60Cal.What a pied ninny’s this! Thou scurvy patch!I do beseech thy Greatness, give him blows,And take his bottle from him: when that’s gone,He shall drink nought but brine; for I’ll not show himWhere the quick freshes are.65Ste.Trinculo, run into no further danger: interrupt the monster one word further, and, by this hand, I’ll turn my mercy out o’ doors, and make a stock-fish of thee.Trin.Why, what did I? I did nothing. I’ll gofartheroff.70Ste.Didst thou not say he lied?Ari.Thou liest.Ste.Do I so? take thou that.[Beats him.]As you like this, give me the lie another time.Trin.I did not give the lie. Out o’ your wits, andIII. 2. 75hearing 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!Ste.Now, forward with your tale.—Prithee, stand farther80off.Cal.Beat him enough: after a little time, I’ll beat him too.Ste.Stand farther. Come, proceed.Cal.Why, as I told thee, ’tis a custom with himI’ th’ afternoon to sleep:therethou mayst brain him,85Having first seized his books; or with a logBatter his skull, or paunch him with a stake,Or cut his wezand with thy knife. RememberFirst to possess his books; for without themHe’s but a sot, as I am,norhath not90One spirit to command: they all do hate himAs rootedly as I. Burn but his books.He has brave utensils,—for so he calls them,—Which, when he has a house, he’lldeckwithal.And that most deeply to consider is95The beauty of his daughter; he himselfCalls her a nonpareil:I never saw a woman,But only Sycorax my dam and she;But she as far surpasseth SycoraxAsgreat’st does least.Ste.Is it so brave a lass?III. 2. 100Cal.Ay, lord; she will become thy bed, I warrant,And bring thee forth brave brood.Ste.Monster, I will kill this man: his daughter and I will be king and queen,—save our Graces!—and Trinculo and thyself shall be viceroys. Dost thou like the plot,105Trinculo?Trin.Excellent.Ste.Give me thy hand: I am sorry I beat thee; but, while thou livest, keep a good tongue in thy head.Cal.Within this half hour will he be asleep:Wilt thou destroy him then?Ste.110Ay, on mine honour.Ari.This will I tell my master.Cal.Thou makest me merry; I am full of pleasure:Let us be jocund: will you troll the catchYou taught me but while-ere?115Ste.At thy request, monster, I will do reason,anyreason. —Come on. Trinculo, let us sing.Sings.Flout ’em andscout ’em, and scout ’emand flout ’em;Thought is free.Cal.That’s not the tune.Ariel plays the tune on a tabor and pipe.120Ste.What is this same?Trin.This is the tune of our catch, played by the picture of Nobody.Ste.If thou beest a man, show thyself in thy likeness: if thou beest a devil, take’t as thou list.III. 2. 125Trin.O, forgive me mysins!Ste.He that dies pays all debts: I defy thee. Mercy upon us!Cal.Art thou afeard?Ste.No, monster, not I.130Cal.Be not afeard; the isle is full of noises,Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight, and hurt not.Sometimes a thousandtwanglinginstrumentsWill hum about mine ears; andsometimevoices,That, if I then had waked after long sleep,135Will make me sleep again: and then, in dreaming,The clouds methought would open, and show richesReady to drop upon me;that, when I waked,I cried to dream again.Ste.This will prove a brave kingdom to me, where I140shall have my music for nothing.Cal.When Prospero is destroyed.Ste.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.145Ste.Lead, monster; we’ll follow. I would I could see this taborer; he lays it on.Trin.Wilt come? I’ll follow, Stephano.Exeunt.III. 3Scene III.Another part of the island.EnterAlonso,Sebastian,Antonio,Gonzalo,Adrian,Francisco, and others.Gon.By’r lakin, I can go no further, sir;My old bonesache: here’s a maze trod, indeed,Throughforth-rightsand meanders! By your patience,I needs must rest me.Alon.Old lord, I cannot blame thee,5Who am myself attach’d with weariness,To the dulling of my spirits: sit down, and rest.Even here I will put off my hope, and keep itNo longer for myflatterer: he is drown’dWhom thus we stray to find; and the sea mocks10Our frustrate search on land. Well, let him go.Ant.[Aside to Seb.] I am right glad that he’s so out of hope.Do not, for one repulse, forego the purposeThat you resolved to effect.Seb.[Aside to Ant.]The next advantageWill we take throughly.Ant.[Aside to Seb.]Let it be to-night;15For, now they are oppress’d with travel, theyWill not, nor cannot, use such vigilanceAs when they are fresh.Seb.[Aside to Ant.]I say, to-night: no more.Solemn and strange music.Alon.What harmony is this?—My good friends, hark!Gon.Marvellous sweet music!EnterProsperoabove, invisible. Enter several strange Shapes, bringing in a banquet: they dance about it with gentle actions of salutation; and, inviting the King, &c. to eat, they depart.20Alon.Give us kind keepers, heavens!—Whatwerethese?Seb.A living drollery. Now I will believeThat there are unicorns; that in ArabiaThere is one tree, the phœnix’ throne; one phœnixAt this hour reigning there.Ant.I’ll believe both;III. 3. 25And what does else want credit, come to me,And I’ll be sworn’tis true: travellers ne’erdid lie,Though fools at home condemn ’em.Gon.If in NaplesI should report this now, would they believe me?If I should say, I saw suchislanders,—30For, certes, these are people of the island,—Who, though they are of monstrous shape, yet, note,Their manners are moregentle-kindthan ofOur human generation you shall findMany, nay, almost any.Pros.[Aside]Honest lord,35Thou hast said well; for some of you there presentAre worse than devils.Alon.I cannot too muchmuseSuch shapes, such gesture, and such sound, expressing—Although they want the use of tongue—a kindOf excellent dumb discourse.Pros.[Aside]Praise in departing.Fran.They vanish’d strangely.Seb.40No matter, sinceThey have 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. When we were boys,Who would believe that there were mountaineers45Dew-lapp’d like bulls, whose throats had hanging at ’emWallets of flesh? or that there were such menWhose heads stood in their breasts? which now we findEach putter-outof five for onewill bring usGood warrant of.Alon.I will stand to, and feed,III. 3. 