'd my books, he furnish'd me
From my own library, with volumes that
I prize above my Dukedom.
Mira.
Would I might
But ever see that man!
Pro.
Now, attend:—
And hear the last of our sea-sorrow.
Here in this island we arriv'd, and here
Have I, thy school-master, made thee more profit,
Than other Princes can, that have more time
For vainer hours, and tutors not so careful.
Mira.
Heav'ns thank you for't! And now, I pray you, sir,
(For still 'tis beating in my mind) your reason,
For raising this sea-storm?
Pro.
Know thus far forth,
By accident most strange, bountiful Fortune
(Now my dear lady) hath mine enemies
Brought to this shore: and, by my prescience* note,
I find, my Zenith doth depend, upon
A most auspicious star; whose influence
If now I court not, but omit, my fortunes
Will ever after droop.—Here cease more questions;
Thou art inclin'd to sleep. 'Tis a good dulness,
And give it way; I know, thou canst not chuse—
[Aside.
[Miranda sleeps.
Come away, servant, come; I'm ready, now;
Aproach, my Ariel, come.
-- 13 --
Enter Ariel* note.
Ari.
All hail, great master! grave sir, hail! I come
To answer thy best pleasure: be't to fly,
To swim, to dive into the fire; to ride
On the curl'd clouds: to thy strong bidding, task
Ariel, and all his qualities.
Pro.
Hast thou, spirit,
Perform'd to point the tempest that I bade thee?
Ari.
To every article.
I boarded the King's ship; now on the beak,
Now in the waste, the deck, in every cabin,
I flam'd amazement. Sometimes, I'd divide,
And burn in many places; on the top mast,
The yards, and bolt-sprit, would I flame distinctly;
Then meet and join. Jove's lightnings, the precursers
Or dreadful thunder-claps, more momentary
And sight out-running, were not; the fire and cracks
Of sulphurous roaring, the most mighty Neptune
Seem'd to besiege, and make his bold waves tremble;
Yea, his dread trident shake.
Pro.
My brave, brave spirit!
Who was so firm, so constant, that this coyl
Would not infect his reason?
Ari.
Not a soul
But felt a fever of the mind, and play'd
Some tricks of desperation: all, but mariners,
Plung'd in the foaming brine, and quit the vessel,
Then all a-fire with me: the King's son Ferdinand,
With hair up-staring (then like reeds, not hair)
Was the first man, that leap'd; cry'd, “Hell is empty;
“And all the devils are here.”
Pro.
Why, that's my Spirit!
But was not this nigh shore?
Ari.
Close by, my Master.
Pro.
But are they, Ariel, safe?
-- 14 --
Ari.
Not a hair perish'd:
On their sustaining garments not a blemish,
But fresher than before. And as thou badst me,
In troops I have dispers'd them 'bout the isle:
The King's son have I landed by himself,
Whom I left cooling of the air with sighs,
In an odd angle of the isle, and sitting,
His arms in this sad knot.
Pro.
Of the King's ship
The mariners, say, how thou hast dispos'd,
And all the rest o'th' fleet?
Ari.
Safely in harbour
Is the King's ship; in the deep nook, where once
Thou call'dst me up at midnight, to fetch dew
From the still-vext Bermudas, there she's hid:
The mariners all under hatches stow'd,
Who, with a charm join'd to their suffer'd labour,
I've left asleep; and for the rest o'th' fleet,
(Which I dispers'd) they all have met again,
And are upon the Mediterranean flote,
Bound sadly home for Naples;
Supposing, that they saw the King's ship wreckt,
And his great person perish.
Pro.
Ariel, thy charge
Exactly is perform'd; but there's more work.
What is the time o'th' day?
Ari.
Past the mid season.
Pro.
At least two glasses; the time 'twixt six and now,
Must by us both be spent most preciously.
Ari.
Is there more toil? since thou dost give me pains,
Let me remember thee what thou hast promis'd,
Which is not yet perform'd me.
Pro.
How now! moody?
What is't thou canst demand?
Ari.
My liberty.
Pro.
Before the time be out? no more.
Ari.
I pr'ythee,
Remember, I have done thee worthy service;
Told thee no lies, made no mistakings, serv'd
-- 15 --
Without or grudge, or grumblings; thou didst promise
To bate me a full year* note.
Pro.
Dost thou forget
From what a torment I did free thee?
Ari.
No.
Pro.
Thou ly'st, malignant thing! hast thou forgot
The foul witch Sycorax, who with age and envy
Was grown into a hoop? hast thou forgot her?
Ari.
No, sir.
Pro.
Thou hast: where was she born? speak; tell me.
Ari.
Sir, in Argier.
Pro.
Oh, was she so? I must
Once in a month recount what thou hast been,
Which thou forget'st. This damn'd witch Sycorax,
For mischiefs manifold and sorceries terrible,
To enter human hearing, from Argier,
Thou know'st, was banish'd: for one thing she did,
They would not take her life. Is not this true?
Ari.
Ay, sir.
Pro.
This blue-ey'd hag was hither brought with child,
And here was left by th'sailors; thou, my slave,
As thou report'st thyself, was then her servant,
And, for thou wast a spirit too delicate
To act her earthy and abhorr'd commands,
Refusing her grand hests, she did confine thee,
By help of her more potent ministers,
And in her most unmitigable rage,
Into a cloven pine; within which rift
Imprison'd, thou didst painfully remain
A dozen years, within which space she dy'd,
And left thee there: where thou didst vent thy groans,
As fast as mill-wheels strike. Then was this Island
(Save for the son that she did litter here,
-- 16 --
A freckled whelp, hag-born) not honour'd with
A human shape* note.
Ari.
Yes; Caliban her son.
Pro.
Dull thing, I say so: he, that Caliban,
Whom now I keep in service. Thou best know'st,
What torment I did find thee in; thy groans
Did make wolves howl, and penetrate the breasts
Of ever-angry bears; it was a torment
To lay upon the damn'd, which Sycorax,
Could not again undo: it was mine art,
When I arriv'd and heard thee, that made gape
The pine, and let thee out.
Ari.
I thank thee, master.
Pro.
If thou more murmur'st, I will rend an oak,
And peg thee in his knotty entrails, 'till
Thou'st howl'd away twelve winters.
Ari.
Pardon, master.
I will be correspondent to command,
And do my sp'riting gently.
Pro.
Do so: and, after two days,
I will discharge thee.
Ari.
That's my noble master:
What shall I do? say what? what shall I do?
Pro.
Go make thyself like to a nymph o'th' sea.
Be subject to no sight, but mine: invisible
To every eye-ball else. Go take this shape,
And hither come in it: go hence with diligence.
[Exit Ariel.
Awake, dear heart, awake! thou hast slept well;
Awake—
Mira.
The strangeness of your story put
Heaviness in me.
Pro.
Shake it off: come on;
I'll visit Caliban my slave, who never
Yields us kind answer.
-- 17 --
Mira.
'Tis a villain, sir,
I do not love to look on—
Pro.
But, as 'tis,
We cannot miss him: he does make our fire,
Fetch in our wood, and serves in offices
That profit us. [Ex. Miranda] What hoa; slave! Caliban!
Thou earth thou! speak.
Cal. [within.]
There's wood enough within.
Pro.
Come forth, I say; there's other business for thee.
Come, thou tortoise! when?—
Enter Ariel, like a Water Nymph.
Fine apparition! my quaint Ariel,
Hark in thine ear.
Ari.
My Lord, it shall be done.
[Exit.
Pro.
Thou poisonous slave, got by the devil himself,
Upon thy wicked dam, come forth.
Enter Caliban* note.
Cal.
As wicked dew, as e'er my mother brush'd,
With raven's feather from unwholsom fen,
Drop on you both! a south-west blow on you,
And blister you all o'er!
Pro.
For this, be sure, to-night thou shalt have cramps,
Side-stitches that shall pen thy breath up; urchins
Shall, for that vast of night that they may work,
All exercise on thee: thou shalt be pinch'd
As thick as honey-combs, each pinch more stinging
Than bees that made 'em.
Cal.
I must eat my dinner.
This Island's mine by Sycorax my mother,
Which thou tak'st from me. When thou camest first,
Thou stroak'd'st me, and mad'st much of me; and would'st give me
-- 18 --
Water with berries in't; and teach me how
To name the bigger light, and how the less,
That burn by day and night: and then I lov'd thee,
And shew'd thee all the qualities o'th' Isle,
The fresh springs, brine pits; barren place, and fertile.
Curs'd be I, that I did so! all the charms
Of Sycorax, toads, beetles, bats, light on you!
For I am all the Subjects that you have,
Who first was mine own King; and here you sty me,
In this hard rock, whiles you do keep from me
The rest of th' Island.
Pro.
Thou most lying slave,
Whom stripes may move, not kindness; I have us'd thee
(Filth as thou art) with humane care, and lodg'd
In mine own cell, 'till thou didst seek to violate
The honour of my child.
Cal.
