THE TEMPEST.ACT I.I. 1Scene I.On a ship at sea: a tempestuous noise of thunder and lightning heard.Entera Ship-Masteranda Boatswain.Mast.Boatswain!Boats.Here, master: what cheer?Mast.Good,speak to the mariners: fall to’t, yarely, or we run ourselves aground: bestir, bestir.Exit.EnterMariners.5Boats.Heigh, my hearts! cheerly, cheerly, my hearts! yare, yare! Take in the topsail. Tend to the master’s whistle. Blow,till thou burst thy wind, if room enough!EnterAlonso, Sebastian, Antonio, Ferdinand, Gonzalo, and others.Alon.Good boatswain, have care. Where’s the master? Play the men.10Boats.I pray now, keep below.Ant.Where is the master,boatswain?Boats.Do you not hear him? You mar our labour: keep your cabins: you do assist the storm.Gon.Nay, good, be patient.15Boats.When the sea is. Hence! Whatcaresthese roarers for the name of king? To cabin: silence! trouble us not.Gon.Good, yet remember whom thou hast aboard.Boats.None that I more love than myself. You are a20Counsellor; if you can command these elements to silence, and work the peace of the present, we will not hand a rope more; use your authority: if you cannot, give thanks you have lived so long, and make yourself ready in your cabin for the mischance of the hour, if it so hap. Cheerly, goodI. 1. 25hearts! Out of our way, I say.Exit.Gon.I have great comfort from this fellow: methinks he hath no drowning mark upon him; his complexion is perfect gallows. Stand fast, good Fate, to his hanging: make the rope of his destiny our cable, for our own doth30little advantage. If he be not born to be hanged, our case is miserable.Exeunt.Re-enterBoatswain.Boats.Down with the topmast! yare! lower, lower!Bring her to trywith main-course. [A cry within.]A plague upon this howling!they are louder than the weather35or our office.Re-enterSebastian, Antonio, andGonzalo.Yet again! what do you here? Shall we give o’er, and drown? Have you a mind to sink?Seb.A pox o’ your throat, you bawling, blasphemous, incharitable dog!40Boats.Work you, then.Ant.Hang, cur! hang, you whoreson, insolent noise-maker. We are less afraid to be drowned than thou art.Gon.I’ll warrant himfordrowning; though the ship were no stronger than a nutshell, and as leaky as an unstanched45wench.Boats.Lay her a-hold, a-hold! set hertwo courses off to seaagain; lay her off.EnterMarinerswet.Mariners.All lost! to prayers, to prayers! all lost!Boats.What, must our mouths be cold?I. 1. 50Gon.The king and princeatprayers! let’s assist them,For our case is as theirs.Seb.I’m out of patience.Ant.We are merely cheated of our lives by drunkards:This wide-chapp’d rascal,—would thou mightst lie drowningThe washing of ten tides!Gon.He’ll be hang’d yet,55Though every drop of water swear against it,And gape at widestto gluthim.A confused noise within:“Mercy on us!”—“We split, we split!”—“Farewell my wife and children!”—“Farewell, brother!”—“We split, we split, we split!”60Ant.Let’s all sinkwith theking.Seb.Let’s take leave of him.Exeunt Ant. and Seb.Gon.Now would I give a thousand furlongs of sea for an acre of barren ground, long heath, brownfurze, any thing. The wills above be done! but I would fain die a65dry death.Exeunt.I. 2Scene II.The island. BeforeProspero’scell.EnterProsperoandMiranda.Mir.If by your art, my dearest father, you havePut the wild waters in this roar, allay them.The sky, it seems, would pour downstinkingpitch,But that the sea, mounting to the welkin’scheek,5Dashes the fire out. O, I have suffer’dWith those that I saw suffer! a brave vessel,Who had, no doubt, some noblecreaturein her,Dash’d all to pieces. O, the cry did knockAgainst my very heart! Poor souls, they perish’d!10Had I been any god of power, I wouldHave sunk the sea within the earth, or ereIt should the good ship so have swallow’d andThefraughtingsouls within her.Pros.Be collected:No more amazement: tell your piteous heartThere’s no harm done.Mir.O, woe the day!Pros.15No harm.I have done nothing but in care of thee,Of thee, my dear one, thee, my daughter, whoArt ignorant of what thou art, nought knowingOf whence I am, nor thatI am more better20Than Prospero, master of a full poor cell,And thy no greater father.Mir.More to knowDid never meddle with my thoughts.Pros.’Tis timeI should inform thee farther. Lend thy hand,And pluck my magic garment from me.—So:Lays down his mantle.I. 2. 25Lie there, my art. Wipe thou thine eyes; have comfort.The direful spectacle of the wreck, which touch’dThe very virtue of compassion in thee,I have with suchprovisionin mine artSo safely order’d, that there is nosoul,30No, not so much perdition as an hairBetidto any creature in the vesselWhich thou heard’st cry, which thou saw’st sink. Sit down;For thou must now know farther.Mir.You have oftenBegun to tell me what I am; but stopp’d,35And left me toabootless inquisition,Concluding “Stay: not yet.”Pros.The hour’s now come;The very minute bids thee ope thine ear;Obey, and be attentive. CanstthourememberA time before we came unto this cell?40I do not think thou canst, for then thou wast notOutthree years old.Mir.Certainly, sir, I can.Pros.By what? by any other house or person?Of any thing the image tell me thatHath keptwiththy remembrance.Mir.’Tis far off,45And rather like a dream than an assuranceThat my remembrance warrants. Had I notFour or five women once that tended me?Pros.Thou hadst, and more, Miranda. But how is itThat this lives in thy mind? What seest thou elseI. 2. 