Scœna Prima. Enter Alonso, Sebastian, Anthonio, Gonzalo, Adrian, Francisco, and others.

Gonz.
Beseech you Sir, be merry; you haue cause,
(So haue we all) of ioy; for our escape
Is much beyond our losse; our hint of woe
Is common, euery day, some Saylors wife,
The Masters of some Merchant, and the Merchant
Haue iust our Theame of woe: But for the miracle,
(I meane our preseruation) few in millions
Can speake like vs: then wisely (good Sir) weigh
Our sorrow, with our comfort.

Alons.
Prethee peace.

Seb.
He receiues comfort like cold porredge.

Ant.
The Visitor will not giue him ore so.

Seb.
Looke, hee's winding vp the watch of his wit,
By and by it will strike.

Gon.
Sir.

Seb.
One: Tell.

Gon.
When euery greefe is entertaind,
That's offer'd comes to th' entertainer.

Seb.

A dollor.

Gon.

Dolour comes to him indeed, you haue spoken truer then you purpos'd.

Seb.

You haue taken it wiselier then I meant you should.

Gon.

Therefore my Lord.

Ant.

Fie, what a spend-thrift is he of his tongue.

Alon.

I pre-thee spare.

Gon.

Well, I haue done: But yet

Seb.

He will be talking.

Ant.
Which, of he, or Adrian, for a good wager,
First begins to crow?

Seb.

The old Cocke.

Ant.

The Cockrell.

Seb.

Done: The wager?

Ant.

A Laughter.

Seb.

A match.

Adr.

Though this Island seeme to be desert.

Seb.

Ha, ha, ha.

Ant.

So: you'r paid.

Adr.

Vninhabitable, and almost inaccessible.

Seb.

Yet

Adr.

Yet

Ant.

He could not misse't.

Adr.

It must needs be of subtle, tender, and delicate temperance.

Ant.

Temperance was a delicate wench.

Seb.

I, and a subtle, as he most learnedly deliuer'd.

Adr.

The ayre breathes vpon vs here most sweetly.

Seb.

As if it had Lungs, and rotten ones.

Ant.

Or, as 'twere perfum'd by a Fen.

Gon.

Heere is euery thing aduantageous to life.

Ant.

True, saue meanes to liue.

Seb.

Of that there's none, or little.

Gon.
How lush and lusty the grasse lookes?
How greene?

Ant.

The ground indeed is tawny.

Seb.

With an eye of greene in't.

Ant.

He misses not much.

Seb.

No: he doth but mistake the truth totally.

Gon.

But the rariety of it is, which is indeed almost beyond credit.

Seb.

As many voucht rarieties are.

Gon.

That our Garments being (as they were) drencht in the Sea, hold notwithstanding their freshnesse and glosses, being rather new dy'de then stain'd with salte water.

Ant.

If but one of his pockets could speake, would it not say he lyes?

Seb.

I, or very falsely pocket vp his report.

Gon.

Me thinkes our garments are now as fresh as when we put them on first in Affricke, at the marriage of the kings faire daughter Claribel to the king of Tunis.

Seb.

'Twas a sweet marriage, and we prosper well in our returne.

Adri.

Tunis was neuer grac'd before with such a Paragon to their Queene.

Gon.

Not since widdow Dido's time.

Ant.

Widow? A pox o'that: how came that Widdow in? Widdow Dido!

Seb.
What if he had said Widdower Æneas too?
Good Lord, how you take it?

Adri.

Widdow Dido said you? You make me study of that: She was of Carthage, not of Tunis.

Gon.

This Tunis Sir was Carthage.

Adri.

Carthage?

Gon.

I assure you Carthage.

Ant.

His word is more then the miraculous Harpe.

Seb.

He hath rais'd the wall, and houses too.

Ant.

What impossible matter wil he make easy next?

Seb.

I thinke hee will carry this Island home in his pocket, and giue it his sonne for an Apple.

Ant.

And sowing the kernels of it in the Sea, bring forth more Islands.

Gon.

I.