Oh ho, oh ho!—I would it had been done!
Thou didst prevent me, I had peopled else
This Isle with Calibans.
Pro.
Abhorred slave* note!
Which any print of goodness wilt not take,
Being capable of all ill! I pity'd thee,
Took pains to make thee speak, taught thee, each hour,
One thing or other. When thou didst not, savage,
Know thine own meaning, but would'st gabble like
A thing most brutish, I endow'd thy purposes,
With words that made them known.
Cal.
You taught me language, and my profit on't
Is, I know how to curse: the red plague rid you,
For learning me your language!
Pro.
Hag-seed, hence!
Fetch us in fewel, and be quick (thou wert best)
To answer other business. Shrug'st thou, malice?
If thou neglect'st, or dost unwillingly,
What I command, I'll rack thee with old cramps;
-- 19 --
Fill all thy bones with aches, make thee roar,
That beasts shall tremble at thy din.
Cal.
No, 'pray thee.
I must obey; his art is of such pow'r,
It would control my dam's god Setebos,
And make a vassal of him.
Pro.
So, slave, hence!
[Exit Caliban.
Enter Ferdinand, and Ariel invisible, playing and singing.
ARIEL's SONG.
Come unto these yellow sands,
And then take hands:
Curt'sied when you have, and kist,
The wild waves whist;
Foot it featly here and there,
And, sweet sprites, the burden bear.
[Burden dispersedly.
Hark, hark, bough-waugh: the watch-dogs bark,
Baugh waugh.
Ari.
Hark, hark, I hear
The strain of strutting chanticlere,
Cry, Cock-a-doodle-do.
A Dance of Spririts.
Fer.
Where should this musick be, i'th' air, or earth?—
It sounds no more: and sure, it waits upon
Some God o'th' Island. Sitting on a bank,
Weeping again the King my father's wreck,
This musick crept by me upon the waters;
Allaying both their fury and my passion,
With its sweet air; thence I have follow'd it,
Or it hath drawn me, rather—but 'tis gone.
[Musick plays.
No, it begins again.
ARIEL's SONG.
Full fathom five thy father lies,
Of his bones are coral made;
Those are pearls, that were his eyes;
Nothing of him, that doth fade,
-- 20 --
But doth suffer a sea-change,
Into something rich and strange.
Sea-nymphs hourly ring his knell.
Hark, now I hear them, ding-dong, bell.
[Burden: ding dong.
Fer.
The ditty does remember my drown'd father;
This is no mortal business, nor no sound
That the earth owns [Music again.] I hear it now above me.
[Exit Ferd. and Ariel.
Scene
SCENE. Another part of the Island.
Enter Ariel and Ferd. on one side; and Prospero and
Miranda, on the other.
Pro.
The fringed curtains of thine eyes advance,
And say, what thou see'st yond.
Mira.
What is't, a spirit?
Lord, how it looks about! believe me, sir,
It carries a brave form. But is't a spirit* note?
Pro.
No, wench, it eats, and sleeps, and hath such senses
As we have, such. This gallant, which thou seest,
Was in the wreck: and, but he's something stain'd
With grief, (that's beauty's canker) thou might'st call him
A goodly person. He hath lost his fellows,
And strays about to find 'em.
Mira.
I might call him
A thing divine; for nothing natural
I ever saw so noble.
Pro.
It goes on, I see,
[Aside.
As my soul prompts it. Spirit, fine spirit, I'll free thee,
Within two days for this.
Fer.
Most sure, the goddess
On whom these airs attend! vouchsafe, my pray'r
May know, if you remain upon this island:
And that you will some good instruction give,
-- 21 --
How I may bear me here: my prime request
(Which I do last pronounce) is, O you wonder!
If you be maid or no?
Mira.
No wonder, sir,
But certainly a maid.
Fer.
My language! heav'ns!
I am the best of them that speak this speech,
Were I but where 'tis spoken.
Pro.
How? the best?
What wert thou, if the King of Naples heard thee?
Fer.
A single thing, as I am now, that wonders
To hear thee speak of Naples. He does hear me;
And, that he does, I weep: myself am Naples,
Who, with mine eyes (ne'er since at ebb) beheld
The King my father wreckt.
Mira.
Alack, for mercy!
Fer.
Yes, faith, and all his Lords: the Duke of Milan,
And his brave Son, being twain.
Pro.
The Duke of Milan,
And his more brave daughter, could control thee,
If now 'twere fit to do't:—At the first sight,
[To Ariel.
They have chang'd eyes:
A word, good sir,
I fear, you've done yourself some wrong: a word—
Mira.
Why speaks my father, so urgently? this
Is the third man that I e'er saw; the first,
That e'er I sigh'd for. Pity move my father
To be inclin'd my way* note!
Fer.
O, if a virgin,
And your affection not gone forth, I'll make you
The Queen of Naples,
Pro.
Soft, sir; one word more—
They're both in either's power: but this swift business
[Aside.
I must uneasy make, lest too light winning
Make the prize light. Sir, one word more; I charge thee,
-- 22 --
That thou attend me:—thou dost here usurp
The name thou ow'st not, and hast put thyself
Upon this Island, as a spy, to win it
From me, the Lord on't.
Fer.
No, as I'm a man.
Mira.
There's nothing ill can dwell in such a temple.
If the ill spirit have so fair an house,
Good things will strive to dwell with't.
Pro.
Follow me—
Speak not you for him: he's a traitor. Come,
I'll manacle thy neck and feet together;
Sea-water shalt thou drink: thy food shall be
The fresh-brook mussels, wither'd root, and husks
Wherein the acorn cradled. Follow.
Fer.
No,
I will resist such entertainment, 'till
Mine enemy has more power.
[He draws, and is charm'd from moving.
Mira.
O dear father,
Make not too rash a trial of him; for
He's gentle, and not fearful.
Pro.
What, I say,
My foot my tutor? put thy sword up, traitor,
Who mak'st a shew, but dar'st not strike; thy conscience
Is so possest with guilt: come from thy ward,
For I can here disarm thee with this stick,
And make thy weapon drop.
Mira.
Beseech you, father.
[Kneels.
Pro.
Hence: hang not on my garment.
Mira.
Sir, have pity;
I'll be his surety.
Pro.
Silence: one word more
Shall make me chide thee, if not hate thee. What!
An advocate for an impostor? hush!
Thou think'st there are no more such shapes as he,
Having seen but him and Caliban; foolish wench!
To th' most of men this is a Caliban,
And they to him are angels* note.
-- 23 --
Mira.
My affections
Are then most humble: I have no ambition
To see a goodlier man.
Pro.
Come on, obey;
Thy nerves are in their infancy again,
And have no vigour in them.
Fer.
So they are:
My spirits, as in a dream, are all bound up.
My father's loss, the weakness which I feel,
The wreck of all my friends, and this man's threats,
To whom I am subdu'd, were but light to me,
Might I but through my prison, once a day,
Behold this maid: all corners else o'th' earth,
Let liberty make use of; space enough
Have I, in such a prison.
Pro.
It works: come on.
(Thou hast done well, fine Ariel:) follow me.
Hark what thou else shalt do me.
[To Ariel.
Mira.
Be of comfort,
My father's of a better nature, sir,
Than he appears by speech: this is unwonted.
Which now came from him.
Pro.
Thou shalt be as free,
As mountain winds; but then exactly do
All points of my command.
Ari.
To th' syllable.
Pro.
Come, follow: speak not for him.
[Exeunt.* note
-- 24 --
ACT II.
Scene
SCENE, Another Part of the Island.
* noteEnter Alonso, Sebastian, Anthonio, Gonzalo, and Francisco.
Gon.
Beseech you, sir, be merry: you have cause,
(So have we all) of joy! for our escape
Is much beyond our loss: our hint of woe
Is common every day, some sailor's wife,
The master of some merchant, and the merchant,
Have just our theme of woe: but for the miracle,
(I mean our preservation) few in millions,
Can speak like us: then wisely, good sir, weigh
Our sorrow with our comfort.
Alon.
Pr'ythee, peace.† note
Gon.
Methinks our garments are now as fresh, as
when we put them on first in Africk, at the marriage of
the King's fair daughter Claribel, to the King of Tunis.
Alon.
You cram these words into mine ears, against
The stomach of my sense. Would I had never
Married my daughter there! For, coming thence,
My son is lost.
Fran.
Sir, he may live.
I saw him beat the surges under him,
And ride upon their backs; his bold head
'Bove the contentious waves he kept, and oar'd
Himself with his good arms, in lusty strokes,
To th' shore: I not doubt,
He came alive to land.
Alon.
No, no, he's gone.
-- 25 --
Seb.
Sir, you may thank yourself for this great loss,
That would not bless our Europe with your daughter,
But rather lose her to an African;
Where she, at least, is banish'd from your eye,
Who hath cause to wet the grief on't.
Alon.
Pr'ythee, peace.
Seb.