50Although my last: no matter, since I feelThe best is past. Brother, my lord the duke,Stand to, and do as we.Thunder and lightning.EnterAriel, like a harpy; claps his wings upon the table; and, with a quaint device, the banquet vanishes.Ari.You are three men of sin, whom Destiny,—That hath toinstrumentthis lower world55And what is in’t,—the never-surfeited seaHath caused tobelch up you; and on this island,Where man doth not inhabit,—you ’mongst menBeing most unfit to live. I have made you mad;And even with such-like valour men hang and drownTheir proper selves.Alon., Seb. &c.draw their swords.60You fools! I and my fellowsAre ministers of Fate: the elements,Of whom your swords are temper’d, may as wellWound the loud winds, or with bemock’d-at stabsKill the still-closing waters, as diminish65Onedowlethat’s in myplume: my fellow-ministersAre like invulnerable. If you could hurt,Your swords are now too massy for yourstrengths,And will not be uplifted. But remember,—For that’s my business to you,—that you three70From Milan did supplant good Prospero;Exposed unto the sea, which hath requit it,Him and his innocent child: for which foul deedThe powers, delaying, not forgetting, haveIncensed the seas and shores, yea, all the creatures,III. 3. 75Against your peace. Thee of thy son, Alonso,They have bereft; and do pronounce by me:Lingering perdition—worse than any deathCan be at once—shall step by step attendYou and your ways; whosewrathsto guard you from,—80Which here, in this most desolate isle, else fallsUpon your heads,—is nothing butheart-sorrowAnd a clear life ensuing.He vanishes in thunder; then, to soft music, enter the Shapes again, and dance, withmocksand mows, and carrying out the table.Pros.Bravely the figure of this harpy hast thouPerform’d, my Ariel; a grace it had, devouring:85Of my instruction hast thou nothing batedIn what thou hadst to say: so, with goodlifeAnd observation strange, my meaner ministersTheir several kinds have done. My high charms work,And these mine enemies are all knit up90In their distractions: theynoware in my power;And in these fits I leave them, while I visitYoung Ferdinand,—whomthey suppose is drown’d,—And his andmineloved darling.Exit above.Gon.I’ the name ofsomething holy, sir,why stand youIn this strange stare?Alon.95O, 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, pronouncedThe name of Prosper: it didbassmy trespass.III. 3. 100Therefore my son i’ th’ ooze is bedded; andI’ll seek him deeper than e’er plummet sounded,And with him there lie mudded.Exit.Seb.But one fiend at a time,I’ll fight their legions o’er.Ant.I’ll be thy second.Exeunt Seb. and Ant.Gon.All three of them are desperate: their great guilt,105Like poison given to work a great time after,Now ’gins to bite the spirits. Idobeseech you,That are of suppler joints, follow them swiftly,And hinder them from what this ecstasyMay now provoke them to.Adr.Follow, I pray you.Exeunt.ACT IV.IV. 1Scene I.BeforeProspero’scell.EnterProspero,Ferdinand, andMiranda.Pros.If I have too austerely punish’d you,Your compensation makes amends; for IHave given you here athirdof mine own life,Or that for which I live;whoonce again5I tender to thy hand: all thy vexationsWere but my trials of thy love, and thouHast strangely stood thetest: here, afore Heaven,I ratify this my rich gift. O Ferdinand,Do not smile at me that I boast heroff,10For thou shalt find she will outstrip all praise,And make it halt behind her.Fer.Idobelieve itAgainst an oracle.Pros.Then, as mygift, and thine own acquisitionWorthily purchased, take my daughter:but15If thou dost break her virgin-knot beforeAll sanctimonious ceremonies mayWith full and holy rite be minister’d,No sweet aspersion shall the heavens let fallTo make this contract grow; but barren hate,20Sour-eyed disdain and discord shall bestrewThe union of your bed with weeds so loathlyThat you shall hate it both: therefore take heed,As Hymen’s lamps shall light you.Fer.As I hopeFor quiet days, fair issue and long life,IV. 1. 25With such love as’tisnow, the murkiest den,The most opportune place, the strong’st suggestionOur worser Genius can, shall never meltMine honour into lust, to take awayThe edge of that day’s celebration30When I shall think, orPhœbus’steeds are founder’d,Or Night kept chain’d below.Pros.Fairly spoke.Sit, then, and talk with her; she is thine own.What, Ariel! my industrious servant, Ariel!EnterAriel.Ari.What would my potent master? here I am.35Pros.Thou and thy meaner fellows your last serviceDid worthily perform; and I must use youIn 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 must40Bestow upon the eyes of this young coupleSomevanityof mine art: it is my promise,And they expect it from me.Ari.Presently?Pros.Ay, with a twink.Ari.Before you can say, ‘come,’ and ‘go,’45And 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?Pros.Dearly, my delicate Ariel. Do not approachTill thou dost hear me call.Ari.IV. 1. 50Well, I conceive.Exit.Pros.Look thou be true; do not give dallianceToo much the rein: the strongest oaths are strawTo the fire i’ the blood: be moreabstemious,Or else, good night your vow!Fer.I warrant you, sir;55The white cold virgin snow upon my heartAbates the ardour of my liver.Pros.Well.Now come, my Ariel! bring a corollary,Rather than want a spirit: appear, and pertly!No tongue! all eyes! be silent.Soft music.EnterIris.60Iris.Ceres, most bounteous lady,thyrich leasOf wheat, rye, barley, vetches, oats, and pease;Thy turfy mountains, where live nibbling sheep,And flat meads thatch’d with stover, them to keep;Thy banks withpionedandtwilledbrims,65Which spongy April at thy best betrims,To make cold nymphs chaste crowns; and thybroom-groves,Whose shadow the dismissed bachelor loves,Being lass-lorn; thypole-cliptvineyard;And thy sea-marge, sterile and rocky-hard,70Where thou thyself dost air;—the queen o’ the sky,Whose watery arch and messenger am I,Bids thee leave these;and with her sovereign grace,Here on this grass-plot, in this very place,To come and sport:—herpeacocks fly amain:IV. 1. 75Approach, rich Ceres, her to entertain.EnterCeres.Cer.Hail, many-colour’d messenger, that ne’erDost disobey the wife of Jupiter;Who, with thy saffron wings, upon my flowersDiffusest honey-drops, refreshing showers;80And with each end of thy blue bow dost crownMy bosky acres and my unshrubb’d down,Rich scarf to my proud earth;—why hath thy queenSummon’d me hither, to thisshort-grass’dgreen?Iris.A contract of true love to celebrate;85And some donation freely to estateOn the blest lovers.Cer.Tell me, heavenly bow,If Venus or her son, as thou dost know,Do now attend the queen? Since they did plotThe means that dusky Dis my daughter got,90Her and her blind boy’s scandal’d companyI have forsworn.Iris.Of her societyBe not afraid: I met her DeityCutting the clouds towards Paphos, and her sonDove-drawn with her. Here thought they to have done95Some wanton charm upon this man and maid,Whose vows are, that nobed-rightshall be paidTill Hymen’s torch be lighted: but in vain;Mars’s hot minion is returned again;Her waspish-headed son has broke his arrows,IV. 1. 