Ant.

Why in good time.

Gon.

Sir, we were talking, that our garments seeme now as fresh as when we were at Tunis at the marriage of your daughter, who is now Queene.

Ant.

And the rarest that ere came there.

Seb.

Bate (I beseech you) widdow Dido.

Ant.

O Widdow Dido? I, Widdow Dido.

Gon.

Is not Sir my doublet as fresh as the first day I wore it? I meane in a sort.

Ant.

That sort was well fish'd for.

Gon.

When I wore it at your daughters marriage.

Alon.

You cram these words into mine eares, against the stomacke of my sense: would I had neuer

Fran.
Sir he may liue,
I saw him beate the surges vnder him,
And ride vpon their backes; he trod the water
Whose enmity he flung aside: and brested
The surge most swolne that met him: his bold head
'Boue the contentious waues he kept and oared
Himselfe with his good armes in lusty stroke
To th'shore; that ore his waue-worne basis bowed
As stooping to releeue him: I not doubt
He came aliue to Land.

Alon.
No, no, hee's gone.

Seb.
Sir you may thank your selfe for this great losse,
That would not blesse our Europe with your daughter,
But rather loose her to an Affrican,
Where she at least, is banish'd from your eye,
Who hath cause to wet the greefe on't.

Alon.
Pre-thee peace:

Seb.
You were kneel'd too, & importun'd otherwise
By all of vs: and the faire soule her selfe
Waigh'd betweene loathnesse, and obedience at
Which end o'th' beame should bow: we haue lost your son,
I feare for euer: Millaine and Napies haue
Mo widdowes in them of this businesse making,
Then we bring men to comfort them:
The faults your owne.

Alon.
So is the doer'st oth'losse.

Gon.
My Lord Sebastian,
The truth you speake doth lacke some gentlenesse,
And time to speake it in: you rub the sore,
When you should bring the plaister.

Seb.
Very well.

Ant.
And most Chirurgeonly.

Gon.
It is foule weather in vs all, good Sir,
When you are cloudy.

Seb.
Fowle weather?

Ant.
Very foule.

Gon.
Had I plantation of this Isle my Lord.

Ant.
Hee'd sow't vvith Nettle-seed.

Seb.
Or dockes, or Mallowes.

Gon.
And were the King on't, what vvould I do?

Seb.
Scape being drunke, for want of Wine.

Gon.
I'th' Commonwealth I vvould (by contraries)
Execute all things: For no kinde of Trafficke
Would I admit: No name of Magistrate:
Letters should not be knowne: Riches, pouerty,
And vse of seruice, none: Contract, Succession,
Borne, bound of Land, Tilth, Vineyard none:
No vse of Mettall, Corne, or Wine, or Oyle:
No occupation, all men idle, all:
And Women too, but innocent and pure:
No Soueraignty.

Seb.

Yet he vvould be King on't.

Ant.

The latter end of his Common-wealth forgets the beginning.

Gon.
All things in common Nature should produce
Without sweat or endeuour: Treason, fellony,
Sword, Pike, Knife, Gun, or neede of any Engine
Would I not haue: but Nature should bring forth
Of it owne kinde, all foyzon, all abundance
To feed my innocent people.

Seb.
No marrying 'mong his subiects?

Ant.
None (man) all idle; Whores and knaues,

Gon.
I vvould vvith such perfection gouerne Sir:
T'Excell the Golden Age.

Seb.
'Saue his Maiesty.

Ant.
Long liue Gonzalo.

Gon.

And do you marke me, Sir?

Alon.

Pre-thee no more: thou dost talke nothing to me.

Gon.

I do vvell beleeue your Highnesse, and did it to minister occasion to these Gentlemen, who are of such sensible and nimble Lungs, that they alwayes vse to laugh at nothing.

Ant.

'Twas you vve laugh'd at,

Gon.

Who, in this kind of merry fooling am nothing to you: so you may continue, and laugh at nothing still.

Ant.

What a blow vvas there giuen?

Seb.

And it had not falne flat-long.