You were kneel'd to, and importun'd otherwise,
By all of us; and the fair soul herself,
Weigh'd between lothness and obedience, at
Which end the beam should bow. We've lost your son,
I fear, for ever: Milan and Naples have
More widows in them, of this business' making,
Than we bring men to comfort them:
The fault's your own.
Alon.
So is the dearest o'th' loss.
Gon.
My Lord Sebastian,
The truth, you speak, doth lack some gentleness,
And time to speak it in: you rub the sore,
When you should bring the plaister* note.
Alon.
Still let me hope. Good Francisco, look
Out again, scout round the rocks, and bring my
Heart some comfort with my son.
[Exit Francisco.
Gon.
Had I the plantation of this isle, my Lord,
And were a King on't, what would I do?
I would with such perfection govern, sir,
T' excel the golden age.
Alon.
Pr'ythee, no more—Thou dost talk
Nothing to me—Let us sit down upon
This bank, and rest our sorrows.
Gon.
I will, my Lord; for I am very heavy.
[They lie down upon the bank† note.
Seb.
Please you, sir,
Do not omit the heavy offer of it:
It seldom visits sorrow; when it doth,
It is a comforter.
-- 26 --
Ant.
We two, my Lord,
Will guard your person, while you take your rest,
And watch your safety.
Alon.
Thank you: wond'rous heavy—
[All sleep but Seb. and Ant.
[Soft music is played.
Seb.
What a strange drowsiness possesses them!
Ant.
It is the quality o' th' climate.
Seb.
Why
Doth it not then our eye-lids sink? I find not
Myself dispos'd to sleep.
Ant.
Nor I, my spirits are nimble:
They fell together all as by consent,
They dropt as by a thunder-stroke. What might,
Worthy Sebastian—O, what might—no more.
And yet, methinks, I see it in thy face,
What thou should'st be: th' occasion speaks thee, and
My strong imagination sees a crown
Dropping upon thy head.
Seb.
What, art thou waking?
Ant.
Noble Sebastian,
Thou let'st thy fortune sleep.
Seb.
Pr'ythee, say on;
The setting of thine eye and cheek proclaim
A matter from thee, and a birth, indeed,
Which throes thee much to yield.
Ant.
Thus, sir:
Will you grant, with me,
That Ferdinand is drown'd?
Seb.
He's gone.
Ant.
Then tell me
Who's the next heir of Naples?
Seb.
What mean you?
Ant.
Say, this were death
That now hath seiz'd them, why, they were no worse,
Than now they are: there be that can rule Naples,
As well as he that sleeps;
O, that you bore
The mind that I do; what a sleep was this,
For your advancement! do you understand me?
-- 27 --
Seb.
Methinks, I do.
Ant.
And how does your content
Tender your own good fortune?
Seb.
I remember,
You did supplant your brother Prosp'ro* note.
Ant.
True:
And, look, how well my garments sit upon me;
Much feater than before. My brother's servants
Were then my fellows, now they are my men.
Seb.
But, for your conscience—
Ant.
Ay, sir; where lyes that?
Ten consciences, that stand 'twixt me and Milan,
Candy'd be they, and melt, e'er they molest!
Here lyes your brother—
No better than the earth he lyes upon,
If he were that which now he's like, that's dead:
Whom I with this obedient steel, three inches of it,
Can lay to bed for ever: you doing thus,
To the perpetual wink for aye might put
This ancient morsel, this Sir Prudence, who
Should not upbraid our course. For all the rest,
They'll tell the clock to any business, that,
We say, befits the hour† note.
Seb.
Thy case, dear friend,
Shall be my precedent: as thou got'st Milan,
I'll come by Naples. Draw thy sword; one stroke
Shall free thee from the tribute which thou pay'st;
And I the King shall love thee.
Ant.
Draw together:
And when I rear my hand, do you the like,
To fall it on Gonzalo.
Seb.
O, but one word—
Enter Ariel.
Ari.
My master through his art foresees the danger,
-- 28 --
That you, his friend, are in; and sends me forth,
(For else his project dies) to keep them living.
[Sings in Gonzalo's Ear.
While you here do snoring lye,
Open-ey'd Conspiracy
His time doth take:
If of life you keep a care,
Shake off slumber and beware:
Awake! awake!
Ant.
Then let us both be sudden.
Gon.
Now, good angels preserve the King!
[They wake.
Alon.
Why, how now, ho? awake? why are you drawn?
Wherefore this ghastly looking?
Gon.
What's the matter?
Seb.
While we stood here securing your repose,
Ev'n now we heard a hollow burst of bellowing,
Like bulls, or rather lions; did't not wake you?
It struck mine ear most terribly.
Alon.
I heard nothing.
Ant.
O, 'twas a din to fright a monster's ear;
To make an earthquake: sure, it was the roar
Of a whole herd of lions.
Alon.
Heard you this?
Gon.
Upon my honour, sir, I heard a humming,
And that a strange one too, which did awake me.
I shak'd you, sir, and cry'd; as mine eyes open'd,
I saw their weapons drawn; there was a noise,
That's verity. 'Tis best we stand on guard;
Or that we quit this place: let's draw our weapons.
Alon.
Lead off this ground, and let's make further search,
For my poor son.
Gon.
Heav'ns keep him from these beasts!
For he is, sure, i'th' island.
Alon.
Lead away.
[Exeunt.
-- 29 --
Scene
SCENE changes to another part of the Island.
Enter Caliban, with a burden of wood; a noise of thunder heard.
* noteCal.
All the infections that the sun sucks up,
From bogs, fens, flats, on Prospero fall, and make him
By inch-meal a disease! His spirits hear me,
And yet I needs must curse. But they'll not pinch,
Fright me with urchin shews, pitch me i'th' mire,
Nor lead me, like a fire-brand, in the dark,
Out of my way, unless he bid 'em; but
For every trifle are they set upon me.
Sometimes like apes, that moe and chatter at me,
And after bite me; then like hedge-hogs, which
Lye tumbling in my bare-foot way, and mount
Their pricks at my foot-fall; sometime am I
All wound with adders, who with cloven tongues
Do hiss me into madness. Lo! now! lo!
Enter Trinculo.
Here comes a spi'rit of his, and to torment me,
For bringing wood in slowly. I'll fall flat;
Perchance, he will not mind me.
Trin.
Here's neither bush nor shrub to bear off any
weather at all, and another storm brewing; I hear it
sing i'th' wind: yon same black cloud, yon huge one,
looks like a foul bumbard that would shed his liquor.
If it should thunder as it did before, I know not where
to hide my head: yon same cloud cannot choose but
fall by pailfuls—What have we here, a man or a fish?
dead or alive? a fish; he smells like a fish: a very ancient
and fish-like smell. A kind of, not of the newest,
Poor John: a strange fish! Were I in England now, as
once I was, and had but this fish painted, not an holiday-fool
there but would give a piece of silver. There
would this monster make a man: any strange beast there
-- 30 --
makes a man; when they will not give a doit, to relieve
a lame beggar, they will lay out ten, to see a dead Indian.
Legged like a man! and his fins like arms! warm, o'my
troth! I do now let loose my opinion, hold it no longer;
this is no fish, but an Islander, that hath lately suffered
by a thunder-bolt. Alas! the storm is come again.
My best way is to creep under his gaberdine: there is
no other shelter, hereabout; misery acquaints a man
with strange bed-fellows: I will here shrowd, 'till the
dregs of the storm be past* note.
Enter Stephano, singing.
Step.
I shall no more to sea, to sea; here shall I die a-shore.
This is a very scurvy tune to sing at a man's funeral;
well, here's my comfort.
[Drinks; then sings.
The master, the swabber, the boatswain, and I,
The gunner, and his mate,
Lov'd Mall, Meg, and Marrian, and Margery,
But none of us car'd for Kate;
For she had a tongue with a tang,
Would cry to a sailor, go hang:
She lov'd not the savour of tar nor of pitch,
Yet a taylor might scratch her, where-e'er she did itch.
Then to sea, boys, and let her go hang.
This is a scurvy tune, too; but here's my comfort.
[Drinks.
Cal.
Do not torment me, oh!
Step.
What's the matter? have we devils here? do
you put tricks upon's with savages, and men of Inde?
ha? I have not scap'd drowning, to be afraid now of
your four legs; for it hath been said, As proper a man,
as ever went upon four legs, cannot make him give
ground; and it shall be said so again, while Stephano
breathes at his nostrils.
-- 31 --
Cal.
The spirit torments me: oh!
Step.
This is some monster of the isle, with four legs,
who has got, as I take it, an ague: where the devil
should he learn our language? I will give him some relief,
if it be but for that: if I can recover him, and
keep him tame, and get to Naples with him, he's a present
for any Emperor that ever trod on neats-leather.
Cal.
Do not torment me, pr'ythee; I'll bring my
wood home faster.
Step.
He's in his fit now; and does not talk after the
wisest: he shall taste of my bottle. If he never drunk
wine afore, it will go near to remove his fit; if I can
recover him, and keep him tame, I will not take too
much for him: he shall pay for him, that hath him,
and that soundly.