100Swears he will shoot no more, but play with sparrows,And be a boy right out.Cer.High’stqueen of state,Great Juno, comes; I know her by her gait.EnterJuno.Juno.How does my bounteous sister? Go with meTo bless this twain, that they may prosperous be,105And honour’d in their issue.They sing:Juno.Honour, riches, marriage-blessing,Long continuance, and increasing,Hourly joys be still upon you!Juno sings her blessings on you.110Cer.Earth’s increase,foisonplenty,Barns and garners never empty;Vines with clustering bunches growing;Plants with goodly burthen bowing;Springcome to you at the farthest115In the very end of harvest!Scarcity and want shall shun you;Ceres’ blessing so is on you.Fer.This is a most majestic vision, andHarmonious charmingly. May I be boldTo think these spirits?Pros.120Spirits, which by mine artI havefrom theirconfines call’d to enactMy present fancies.Fer.Let me live here ever;So rare a wonder’d father and awifeMakesthis place Paradise.Juno and Ceres whisper, and send Iris on employment.Pros.Sweet, now, silence!IV. 1. 125Juno and Ceres whisper seriously;There’s something else to do: hush, and be mute,Or else our spell is marr’d.Iris.You nymphs, call’d Naiads, of thewindringbrooks,With yoursedgedcrowns and ever-harmless looks,130Leave your crisp channels, and on this green landAnswer your summons; Juno does command:Come, temperate nymphs, and help to celebrateA contract of true love; be not too late.Enter certain Nymphs.You sunburnt sicklemen, of August weary,135Come hither from the furrow, and be merry:Makeholiday; your rye-straw hats put on,And these fresh nymphs encounter every oneIn country footing.Enter certain Reapers, properly habited: they join with the Nymphs in a graceful dance; towards the end whereofProsperostartssuddenly, and speaks; after which, to a strange, hollow, and confused noise, they heavily vanish.Pros.[Aside] I had forgot that foul conspiracy140Of the beast Caliban and his confederatesAgainst my life: the minute of their plotIs almost come. [To the Spirits.] Well done! avoid; no more!Fer.This is strange: your father’s in some passionThat works him strongly.Mir.Never till this day145Saw I him touch’d withangerso distemper’d.Pros.Youdolook, my son, in a moved sort,As if you were dismay’d: be cheerful, sir.Our revels now are ended. These our actors,As I foretold you, were all spirits, andIV. 1. 150Are melted into air, into thin air:And, like the baseless fabric ofthisvision,The cloud-capp’d towers, the gorgeous palaces,The solemn temples, the great globe itself,Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve,155And, like this insubstantial pageant faded,Leave not arackbehind. We are such stuffAs dreams are made on; and our little lifeIs rounded with a sleep. Sir, I am vex’d;Bear with my weakness; my old brain is troubled:160Be not disturb’d with my infirmity:If you be pleased, retire into my cell,And there repose: a turn or two I’ll walk,To still my beating mind.Fer.Mir.We wishyourpeace.Exeunt.Pros.Come with a thought.I thank thee, Ariel: come.EnterAriel.165Ari.Thy thoughts I cleave to. What’s thy pleasure?Pros.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’dLestI might anger thee.170Pros.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 airFor breathing in their faces; beat the groundFor kissing of their feet; yet always bendingIV. 1. 175Towards their project. Then I beat my tabor;At which, like unback’d colts, they prick’d their ears,Advanced their eyelids, lifted up their nosesAs they smelt music: so I charm’d their ears,That, calf-like, they my lowing follow’d through180Tooth’d briers, sharpfurzes, pricking goss, and thorns,Which enter’d their frailshins: at last I left themI’ thefilthy-mantledpool beyond your cell,There dancing up to the chins, that the foul lakeO’erstunk theirfeet.Pros.This was well done, my bird.185Thy shape invisible retain thou still:The trumpery in my house, go bring it hither,For stale to catch these thieves.Ari.I go, I go.Exit.Pros.A devil, a born devil, on whose natureNurture can never stick; on whom my pains,190Humanely taken,all, alllost, quite lost;And as with age his body uglier grows,So his mind cankers. I will plague them all,Even to roaring.Re-enterAriel, loaden with glistering apparel, &c.Come, hangthem onthis line.ProsperoandArielremain, invisible. EnterCaliban, Stephano, andTrinculo, all wet.Cal.Pray you, tread softly, that the blind mole may not195Hear a foot fall: we now are near his cell.Ste.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.IV. 1. 200Ste.So is mine. Do you hear, monster? If I should take a displeasure against you, look you,—Trin.Thou wert but a lost monster.Cal.Good my lord, give me thy favour still.Be patient, for the prize I’ll bring thee to205Shall hoodwink this mischance: therefore speak softly.All’s hush’d as midnight yet.Trin.Ay, but to lose our bottles in the pool,—Ste.There is not only disgrace and dishonour in that, monster, but an infinite loss.210Trin.That’s more to me than my wetting: yet this is your harmless fairy, monster.Ste.I will fetch off my bottle, though I be o’er ears for my labour.
60Cal.What a pied ninny’s this! Thou scurvy patch!I do beseech thy Greatness, give him blows,And take his bottle from him: when that’s gone,He shall drink nought but brine; for I’ll not show himWhere the quick freshes are.
60Cal.What a pied ninny’s this! Thou scurvy patch!
I do beseech thy Greatness, give him blows,
And take his bottle from him: when that’s gone,
He shall drink nought but brine; for I’ll not show him
Where the quick freshes are.
65Ste.Trinculo, run into no further danger: interrupt the monster one word further, and, by this hand, I’ll turn my mercy out o’ doors, and make a stock-fish of thee.
Trin.Why, what did I? I did nothing. I’ll gofartheroff.
70Ste.Didst thou not say he lied?
Ari.Thou liest.
Ste.Do I so? take thou that.[Beats him.]As you like this, give me the lie another time.
Trin.I did not give the lie. Out o’ your wits, andIII. 2. 75hearing 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!
Ste.Now, forward with your tale.—Prithee, stand farther80off.
Cal.Beat him enough: after a little time, I’ll beat him too.
Ste.Stand farther. Come, proceed.
Cal.Why, as I told thee, ’tis a custom with himI’ th’ afternoon to sleep:therethou mayst brain him,85Having first seized his books; or with a logBatter his skull, or paunch him with a stake,Or cut his wezand with thy knife. RememberFirst to possess his books; for without themHe’s but a sot, as I am,norhath not90One spirit to command: they all do hate himAs rootedly as I. Burn but his books.He has brave utensils,—for so he calls them,—Which, when he has a house, he’lldeckwithal.And that most deeply to consider is95The beauty of his daughter; he himselfCalls her a nonpareil:I never saw a woman,But only Sycorax my dam and she;But she as far surpasseth SycoraxAsgreat’st does least.