50In the dark backward and abysm of time?If thou remember’st ought ere thou camest here,How thou camest here thou mayst.Mir.But that I do not.Pros.Twelve year since, Miranda, twelve yearsince,Thy father was the Duke of Milan, andA prince of power.Mir.55Sir, are not you my father?Pros.Thy mother was a piece of virtue, andShe said thou wast my daughter; and thy fatherWas Duke of Milan;and his only heirAnd princess, no worse issued.Mir.O the heavens!60What foul play had we, that we came from thence?Or blessed was’t we did?Pros.Both, both, my girl:By foul play, as thou say’st, were we heaved thence;But blessedlyholphither.Mir.O, my heartbleedsTo think o’ the teen that I have turn’d you to.65Which is from my remembrance! Please you, farther.Pros.My brother, and thy uncle, call’d Antonio,—I pray thee, mark me,—that a brother shouldBe so perfidious!—he whom, next thyself,Of all the world I loved, and to him put70The manage of my state; as, at that time,Through all the signories it was the first,And Prospero the prime duke, being so reputedIn dignity, and for the liberal artsWithout a parallel; those being all my study,I. 2. 75The government I cast upon my brother,And to my state grew stranger, being transportedAnd rapt in secret studies. Thy false uncle—Dost thou attendme?Mir.Sir, most heedfully.Pros.Being once perfected how to grant suits,80How to deny them,whom to advance, and whomTotrashfor over-topping, new createdThe creatures that were mine, I say, or changed’em,Or else new form’d’em; having both the keyOf officer and office, set all heartsi’ the state85To what tune pleased his ear; that now he wasThe ivy which had hid my princely trunk,And suck’d my verdure out on’t. Thou attend’st not.Mir.O, good sir, I do.Pros.I pray thee, mark me.I, thus neglecting worldly ends, alldedicated90To closeness and the bettering of my mindWith that which, but by beingsoretired,O’er-prized all popular rate, in my false brotherAwaked an evil nature; and my trust,Like a good parent, did beget of him95A falsehood in its contrary, as greatAs my trust was; which had indeed no limit,A confidence sans bound. He being thuslorded,Not only with what my revenue yielded,But what my power might elseexact, likeoneI. 2. 100Whohaving into truth, by telling of it,Made such a sinner of his memory,To credit his own lie, he did believeHe wasindeed the duke; out o’ the substitution,And executing the outward face of royalty,105With all prerogative:—hencehis ambition growing,—Dost thouhear?Mir.Your tale, sir, would cure deafness.Pros.To have no screen between this part he play’dAnd him he play’d it for, he needs will beAbsoluteMilan. Me, poor man, my library110Was dukedom large enough: of temporal royaltiesHe thinks me now incapable; confederates,So dry he was for sway,wi’ theKing of NaplesTo give him annual tribute, do him homage,Subject his coronet to his crown, and bend115The dukedom, yet unbow’d,—alas, poor Milan!—Tomostignoble stooping.Mir.O the heavens!Pros.Mark his condition, and th’ event; then tell meIf this might be a brother.Mir.I should sinTo thinkbutnobly of my grandmother:Good wombs have borne bad sons.Pros.120Now the condition.This King of Naples, being an enemyTo me inveterate,hearkensmy brother’s suit;Which was, that he, in lieu o’ the premises,Of homage and I know not how much tribute,I. 2. 125Should presently extirpate me and mineOut of the dukedom, and confer fair Milan,With all the honours, on my brother: whereon,A treacherous army levied, one midnightFatedto thepurpose, did Antonio open130The gates of Milan; and, i’ the dead of darkness,Theministersfor the purpose hurried thenceMe and thy crying self.Mir.Alack, for pity!I, not remembering how I criedoutthen,Will cry it o’er again: it is a hintThat wrings mine eyesto’t.Pros.135Hear a little further,And then I’ll bring thee to the present businessWhich now’s upon ’s; without the which, this storyWere most impertinent.Mir.Whereforedid they notThat hour destroy us?Pros.Well demanded, wench:140My tale provokes that question. Dear, they durst not,So dear the love my people boreme; nor setA mark so bloody on the business; butWith colours fairer painted their foul ends.In few, they hurried us aboard a bark,145Bore us some leagues to sea; where they preparedA rotten carcass of aboat, not rigg’d,Nor tackle,sail, nor mast; the very ratsInstinctivelyhavequit it: there they hoist us,To cry to the sea that roar’d to us; to sighI. 2. 150Tothe winds, whose pity, sighing back again,Did us but loving wrong.Mir.Alack, what troubleWas I then to you!Pros.O, a cherubinThou wast that did preserve me. Thou didst smile,Infused with a fortitude from heaven,155When I havedeck’dthe sea with drops full salt,Under my burthen groan’d; which raised in meAn undergoing stomach, to bear upAgainst what should ensue.Mir.How came we ashore?Pros.By Providence divine.160Some food we had, and some fresh water, thatA noble Neapolitan, Gonzalo,Out of his charity,whobeing then appointedMaster of this design, did give us, withRich garments, linens, stuffs and necessaries,165Which since have steaded much; so, of his gentleness,Knowing I loved my books, he furnish’d meFrom mine own library with volumes thatI prize above my dukedom.Mir.Would I mightBut ever see that man!Pros.Now I arise:Resumes his mantle.170Sit still, and hear the last of our sea-sorrow.Here in this island we arrived; and hereHave I, thy schoolmaster, made thee more profitThan otherprincessescan, that have more timeFor vainer hours, and tutors not so careful.I. 2. 