Cal.
Thou dost me yet but little hurt; thou wilt
anon, I know it, by thy trembling: now Prosper works
upon thee.
Step.
Come on your ways; open your mouth; here
is that which will give language to you, cat; open your
mouth; this will shake your shaking, I can tell you, and
that soundly: you cannot tell who's your friend; open
your chaps again.
Trin.
I should know that voice: it should be—but he
is drowned; and these are devils; O! defend me—
Step.
Four legs and two voices; a most delicate monster!
his forward voice now is to speak well of his friend;
his backward voice is to spatter foul speeches, and to
detract. If all the wine in my bottle will recover him,
I will help his ague: come: Amen! I will pour some
in thy other mouth.
Trin.
Stephano—
Step.
Doth thy other mouth call me? mercy! mercy!
this is a devil, and no monster: I will leave him; I
have no long spoon.
Trin.
Stephano! if thou beest Stephano, touch me, and
speak to me; for I am Trinculo; be not afraid, thy good
friend Trinculo.
Step.
If thou beest Trinculo, come forth, I'll pull thee
by the lesser legs: if any be Trinculo's legs, these are
-- 32 --
they. Thou art very Trinculo, indeed: how cam'st
thou to the siege of this moon-calf? can he vent
Trinculo's!
Trin.
I took him to be killed with a thander-stroke:
and art thou living, Stephano? O Stephano, two Neapolitans
scap'd!
Step.
Pr'ythee, do not turn me about, my stomach is
not constant.
Cal.
These be fine things, an if they be not sprights:
that's a brave god, and bears celestial liquor: I will
kneel to him.
Step.
How didst thou scape? how cam'st thou hither?
swear, by this bottle, how thou cam'st hither: I escap'd
upon a butt of sack, which the sailors heaved over-board,
by this bottle! which I made of the bark of a tree,
with mine own hands, since I was cast a-shore.
Cal.
I'll swear upon that bottle, to be thy true subject;
for the liquor is not earthly.
Step.
Here: swear then, how escap'st thou?
Trin.
Swam a-shore, man, like a duck; I can swim
like a duck, I'll be sworn.
Step.
Here, kiss the book. Though thou canst swim
like a duck, thou art made like a goose.
Trin.
O Stephano, hast any more of this?
Step.
The whole butt, man; my cellar is in a rock by
th' sea-side, where my wine is hid. How now, moon-calf,
how does thine ague?
Cal.
Hast thou not dropt from heav'n?
Step.
Out o'th' moon, I do assure thee. I was the man
in th' moon, when time was.
Cal.
I have seen thee in her; and I do adore thee:
my mistress shew'd me thee, and thy dog and thy bush.
Step.
Come, swear to that; kiss the book: I will
furnish it anon with new contents: swear.
Cal.
I'll shew thee every fertile inch o'th' Isle, and I
will kiss thy foot: I pr'ythee, be my god.
Trin.
By this light, a most perfidious and drunken
monster; when his god's asleep, he'll rob his bottle.
Cal.
I'll shew thee the best springs; I'll pluck thee berries,
-- 33 --
I'll fish for thee, and get thee wood enough.
A plague upon the tyrant that I serve!
I'll bear him no more sticks, but follow thee,
Thou wondrous man.
Trin.
A most ridiculous monster, to make a wonder
of a poor drunkard!
Cal.
I pr'ythee, let me bring thee where crabs grow;
And I with my long nails will dig thee pig-nuts;
Shew thee a jay's nest, and instruct thee how
To snare the nimble marmazet: I'll bring thee
To clust'ring filberds, and sometimes I'll get thee
Young shamois from the rock. Wilt thou go with me?
Step.
I pr'ythee now, lead the way without any more
talking. Trinculo, the King and all our company else
being drown'd, we will inherit here. Hear, bear my
bottle; fellow Trinculo, we'll fill him by and by again.
Cal. [Sings drunkenly.]
Farewel, master; farewel, farewel.
Trin.
A howling monster; a drunken monster!
Cal.
No more dams I'll make for fish,
Nor fetch in firing at requiring,
Nor scrape trencher, nor wash dish,
Ban' Ban', Cacalyban,
Has a new master; get a new man.
Freedom, hey-day! hey-day, freedom! freedom, hey-day, freedom!
Step.
O brave monster, lead the way.
[Exeunt.* note
-- 34 --
ACT III.
Scene
SCENE, before Prospero's Cell.
Ferdinand discover'd, bearing a Log.
Fer.
There be some sports are painful, but their labour
* note
Delight in them sets off: some kinds of baseness
Are nobly undergone, and most poor matters
Point to rich ends. This my mean task would be
As heavy to me, as 'tis odious: but
The mistress, which I serve, quickens what's dead,
And makes my labours pleasure: O, she is
Ten times more gentle, than her father's crabbed;
And he's compos'd of harshness. I must move
Some thousands of these logs, and pile them up,
Upon a sore injunction. My sweet mistress
Weeps when she sees me work, and says, such baseness
Had ne'er like executor; I forget;
But these sweet thoughts do ev'n refresh my labour,
Most busyless, when I do it.
Enter Miranda.
Mira.
Alas, now, pray you,
Work not so hard; I would the lightning had
Burnt up those logs, that thou'rt enjoined to pile:
Pray, set it down, and rest you; when this burns,
'Twill weep for having wearied you: my father
Is hard at study; pray now, rest yourself;
He's safe for these three hours.
-- 35 --
Fer.
O most dear mistress,
The sun will set, before I shall discharge
What I must strive to do.
Mira.
If you'll sit down,
I'll bear your logs the while. Pray, give me that;
I'll carry't to the pile.
Fer.
No, precious creature,
I'd rather crack my sinews, break my back,
Than you should such dishonour undergo,
While I sit lazy by.
Mira.
It would become me,
As well as it does you; and I should do it
With much more ease; for my good will is to it,
And yours it is against.
You look wearily.
Fer.
No, noble mistress; 'tis fresh morning with me,
When you are by at night. I do beseech you,
(Chiefly that I might set it in my prayers)
What is your name?
Mira.
Miranda. O my father,
I've broke your hest to say so.
Fer.
Admir'd Miranda!
Indeed, the top of admiration; worth
What's dearest to the world! full many a lady
I've ey'd with best regard, and many a time
Th' harmony of their tongues hath into bondage
Brought my too diligent ear; for several virtues
Have I lik'd several women, never any
With so full soul, but some defect in her
Did quarrel with the noblest grace she ow'd,
And put it to the foil. But you, O you,
So perfect, and so peerless, are created
Of every creature's best.
Mira.
I do not know
One of my sex; no woman's face remember,
Save from my glass mine own; nor have I seen
More that I may call men, than you, good friend,
And my dear father: how features are abroad,
I'm skill-less of; but, by my modesty,
-- 36 --
(The jewel in my dower) I would not wish
Any companion in the world, but you;
Nor can imagination form a shape,
Besides yourself, to like of.
Fer.
I am, in my condition,
A Prince, Miranda; I do think, a King;
(I would, not so!) and would no more endure
This wooden slavery, than I would suffer
The flesh-fly blow my mouth. Hear my soul speak;
The very instant that I saw you, did
My heart fly to your service, there resides
To make me slave to it, and for your sake,
Am I this patient log-man.
Mira.
Do you love me?
Fer.
O heav'n, O earth, bear witness to this sound,
And crown what I profess with kind event,
If I speak true; if hollowly, invert
What best is boded me, to mischief! I,
Beyond all limit of what else i'th' world,
Do love, prize, honour you* note.
Mira.
I am a fool,
To weep at what I'm glad of.
Fer.
Wherefore weep you?
Mira.
At mine unworthiness, that dare not offer,
What I desire to give; and much less take,
What I shall die to want: but this is trifling;
And all the more it seeks to hide itself,
The bigger bulk it shews. Hence, bashful Cunning!
And prompt me, plain and holy Innocence.
I am your wife, if you will marry me;
If not, I'll die your maid: to be your fellow,
You may deny me; but I'll be your servant,
Whether you will or no.
Fer.
My mistress, dearest,
And I thus humble ever.
-- 37 --
Mira.
My husband, then?
Fer.
Ay, with a heart as willing,
As bondage e'er of freedom; here's my hand.
Mira.
And mine, with my heart in't; and now, farewel,
Till half an hour hence.
Fer.
A thousand, thousand.
[Exeunt.
Scene
SCENE changes to another part of the Island.
Enter Caliban, Stephano, and Trinculo.
Step.
Tell not me; when the butt is out, we will
drink water, not a drop before; therefore bear up,
and board 'em, servant-monster; drink to me.
Trin.
Servant-monster! the folly of this island! they
say there's but five upon this isle; we are three of them;
if the other two be brain'd like us, the state totters.
Step.
Drink, servant-monster, when I bid thee; thy
eyes are almost set in thy head.
Trin.
Where should they be set else? he were a brave
monster indeed, if they were set in his tail.
