ARIEL.
Hail, noble master! still I greet you so;
Though, by your bounty, and your art abjur'd,
I now am free as the surrounding air!

Summon'd by Ariel, the obedient winds
To waft you to fair Italy attend.

PROSPERO.
My dainty chick! my bird! that cancels all
The kindnesses I e'er have shewn to thee!
Are we assembled all, my loving friends?
Where is our servant, Caliban? Enter Caliban, Boatswain, Stephano, and Trinculo.

CALIBAN.
Here, lord!
Thy foot-licker is here—O, Setebos!
What glorious thing is yon', as mountain huge!
Doth firmly rest upon th' unstable sea?
Fanning, with flickering top, the welkin's cheek!
'Tis sure some god, is come to bear us hence
To Milan; which I rightly judg'd was Heaven!

PROSPERO.
None now are wanting; instant' we'll embark:
And, Heaven permitting, Italy soon reach.
Now, my lov'd Ariel, a last adieu!
As mountain-air, or thought unlimited,
To the elements, and through unbounded space,
Delicate spirit! be thou ever free!

ARIEL.
One word, my honour'd master! ere we part.—
Thy grateful servant would, were't possible,
Assure thy voyage clear of doubt or dread;
But that is not permitted! all he can
Is to advise, and hope his fears are vain.

PROSPERO.
What means my gentle Ariel?—spirit, speak!

ARIEL.
Returning from my quest of favouring winds,
As, near the summit of a burning mount,
E'en now, I was descending to this spot;
A sulph'rous demon, issuing from it's vent.
Pour'd most unwelcome tidings in mine ear!

PROSPERO.
Say on, if they import or mine or me!

ARIEL.
The spirit of that foul witch, Sycorax,
Who died, thou know'st, upon this isle, great sir!
From the blue lake of fire, wherein 'twas plung'd,
Will soon be loos'd, till the dread day of doom!
Pow'r she will have to cleave th' intrenchant air,
And gird with trackless zone both land and sea;
But, as her passions ever earthly were,

And she was native of dark Africk's clime,
On earth, in Africk only, can she harm.
For that her son's your slave, the fiend beware!
Touch not at land, sir! 'till your port you gain;
Where once arriv'd, you may abide secure.

PROSPERO.
Thanks for thy caution, virtue's constant friend!
Though, surely, I can have no cause of fear.
Heaven knows I foster'd carefully her son;
That, at his earnest suit, I take him hence,
From solitude to free him, not enslave;
Nor will I basely leave him now, albeit
With hags and fiends no longer can I cope:
But, on th' Omnipotent, most firm, rely!
Who, if the variegated earth we tread,
Or plough the printless bosom of the deep,
Is equally our pilot, guide, and guard!
All-ruling! ever-watchful! good and just!

ARIEL.
Now, sir, embark; and, as I wish, be blest!
Farewell, sweet mistress! ever mild-and pure!
Farewell, good master! cheerily on board!
That I corporeal were, t' embrace my lord!
Approach, ye spirits!—'would I mortal were
One moment, to distil the tender tear!

Whilst Prospero, &c. embark, Ariel sings, and the other Spirits bear the burthen of the Ditty.

ARIEL SINGS.
NO more by moonlight shall be seen,
Upon this isle's enamell'd green,
Or on the yellow sands and shelves,
In sportive dance, the fairy-elves;
Since thy low dell, and rock-roof'd cell,
Thou now forsak'st. Farewell! Farewell! Burthen,
Farewell! Farewell!
To bid adieu, lov'd master, hark!
Thy faithful watch-dogs hoarsely bark;
And thy departure blithe to cheer,
Loud crows the shrill-ton'd chanticlere.
A parting knell, with tuneful shell,
The sea-nymphs sound; ding, ding, dong, bell! Burthen,
Ding, ding, dong, bell! Exeunt. END OF ACT THE FIRST.

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