175Mir.Heavens thank you for’t! And now, I pray you, sir,For still ’tis beating in my mind, your reasonFor raising this sea-storm?Pros.Know thus far forth.By accident most strange, bountiful Fortune,Now my dear lady, hath mine enemies180Brought to this shore; and by my prescienceI find my zenith doth depend uponA most auspicious star, whose influenceIf now I court not, but omit, my fortunesWill ever after droop. Here cease more questions:185Thou art inclined to sleep; ’tis a good dulness,And give it way: I know thou canst not choose.Miranda sleeps.Come away, servant, come. I am ready now.Approach, my Ariel, come.EnterAriel.Ari.All hail, great master! grave sir, hail! I come190To answer thy best pleasure;be’tto fly,To swim, to dive into the fire, to rideOn the curl’d clouds, to thy strong bidding taskAriel and all hisquality.Pros.Hast thou, spirit,Perform’d to point the tempest that I bade thee?195Ari.To every article.I boarded the king’s ship; now on the beak,Now in the waist, the deck, in every cabin,I flamed amazement:sometimeI’ld divide,And burn in many places; on the topmast,I. 2. 200The yards andbowsprit, would I flame distinctly,Then meet and join. Jove’slightnings, the precursorsO’ thedreadfulthunder-claps, more momentaryAnd sight-outrunning were not: the fire and cracksOf sulphurous roaring the most mighty Neptune205Seemto besiege, and make his bold waves tremble,Yea, hisdreadtrident shake.Pros.My bravespirit!Who was so firm, so constant, that this coilWould not infect his reason?Ari.Not a soulBut felt a fever of themad, and play’d210Some tricks of desperation. All but marinersPlunged in the foaming brine, and quitthe vessel,Then all afire with me: the king’s son, Ferdinand,With hair up-staring,—then like reeds, not hair,—Was the first man that leap’d; cried, “Hell is empty,And all the devils are here.”Pros.215Why, that’s my spirit!But was not this nigh shore?Ari.Close by, my master.Pros.But are they, Ariel, safe?Ari.Not a hair perish’d;On theirsustaininggarments not a blemish,But fresher than before: and, as thou badest me,220In troops I have dispersed them ’bout the isle.The king’s son have I landed by himself;Whom I left cooling of the air with sighsIn an odd angle of the isle, and sitting,His arms in this sad knot.Pros.Of the king’s shipI. 2. 225The mariners, say how thou hast disposed,And all the rest o’ the fleet.Ari.Safely in harbourIs the king’s ship; in the deep nook, where onceThou call’dst me up at midnight to fetch dewFrom the still-vex’dBermoothes, there she’s hid:230The mariners all under hatches stow’d;Who, with a charm join’d to their suffer’d labour,I have left asleep: and for the rest o’ the fleet,Which I dispersed, they all have met again,Andareuponthe Mediterranean flote,235Bound sadly home for Naples;Supposing that they saw the king’s ship wreck’d,And his great person perish.Pros.Ariel, thy chargeExactly is perform’d: but there’s more work.What is the time o’ the day?Ari.Past the mid season.240Pros.At least two glasses. The time ’twixt six and nowMust 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 promised,Which is not yet perform’d me.Pros.How now? moody?Whatis’t thou canst demand?Ari.245My liberty.Pros.Before the time be out? no more!Ari.I prithee,Remember I have done thee worthy service;Told thee no lies,made theeno mistakings, servedWithout or grudge or grumblings: thoudidstpromiseTo bate me a full year.Pros.I. 2. 250Dost thou forgetFrom what a torment I did free thee?Ari.No.Pros.Thou dost; and think’st it much to tread the oozeOf the salt deep,To run upon the sharp wind of the north,255To do me business in the veins o’ the earthWhen it is baked with frost.Ari.I do not, sir.Pros.Thou liest, malignant thing! Hast thou forgotThe foul witch Sycorax, who with age and envyWas grown into a hoop? hast thou forgot her?Ari.No, sir.Pros.260Thou hast. Where was she born? speak; tell me.Ari.Sir, in Argier.Pros.O, was she so? I mustOnce in a month recount what thou hast been,Which thou forget’st. This damn’d witch Sycorax,For mischiefs manifold,and sorceriesterrible265To enter human hearing, from Argier,Thou know’st, was banish’d: for one thing she didThey would not take her life.Is not this true?Ari.Ay, sir.Pros.This blue-eyed hag was hither brought with child,270And here was left by the sailors. Thou, my slave,As thou report’st thyself,wast thenher servant;And, for thou wast a spirit too delicateTo act herearthyand abhorr’d commands,Refusing her grand hests, she did confine thee,I. 2. 275By help of her more potent ministers,And in her most unmitigable rage,Into a cloven pine; within which riftImprison’d thou didst painfully remainA dozen years; within which space she died,280And left thee there; where thou didst vent thy groansAs fast as mill-wheels strike. Then was this island—Save for thesonthatshedid litter here,A freckled whelp hag-born—not honour’d withA human shape.Ari.Yes, Caliban her son.285Pros.Dull thing, I say so; he, that Caliban,Whom now I keep in service. Thou best know’stWhat torment I did find thee in; thy groansDid make wolves howl, and penetrate the breastsOf ever-angry bears: it was a torment290To lay upon the damn’d, which SycoraxCould not again undo: it was mine art,When I arrived and heard thee, that made gapeThe pine, and let thee out.Ari.I thank thee, master.Pros.If thou more murmur’st, I will rend an oak,295And peg thee in his knotty entrails, tillThou hast howl’d away twelve winters.Ari.Pardon, master:I will be correspondent to command,And do my spiriting gently.Pros.Do so; and after two daysI will discharge thee.Ari.That’s my noble master!I. 2. 300What shall I do? say what; what shall I do?Pros.Go make thyselflikea nymph o’ the sea:Be subject tono sight butthine and mine; invisibleTo every eyeball else. Go take this shape,And hither comein’t:go, hencewith diligence!Exit Ariel.305Awake, dear heart, awake! thou hast slept well;Awake!Mir.The strangeness of your story putHeavinessin me.
Mast.Boatswain!
Boats.Here, master: what cheer?
Mast.Good,speak to the mariners: fall to’t, yarely, or we run ourselves aground: bestir, bestir.Exit.
5Boats.Heigh, my hearts! cheerly, cheerly, my hearts! yare, yare! Take in the topsail. Tend to the master’s whistle. Blow,till thou burst thy wind, if room enough!