Gon.

You are Gentlemen of braue mettal: you would lift the Moone out of her spheare, if she would continue in it fiue weekes vvithout changing.

Seb.

We vvould so, and then go a Bat-fowling.

Ant.

Nay good my Lord, be not angry.

Gon.

No I warrant you, I vvill not aduenture my discretion so weakly: Will you laugh me asleepe, for I am very heauy.

Ant.

Go sleepe, and heare vs.

Alon.
What, all so soone asleepe? I wish mine eyes
Would (with themselues) shut vp my thoughts,
I finde they are inclin'd to do so.

Seb.
Please you Sir,
Do not omit the heauy offer of it:
It sildome visits sorrow, when it doth, it is a Comforter.

Ant.
We two my Lord, will guard your person,
While you take your rest, and watch your safety.

Alon.
Thanke you: Wondrous heauy.

Seb.
What a strange drowsines possesses them?

Ant.
It is the quality o'th'Clymate.

Seb.
Why
Doth it not then our eye-lids sinke? I finde
Not my selfe 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, me thinkes I see it in thy face,
What thou should'st be: th'occasion speaks thee, and
My strong imagination see's a Crowne
Dropping vpon thy head.

Seb.
What art thou waking?

Ant.
Do you not heare me speake?

Seb.
I do, and surely
It is a sleepy Language; and thou speak'st
Out of thy sleepe: What is it thou didst say?
This is a strange repose, to be asleepe
With eyes wide open: standing, speaking, mouing:
And yet so fast asleepe.

Ant.
Noble Sebastian,
Thou let'st thy fortune sleepe: die rather: wink'st
Whiles thou art waking.

Seb.
Thou do'st snore distinctly,
There's meaning in thy snores.

Ant.
I am more serious then my custome: you
Must be so too, if heed me: which to do,
Trebbles thee o're.

Seb.
Well: I am standing water.

Ant.
Ile teach you how to flow.

Seb.
Do so: to ebbe
Hereditary Sloth instructs me.

Ant.
O!
If you but knew how you the purpose cherish
Whiles thus you mocke it: how in stripping it
You more inuest it: ebbing men, indeed
(Most often) do so neere the bottome run
By their owne feare, or sloth.

Seb.
Pre-thee say on,
The setting of thine eye, and cheeke proclaime
A matter from thee; and a birth, indeed,
Which throwes thee much to yeeld.

Ant.
Thus Sir:
Although this Lord of weake remembrance; this
Who shall be of as little memory
When he is earth'd, hath here almost perswaded
(For hee's a Spirit of perswasion, onely
Professes to perswade) the King his sonne's aliue,
'Tis as impossible that hee's vndrown'd,
As he that sleepes heere, swims.

Seb.
I haue no hope
That hee's vndrown'd.

Ant.
O, out of that no hope,
What great hope haue you? No hope that way, Is
Another way so high a hope, that euen
Ambition cannot pierce a winke beyond
But doubt discouery there. Will you grant with me
That Ferdinand is drown'd.

Seb.
He's gone.

Ant.
Then tell me, who's the next heire of Naples?

Seb.
Claribell.

Ant.
She that is Queene of Tunis: she that dwels
Ten leagues beyond mans life; she that from Naples
Can haue no note, vnlesse the Sun were post:
The Man i'th Moone's too slow, till new-borne chinnes
Be rough, and Razor-able: She that from whom
We all were sea-swallow'd, though some cast againe,
(And by that destiny) to performe an act
Whereof, what's past is Prologue; what to come
In yours, and my discharge.

Seb.
What stuffe is this? How say you?
'Tis true my brothers daughter's Queene of Tunis,
So is she heyre of Naples, 'twixt which Regions
There is some space.

Ant.
A space, whose eu'ry cubit
Seemes to cry out, how shall that Claribell
Measure vs backe to Naples? keepe in Tunis,
And let Sebastian wake. Say, this were death
That now hath seiz'd them, why they were no worse
Then now they are: There be that can rule Naples
As well as he that sleepes: Lords, that can prate
As amply, and vnnecessarily
As this Gonzallo: I my selfe could make
A Chough of as deepe chat: O, that you bore
The minde that I do; what a sleepe were this
For your aduancement? Do you vnderstand me?