Cal.Why, as I told thee, ’tis a custom with him
I’ th’ afternoon to sleep:therethou mayst brain him,
85Having first seized his books; or with a log
Batter his skull, or paunch him with a stake,
Or cut his wezand with thy knife. Remember
First to possess his books; for without them
He’s but a sot, as I am,norhath not
90One 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 a house, he’lldeckwithal.
And that most deeply to consider is
95The beauty of his daughter; he himself
Calls her a nonpareil:I never saw a woman,
But only Sycorax my dam and she;
But she as far surpasseth Sycorax
Asgreat’st does least.
Ste.
Is it so brave a lass?
III. 2. 100Cal.Ay, lord; she will become thy bed, I warrant,And bring thee forth brave brood.
III. 2. 100Cal.Ay, lord; she will become thy bed, I warrant,
And bring thee forth brave brood.
Ste.Monster, I will kill this man: his daughter and I will be king and queen,—save our Graces!—and Trinculo and thyself shall be viceroys. Dost thou like the plot,105Trinculo?
Trin.Excellent.
Ste.Give me thy hand: I am sorry I beat thee; but, while thou livest, keep a good tongue in thy head.
Cal.Within this half hour will he be asleep:Wilt thou destroy him then?
Cal.Within this half hour will he be asleep:
Wilt thou destroy him then?
Ste.
110Ay, on mine honour.
Ari.This will I tell my master.
Cal.Thou makest me merry; I am full of pleasure:Let us be jocund: will you troll the catchYou taught me but while-ere?
Cal.Thou makest me merry; I am full of pleasure:
Let us be jocund: will you troll the catch
You taught me but while-ere?
115Ste.At thy request, monster, I will do reason,anyreason. —Come on. Trinculo, let us sing.Sings.
Flout ’em andscout ’em, and scout ’emand flout ’em;Thought is free.
Flout ’em andscout ’em, and scout ’emand flout ’em;
Thought is free.
Cal.That’s not the tune.
Ariel plays the tune on a tabor and pipe.
120Ste.What is this same?
Trin.This is the tune of our catch, played by the picture of Nobody.
Ste.If thou beest a man, show thyself in thy likeness: if thou beest a devil, take’t as thou list.
III. 2. 125Trin.O, forgive me mysins!
Ste.He that dies pays all debts: I defy thee. Mercy upon us!
Cal.Art thou afeard?
Ste.No, monster, not I.
130Cal.Be not afeard; the isle is full of noises,Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight, and hurt not.Sometimes a thousandtwanglinginstrumentsWill hum about mine ears; andsometimevoices,That, if I then had waked after long sleep,135Will make me sleep again: and then, in dreaming,The clouds methought would open, and show richesReady to drop upon me;that, when I waked,I cried to dream again.
130Cal.Be not afeard; the isle is full of noises,
Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight, and hurt not.
Sometimes a thousandtwanglinginstruments
Will hum about mine ears; andsometimevoices,
That, if I then had waked after long sleep,
135Will make me sleep again: and then, in dreaming,
The clouds methought would open, and show riches
Ready to drop upon me;that, when I waked,
I cried to dream again.
Ste.This will prove a brave kingdom to me, where I140shall have my music for nothing.
Cal.When Prospero is destroyed.
Ste.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.
145Ste.Lead, monster; we’ll follow. I would I could see this taborer; he lays it on.
Trin.Wilt come? I’ll follow, Stephano.Exeunt.
Gon.By’r lakin, I can go no further, sir;My old bonesache: here’s a maze trod, indeed,Throughforth-rightsand meanders! By your patience,I needs must rest me.
Gon.By’r lakin, I can go no further, sir;
My old bonesache: here’s a maze trod, indeed,
Throughforth-rightsand meanders! By your patience,
I needs must rest me.
Alon.Old lord, I cannot blame thee,5Who am myself attach’d with weariness,To the dulling of my spirits: sit down, and rest.Even here I will put off my hope, and keep itNo longer for myflatterer: he is drown’dWhom thus we stray to find; and the sea mocks10Our frustrate search on land. Well, let him go.
Alon.
Old lord, I cannot blame thee,
5Who am myself attach’d with weariness,
To the dulling of my spirits: sit down, and rest.
Even here I will put off my hope, and keep it
No longer for myflatterer: he is drown’d
Whom thus we stray to find; and the sea mocks
10Our frustrate search on land. Well, let him go.
Ant.[Aside to Seb.] I am right glad that he’s so out of hope.Do not, for one repulse, forego the purposeThat you resolved to effect.
Ant.[Aside to Seb.] I am right glad that he’s so out of hope.
Do not, for one repulse, forego the purpose
That you resolved to effect.
Seb.[Aside to Ant.]The next advantageWill we take throughly.
Seb.[Aside to Ant.]
The next advantage
Will we take throughly.
Ant.[Aside to Seb.]Let it be to-night;15For, now they are oppress’d with travel, theyWill not, nor cannot, use such vigilanceAs when they are fresh.
Ant.[Aside to Seb.]
Let it be to-night;
15For, now they are oppress’d with travel, they
Will not, nor cannot, use such vigilance
As when they are fresh.
Seb.[Aside to Ant.]
I say, to-night: no more.
Solemn and strange music.
Alon.What harmony is this?—My good friends, hark!
Gon.Marvellous sweet music!
20Alon.Give us kind keepers, heavens!—Whatwerethese?
Seb.A living drollery. Now I will believeThat there are unicorns; that in ArabiaThere is one tree, the phœnix’ throne; one phœnixAt this hour reigning there.
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;III. 3. 25And what does else want credit, come to me,And I’ll be sworn’tis true: travellers ne’erdid lie,Though fools at home condemn ’em.
Ant.
I’ll believe both;
III. 3. 25And what does else want credit, come to me,
And I’ll be sworn’tis true: travellers ne’erdid lie,
Though fools at home condemn ’em.
Gon.If in NaplesI should report this now, would they believe me?If I should say, I saw suchislanders,—30For, certes, these are people of the island,—Who, though they are of monstrous shape, yet, note,Their manners are moregentle-kindthan ofOur human generation you shall findMany, nay, almost any.
Gon.
If in Naples
I should report this now, would they believe me?
If I should say, I saw suchislanders,—
30For, certes, these are people of the island,—
Who, though they are of monstrous shape, yet, note,
Their manners are moregentle-kindthan of
Our human generation you shall find
Many, nay, almost any.
Pros.[Aside]Honest lord,35Thou hast said well; for some of you there presentAre worse than devils.
Pros.[Aside]
Honest lord,
35Thou hast said well; for some of you there present
Are worse than devils.