Alon.Good boatswain, have care. Where’s the master? Play the men.
10Boats.I pray now, keep below.
Ant.Where is the master,boatswain?
Boats.Do you not hear him? You mar our labour: keep your cabins: you do assist the storm.
Gon.Nay, good, be patient.
15Boats.When the sea is. Hence! Whatcaresthese roarers for the name of king? To cabin: silence! trouble us not.
Gon.Good, yet remember whom thou hast aboard.
Boats.None that I more love than myself. You are a20Counsellor; if you can command these elements to silence, and work the peace of the present, we will not hand a rope more; use your authority: if you cannot, give thanks you have lived so long, and make yourself ready in your cabin for the mischance of the hour, if it so hap. Cheerly, goodI. 1. 25hearts! Out of our way, I say.Exit.
Gon.I have great comfort from this fellow: methinks he hath no drowning mark upon him; his complexion is perfect gallows. Stand fast, good Fate, to his hanging: make the rope of his destiny our cable, for our own doth30little advantage. If he be not born to be hanged, our case is miserable.Exeunt.
Boats.Down with the topmast! yare! lower, lower!Bring her to trywith main-course. [A cry within.]A plague upon this howling!they are louder than the weather35or our office.
Yet again! what do you here? Shall we give o’er, and drown? Have you a mind to sink?
Seb.A pox o’ your throat, you bawling, blasphemous, incharitable dog!
40Boats.Work you, then.
Ant.Hang, cur! hang, you whoreson, insolent noise-maker. We are less afraid to be drowned than thou art.
Gon.I’ll warrant himfordrowning; though the ship were no stronger than a nutshell, and as leaky as an unstanched45wench.
Boats.Lay her a-hold, a-hold! set hertwo courses off to seaagain; lay her off.
Mariners.All lost! to prayers, to prayers! all lost!
Boats.What, must our mouths be cold?
I. 1. 50Gon.The king and princeatprayers! let’s assist them,For our case is as theirs.
I. 1. 50Gon.The king and princeatprayers! let’s assist them,
For our case is as theirs.
Seb.
I’m out of patience.
Ant.We are merely cheated of our lives by drunkards:This wide-chapp’d rascal,—would thou mightst lie drowningThe washing of ten tides!
Ant.We are merely cheated of our lives by drunkards:
This wide-chapp’d rascal,—would thou mightst lie drowning
The washing of ten tides!
Gon.He’ll be hang’d yet,55Though every drop of water swear against it,And gape at widestto gluthim.
Gon.
He’ll be hang’d yet,
55Though every drop of water swear against it,
And gape at widestto gluthim.
60Ant.Let’s all sinkwith theking.
Seb.Let’s take leave of him.Exeunt Ant. and Seb.
Gon.Now would I give a thousand furlongs of sea for an acre of barren ground, long heath, brownfurze, any thing. The wills above be done! but I would fain die a65dry death.Exeunt.
Mir.If by your art, my dearest father, you havePut the wild waters in this roar, allay them.The sky, it seems, would pour downstinkingpitch,But that the sea, mounting to the welkin’scheek,5Dashes the fire out. O, I have suffer’dWith those that I saw suffer! a brave vessel,Who had, no doubt, some noblecreaturein her,Dash’d all to pieces. O, the cry did knockAgainst my very heart! Poor souls, they perish’d!10Had I been any god of power, I wouldHave sunk the sea within the earth, or ereIt should the good ship so have swallow’d andThefraughtingsouls within her.
Mir.If by your art, my dearest father, you have
Put the wild waters in this roar, allay them.
The sky, it seems, would pour downstinkingpitch,
But that the sea, mounting to the welkin’scheek,
5Dashes the fire out. O, I have suffer’d
With those that I saw suffer! a brave vessel,
Who had, no doubt, some noblecreaturein her,
Dash’d all to pieces. O, the cry did knock
Against my very heart! Poor souls, they perish’d!
10Had I been any god of power, I would
Have sunk the sea within the earth, or ere
It should the good ship so have swallow’d and
Thefraughtingsouls within her.
Pros.Be collected:No more amazement: tell your piteous heartThere’s no harm done.
Pros.
Be collected:
No more amazement: tell your piteous heart
There’s no harm done.
Mir.
O, woe the day!
Pros.15No harm.I have done nothing but in care of thee,Of thee, my dear one, thee, my daughter, whoArt ignorant of what thou art, nought knowingOf whence I am, nor thatI am more better20Than Prospero, master of a full poor cell,And thy no greater father.
Pros.
15No 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 thatI am more better
20Than Prospero, master of a full poor cell,
And thy no greater father.
Mir.More to knowDid never meddle with my thoughts.
Mir.
More to know
Did never meddle with my thoughts.
Pros.’Tis timeI should inform thee farther. Lend thy hand,And pluck my magic garment from me.—So:Lays down his mantle.I. 2. 25Lie there, my art. Wipe thou thine eyes; have comfort.The direful spectacle of the wreck, which touch’dThe very virtue of compassion in thee,I have with suchprovisionin mine artSo safely order’d, that there is nosoul,30No, not so much perdition as an hairBetidto any creature in the vesselWhich thou heard’st cry, which thou saw’st sink. Sit down;For thou must now know farther.
Pros.
’Tis time
I should inform thee farther. Lend thy hand,
And pluck my magic garment from me.—So:Lays down his mantle.
I. 2. 25Lie there, my art. Wipe thou thine eyes; have comfort.
The direful spectacle of the wreck, which touch’d
The very virtue of compassion in thee,
I have with suchprovisionin mine art
So safely order’d, that there is nosoul,
30No, not so much perdition as an hair
Betidto any creature in the vessel
Which thou heard’st cry, which thou saw’st sink. Sit down;
For thou must now know farther.
Mir.You have oftenBegun to tell me what I am; but stopp’d,35And left me toabootless inquisition,Concluding “Stay: not yet.”
Mir.