Seb.
Me thinkes I do.

Ant.
And how do's your content
Tender your owne good fortune?

Seb.
I remember
You did supplant your Brother Prospero.

Ant.
True:
And looke how well my Garments fit vpon me,
Much feater then before: My Brothers seruants
Were then my fellowes, now they are my men.

Seb.
But for your conscience.

Ant.
I Sir: where lies that? If'twere a kybe
'Twould put me to my slipper: But I feele not
This Deity in my bosome: 'Twentie consciences
That stand 'twixt me, and Millaine, candied be they,
And melt ere they mollest: Heere lies your Brother,
No better then the earth he lies vpon,
If he were that which now hee's like (that's dead)
Whom I with this obedient steele (three inches of it)
Can lay to bed for euer: whiles you doing thus,
To the perpetuall winke for aye might put
This ancient morsell: this Sir Prudence, who
Should not vpbraid our course: for all the rest
They'l take suggestion, as a Cat laps milke,
They'l tell the clocke, to any businesse that
We say befits the houre.

Seb.
Thy case, deere Friend
Shall be my president: As thou got'st Millaine,
I'le come by Naples: Draw thy sword, one stroke
Shall free thee from the tribute which thou paiest,
And I the King shall loue thee.

Ant.
Draw together:
And when I reare my hand, do you the like
To fall it on Gonzalo.

Seb.
O, but one word. Enter Ariell with Musicke and Song.

Ariel.
My Master through his Art foresees the danger
That you (his friend) are in, and sends me forth
(For else his proiect dies) to keepe them liuing. Sings in Gonzaloes eare.

While you here do snoaring lie,
Open-ey'd Conspiracie
His time doth take:

If of Life you keepe a care,
Shake off slumber and beware.
Awake, awake.

Ant.
Then let vs both be sodaine.

Gon.
Now, good Angels preserue the King.

Alo.
Why how now hoa; awake? why are you drawn?
Wherefore this ghastly looking?

Gon.
What's the matter?

Seb.
Whiles we stood here securing your repose,
(Euen now) we heard a hollow burst of bellowing
Like Buls, or rather Lyons, did't not wake you?
It strooke mine eare most terribly.

Alo.
I heard nothing.

Ant.
O, 'twas a din to fright a Monsters eare;
To make an earthquake: sure it was the roare
Of a whole heard of Lyons.

Alo.
Heard you this Gonzalo?

Gon.
Vpon mine honour, Sir, I heard a humming,
(And that a strange one too) which did awake me:
I shak'd you Sir, and cride: as mine eyes opend,
I saw their weapons drawne: there was a noyse,
That's verily: 'tis best we stand vpon our guard;
Or that we quit this place: let's draw our weapons.

Alo.
Lead off this ground & let's make further search
For my poore sonne.

Gon.
Heauens keepe him from these Beasts:
For he is sure i'th Island.

Alo.
Lead away.

Ariell.
Prospero my Lord, shall know what I haue done.
So (King) goe safely on to seeke thy Son. Exeunt.

Scœna Secunda. Enter Caliban, with a burthen of Wood (a noyse of Thunder heard.)

Cal.
All the infections that the Sunne suckes vp
From Bogs, Fens, Flats, on Prosper fall, and make him
By ynch-meale a disease: his Spirits heare me,
And yet I needes must curse. But they'll nor pinch,
Fright me with Vrchyn-shewes, pitch me i'th mire,
Nor lead me like a fire-brand, in the darke
Out of my way, vnlesse he bid'em; but
For euery trifle, are they set vpon me,
Sometime like Apes, that moe and chatter at me,
And after bite me: then like Hedg-hogs, which
Lye tumbling in my bare-foote way, and mount
Their pricks at my foot-fall: sometime am I
All wound with Adders, who with clouen tongues
Doe hisse me into madnesse: Lo, now Lo, Enter Trinculo.
Here comes a Spirit of his, and to torment me
For bringing wood in slowly: I'le fall flat,
Perchance he will not minde me.

