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Samuel Johnson [1765], The plays of William Shakespeare, in eight volumes, with the corrections and illustrations of Various Commentators; To which are added notes by Sam. Johnson (Printed for J. and R. Tonson [and] C. Corbet [etc.], London) [word count] [S11001].
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SCENE IV. Enter Caliban.

5 note

Cal.
As wicked dew, as e'er my mother brush'd
With raven's feather from unwholsom fen,

-- 21 --


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'dst me, and mad'st much of me; and would'st give me
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

-- 22 --


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 thee
In mine own cell, 'till thou didst seek to violate
The honour of my child.

Cal.
Oh ho, oh ho!—I wou'd, it had been done!
Thou didst prevent me, I had peopled else
This Isle with Calibans.

Pro.
Abhorred slave;6 note
Which any print of goodness will 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,7 note








Know thine own meaning, but wouldst gabble like

-- 23 --


A thing most brutish, I endow'd thy purposes
With words that made them known. But thy vile race
(Tho' thou didst learn) had that in't, which good natures
Could not abide to be with; therefore wast thou
Deservedly confin'd into this rock,
Who hadst deserv'd more than a prison—

Cal.
You taught me language, and my profit on't
Is, I know how to curse: the red plague rid you,8 note
For learning me your language!

Pro.
Hag-seed, hence!
Fetch us in fewel, and be quick (thou wer't 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;
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, [aside.
It would control my dam's god Setebos,
And make a vassal of him.

Pro.
So, slave, hence!
[Exit Caliban.

-- 24 --

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Samuel Johnson [1765], The plays of William Shakespeare, in eight volumes, with the corrections and illustrations of Various Commentators; To which are added notes by Sam. Johnson (Printed for J. and R. Tonson [and] C. Corbet [etc.], London) [word count] [S11001].
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