You have often
Begun to tell me what I am; but stopp’d,
35
And left me toabootless inquisition,
Concluding “Stay: not yet.”
Pros.The hour’s now come;The very minute bids thee ope thine ear;Obey, and be attentive. CanstthourememberA time before we came unto this cell?40I do not think thou canst, for then thou wast notOutthree years old.
Pros.
The hour’s now come;
The very minute bids thee ope thine ear;
Obey, and be attentive. Canstthouremember
A time before we came unto this cell?
40I do not think thou canst, for then thou wast not
Outthree years old.
Mir.
Certainly, sir, I can.
Pros.By what? by any other house or person?Of any thing the image tell me thatHath keptwiththy remembrance.
Pros.By what? by any other house or person?
Of any thing the image tell me that
Hath keptwiththy remembrance.
Mir.’Tis far off,45And rather like a dream than an assuranceThat my remembrance warrants. Had I notFour or five women once that tended me?
Mir.
’Tis far off,
45And rather like a dream than an assurance
That my remembrance warrants. Had I not
Four or five women once that tended me?
Pros.Thou hadst, and more, Miranda. But how is itThat this lives in thy mind? What seest thou elseI. 2. 50In the dark backward and abysm of time?If thou remember’st ought ere thou camest here,How thou camest here thou mayst.
Pros.Thou hadst, and more, Miranda. But how is it
That this lives in thy mind? What seest thou else
I. 2. 50In the dark backward and abysm of time?
If thou remember’st ought ere thou camest here,
How thou camest here thou mayst.
Mir.
But that I do not.
Pros.Twelve year since, Miranda, twelve yearsince,Thy father was the Duke of Milan, andA prince of power.
Pros.Twelve year since, Miranda, twelve yearsince,
Thy father was the Duke of Milan, and
A prince of power.
Mir.55Sir, are not you my father?
Mir.
55Sir, are not you my father?
Pros.Thy mother was a piece of virtue, andShe said thou wast my daughter; and thy fatherWas Duke of Milan;and his only heirAnd princess, no worse issued.
Pros.Thy mother was a piece of virtue, and
She said thou wast my daughter; and thy father
Was Duke of Milan;and his only heir
And princess, no worse issued.
Mir.O the heavens!60What foul play had we, that we came from thence?Or blessed was’t we did?
Mir.
O the heavens!
60What foul play had we, that we came from thence?
Or blessed was’t we did?
Pros.Both, both, my girl:By foul play, as thou say’st, were we heaved thence;But blessedlyholphither.
Pros.
Both, both, my girl:
By foul play, as thou say’st, were we heaved thence;
But blessedlyholphither.
Mir.O, my heartbleedsTo think o’ the teen that I have turn’d you to.65Which is from my remembrance! Please you, farther.
Mir.
O, my heartbleeds
To think o’ the teen that I have turn’d you to.
65Which is from my remembrance! Please you, farther.
Pros.My brother, and thy uncle, call’d Antonio,—I pray thee, mark me,—that a brother shouldBe so perfidious!—he whom, next thyself,Of all the world I loved, and to him put70The manage of my state; as, at that time,Through all the signories it was the first,And Prospero the prime duke, being so reputedIn dignity, and for the liberal artsWithout a parallel; those being all my study,I. 2. 75The government I cast upon my brother,And to my state grew stranger, being transportedAnd rapt in secret studies. Thy false uncle—Dost thou attendme?
Pros.My brother, and thy uncle, call’d Antonio,—
I pray thee, mark me,—that a brother should
Be so perfidious!—he whom, next thyself,
Of all the world I loved, and to him put
70The manage of my state; as, at that time,
Through all the signories 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,
I. 2. 75The government I cast upon my brother,
And to my state grew stranger, being transported
And rapt in secret studies. Thy false uncle—
Dost thou attendme?
Mir.
Sir, most heedfully.
Pros.Being once perfected how to grant suits,80How to deny them,whom to advance, and whomTotrashfor over-topping, new createdThe creatures that were mine, I say, or changed’em,Or else new form’d’em; having both the keyOf officer and office, set all heartsi’ the state85To what tune pleased his ear; that now he wasThe ivy which had hid my princely trunk,And suck’d my verdure out on’t. Thou attend’st not.
Pros.Being once perfected how to grant suits,
80How to deny them,whom to advance, and whom
Totrashfor over-topping, new created
The creatures that were mine, I say, or changed’em,
Or else new form’d’em; having both the key
Of officer and office, set all heartsi’ the state
85To what tune pleased his ear; that now he was
The ivy which had hid my princely trunk,
And suck’d my verdure out on’t. Thou attend’st not.
Mir.O, good sir, I do.
Mir.O, good sir, I do.
Pros.I pray thee, mark me.I, thus neglecting worldly ends, alldedicated90To closeness and the bettering of my mindWith that which, but by beingsoretired,O’er-prized all popular rate, in my false brotherAwaked an evil nature; and my trust,Like a good parent, did beget of him95A falsehood in its contrary, as greatAs my trust was; which had indeed no limit,A confidence sans bound. He being thuslorded,Not only with what my revenue yielded,But what my power might elseexact, likeoneI. 2. 100Whohaving into truth, by telling of it,Made such a sinner of his memory,To credit his own lie, he did believeHe wasindeed the duke; out o’ the substitution,And executing the outward face of royalty,105With all prerogative:—hencehis ambition growing,—Dost thouhear?
Pros.
I pray thee, mark me.
I, thus neglecting worldly ends, alldedicated
90To closeness and the bettering of my mind
With that which, but by beingsoretired,
O’er-prized all popular rate, in my false brother
Awaked an evil nature; and my trust,
Like a good parent, did beget of him
95A falsehood in its contrary, as great
As my trust was; which had indeed no limit,
A confidence sans bound. He being thuslorded,
Not only with what my revenue yielded,
But what my power might elseexact, likeone
I. 2. 100Whohaving into truth, by telling of it,
Made such a sinner of his memory,
To credit his own lie, he did believe
He wasindeed the duke; out o’ the substitution,
And executing the outward face of royalty,
105With all prerogative:—hencehis ambition growing,—
Dost thouhear?