Alon.I cannot too muchmuseSuch shapes, such gesture, and such sound, expressing—Although they want the use of tongue—a kindOf excellent dumb discourse.
Alon.
I cannot too muchmuse
Such shapes, such gesture, and such sound, expressing—
Although they want the use of tongue—a kind
Of excellent dumb discourse.
Pros.[Aside]
Praise in departing.
Fran.They vanish’d strangely.
Seb.40No matter, sinceThey have left their viands behind; for we have stomachs.—Will’t please you taste of what is here?
Seb.
40No matter, since
They have 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. When we were boys,Who would believe that there were mountaineers45Dew-lapp’d like bulls, whose throats had hanging at ’emWallets of flesh? or that there were such menWhose heads stood in their breasts? which now we findEach putter-outof five for onewill bring usGood warrant of.
Gon.Faith, sir, you need not fear. When we were boys,
Who would believe that there were mountaineers
45Dew-lapp’d like bulls, whose throats had hanging at ’em
Wallets of flesh? or that there were such men
Whose heads stood in their breasts? which now we find
Each putter-outof five for onewill bring us
Good warrant of.
Alon.I will stand to, and feed,III. 3. 50Although my last: no matter, since I feelThe best is past. Brother, my lord the duke,Stand to, and do as we.
Alon.
I will stand to, and feed,
III. 3. 50Although my last: no matter, since I feel
The best is past. Brother, my lord the duke,
Stand to, and do as we.
Ari.You are three men of sin, whom Destiny,—That hath toinstrumentthis lower world55And what is in’t,—the never-surfeited seaHath caused tobelch up you; and on this island,Where man doth not inhabit,—you ’mongst menBeing most unfit to live. I have made you mad;And even with such-like valour men hang and drownTheir proper selves.Alon., Seb. &c.draw their swords.60You fools! I and my fellowsAre ministers of Fate: the elements,Of whom your swords are temper’d, may as wellWound the loud winds, or with bemock’d-at stabsKill the still-closing waters, as diminish65Onedowlethat’s in myplume: my fellow-ministersAre like invulnerable. If you could hurt,Your swords are now too massy for yourstrengths,And will not be uplifted. But remember,—For that’s my business to you,—that you three70From Milan did supplant good Prospero;Exposed unto the sea, which hath requit it,Him and his innocent child: for which foul deedThe powers, delaying, not forgetting, haveIncensed the seas and shores, yea, all the creatures,III. 3. 75Against your peace. Thee of thy son, Alonso,They have bereft; and do pronounce by me:Lingering perdition—worse than any deathCan be at once—shall step by step attendYou and your ways; whosewrathsto guard you from,—80Which here, in this most desolate isle, else fallsUpon your heads,—is nothing butheart-sorrowAnd a clear life ensuing.
Ari.You are three men of sin, whom Destiny,—
That hath toinstrumentthis lower world
55And what is in’t,—the never-surfeited sea
Hath caused tobelch up you; and on this island,
Where man doth not inhabit,—you ’mongst men
Being most unfit to live. I have made you mad;
And even with such-like valour men hang and drown
Their proper selves.Alon., Seb. &c.draw their swords.
60You 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 bemock’d-at stabs
Kill the still-closing waters, as diminish
65Onedowlethat’s in myplume: my fellow-ministers
Are like invulnerable. If you could hurt,
Your swords are now too massy for yourstrengths,
And will not be uplifted. But remember,—
For that’s my business to you,—that you three
70From Milan did supplant good Prospero;
Exposed unto the sea, which hath requit it,
Him and his innocent child: for which foul deed
The powers, delaying, not forgetting, have
Incensed the seas and shores, yea, all the creatures,
III. 3. 75Against your peace. Thee of thy son, Alonso,
They have bereft; and do pronounce by me:
Lingering perdition—worse than any death
Can be at once—shall step by step attend
You and your ways; whosewrathsto guard you from,—
80Which here, in this most desolate isle, else falls
Upon your heads,—is nothing butheart-sorrow
And a clear life ensuing.
Pros.Bravely the figure of this harpy hast thouPerform’d, my Ariel; a grace it had, devouring:85Of my instruction hast thou nothing batedIn what thou hadst to say: so, with goodlifeAnd observation strange, my meaner ministersTheir several kinds have done. My high charms work,And these mine enemies are all knit up90In their distractions: theynoware in my power;And in these fits I leave them, while I visitYoung Ferdinand,—whomthey suppose is drown’d,—And his andmineloved darling.Exit above.
Pros.Bravely the figure of this harpy hast thou
Perform’d, my Ariel; a grace it had, devouring:
85Of my instruction hast thou nothing bated
In what thou hadst to say: so, with goodlife
And observation strange, my meaner ministers
Their several kinds have done. My high charms work,
And these mine enemies are all knit up
90In their distractions: theynoware in my power;
And in these fits I leave them, while I visit
Young Ferdinand,—whomthey suppose is drown’d,—
And his andmineloved darling.Exit above.
Gon.I’ the name ofsomething holy, sir,why stand youIn this strange stare?
Gon.I’ the name ofsomething holy, sir,why stand you
In this strange stare?
Alon.95O, 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, pronouncedThe name of Prosper: it didbassmy trespass.III. 3. 100Therefore my son i’ th’ ooze is bedded; andI’ll seek him deeper than e’er plummet sounded,And with him there lie mudded.Exit.
Alon.
95O, 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, pronounced
The name of Prosper: it didbassmy trespass.
III. 3. 100Therefore my son i’ th’ ooze is bedded; and
I’ll seek him deeper than e’er plummet sounded,
And with him there lie mudded.Exit.
Seb.But one fiend at a time,I’ll fight their legions o’er.
Seb.
But one fiend at a time,
I’ll fight their legions o’er.
Ant.I’ll be thy second.
Ant.
I’ll be thy second.
Exeunt Seb. and Ant.
Gon.All three of them are desperate: their great guilt,105Like poison given to work a great time after,Now ’gins to bite the spirits. Idobeseech you,That are of suppler joints, follow them swiftly,And hinder them from what this ecstasyMay now provoke them to.
Gon.All three of them are desperate: their great guilt,
105Like poison given to work a great time after,
Now ’gins to bite the spirits. Idobeseech you,
That are of suppler joints, follow them swiftly,
And hinder them from what this ecstasy
May now provoke them to.
Adr.Follow, I pray you.Exeunt.
Adr.
Follow, I pray you.Exeunt.
Pros.If I have too austerely punish’d you,Your compensation makes amends; for IHave given you here athirdof mine own life,Or that for which I live;whoonce again5I tender to thy hand: all thy vexationsWere but my trials of thy love, and thouHast strangely stood thetest: here, afore Heaven,I ratify this my rich gift. O Ferdinand,Do not smile at me that I boast heroff,10For thou shalt find she will outstrip all praise,And make it halt behind her.