Step.
My man-monster hath drown'd his tongue in
sack: for my part, the sea cannot drown me. I swam,
ere I could recover the shore, five and thirty leagues, off
and on; by this light, thou shalt be my lieutenant, monster,
or my standard.
Trin.
Your lieutenant, if you list; he's no standard.
Step.
We'll not run, monsieur monster.
Trin.
Nor go neither: but you'll lie like dogs, and
yet say nothing, neither.
Step.
Moon-calf, speak once in thy life, if thou beest
a good moon-calf.
Cal.
How does thy honour? let me lick thy shoe;
I'll not serve him, he is not valiant.
Trin.
Thou liest, most ignorant monster; I am in case
to justle a constable; why, thou debosh'd fish, thou, was
there ever a man a coward that hath drunk so much
sack as I, to-day? wilt thou tell a monstrous lie, being
but half a fish, and half a monster?
-- 38 --
Cal.
Lo, how he mocks me: wilt thou let him, my
Lord?
Trin.
Lord, quoth he! That a monster should be such
a natural!
Cal.
Lo, lo, again; bite him to death, I pr'ythee.
Step.
Trinculo, keep a good tongue in your head; if
you prove a mutineer, the next tree—the poor monster's
my subject, and he shall not suffer indignity.
Cal.
I thank my noble Lord. Wilt thou be pleas'd
to hearken once again to the suit I made to thee?
Step.
Marry, will I; kneel and repeat it; I will stand,
and so shall Trinculo.
Enter Ariel invisible.
Cal.
As I told thee before, I am subject to a tyrant,
a sorcerer, that by his cunning hath cheated me of the
Island.
Ari.
Thou liest.
Cal.
Thou liest, thou jesting monkey, thou;
I would, my valiant master would destroy thee:
I do not lie.
Step.
Trinculo, if you trouble him any more in's tale,
by this hand, I will supplant some of your teeth.
Trin.
Why, I said nothing.
Step.
Mum then, and no more; proceed.
Cal.
I say, by sorcery he got this Isle;
From me he got it. If thy greatness will
Revenge it on him, (for, I know, thou dar'st,
But this thing dares not—)
Step.
That's most certain.
Cal.
Thou shalt be Lord of it, and I'll serve thee.
Step.
How now shall this be compast? canst thou bring
me to the party?
Cal.
Yea, yea, my Lord, I'll yield him thee asleep,
Where thou may'st knock a nail into his head.
Ari.
Thou liest, thou canst not.
Cal.
What a py'd ninny's this! thou scurvy patch!
beseech thy Greatness, give him blows,
-- 39 --
And take this bottle from him; when that's gone,
He shall drink nought but brine, for I'll not shew him
Where the quick freshes are.
Step.
Trinculo, run into no further danger: interrupt
the monster, one word further, and, by this hand, I'll
turn my mercy out of doors, and make a stock-fish of
thee.
Trin.
Why, what did I? I did nothing; I'll go further
off.
Step.
Didst thou not say, he ly'd?
Ari.
Thou liest* note.
Step.
Do I so? take you that.
[Beats him
As you like this, give me the lie another time.
Trin.
I did not give thee the lie: out o'your wits,
and hearing too? A pox o'your bottle! This can sack
and drinking do. A murrain on your monster, and the
devil take your fingers!
Cal.
Ha, ha, ha.
Step.
Now, forward with your tale; pr'ythee, stand
further off.
Cal.
Beat him enough, after a little time,
I'll beat him too.
Step.
Stand further. Come, proceed.
Cal.
Why, as I told thee, 'tis a custom with him,
I'th' afternoon, to sleep; there thou may'st brain him,
Having first seiz'd his books; or with a log,
Batter his skull, or paunch him with a stake,
Or cut his weazand with thy knife. Remember,
First to possess his books; for without them,
He's but a sot, as I am; nor hath not
One spirit to command. They all do hate him,
As rootedly as I. Burn but his books;
He has brave utensils (for so he calls them),
Which when he has an house, he'll deck withal.
And that most deeply to consider, is
The beauty of his daughter; he himself
-- 40 --
Calls her a nonpareil: I ne'er saw woman,
But only Sycorax my dam, and she:
But she as far surpasses Sycorax,
As greatest does the least.
Step.
Is it so brave a lass?
Cal.
Ay, Lord; she will become thy bed, I warrant,
And bring thee forth brave brood.
Step.
Monster, I will kill this man: his daughter and
I will be King and Queen, save our Graces: and Trinculo
and thyself shall be Vice-roys. Dost thou like the plot,
Trinculo?
Trin.
Excellent.
Step.
Give me thy hand; I am sorry, I beat thee: but,
while thou liv'st, keep a good tongue in thy head.
Cal.
Within this half hour will he be asleep:
Wilt thou destroy him, then?
Step.
Ay, on my honour.
Ari.
This will I tell my master.
Cal.
Thou mak'st me merry; I am full of pleasure;
Let us be jocund* note. Will you troul the catch,
You taught me but while-ere?
Step.
At thy request, monster, I will do reason, any
reason: come on, Trinculo, let us sing.
[Sings.
Flout 'em, and skout 'em: and skout 'em, and flout 'em; thought is free.
Cal.
That's not the tune.
[Ariel plays the Tune on a Tabour and Pipe.
Step.
What is this same?
Trin.
This is the tune of our catch, play'd by the
picture of nobody.
Step.
If thou be'st a man, shew thyself in the likeness:
if thou be'st a devil, take't as thou list.
Trin.
O, forgive my sins!
Step.
He that dies, pays all debts: I defy thee. Mercy
upon us!
Cal.
Art thou afraid?
Step.
No, monster, not I.
-- 41 --
Cal.
Be not afraid; the isle is full of noises,
Sounds, and sweet airs, that give delight, and hurt not.
Sometimes a thousand twanging instruments
Will hum about mine ears, and sometimes voices;
That, if I then had wak'd after long sleep,
Will make me sleep again; and then in dreaming,
The clouds, methought, will open, and shew riches
Ready to drop upon me; then, when I wak'd,
I cry'd to dream again.
Step.
This will prove a brave kingdom to me, where
I shall have my music for nothing.
Cal.
When Prospero is destroy'd.
Step.
That shall be, by and by: I remember the story.
Trin.
The sound is going away; let's follow it, and
after do our work.
Step.
Lead, monster; we'll follow. I would I could
see this taborer. He lays it on.
Trin.
Wilt come? I'll follow, Stephano.
[Exeunt.
Scene
SCENE changes to another part of the Island.
Enter Alonso, Sebastian, Anthonio, Gonzalo, Francisco, &c.
Gon.
By'r lakin, I can go no further, sir,
My old bones ake: here's a maze trod, indeed,
Through forth rights and meanders! by your patience,
I needs must rest me.
Alon.
Old Lord, I cannot blame thee,
Who am myself attach'd with weariness,
To th' dulling of my spirits: sit down, and rest.
Ev'n here I will put off my hope, and keep it
No longer for my flatterer: he is drown'd,
Whom thus we stray to find, and the sea mocks
Our frustrate search on land. Well, let him go.
Ant.
I am right glad that he's so out of hope.
Do not, for one repulse, forego the purpose,
That you resolv'd t'effect.
-- 42 --
Seb.
The next advantage
Will we take throughly.
Ant.
Let it be to-night;
For, now they are oppress'd with travel, they
Will not, nor cannot, use such vigilance,
As when they're fresh.
Seb.
I say, to-night: no more.
Solemn and strange musick.
Alon.
What harmony is this? my good friends, hark!
Gon.
Marvellous sweet musick!
Alon.
Give us kind keepers, heaven! what were these?
[A dance of fantastic spirits.
Seb.
A living drollery. Now I will believe,
That there are unicorns; that, in Arabia,
There is one tree, the phœnix' throne; one phœnix
At this hour reigning there.
Ant.
I'll believe both;
And what does else want credit, come to me,
And I'll be sworn 'tis true. Travellers ne'er did lie,
Though fools at home condemn 'em.
Gon.
If in Naples,
I should report this now, would they believe me?
If I should say, I saw such islanders,
(For, certes, these are people of the island)
Who tho' they are of monstrous shape, yet, note,
Their manners are more gentle-kind, than of
Our human generation you shall find
Many; nay, almost any.
Alon.
I cannot too much muse,
Such shapes, such gesture, and such sound, expressing
(Although they want the use of tongue) a kind
Of excellent dumb discourse.
Fran.
They vanish'd strangely.
[Thunder.
Two Devils rise out of the Stage, with a Table decorated.
Seb.
No matter since
-- 43 --
They've left their viands behind; for we have stomachs.
Will't please you taste of what is here?
Alon.
Not I.
Gon.
Faith, sir, you need not fear.
Alon.
I will stand to, and feed,
Although my last; no matter, since I feel
The best is past. Brother, my Lord the Duke,
Stand to, and do as we.
[The Devils vanish with the Table.
Thunder and Lightning. Enter Ariel.