Mir.
Your tale, sir, would cure deafness.
Pros.To have no screen between this part he play’dAnd him he play’d it for, he needs will beAbsoluteMilan. Me, poor man, my library110Was dukedom large enough: of temporal royaltiesHe thinks me now incapable; confederates,So dry he was for sway,wi’ theKing of NaplesTo give him annual tribute, do him homage,Subject his coronet to his crown, and bend115The dukedom, yet unbow’d,—alas, poor Milan!—Tomostignoble stooping.
Pros.To have no screen between this part he play’d
And him he play’d it for, he needs will be
AbsoluteMilan. Me, poor man, my library
110Was dukedom large enough: of temporal royalties
He thinks me now incapable; confederates,
So dry he was for sway,wi’ theKing of Naples
To give him annual tribute, do him homage,
Subject his coronet to his crown, and bend
115The dukedom, yet unbow’d,—alas, poor Milan!—
Tomostignoble stooping.
Mir.
O the heavens!
Pros.Mark his condition, and th’ event; then tell meIf this might be a brother.
Pros.Mark his condition, and th’ event; then tell me
If this might be a brother.
Mir.I should sinTo thinkbutnobly of my grandmother:Good wombs have borne bad sons.
Mir.
I should sin
To thinkbutnobly of my grandmother:
Good wombs have borne bad sons.
Pros.120Now the condition.This King of Naples, being an enemyTo me inveterate,hearkensmy brother’s suit;Which was, that he, in lieu o’ the premises,Of homage and I know not how much tribute,I. 2. 125Should presently extirpate me and mineOut of the dukedom, and confer fair Milan,With all the honours, on my brother: whereon,A treacherous army levied, one midnightFatedto thepurpose, did Antonio open130The gates of Milan; and, i’ the dead of darkness,Theministersfor the purpose hurried thenceMe and thy crying self.
Pros.
120Now the condition.
This King of Naples, being an enemy
To me inveterate,hearkensmy brother’s suit;
Which was, that he, in lieu o’ the premises,
Of homage and I know not how much tribute,
I. 2. 125Should presently extirpate me and mine
Out of the dukedom, and confer fair Milan,
With all the honours, on my brother: whereon,
A treacherous army levied, one midnight
Fatedto thepurpose, did Antonio open
130The gates of Milan; and, i’ the dead of darkness,
Theministersfor the purpose hurried thence
Me and thy crying self.
Mir.Alack, for pity!I, not remembering how I criedoutthen,Will cry it o’er again: it is a hintThat wrings mine eyesto’t.
Mir.
Alack, for pity!
I, not remembering how I criedoutthen,
Will cry it o’er again: it is a hint
That wrings mine eyesto’t.
Pros.135Hear a little further,And then I’ll bring thee to the present businessWhich now’s upon ’s; without the which, this storyWere most impertinent.
Pros.
135Hear 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.
Mir.Whereforedid they notThat hour destroy us?
Mir.
Whereforedid they not
That hour destroy us?
Pros.Well demanded, wench:140My tale provokes that question. Dear, they durst not,So dear the love my people boreme; nor setA mark so bloody on the business; butWith colours fairer painted their foul ends.In few, they hurried us aboard a bark,145Bore us some leagues to sea; where they preparedA rotten carcass of aboat, not rigg’d,Nor tackle,sail, nor mast; the very ratsInstinctivelyhavequit it: there they hoist us,To cry to the sea that roar’d to us; to sighI. 2. 150Tothe winds, whose pity, sighing back again,Did us but loving wrong.
Pros.
Well demanded, wench:
140My tale provokes that question. Dear, they durst not,
So dear the love my people boreme; nor set
A mark so bloody on the business; but
With colours fairer painted their foul ends.
In few, they hurried us aboard a bark,
145Bore us some leagues to sea; where they prepared
A rotten carcass of aboat, not rigg’d,
Nor tackle,sail, nor mast; the very rats
Instinctivelyhavequit it: there they hoist us,
To cry to the sea that roar’d to us; to sigh
I. 2. 150Tothe winds, whose pity, sighing back again,
Did us but loving wrong.
Mir.Alack, what troubleWas I then to you!
Mir.
Alack, what trouble
Was I then to you!
Pros.O, a cherubinThou wast that did preserve me. Thou didst smile,Infused with a fortitude from heaven,155When I havedeck’dthe sea with drops full salt,Under my burthen groan’d; which raised in meAn undergoing stomach, to bear upAgainst what should ensue.
Pros.
O, a cherubin
Thou wast that did preserve me. Thou didst smile,
Infused with a fortitude from heaven,
155When I havedeck’dthe sea with drops full salt,
Under my burthen groan’d; which raised in me
An undergoing stomach, to bear up
Against what should ensue.
Mir.
How came we ashore?
Pros.By Providence divine.160Some food we had, and some fresh water, thatA noble Neapolitan, Gonzalo,Out of his charity,whobeing then appointedMaster of this design, did give us, withRich garments, linens, stuffs and necessaries,165Which since have steaded much; so, of his gentleness,Knowing I loved my books, he furnish’d meFrom mine own library with volumes thatI prize above my dukedom.
Pros.By Providence divine.
160Some food we had, and some fresh water, that
A noble Neapolitan, Gonzalo,
Out of his charity,whobeing then appointed
Master of this design, did give us, with
Rich garments, linens, stuffs and necessaries,
165Which since have steaded much; so, of his gentleness,
Knowing I loved my books, he furnish’d me
From mine own library with volumes that
I prize above my dukedom.
Mir.Would I mightBut ever see that man!
Mir.
Would I might
But ever see that man!