Pros.If I have too austerely punish’d you,
Your compensation makes amends; for I
Have given you here athirdof mine own life,
Or that for which I live;whoonce again
5I tender to thy hand: all thy vexations
Were but my trials of thy love, and thou
Hast strangely stood thetest: here, afore Heaven,
I ratify this my rich gift. O Ferdinand,
Do not smile at me that I boast heroff,
10For thou shalt find she will outstrip all praise,
And make it halt behind her.
Fer.Idobelieve itAgainst an oracle.
Fer.
Idobelieve it
Against an oracle.
Pros.Then, as mygift, and thine own acquisitionWorthily purchased, take my daughter:but15If thou dost break her virgin-knot beforeAll sanctimonious ceremonies mayWith full and holy rite be minister’d,No sweet aspersion shall the heavens let fallTo make this contract grow; but barren hate,20Sour-eyed disdain and discord shall bestrewThe union of your bed with weeds so loathlyThat you shall hate it both: therefore take heed,As Hymen’s lamps shall light you.
Pros.Then, as mygift, and thine own acquisition
Worthily purchased, take my daughter:but
15If thou dost break her virgin-knot before
All sanctimonious ceremonies may
With full and holy rite be minister’d,
No sweet aspersion shall the heavens let fall
To make this contract grow; but barren hate,
20Sour-eyed 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.
Fer.As I hopeFor quiet days, fair issue and long life,IV. 1. 25With such love as’tisnow, the murkiest den,The most opportune place, the strong’st suggestionOur worser Genius can, shall never meltMine honour into lust, to take awayThe edge of that day’s celebration30When I shall think, orPhœbus’steeds are founder’d,Or Night kept chain’d below.
Fer.
As I hope
For quiet days, fair issue and long life,
IV. 1. 25With such love as’tisnow, the murkiest den,
The most opportune place, the strong’st suggestion
Our worser Genius can, shall never melt
Mine honour into lust, to take away
The edge of that day’s celebration
30When I shall think, orPhœbus’steeds are founder’d,
Or Night kept chain’d below.
Pros.Fairly spoke.Sit, then, and talk with her; she is thine own.What, Ariel! my industrious servant, Ariel!
Pros.
Fairly spoke.
Sit, then, and talk with her; she is thine own.
What, Ariel! my industrious servant, Ariel!
Ari.What would my potent master? here I am.
35Pros.Thou and thy meaner fellows your last serviceDid worthily perform; and I must use youIn 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 must40Bestow upon the eyes of this young coupleSomevanityof mine art: it is my promise,And they expect it from me.
35Pros.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
40Bestow upon the eyes of this young couple
Somevanityof mine art: it is my promise,
And they expect it from me.
Ari.
Presently?
Pros.Ay, with a twink.
Ari.Before you can say, ‘come,’ and ‘go,’45And 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?
Ari.Before you can say, ‘come,’ and ‘go,’
45And 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?
Pros.Dearly, my delicate Ariel. Do not approachTill thou dost hear me call.
Pros.Dearly, my delicate Ariel. Do not approach
Till thou dost hear me call.
Ari.IV. 1. 50Well, I conceive.Exit.
Ari.
IV. 1. 50Well, I conceive.Exit.
Pros.Look thou be true; do not give dallianceToo much the rein: the strongest oaths are strawTo the fire i’ the blood: be moreabstemious,Or else, good night your vow!
Pros.Look thou be true; do not give dalliance
Too much the rein: the strongest oaths are straw
To the fire i’ the blood: be moreabstemious,
Or else, good night your vow!
Fer.I warrant you, sir;55The white cold virgin snow upon my heartAbates the ardour of my liver.
Fer.
I warrant you, sir;
55The white cold virgin snow upon my heart
Abates the ardour of my liver.
Pros.Well.Now come, my Ariel! bring a corollary,Rather than want a spirit: appear, and pertly!No tongue! all eyes! be silent.Soft music.
Pros.
Well.
Now come, my Ariel! bring a corollary,
Rather than want a spirit: appear, and pertly!
No tongue! all eyes! be silent.Soft music.
EnterIris.60Iris.Ceres, most bounteous lady,thyrich leasOf wheat, rye, barley, vetches, oats, and pease;Thy turfy mountains, where live nibbling sheep,And flat meads thatch’d with stover, them to keep;Thy banks withpionedandtwilledbrims,65Which spongy April at thy best betrims,To make cold nymphs chaste crowns; and thybroom-groves,Whose shadow the dismissed bachelor loves,Being lass-lorn; thypole-cliptvineyard;And thy sea-marge, sterile and rocky-hard,70Where thou thyself dost air;—the queen o’ the sky,Whose watery arch and messenger am I,Bids thee leave these;and with her sovereign grace,Here on this grass-plot, in this very place,To come and sport:—herpeacocks fly amain:IV. 1. 75Approach, rich Ceres, her to entertain.EnterCeres.Cer.Hail, many-colour’d messenger, that ne’erDost disobey the wife of Jupiter;Who, with thy saffron wings, upon my flowersDiffusest honey-drops, refreshing showers;80And with each end of thy blue bow dost crownMy bosky acres and my unshrubb’d down,Rich scarf to my proud earth;—why hath thy queenSummon’d me hither, to thisshort-grass’dgreen?Iris.A contract of true love to celebrate;85And some donation freely to estateOn the blest lovers.Cer.Tell me, heavenly bow,If Venus or her son, as thou dost know,Do now attend the queen? Since they did plotThe means that dusky Dis my daughter got,90Her and her blind boy’s scandal’d companyI have forsworn.Iris.Of her societyBe not afraid: I met her DeityCutting the clouds towards Paphos, and her sonDove-drawn with her. Here thought they to have done95Some wanton charm upon this man and maid,Whose vows are, that nobed-rightshall be paidTill Hymen’s torch be lighted: but in vain;Mars’s hot minion is returned again;Her waspish-headed son has broke his arrows,IV. 1. 100Swears he will shoot no more, but play with sparrows,And be a boy right out.Cer.High’stqueen of state,Great Juno, comes; I know her by her gait.EnterJuno.Juno.How does my bounteous sister? Go with meTo bless this twain, that they may prosperous be,105And honour’d in their issue.They sing:Juno.Honour, riches, marriage-blessing,Long continuance, and increasing,Hourly joys be still upon you!Juno sings her blessings on you.110Cer.Earth’s increase,foisonplenty,Barns and garners never empty;Vines with clustering bunches growing;Plants with goodly burthen bowing;Springcome to you at the farthest115In the very end of harvest!Scarcity and want shall shun you;Ceres’ blessing so is on you.