Tri.

Here's neither bush, nor shrub to beare off any weather at all: and another Storme brewing, I heare it sing ith' winde: yond same blacke cloud, yond huge one, lookes like a foule bumbard that would shed his licquor: if it should thunder, as it did before, I know not where to hide my head: yond same cloud cannot choose but fall by paile-fuls. What haue we here, a man, or a fish? dead or aliue? a fish, hee smels like a fish: a very ancient and fish-like smell: a kinde of, not of the newest poore-Iohn: a strange fish: were I in England now (as once I was) and had but this fish painted; not a holiday-foole there but would giue a peece of siluer: there, would this Monster, make a man: any strange beast there, makes a man: when they will not giue a doit to relieue a lame Begger, they will lay out ten to see a dead Indian: Leg'd like a man; and his Finnes like Armes: warme o'my troth: I doe now let loose my opinion; hold it no longer; this is no fish, but an Islander, that hath lately suffered by a Thunderbolt: Alas, the storme is come againe: my best way is to creepe vnder his Gaberdine: there is no other shelter hereabout: Misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellowes: I will here shrowd till the dregges of the storme be past.

Ste.
I shall no more to sea, to sea, here shall I dye ashore.
This is a very scuruy tune to sing at a mans
Funerall: well, here's my comfort. Drinkes.
Sings.
The Master, the Swabber, the Boate-swaine & I;
The Gunner, and his Mate
Lou'd Mall, Meg, and Marrian, and Margerie,
But none of vs car'd for Kate.
For she had a tongue with a tang,
Would cry to a Sailor goe hang:
She lou'd not the sauour of Tar nor of Pitch,
Yet a Tailor might scratch her where ere she did itch.
Then to Sea Boyes, and let her goe hang.
This is a scuruy tune too:
But here's my comfort. drinks.

Cal.
Doe not torment me: oh.

Ste.
What's the matter?
Haue we diuels here?

Doe you put trickes vpon's with Saluages, and Men of Inde? ha? I haue not scap'd drowning, to be afeard now of your foure legges: for it hath bin said; as proper a man as euer went on foure legs, cannot make him giue ground: and it shall be said so againe, while Stephano breathes at' nostrils.

Cal.

The Spirit torments me: oh.

Ste.

This is some Monster of the Isle, with foure legs; who hath got (as I take it) an Ague: where the diuell should he learne our language? I will giue him some reliefe if it be but for that: if I can recouer him, and keepe him tame, and get to Naples with him, he's a Present for any Emperour that euer trod on Neates-leather.

Cal.

Doe not torment me 'prethee: I'le bring my wood home faster.

Ste.

He's in his fit now; and doe's not talke after the wisest; hee shall taste of my Bottle: if hee haue neuer drunke wine afore, it will goe neere to remoue his Fit: if I can recouer him, and keepe him tame, I will not take too much for him; hee shall pay for him that hath him, and that soundly.

Cal.

Thou do'st me yet but little hurt; thou wilt anon, I know it by thy trembling: Now Prosper workes vpon thee.

Ste.

Come on your wayes: open your mouth: here is that which will giue 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 againe.

Tri.
I should know that voyce:
It should be,

But hee is dround; and these are diuels; O defend me.

Ste.

Foure legges and two voyces; a most delicate Monster: his forward voyce now is to speake well of his friend; his backward voice, is to vtter foule speeches, and to detract: if all the wine in my bottle will recouer him, I will helpe his Ague: Come: Amen, I will poure some in thy other mouth.

Tri.

Stephano.

Ste.

Doth thy other mouth call me? Mercy, mercy: This is a diuell, and no Monster: I will leaue him, I haue no long Spoone.

Tri.

Stephano: if thou beest Stephano, touch me, and speake to me: for I am Trinculo; be not afeard, thy good friend Trinculo.