Ari.
You are three men of sin, whom destiny
The never-surfeited sea
Hath caused to belch up; and on this Island,
Where man doth not inhabit, you 'mongst men
Being most unfit to live. I have made you mad;
And ev'n with such like valour men hang and drown
Their proper selves. You fools! I and my fellows
Are ministers of fate; the elements,
Of whom your swords are temper'd, may as well
Wound the loud winds, or with bemockt-at stabs,
Kill the still-closing waters, as diminish
One down that's in my plume: my fellow-ministers
Are like invulnerable. If you could hurt,
Your swords are now too massy for your strengths,
And will not be up-lifted. But remember,
(For that's my business to you) that you three
From Milan did supplant good Prospero;
Expos'd unto the sea (which hath requit it)
Him, and his innocent child; for which foul deed,
The powers delaying, not forgetting, have
Incens'd the seas and shores, yea, all the creatures,
Against your peace: thee of thy son, Alonso,
They have bereft; and do pronounce by me,
Ling'ring perdition, worse than any death
Can be at once, shall step by step attend
You and your ways; whose wrath to guard you from,
(Which here in this most desolate Isle else falls
-- 44 --
Upon your heads,) is nothing but heart's sorrow,
And a clear life ensuing* note.
[Ex. Ariel.
Gon.
I' th' name of something holy, sir, why stand you
In this strange stare?
Alon.
O, it is monstrous! monstrous!
Methought, the billows spoke, and told me of it;
The winds did sing it to me; and the thunder,
That deep and dreadful organ-pipe, pronounc'd
The name of Prosper: it did base my trespass.
Therefore, my son i'th' ooze is bedded; and
I'll seek him deeper than e'er plummet sounded,
And with him there lye mudded.
[Exit.
Seb.
But one fiend at a time,
I'll fight their legions o'er.
Ant.
I'll be thy second.
[Exeunt.
Gon.
All three of them are desperate; their great guilt,
Like poison giv'n to work a great time after,
Now 'gins to bite the spirits. I do beseech you,
That are of suppler joints, follow them swiftly;
And hinder them from what this ecstasy
May now provoke them to.
[Exeunt.† note
-- 45 --
ACT IV.
Scene
SCENE, Prospero's Cell.
Enter Prospero, Ferdinand, and Miranda.
Pro.
If I have too austerely punish'd you,
Your compensation makes amends; for I
Have giv'n you here a thread of mine own life;
Or that for which I live: all thy vexations
Were but my trials of thy love, and thou
Hast strangely stood the test. Here, afore heaven,
I ratify this my rich gift: O Ferdinand,
Do not smile at me, that I boast her off;
For thou shalt find, she will outstrip all praise,
And make it halt behind her.
Fer.
I believe it,
Against an oracle.
Pro.
Then, as my gift, and thine own acquisition,
Worthily purchas'd, take my Daughter. But
If thou dost break her virgin-knot, before
All sanctimonious ceremonies may,
With full and holy rite, be minister'd,
No sweet aspersions shall the heav'ns let fall,
To make this contract grow: but barren hate,
Sour-ey'd disdain, and discord, shall bestrew
The union of your bed with weeds so loathly,
That you shall hate it both: therefore take heed,
As Hymen's lamps shall light you* note.
Fer.
As I hope
For quiet days, fair issue, and long life,
With such love as 'tis now, the murkiest den,
The most opportune place, the strong'st suggestion,
Our worser Genius can, shall never melt
-- 46 --
Mine honour into lust; to take away
The edge of that day's celebration,
When I shall think or Phœbus' steeds are founder'd,
Or night kept chain'd below.
Pro.
Fairly spoke.
Sit then, and talk with her, she is thine own.
What, Ariel; my industrious servant, Ariel—
Enter Ariel.
Ari.
What would my potent master? here I am.
Pro.
Thou and thy meaner fellows your last service
Did worthily perform; and I must use you
In such another trick; go, bring the rabble,
O'er whom I give thee power, here to this place:
Incite them to quick motion, for I must
Bestow upon the eyes of this young couple,
Some vanity of mine art; it is my promise,
And they expect it from me.
Ari.
Presently?
Pro.
Ay, with a twink.
Ariel sings.
AIR.
Before you can say, Come, and go,
And breathe twice; and cry, So, so;
Each one, tripping on his toe,
Will be here with mop and mow,
Do you love me, master? no?
Pro.
Why, that's my delicate Ariel; do not approach,
'Till thou dost hear me call.
[Exit Ariel.
Look, thou be true; do not give dalliance
Too much the rein; the strongest oaths are straw,
To th' fire i'th' blood: be more abstemious,
Or else, good-night, your vow!—
Fer.
I warrant you, sir;
The white, cold, virgin-snow upon my heart,
Abates the ardour of my liver.
-- 47 --
Pro.
Well.
No tongue; all eyes; be silent.
[To Ferdinand.
[Soft Music.* note
MASQUE. Enter Juno.
RECITATIVE.
Hither, Hymen, speed your way,
Celebrate this happy day;
Hither, Ceres, haste away,
Celebrate this happy day:
With blithsome look, and jocund mien,
Come, and tread this short grass green,
Leave behind your grief and care,
Come, and bless this happy pair.
Enter Hymen and Ceres.
Hym.
Honour, riches, marriage, blessing,
Long continuance and encreasing,
Hourly joys be still upon ye,
Hymen sings his blessings on ye.
Cer.
Earth's encrease, and foyson plenty,
Barns and garners never empty;
Vines in clust'ring bunches growing,
Plants with goodly burthens bowing.
BOTH.
Honour, riches, marriage, blessing,
Long continuance and encreasing,
Hourly joys be still upon ye,
Hymen sings his blessings on ye.
DUET.
Cer.
Scarcity and want shall shun ye,
Ceres sings her blessings on ye.
-- 48 --
Hym.
Hourly joys be still upon ye,
Hymen sings his blessings on ye.
RECIT.
You sun-burn'd sickle men, of August weary,
Come hither from the furrow, and be merry.
DUET.
Hymen and Ceres.
Away, away, make holiday,
Your rye-straw hats put on;
Bring each his lass, and beat the grass,
Let toil and care be gone.
Enter certain Reapers, properly habited; they join with the
Nymphs in a graceful Dance; towards the end whereof,
Prospero starts suddenly, and speaks.
Pro.
Break off, break off,
I had forgot that foul conspiracy
Of the beast Caliban, and his confed'rates,
Against my life; the minute of their plot
Is almost come. Well done, avoid; no more.
[Exeunt Dancers, &c.
Fer.
This is most strange; your father's in some passion,
That works him strongly.
Mir.
Never 'till this day,
Saw I him touch'd with anger so distemper'd.
Pro.
You look, my son, in a mov'd sort,
As if you were dismay'd: be chearful, sir:
Our revels now are ended: these our actors,
As I foretold you, were all spirits, and
Are melted into air, into thin air;
And, like this unsubstantial pageant faded,
* noteThe cloud-capt towers, the gorgeous palaces,
-- 49 --
The solemn temples, the great globe itself,
Yea, all, which it inherit, shall dissolve;
And, like the baseless fabrick of a vision,
Leave not a rack behind!—Sir, I am vext;
Bear with my weakness, my old brain is troubled:
Be not disturb'd with my infirmity;
If thou be pleas'd, retire into my cell,
And there repose: a turn or two I'll walk,
To still my beating mind.
Fer. Mira.
We wish your peace.
[Exe. Fer. and Mir.
Pro.
Come, with a thought—I thank you—Ariel, come.
Prospero comes forward; enter Ariel to him.
Ari.
Thy thoughts I cleave to; what's thy pleasure?
Pro.
Spirit,
We must prepare to meet with Caliban.
Ari.
Ay, my commander; when I presented Ceres,
I thought to have told thee of it; but I fear'd,
Lest I might anger thee.
Pro.
Say again, where didst thou leave these varlets?
Ari.
I told you, sir, they were red hot with drinking;
So full of valour, that they smote the air,
For breathing in their faces; beat the ground,
For kissing of their feet; yet always bending
Towards their project. Then I beat my tabor,
At which, like unbackt colts, they prickt their ears,
Advanc'd their eye-lids, lifted up their noses,
As they smelt* note musick; so I charm'd their ears,
That, calf-like, they my lowing follow'd, through
Tooth'd briars, sharp furzes, pricking goss and thorns,
Which enter'd their frail shins: at last I left them
I'th' filthy mantled pool, beyond your cell.
Pro.
This was well done, my bird;
Thy shape invisible retain thou still;
-- 50 --
The trumpery in my house, go bring it hither,
For stale to catch these thieves.
Ari.
I go, I go.
[Exit.
Pro.
A devil, a born devil, on whose nature
Nurture can never stick; on whom my pains,
Humanely taken, all, all lost, quite lost;
And, as with age his body uglier grows,
So his mind cankers; I will plague them all,
Even to roaring: come, hang them on this line.
[Prospero remains invisible.