60Iris.Ceres, most bounteous lady,thyrich leasOf wheat, rye, barley, vetches, oats, and pease;Thy turfy mountains, where live nibbling sheep,And flat meads thatch’d with stover, them to keep;Thy banks withpionedandtwilledbrims,65Which spongy April at thy best betrims,To make cold nymphs chaste crowns; and thybroom-groves,Whose shadow the dismissed bachelor loves,Being lass-lorn; thypole-cliptvineyard;And thy sea-marge, sterile and rocky-hard,70Where thou thyself dost air;—the queen o’ the sky,Whose watery arch and messenger am I,Bids thee leave these;and with her sovereign grace,Here on this grass-plot, in this very place,To come and sport:—herpeacocks fly amain:IV. 1. 75Approach, rich Ceres, her to entertain.
60Iris.Ceres, most bounteous lady,thyrich leas
Of wheat, rye, barley, vetches, oats, and pease;
Thy turfy mountains, where live nibbling sheep,
And flat meads thatch’d with stover, them to keep;
Thy banks withpionedandtwilledbrims,
65Which spongy April at thy best betrims,
To make cold nymphs chaste crowns; and thybroom-groves,
Whose shadow the dismissed bachelor loves,
Being lass-lorn; thypole-cliptvineyard;
And thy sea-marge, sterile and rocky-hard,
70Where thou thyself dost air;—the queen o’ the sky,
Whose watery arch and messenger am I,
Bids thee leave these;and with her sovereign grace,
Here on this grass-plot, in this very place,
To come and sport:—herpeacocks fly amain:
IV. 1. 75Approach, rich Ceres, her to entertain.
Cer.Hail, many-colour’d messenger, that ne’erDost disobey the wife of Jupiter;Who, with thy saffron wings, upon my flowersDiffusest honey-drops, refreshing showers;80And with each end of thy blue bow dost crownMy bosky acres and my unshrubb’d down,Rich scarf to my proud earth;—why hath thy queenSummon’d me hither, to thisshort-grass’dgreen?
Cer.Hail, many-colour’d messenger, that ne’er
Dost disobey the wife of Jupiter;
Who, with thy saffron wings, upon my flowers
Diffusest honey-drops, refreshing showers;
80And with each end of thy blue bow dost crown
My bosky acres and my unshrubb’d down,
Rich scarf to my proud earth;—why hath thy queen
Summon’d me hither, to thisshort-grass’dgreen?
Iris.A contract of true love to celebrate;85And some donation freely to estateOn the blest lovers.
Iris.A contract of true love to celebrate;
85And some donation freely to estate
On the blest lovers.
Cer.Tell me, heavenly bow,If Venus or her son, as thou dost know,Do now attend the queen? Since they did plotThe means that dusky Dis my daughter got,90Her and her blind boy’s scandal’d companyI have forsworn.
Cer.
Tell me, heavenly bow,
If Venus or her son, as thou dost know,
Do now attend the queen? Since they did plot
The means that dusky Dis my daughter got,
90Her and her blind boy’s scandal’d company
I have forsworn.
Iris.Of her societyBe not afraid: I met her DeityCutting the clouds towards Paphos, and her sonDove-drawn with her. Here thought they to have done95Some wanton charm upon this man and maid,Whose vows are, that nobed-rightshall be paidTill Hymen’s torch be lighted: but in vain;Mars’s hot minion is returned again;Her waspish-headed son has broke his arrows,IV. 1. 100Swears he will shoot no more, but play with sparrows,And be a boy right out.
Iris.
Of her society
Be not afraid: I met her Deity
Cutting the clouds towards Paphos, and her son
Dove-drawn with her. Here thought they to have done
95Some wanton charm upon this man and maid,
Whose vows are, that nobed-rightshall be paid
Till Hymen’s torch be lighted: but in vain;
Mars’s hot minion is returned again;
Her waspish-headed son has broke his arrows,
IV. 1. 100Swears he will shoot no more, but play with sparrows,
And be a boy right out.
Cer.High’stqueen of state,Great Juno, comes; I know her by her gait.
Cer.
High’stqueen of state,
Great Juno, comes; I know her by her gait.
Juno.How does my bounteous sister? Go with meTo bless this twain, that they may prosperous be,105And honour’d in their issue.They sing:
Juno.How does my bounteous sister? Go with me
To bless this twain, that they may prosperous be,
105And honour’d in their issue.They sing:
Juno.Honour, riches, marriage-blessing,Long continuance, and increasing,Hourly joys be still upon you!Juno sings her blessings on you.
Juno.Honour, riches, marriage-blessing,
Long continuance, and increasing,
Hourly joys be still upon you!
Juno sings her blessings on you.
110Cer.Earth’s increase,foisonplenty,Barns and garners never empty;Vines with clustering bunches growing;Plants with goodly burthen bowing;Springcome to you at the farthest115In the very end of harvest!Scarcity and want shall shun you;Ceres’ blessing so is on you.
110Cer.Earth’s increase,foisonplenty,
Barns and garners never empty;
Vines with clustering bunches growing;
Plants with goodly burthen bowing;
Springcome to you at the farthest
115In the very end of harvest!
Scarcity and want shall shun you;
Ceres’ blessing so is on you.
Fer.This is a most majestic vision, andHarmonious charmingly. May I be boldTo think these spirits?
Fer.This is a most majestic vision, and
Harmonious charmingly. May I be bold
To think these spirits?
Pros.120Spirits, which by mine artI havefrom theirconfines call’d to enactMy present fancies.
Pros.
120Spirits, which by mine art
I havefrom theirconfines call’d to enact
My present fancies.
Fer.Let me live here ever;So rare a wonder’d father and awifeMakesthis place Paradise.
Fer.
Let me live here ever;
So rare a wonder’d father and awife
Makesthis place Paradise.
Juno and Ceres whisper, and send Iris on employment.
Pros.Sweet, now, silence!IV. 1. 125Juno and Ceres whisper seriously;There’s something else to do: hush, and be mute,Or else our spell is marr’d.
Pros.
Sweet, now, silence!
IV. 1. 125Juno and Ceres whisper seriously;
There’s something else to do: hush, and be mute,
Or else our spell is marr’d.
Iris.You nymphs, call’d Naiads, of thewindringbrooks,With yoursedgedcrowns and ever-harmless looks,130Leave your crisp channels, and on this green landAnswer your summons; Juno does command:Come, temperate nymphs, and help to celebrateA contract of true love; be not too late.Enter certain Nymphs.You sunburnt sicklemen, of August weary,135Come hither from the furrow, and be merry:Makeholiday; your rye-straw hats put on,And these fresh nymphs encounter every oneIn country footing.Enter certain Reapers, properly habited: they join with the Nymphs in a graceful dance; towards the end whereofProsperostartssuddenly, and speaks; after which, to a strange, hollow, and confused noise, they heavily vanish.