Ste.

If thou bee'st Trinculo: come foorth: I'le pull thee by the lesser legges: if any be Trinculo's legges, these are they: Thou art very Trinculo indeede: how cam'st thou to be the siege of this Moone-calfe? Can he vent Trinculo's?

Tri.

I tooke him to be kil'd with a thunder-strok; but art thou not dround Stephano: I hope now thou art not dround: Is the Storme ouer-blowne? I hid mee vnder the dead Moone-Calfes Gaberdine, for feare of the Storme: And art thou liuing Stephano? O Stephano, two Neapolitanes scap'd?

Ste.

'Prethee doe not turne me about, my stomacke is not constant.

Cal.

These be fine things, and if they be not sprights: that's a braue God, and beares Celestiall liquor: I will kneele to him.

Ste.
How did'st thou scape?
How cam'st thou hither?

Sweare by this Bottle how thou cam'st hither: I escap'd vpon a But of Sacke, which the Saylors heaued o'reboord, by this Bottle which I made of the barke of a Tree, with mine owne hands, since I was cast a'shore.

Cal.

I'le sweare vpon that Bottle, to be thy true subiect, for the liquor is not earthly.

St.

Heere: sweare then how thou escap'dst.

Tri.

Swom ashore (man) like a Ducke: I can swim like a Ducke i'le be sworne.

Ste.

Here, kisse the Booke.

Though thou canst swim like a Ducke, thou art made like a Goose.

Tri.

O Stephano, ha'st any more of this?

Ste.

The whole But (man) my Cellar is in a rocke by th'sea-side, where my Wine is hid:

How now Moone-Calfe, how do's thine Ague?

Cal.

Ha'st thou not dropt from heauen?

Ste.

Out o'th Moone I doe assure thee. I was the Man ith' Moone, when time was.

Cal.
I haue seene thee in her: and I doe adore thee:
My Mistris shew'd me thee, and thy Dog, and thy Bush.

Ste.

Come, sweare to that: kisse the Booke: I will furnish it anon with new Contents: Sweare.

Tri.

By this good light, this is a very shallow Monster: I afeard of him? a very weake Monster:

Cal.

Ile shew thee euery fertill ynch 'oth Island: and I will kisse thy foote: I prethee be my god.

Tri.

By this light, a most perfidious, and drunken Monster, when's god's a sleepe he'll rob his Bottle.

Cal.

Ile kisse thy foot. Ile sweare my selfe thy Subiect.

Ste.

Come on then: downe and sweare.

Tri.

I shall laugh my selfe to death at this puppi-headed Monster: a most scuruie Monster: I could finde in my heart to beate him.

Ste.

Come, kisse.

Tri.
But that the poore Monster's in drinke:
An abhominable Monster.

Cal.
I'le shew thee the best Springs: I'le plucke thee
Berries: I'le fish for thee; and get thee wood enough.
A plague vpon the Tyrant that I serue;

I'le beare him no more Stickes, but follow thee, thou wondrous man.

Tri.

A most rediculous Monster, to make a wonder of a poore drunkard.

Cal.

I'prethee let me bring thee where Crabs grow; and I with my long nayles will digge thee pig-nuts; show thee a Iayes nest, and instruct thee how to snare the nimble Marmazet: I'le bring thee to clustring Philbirts, and sometimes I'le get thee young Scamels from the Rocke: Wilt thou goe with me?

Ste.

I pre'thee now lead the way 'without any more talking. Trinculo, the King, and all our company else being dround, wee will inherit here: Here; beare my Bottle: Fellow Trinculo; we'll fill him by and by againe.

Farewell Master; farewell, farewell.

Tri.

A howling Monster: a drunken Monster.

Cal.

No more dams I'le make for fish,
Nor fetch in firing, at requiring,
Nor scrape trenchering, nor wash dish,
Ban' ban' Cacalyban
Has a new Master, get a new Man.

Freedome, high-day, high-day freedome, freedome high-day, freedome.

Ste.

O braue Monster; lead the way.