Enter Caliban, Stephano, and Trinculo, all wet.
Cal.
Pray you, tread softly, that the blind mole may not
Hear a foot fall; we now are near his cell.
Step.
Monster, your Fairy, which you say is a harmless
Fairy, has done little better than played the Jack
with us.
Trin.
Monster, I do smell all horse-piss, at which my
nose is in great indignation* note.
Step.
So is mine: do you hear, monster? if I should
take a displeasure against you; look you—
Trin.
Thou wer't but a lost monster.
Cal.
Good my Lord, give me thy favour still;
Be patient; for the prize, I'll bring thee to,
† noteShall hood-wink this mischance; therefore, speak softly:
All's husht as midnight yet.
Trin.
Ay, but to lose our bottles in the pool—
Step.
There is not only disgrace and dishonour in that,
monster, but an infinite loss.
-- 51 --
Trin.
That's more to me than my wetting: yet this
is your harmless Fairy, monster.
Step.
I will fetch off my bottle, though I be o'er ears
for my labour.
Cal.
Pr'ythee, my King, be quiet: seest thou here,
This is the mouth o'th' cell; no noise, and enter;
Do that good mischief, which may make this Island
Thine own for ever; and I, thy Caliban,
For ay thy foot-licker.
Step.
Give me thy hand: I do begin to have bloody
thoughts.
Trin.
O King Stephano! O Peer! O worthy Stephano!
Look, what a wardrobe here is for thee!
Cal.
Let it alone, thou fool, it is but trash.
Trin.
Oh, oh, monster; we know what belongs to a
frippery;—O, King Stephano!
Step.
Put off that gown, Trinculo; by this hand, I'll
have that gown.
Trin.
Thy Grace shall have it.
Cal.
The dropsy drown this fool! what do you mean,
To doat thus on such luggage? let's along,
And do the murder first: if he awake,
From toe to crown he'll fill our skins with pinches;
Make us strange stuff.
Step.
Be you quiet, monster. Mistress line, is not this
my jerkin? now is the jerkin under the line: now;
jerkin, you are like to lose your hair, and prove a bald
jerkin.
Trin.
Do, do; we steal by line and level, an't like
your Grace.
Step.
I thank thee for that jest, here's a garment for't:
wit shall not go unrewarded, while I am King of this
country: steal by line and level, is an excellent pass of
pate; there's another garment for't.
Trin.
Monster, come, put some lime upon your fingers,
and away with the rest.
Cal.
I will have none on't; we shall lose our time,
And all be turn'd to barnacles, or apes,
With foreheads villainous low.
-- 52 --
Step.
Monster, lay to your fingers; help to bear this
away, where my hogshead of wine is, or I'll turn you
out of my kingdom; go to, carry this.
Trin.
And this.
Step.
Ay, and this.
[Thunder.
Enter divers Spirits; Prospero and Ariel setting them on.
Caliban, Stephano, and Trinculo driven out, roaring.
Pro.
Go, charge my goblins that they grind their joints
With dry convulsions; shorten up their sinews,
With aged cramps; and more pinch-spotted make them,
Than pard, or cat o' mountain.
[Roaring within.
Ari.
Hark, they roar.
Pro.
Let them be hunted soundly. At this hour,
Lye at my mercy all mine enemies:
Shortly shall all my labours end, and thou
Shalt have the air at freedom; for a little,
Follow, and do me service.
[Exeunt.* note
ACT V.
Scene
SCENE, before the Cell.
Enter Prospero, in his magic Robes, and Ariel.
Pro.
Now does my project gather to a head;
My charms crack not; my spirits obey, and time
Goes upright with his carriage: how's the day?
Ari.
On the sixth hour, at which time, my Lord,
You said, our work should cease.
-- 53 --
Pro.
I did say so,
When first I rais'd the tempest; say, my spirit,
How fares the King and's followers?
Ari.
Confin'd
In the same fashion as you gave in charge;
Just as you left them, all prisoners, sir,
In the Lime-Grove which weather-fends your cell.
They cannot budge, 'till your release. The King,
His brother, and yours, abide all three distracted;
And the remainder mourning over them,
Brim-full of sorrow and dismay; but, chiefly,
Him that you term'd the good old Lord Gonzalo.
His tears run down his beard, like winter drops
From eaves of reeds; your charm so strongly works 'em,
That if you now beheld them, your affections
Would become tender.
Pro.
Do'st thou think so, spirit?
Ari.
Mine would, sir, were I human.
Pro.
And mine shall.
Hast thou, which art but air, a touch, a feeling,
Of their afflictions, and shall not myself,
One of their kind, that relish all as sharply,
Passion'd as they, be kindlier mov'd than thou art?
Tho' with their high wrongs I am struck to th' quick,
Yet, with my nobler reason, 'gainst my fury,
Do I take part: the rarer action is
* noteIn virtue than in vengeance; they being penitent,
The sole drift of my purpose doth extend
Not a frown further; go, release them, Ariel;
My charms I'll break, their senses I'll restore,
And they shall be themselves.
Ari.
I'll fetch them, sir.
[Exit.
Pro.
Ye elves of hills, brooks, standing lakes, and groves,
-- 54 --
And ye, that on the sands with printless foot,
Do chase the ebbing Neptune; and do fly him,
When he comes back; you demy-puppets, that
By moon-shine do the green sour ringlets make,
Whereof the ewe not bites; and you, whose pastime
Is to make midnight mushrooms, that rejoice
To hear the solemn curfew; by whose aid,
(Weak masters tho' ye be) I have be-dimm'd
The noon tide sun, call'd forth the mutinous winds,
And 'twixt the green sea and the azur'd vault,
Set roaring war; to the dread rattling thunder
Have I giv'n fire, and rifted Jove's stout oak,
With his own bolt: the strong-bas'd promontory
Have I made shake, and by the spurs pluckt up
The pine and cedar: graves, at my command,
Have wak'd their sleepers; op'd, and let them forth,
By my so potent art. But this rough magick
I here abjure; and when I have requir'd
Some heavenly musick, which ev'n now I do,
(To work mine end upon their senses, that
This airy charm is for), I'll break my staff;
Bury it certain fathoms in the earth;
And, deeper than did ever plummet sound,
I'll drown my book* note.
[Solemn Music.
Here enters Ariel before; then Alonso, Gonzalo, Sebastian,
Anthonio, Francisco. They all enter the Circle which
Prospero had made, and there stand charm'd; which
Prospero observing, speaks.
There stand,
For you are spell-stopt.—
Holy Gonzalo, honourable man† note,
Mine eyes, ev'n sociable to th' shew of thine,
-- 55 --
Fall fellow drops—The charm dissolves apace,
And as the morning steals upon the night,
Melting the darkness, so their rising senses
Begin to chase the ign'rant fumes, that mantle
Their clearer reason. Sir—Most cruelly
Didst thou, Alonso, use me and my daughter:
Thy brother was a furtherer in the act;
Thou'rt pinch'd for't now, Sebastian, flesh and blood.
You, brother mine, that entertain'd ambition,
Expell'd remorse and nature; I do forgive thee,
Unnat'ral though thou art. Their understanding
Begins to swell, and the approaching tide
Will shortly fill the reasonable shore,
That now lies foul and muddy. Not one of them,
That yet looks on me, or would know me.—Ariel,
Fetch me the hat and rapier in my cell;
I will dis-case me, and myself present,
As I was sometime Milan: quickly, Spirit;
Thou shalt ere long be free.
[Prospero goes in.
Ariel sings.
Where the bee sucks, there lurk I;
In a cowslip's bell I lie:
There I couch, when owls do cry.
On the bat's back I do fly,
After sunset, merrily,
Merrily, merrily, shall I live now,
Under the blossom, that hangs on the bough.
Enter Prospero, drest.
Pro.
Why, that's my dainty Ariel; I shall miss thee;
But yet thou shalt have freedom.
To the King's ship, invisible as thou art:
There shalt thou find the mariners asleep,
Under the hatches; the master and boatswain
Being awake, enforce them to this place;
And presently, I pr'ythee.
-- 56 --
Ari.
I drink the air before me, and return
Or ere your pulse twice beat.
[Exit.
Gon.
All torment, trouble, wonder, and amazement,
Inhabit here; some heav'enly power guide us,
Out of this fearful country!
Pro.
Behold, Sir King,
The wronged Duke of Milan, Prospero:
For more assurance that a living Prince
Does now speak to thee, I embrace thy body.
Alon.
Be'st thou he or no,
Or some inchanted trifle to abuse me,
As late I have been, I not know; thy pulse
Beats, as of flesh and blood; and since I saw thee,
Th' affliction of my mind amends, with which,
I fear, a madness held me; this must crave
(And if this be at all) a most strange story:
Thy Dukedom I resign, and do intreat
Thou pardon me my wrongs; but how should Prospero
Be living, and be here?
Pro.
First, noble friend,
Let me embrace thine age, whose honour cannot
Be measur'd or confin'd.
Gon.