Iris.You nymphs, call’d Naiads, of thewindringbrooks,With yoursedgedcrowns and ever-harmless looks,130Leave your crisp channels, and on this green landAnswer your summons; Juno does command:Come, temperate nymphs, and help to celebrateA contract of true love; be not too late.
Iris.You nymphs, call’d Naiads, of thewindringbrooks,
With yoursedgedcrowns and ever-harmless looks,
130Leave your crisp channels, and on this green land
Answer your summons; Juno does command:
Come, temperate nymphs, and help to celebrate
A contract of true love; be not too late.
You sunburnt sicklemen, of August weary,135Come hither from the furrow, and be merry:Makeholiday; your rye-straw hats put on,And these fresh nymphs encounter every oneIn country footing.
You sunburnt sicklemen, of August weary,
135Come hither from the furrow, and be merry:
Makeholiday; your rye-straw hats put on,
And these fresh nymphs encounter every one
In country footing.
Pros.[Aside] I had forgot that foul conspiracy140Of the beast Caliban and his confederatesAgainst my life: the minute of their plotIs almost come. [To the Spirits.] Well done! avoid; no more!
Pros.[Aside] I had forgot that foul conspiracy
140Of the beast Caliban and his confederates
Against my life: the minute of their plot
Is almost come. [To the Spirits.] Well done! avoid; no more!
Fer.This is strange: your father’s in some passionThat works him strongly.
Fer.This is strange: your father’s in some passion
That works him strongly.
Mir.Never till this day145Saw I him touch’d withangerso distemper’d.
Mir.
Never till this day
145Saw I him touch’d withangerso distemper’d.
Pros.Youdolook, my son, in a moved sort,As if you were dismay’d: be cheerful, sir.Our revels now are ended. These our actors,As I foretold you, were all spirits, andIV. 1. 150Are melted into air, into thin air:And, like the baseless fabric ofthisvision,The cloud-capp’d towers, the gorgeous palaces,The solemn temples, the great globe itself,Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve,155And, like this insubstantial pageant faded,Leave not arackbehind. We are such stuffAs dreams are made on; and our little lifeIs rounded with a sleep. Sir, I am vex’d;Bear with my weakness; my old brain is troubled:160Be not disturb’d with my infirmity:If you be pleased, retire into my cell,And there repose: a turn or two I’ll walk,To still my beating mind.
Pros.Youdolook, my son, in a moved sort,
As if you were dismay’d: be cheerful, sir.
Our revels now are ended. These our actors,
As I foretold you, were all spirits, and
IV. 1. 150Are melted into air, into thin air:
And, like the baseless fabric ofthisvision,
The cloud-capp’d towers, the gorgeous palaces,
The solemn temples, the great globe itself,
Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve,
155And, like this insubstantial pageant faded,
Leave not arackbehind. We are such stuff
As dreams are made on; and our little life
Is rounded with a sleep. Sir, I am vex’d;
Bear with my weakness; my old brain is troubled:
160Be not disturb’d with my infirmity:
If you be pleased, retire into my cell,
And there repose: a turn or two I’ll walk,
To still my beating mind.
Fer.Mir.
We wishyourpeace.Exeunt.
Pros.Come with a thought.I thank thee, Ariel: come.
165Ari.Thy thoughts I cleave to. What’s thy pleasure?
Pros.Spirit,We must prepare to meet with Caliban.
Pros.
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’dLestI might anger thee.
Ari.Ay, my commander: when I presented Ceres,
I thought to have told thee of it; but I fear’d
LestI might anger thee.
170Pros.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 airFor breathing in their faces; beat the groundFor kissing of their feet; yet always bendingIV. 1. 175Towards their project. Then I beat my tabor;At which, like unback’d colts, they prick’d their ears,Advanced their eyelids, lifted up their nosesAs they smelt music: so I charm’d their ears,That, calf-like, they my lowing follow’d through180Tooth’d briers, sharpfurzes, pricking goss, and thorns,Which enter’d their frailshins: at last I left themI’ thefilthy-mantledpool beyond your cell,There dancing up to the chins, that the foul lakeO’erstunk theirfeet.
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
IV. 1. 175Towards their project. Then I beat my tabor;
At which, like unback’d colts, they prick’d their ears,
Advanced their eyelids, lifted up their noses
As they smelt music: so I charm’d their ears,
That, calf-like, they my lowing follow’d through
180Tooth’d briers, sharpfurzes, pricking goss, and thorns,
Which enter’d their frailshins: at last I left them
I’ thefilthy-mantledpool beyond your cell,
There dancing up to the chins, that the foul lake
O’erstunk theirfeet.
Pros.This was well done, my bird.185Thy shape invisible retain thou still:The trumpery in my house, go bring it hither,For stale to catch these thieves.
Pros.
This was well done, my bird.
185Thy shape invisible retain thou still:
The trumpery in my house, go bring it hither,
For stale to catch these thieves.
Ari.I go, I go.Exit.
Ari.
I go, I go.Exit.
Pros.A devil, a born devil, on whose natureNurture can never stick; on whom my pains,190Humanely taken,all, alllost, quite lost;And as with age his body uglier grows,So his mind cankers. I will plague them all,Even to roaring.
Pros.A devil, a born devil, on whose nature
Nurture can never stick; on whom my pains,
190Humanely taken,all, alllost, quite lost;
And as with age his body uglier grows,
So his mind cankers. I will plague them all,
Even to roaring.
Come, hangthem onthis line.
Cal.Pray you, tread softly, that the blind mole may not195Hear a foot fall: we now are near his cell.
Cal.Pray you, tread softly, that the blind mole may not
195Hear a foot fall: we now are near his cell.
Ste.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.
IV. 1. 200Ste.So is mine. Do you hear, monster? If I should take a displeasure against you, look you,—
Trin.Thou wert but a lost monster.
Cal.Good my lord, give me thy favour still.Be patient, for the prize I’ll bring thee to205Shall hoodwink this mischance: therefore speak softly.All’s hush’d as midnight yet.
Cal.Good my lord, give me thy favour still.
Be patient, for the prize I’ll bring thee to
205Shall hoodwink this mischance: therefore speak softly.
All’s hush’d as midnight yet.
Trin.Ay, but to lose our bottles in the pool,—
Ste.There is not only disgrace and dishonour in that, monster, but an infinite loss.
210Trin.That’s more to me than my wetting: yet this is your harmless fairy, monster.
Ste.I will fetch off my bottle, though I be o’er ears for my labour.