Pros.Now I arise:Resumes his mantle.170Sit still, and hear the last of our sea-sorrow.Here in this island we arrived; and hereHave I, thy schoolmaster, made thee more profitThan otherprincessescan, that have more timeFor vainer hours, and tutors not so careful.
Pros.
Now I arise:Resumes his mantle.
170Sit still, and hear the last of our sea-sorrow.
Here in this island we arrived; and here
Have I, thy schoolmaster, made thee more profit
Than otherprincessescan, that have more time
For vainer hours, and tutors not so careful.
I. 2. 175Mir.Heavens thank you for’t! And now, I pray you, sir,For still ’tis beating in my mind, your reasonFor raising this sea-storm?
I. 2. 175Mir.Heavens thank you for’t! And now, I pray you, sir,
For still ’tis beating in my mind, your reason
For raising this sea-storm?
Pros.Know thus far forth.By accident most strange, bountiful Fortune,Now my dear lady, hath mine enemies180Brought to this shore; and by my prescienceI find my zenith doth depend uponA most auspicious star, whose influenceIf now I court not, but omit, my fortunesWill ever after droop. Here cease more questions:185Thou art inclined to sleep; ’tis a good dulness,And give it way: I know thou canst not choose.Miranda sleeps.Come away, servant, come. I am ready now.Approach, my Ariel, come.
Pros.
Know thus far forth.
By accident most strange, bountiful Fortune,
Now my dear lady, hath mine enemies
180Brought to this shore; and by my prescience
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:
185Thou art inclined to sleep; ’tis a good dulness,
And give it way: I know thou canst not choose.Miranda sleeps.
Come away, servant, come. I am ready now.
Approach, my Ariel, come.
Ari.All hail, great master! grave sir, hail! I come190To answer thy best pleasure;be’tto fly,To swim, to dive into the fire, to rideOn the curl’d clouds, to thy strong bidding taskAriel and all hisquality.
Ari.All hail, great master! grave sir, hail! I come
190To answer thy best pleasure;be’tto fly,
To swim, to dive into the fire, to ride
On the curl’d clouds, to thy strong bidding task
Ariel and all hisquality.
Pros.Hast thou, spirit,Perform’d to point the tempest that I bade thee?
Pros.
Hast thou, spirit,
Perform’d to point the tempest that I bade thee?
195Ari.To every article.I boarded the king’s ship; now on the beak,Now in the waist, the deck, in every cabin,I flamed amazement:sometimeI’ld divide,And burn in many places; on the topmast,I. 2. 200The yards andbowsprit, would I flame distinctly,Then meet and join. Jove’slightnings, the precursorsO’ thedreadfulthunder-claps, more momentaryAnd sight-outrunning were not: the fire and cracksOf sulphurous roaring the most mighty Neptune205Seemto besiege, and make his bold waves tremble,Yea, hisdreadtrident shake.
195Ari.To every article.
I boarded the king’s ship; now on the beak,
Now in the waist, the deck, in every cabin,
I flamed amazement:sometimeI’ld divide,
And burn in many places; on the topmast,
I. 2. 200The yards andbowsprit, would I flame distinctly,
Then meet and join. Jove’slightnings, the precursors
O’ thedreadfulthunder-claps, more momentary
And sight-outrunning were not: the fire and cracks
Of sulphurous roaring the most mighty Neptune
205Seemto besiege, and make his bold waves tremble,
Yea, hisdreadtrident shake.
Pros.My bravespirit!Who was so firm, so constant, that this coilWould not infect his reason?
Pros.
My bravespirit!
Who was so firm, so constant, that this coil
Would not infect his reason?
Ari.Not a soulBut felt a fever of themad, and play’d210Some tricks of desperation. All but marinersPlunged in the foaming brine, and quitthe vessel,Then all afire with me: the king’s son, Ferdinand,With hair up-staring,—then like reeds, not hair,—Was the first man that leap’d; cried, “Hell is empty,And all the devils are here.”
Ari.
Not a soul
But felt a fever of themad, and play’d
210Some tricks of desperation. All but mariners
Plunged in the foaming brine, and quitthe vessel,
Then all afire with me: the king’s son, Ferdinand,
With hair up-staring,—then like reeds, not hair,—
Was the first man that leap’d; cried, “Hell is empty,
And all the devils are here.”
Pros.215Why, that’s my spirit!But was not this nigh shore?
Pros.
215Why, that’s my spirit!
But was not this nigh shore?
Ari.
Close by, my master.
Pros.But are they, Ariel, safe?
Pros.But are they, Ariel, safe?
Ari.Not a hair perish’d;On theirsustaininggarments not a blemish,But fresher than before: and, as thou badest me,220In troops I have dispersed them ’bout the isle.The king’s son have I landed by himself;Whom I left cooling of the air with sighsIn an odd angle of the isle, and sitting,His arms in this sad knot.
Ari.
Not a hair perish’d;
On theirsustaininggarments not a blemish,
But fresher than before: and, as thou badest me,
220In troops I have dispersed 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.
Pros.Of the king’s shipI. 2. 225The mariners, say how thou hast disposed,And all the rest o’ the fleet.
Pros.
Of the king’s ship
I. 2. 225The mariners, say how thou hast disposed,
And all the rest o’ the fleet.
Ari.Safely in harbourIs the king’s ship; in the deep nook, where onceThou call’dst me up at midnight to fetch dewFrom the still-vex’dBermoothes, there she’s hid:230The mariners all under hatches stow’d;Who, with a charm join’d to their suffer’d labour,I have left asleep: and for the rest o’ the fleet,Which I dispersed, they all have met again,Andareuponthe Mediterranean flote,235Bound sadly home for Naples;Supposing that they saw the king’s ship wreck’d,And his great person perish.
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-vex’dBermoothes, there she’s hid:
230The mariners all under hatches stow’d;
Who, with a charm join’d to their suffer’d labour,
I have left asleep: and for the rest o’ the fleet,
Which I dispersed, they all have met again,
Andareuponthe Mediterranean flote,
235Bound sadly home for Naples;
Supposing that they saw the king’s ship wreck’d,
And his great person perish.