Whether this be,
Or be not, I'll not swear.
Pro.
You do yet taste
Some subtilties o' th' isle, that will not let you
Believe things certain: welcome, my friends all.
For you, most wicked Sir, whom to call brother
Would even infect my mouth, I do forgive
Thy rankest faults; all of them; and require
My Dukedom of thee, which perforce, I know,
Thou must restore.
Alon.
If thou be'st Prospero,
Give us particulars of thy preservation,
How thou hast met us here, who, three hours since,
Were wreckt upon this shore; where I have lost
(How sharp the point of this remembrance is!)
My dear son Ferdinand.
Pro.
I'm woe for't, sir.
-- 57 --
Alon.
Irreparable is the loss, and Patience
Says, it is past her cure.
Pro.
I rather think,
You have not sought her help; of whose soft grace,
For the like loss, I have her sov'reign aid,
And rest myself content.
Alon.
You the like loss?
Pro.
As great to me; for I
Have lost my daughter.
Alon.
A daughter?
O heav'ns! that they were living both in Naples,
The King and Queen there! that they were, I wish
Myself were mudded in that oozy bed,
Where my son lies. When did you lose your daughter?
Pro.
In this last tempest. I perceive, these Lords
At this encounter do so much admire,
That they devour their reason; and scarce think,
Their eyes do offices of truth, their words
Are natural breath: but, howsoe'er you have
Been justled from your senses, know, for certain,
That I am Prosp'ro, and that very Duke
Which was thrust forth of Milan; who most strangely
Upon this shore, where you were wreckt, was landed,
To be the Lord on't. No more yet of this;
For 'tis a chronicle of day by day,
Not a relation for a breakfast, nor
Befitting this first meeting. Welcome, sir;
This cell's my court; here have I few attendants,
And subjects none abroad; pray you, look in;
My Dukedom since you've given me again,
I will requite you with as good a thing;
At least, bring forth a wonder to content ye,
As much as me my Dukedom.
Scene
SCENE opens to the Entrance of the Cell.
Here Prospero discovers Ferdinand and Miranda playing at Chess.
Mira.
Sweet Lord, you play me false.
-- 58 --
Fer.
No, my dear love,
I would not for the world.
Mira.
Yes, for a score of kingdoms you should wrangle,
And I would call it fair play.
Alon.
If this prove
A vision of the island, one dear son
Shall I twice lose.
Seb.
A most high miracle!
Fer.
Though the seas threaten, they are merciful:
I've curs'd them without cause.
[Ferd. kneels.
Alon.
Now all the blessings
Of a glad father, compass thee about!
Arise, and say how thou cam'st here.
Mira.
O! wonder!
How many goodly creatures are there here!
How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world,
That has such people in't!
Pro.
'Tis new to thee.
Alon.
What is this maid, with whom thou wast at play?
Your eld'st acquaintance cannot be three hours:
Is she the goddess that hath sever'd us,
And brought us thus together?
Fer.
Sir, she's mortal;
But, by immortal providence, she's mine.
I chose her, when I could not ask my father
For his advice: nor thought I had one: she
Is daughter to this famous Duke of Milan,
Of whom so often I have heard renown,
But never saw before; of whom I have
Receiv'd a second life, and second father
This lady makes him to me.
Alon.
I am hers;
But, oh, how odly will it sound, that I
Must ask my child forgiveness!
Pro.
There, sir, stop;
Let us not burden our remembrance, with
An heaviness that's gone* note.
-- 59 --
Gon.
I've inly wept,
Or should have spoke, ere this. Look down, you gods,
And on this couple drop a blessed crown;
For it is you, that have chalk'd forth the way,
Which brought us hither!
Alon.
I say, Amen, Gonzalo!
Give me your hands:
Let grief and sorrow still embrace his heart,
That doth not wish you joy!
Gon.
Be't so, Amen!
Enter Ariel, with the Master and Boatswain amazedly, following.
O look, sir, look, sir, here are more of us!
I prophesy'd, if a gallows were on land,
This fellow could not drown. Now, blasphemy,
Not an oath on shore?
Hast thou no mouth by land? what is the news?
Boats.
The best news is, that we have safely found
Our King and company; the next, our ship,
Which but three glasses since we gave out split,
Is tight and yare, and bravely rigg'd, as when
We first put out to sea.
Ari.
Sir, all this service
Have I done since I went.
Pro.
My tricksey spirit!
Alon.
These are not natural events; they strengthen,
From strange to stranger. Say, how came you hither?
Boats.
If I did think, sir, I were well awake,
I'd strive to tell you. We were dead asleep,
And, how we know not, all clapt under hatches,
Where but ev'n now with strange and sev'ral noises,
Of roaring, shrieking, howling, jingling chains,
And more diversity of sounds, all horrible,
We were awak'd; straightway at liberty:
Where we, in all her trim, freshly beheld
Our royal, good, and gallant ship; our master
Cap'ring to eye her; on a trice, so please you,
-- 60 --
Ev'n in a dream, were we divided from them,
And were brought moping hither.
Ari.
Was't well done?
Pro.
Bravely, my diligence; thou shalt be free.
Alon.
This is as strange a maze as e'er men trod,
And there is in this business, more than nature
Was ever conduct of; some oracle
Must rectify our knowledge.
Pro.
Sir, my liege,
Do not infest your mind with beating on
The strangeness of this business; at pickt leisure,
(Which shall be shortly) single I'll resolve you,
Which to you shall seem probable, of every
These happen'd accidents; till when be chearful,
And think of each thing well. Come hither, spirit;
Set Caliban and his companions free:
Untie the spell. How fares my gracious sir?
There are yet missing of your company
Some few odd lads, that you remember not.
Enter Ariel, driving in Caliban, Stephano, and Trinculo,
in their stolen Apparel.
Step.
Every man shift for all the rest, and let no man
take care for himself; for all is but fortune. Coragio,
bully-monster, Coragio!
Trin.
If these be true spies, which I wear in my head,
here's a goodly sight.
Cal.
O Setebos, these be brave spirits, indeed!
How fine my master is! I am afraid,
He will chastise me.
Pro.
Mark but the badges of these men, my Lords,
Then say, if they be true: this mis-shap'd knave,
His mother was a witch, and one so strong
That could controul the moon, make flows and ebbs.
These three have robb'd me; and this demy-devil
(For he's a bastard one) had plotted with them,
To take my life; two of these fellows you
Must know and own; this thing of darkness I
Acknowledge mine.
-- 61 --
Cal.
I shall be pincht to death.
Alon.
Is not this Stephano, my drunken butler?
Seb.
He's drunk now: where had he wine?
Alon.
And Trinculo is reeling ripe; where should they
Find this grand 'lixir, that hath gilded 'em?
How cam'st thou in this pickle?
Trin.
I have been in such a pickle, since I saw you
last, that, I fear me, will never out of my bones: I
shall not fear fly-blowing.
Seb.
Why, how now, Stephano?
Step.
O, touch me not: I am not Stephano, but a cramp.
Pro.
You'd be King o'th' isle, sirrah?
Step.
I should have been a sore one then.
Alon.
'Tis a strange thing, as e'er I look'd on.
Pro.
He is as disproportion'd in his manners,
As in his shape: go, sirrah, to my cell,
Take with you your companions; as you look
To have my pardon, trim it handsomly.
Cal.
Ay, that I will; and I'll be wise hereafter,
And seek for grace. What a thrice-double ass
Was I, to take this drunkard for a God,
And worship this dull fool!
Pro.
Go to, away!
Alon.
Hence, and bestow your luggage where you
found it.
Seb.
Or stole it rather.
Pro.
Sir, I invite your Highness, and your train,
To my poor cell; where you shall take your rest,
For this one night, which (part of it) I'll waste
With such discourse, as, I not doubt, shall make it
Go quick away; the story of my life,
And the particular accidents gone by,
Since I came to this isle: and in the morn,
I'll bring you to your ship; and so to Naples;
Where I have hope to see the nuptials,
Of these our dear-beloved, solemniz'd;
And thence retire me to my Milan, where
Every third thought shall be my grave.
Alon.
I long
To hear the story of your life, which must
-- 62 --
Take the ear strangely.
Pro.
I'll deliver all;
And promise you calm seas, auspicious gales,
And sail so expeditious, that shall catch
Your royal fleet far off: My Ariel, chick,
That is thy charge: Then to the elements
Be free, and fare thou well! Please you, draw near.* note
note.
EPILOGUE† [Footnote:
Now my charms are all o'er-thrown.
And what strength I have's mine own;
Which is most faint: and now, 'tis true,
I must be here confin'd by you,
Or sent to Naples. Let me not,
Since I have my Dukedom got,
And pardon'd the deceiver, dwell
In this bare island by your spell:
But release me from my bands,
With the help of your good hands.
Gentle breath of yours my sails
Must fill, or else my project fails,
Which was to please. For now I want
Spirits t' enforce, art to enchant;
As you would pardon'd wish to be,
Let your indulgence set me free!