Pros.Ariel, thy chargeExactly is perform’d: but there’s more work.What is the time o’ the day?
Pros.
Ariel, thy charge
Exactly is perform’d: but there’s more work.
What is the time o’ the day?
Ari.
Past the mid season.
240Pros.At least two glasses. The time ’twixt six and nowMust by us both be spent most preciously.
240Pros.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 promised,Which is not yet perform’d me.
Ari.Is there more toil? Since thou dost give me pains,
Let me remember thee what thou hast promised,
Which is not yet perform’d me.
Pros.How now? moody?Whatis’t thou canst demand?
Pros.
How now? moody?
Whatis’t thou canst demand?
Ari.245My liberty.
Ari.
245My liberty.
Pros.Before the time be out? no more!
Pros.Before the time be out? no more!
Ari.I prithee,Remember I have done thee worthy service;Told thee no lies,made theeno mistakings, servedWithout or grudge or grumblings: thoudidstpromiseTo bate me a full year.
Ari.
I prithee,
Remember I have done thee worthy service;
Told thee no lies,made theeno mistakings, served
Without or grudge or grumblings: thoudidstpromise
To bate me a full year.
Pros.I. 2. 250Dost thou forgetFrom what a torment I did free thee?
Pros.
I. 2. 250Dost thou forget
From what a torment I did free thee?
Ari.
No.
Pros.Thou dost; and think’st it much to tread the oozeOf the salt deep,To run upon the sharp wind of the north,255To do me business in the veins o’ the earthWhen it is baked with frost.
Pros.Thou dost; and think’st it much to tread the ooze
Of the salt deep,
To run upon the sharp wind of the north,
255To do me business in the veins o’ the earth
When it is baked with frost.
Ari.
I do not, sir.
Pros.Thou liest, malignant thing! Hast thou forgotThe foul witch Sycorax, who with age and envyWas grown into a hoop? hast thou forgot her?
Pros.Thou liest, 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.
Ari.No, sir.
Pros.260Thou hast. Where was she born? speak; tell me.
Pros.
260Thou hast. Where was she born? speak; tell me.
Ari.Sir, in Argier.
Ari.Sir, in Argier.
Pros.O, was she so? I mustOnce in a month recount what thou hast been,Which thou forget’st. This damn’d witch Sycorax,For mischiefs manifold,and sorceriesterrible265To enter human hearing, from Argier,Thou know’st, was banish’d: for one thing she didThey would not take her life.Is not this true?
Pros.
O, 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 sorceriesterrible
265To 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.
Ari.Ay, sir.
Pros.This blue-eyed hag was hither brought with child,270And here was left by the sailors. Thou, my slave,As thou report’st thyself,wast thenher servant;And, for thou wast a spirit too delicateTo act herearthyand abhorr’d commands,Refusing her grand hests, she did confine thee,I. 2. 275By help of her more potent ministers,And in her most unmitigable rage,Into a cloven pine; within which riftImprison’d thou didst painfully remainA dozen years; within which space she died,280And left thee there; where thou didst vent thy groansAs fast as mill-wheels strike. Then was this island—Save for thesonthatshedid litter here,A freckled whelp hag-born—not honour’d withA human shape.
Pros.This blue-eyed hag was hither brought with child,
270And here was left by the sailors. Thou, my slave,
As thou report’st thyself,wast thenher servant;
And, for thou wast a spirit too delicate
To act herearthyand abhorr’d commands,
Refusing her grand hests, she did confine thee,
I. 2. 275By 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 died,
280And left thee there; where thou didst vent thy groans
As fast as mill-wheels strike. Then was this island—
Save for thesonthatshedid litter here,
A freckled whelp hag-born—not honour’d with
A human shape.
Ari.
Yes, Caliban her son.
285Pros.Dull thing, I say so; he, that Caliban,Whom now I keep in service. Thou best know’stWhat torment I did find thee in; thy groansDid make wolves howl, and penetrate the breastsOf ever-angry bears: it was a torment290To lay upon the damn’d, which SycoraxCould not again undo: it was mine art,When I arrived and heard thee, that made gapeThe pine, and let thee out.
285Pros.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
290To lay upon the damn’d, which Sycorax
Could not again undo: it was mine art,
When I arrived and heard thee, that made gape
The pine, and let thee out.
Ari.
I thank thee, master.
Pros.If thou more murmur’st, I will rend an oak,295And peg thee in his knotty entrails, tillThou hast howl’d away twelve winters.
Pros.If thou more murmur’st, I will rend an oak,
295And peg thee in his knotty entrails, till
Thou hast howl’d away twelve winters.
Ari.Pardon, master:I will be correspondent to command,And do my spiriting gently.
Ari.
Pardon, master:
I will be correspondent to command,
And do my spiriting gently.
Pros.Do so; and after two daysI will discharge thee.
Pros.
Do so; and after two days
I will discharge thee.
Ari.That’s my noble master!I. 2. 300What shall I do? say what; what shall I do?
Ari.
That’s my noble master!
I. 2. 300What shall I do? say what; what shall I do?
Pros.Go make thyselflikea nymph o’ the sea:Be subject tono sight butthine and mine; invisibleTo every eyeball else. Go take this shape,And hither comein’t:go, hencewith diligence!Exit Ariel.305Awake, dear heart, awake! thou hast slept well;Awake!
Pros.Go make thyselflikea nymph o’ the sea:
Be subject tono sight butthine and mine; invisible
To every eyeball else. Go take this shape,
And hither comein’t:go, hencewith diligence!Exit Ariel.
305Awake, dear heart, awake! thou hast slept well;
Awake!
Mir.The strangeness of your story putHeavinessin me.
Mir.
The strangeness of your story put
Heavinessin me.