DRAMATIS PERSONAE
ALONSO, King of Naples
SEBASTIAN, his brother
PROSPERO, the right Duke of Milan
ANTONIO, his brother, the usurping Duke of Milan
FERDINAND, son to the King of Naples
GONZALO, an honest old counsellor
Lords
ADRIAN
FRANCISCO
CALIBAN, a savage and deformed slave
TRINCULO, a jester
STEPHANO, a drunken butler
MASTER OF A SHIP
BOATSWAIN
MARINERS
MIRANDA, daughter to Prospero
ARIEL, an airy spirit
Spirits
IRIS
CERES
JUNO
NYMPHS
REAPERS
Other Spirits attending on Prospero
SCENE: A ship at sea; afterwards an uninhabited island
THE TEMPEST ACT I. SCENE 1
On a ship at sea; a tempestuous noise of thunder
and lightning heard
Enter a SHIPMASTER and a BOATSWAIN
MASTER. Boatswain!
BOATSWAIN. Here, master; what cheer?
MASTER. Good! Speak to th' mariners; fall to't yarely, or we run ourselves
aground; bestir, bestir. Exit
Enter MARINERS
BOATSWAIN. Heigh, my hearts! cheerly, cheerly, my hearts! yare, yare! Take in
the topsail. Tend to th' master's whistle. Blow till thou burst thy wind, if
room enough.
Enter ALONSO, SEBASTIAN, ANTONIO, FERDINAND GONZALO, and OTHERS
ALONSO. Good boatswain, have care. Where's the master? Play the men.
BOATSWAIN. I pray now, keep below.
ANTONIO. Where is the master, boson?
BOATSWAIN. Do you not hear him? You mar our labour; keep your cabins; you do
assist the storm.
GONZALO. Nay, good, be patient.
BOATSWAIN. When the sea is. Hence! What cares these roarers for the name of
king? To cabin! silence! Trouble us not.
GONZALO. Good, yet remember whom thou hast aboard.
BOATSWAIN. None that I more love than myself. You are counsellor; 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
liv'd so long, and make yourself ready in your cabin for the mischance of the
hour, if it so hap.-Cheerly, good hearts!-Out of our way, I say. Exit
GONZALO. 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 doth little
advantage. If he be not born to be hang'd, our case is miserable.Exeunt
Re-enter BOATSWAIN
BOATSWAIN. Down with the topmast. Yare, lower, lower! Bring her to try wi' th'
maincourse. [A cry within] A plague upon this howling! They are louder than the
weather or our office.
Re-enter SEBASTIAN, ANTONIO, and GONZALO
Yet again! What do you here? Shall we give o'er, and drown? Have you a mind
to sink?
SEBASTIAN. A pox o' your throat, you bawling, blasphemous, incharitable dog!
BOATSWAIN. Work you, then.
ANTONIO. Hang, cur; hang, you whoreson, insolent noisemaker; we are less
afraid to be drown'd than thou art.
GONZALO. I'll warrant him for drowning, though the ship were no stronger than
a nutshell, and as leaky as an unstanched wench.
BOATSWAIN. Lay her a-hold, a-hold; set her two courses; off to sea again; lay
her off.
Enter MARINERS, Wet
MARINERS. All lost! to prayers, to prayers! all lost!
Exeunt
BOATSWAIN. What, must our mouths be cold?
GONZALO. The King and Prince at prayers! Let's assist them, For our case is
as theirs.
SEBASTIAN. I am out of patience.
ANTONIO. We are merely cheated of our lives by drunkards. This wide-chopp'd
rascal-would thou mightst lie drowning The washing of ten tides!
GONZALO. He'll be hang'd yet, Though every drop of water swear against it,
And gape at wid'st to glut him. [A confused noise within: Mercy on us! We split,
we split! Farewell, my wife and children! Farewell, brother! We split, we split,
we split!]
ANTONIO. Let's all sink wi' th' King.
SEBASTIAN. Let's take leave of him. Exeunt ANTONIO and SEBASTIAN
GONZALO. Now would I give a thousand furlongs of sea for an acre of barren
ground-long heath, brown furze, any thing. The wills above be done, but I would
fain die dry death.Exeunt
SCENE 2
The Island. Before PROSPERO'S cell
Enter PROSPERO and MIRANDA
MIRANDA. If by your art, my dearest father, you have Put the wild waters in
this roar, allay them. The sky, it seems, would pour down stinking pitch, But
that the sea, mounting to th' welkin's cheek, Dashes the fire out. O, I have
suffered With those that I saw suffer! A brave vessel, Who had no doubt some
noble creature in her, Dash'd all to pieces! O, the cry did knock Against my
very heart! Poor souls, they perish'd. Had 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 The fraughting souls within her.
PROSPERO. Be conected; No more amazement; tell your piteous heart There's no
harm done.
MIRANDA. O, woe the day!
PROSPERO. No 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 that I am more better Than Prospero, master of a full poor
cell, And thy no greater father.
MIRANDA. More to know Did never meddle with my thoughts.
PROSPERO. 'Tis time I should inform thee farther. Lend thy hand, And pluck my
magic garment from me. So,
[Lays down his mantle] Lie 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 such provision in mine art So safely ordered that there is
no soul- No, not so much perdition as an hair Betid to any creature in the
vessel Which thou heard'st cry, which thou saw'st sink. Sit down, for thou must
now know farther.
MIRANDA. You have often Begun to tell me what I am; but stopp'd, And left me
to a bootless inquisition, Concluding 'Stay; not yet.'
PROSPERO. The hour's now come; The very minute bids thee ope thine ear. Obey,
and be attentive. Canst thou remember A time before we came unto this cell? I do
not think thou canst; for then thou wast not Out three years old.
MIRANDA. Certainly, sir, I can.
PROSPERO. By what? By any other house, or person? Of any thing the image,
tell me, that Hath kept with thy remembrance?
MIRANDA. 'Tis far off, And rather like a dream than an assurance That my
remembrance warrants. Had I not Four, or five, women once, that tended me?
PROSPERO. Thou hadst, and more, Miranda. But how is it That this lives in thy
mind? What seest thou else In the dark backward and abysm of time? If thou
rememb'rest aught, ere thou cam'st here, How thou cam'st here thou mayst.
MIRANDA. But that I do not.
PROSPERO. Twelve year since, Miranda, twelve year since, Thy father was the
Duke of Milan, and A prince of power.
MIRANDA. Sir, are not you my father?
PROSPERO. 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.
MIRANDA. O, the heavens! What foul play had we that we came from thence? Or
blessed was't we did?
PROSPERO. Both, both, my girl. By foul play, as thou say'st, were we heav'd
thence; But blessedly holp hither.
MIRANDA. O, my heart bleeds To think o' th' teen that I have turn'd you to,
Which is from my remembrance. Please you, farther.
PROSPERO. 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
lov'd, and to him put The 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-
The government I cast upon my brother And to my state grew stranger, being
transported And rapt in secret studies. Thy false uncle- Dost thou attend me?
MIRANDA. Sir, most heedfully.
PROSPERO. Being once perfected how to grant suits, How to deny them, who t'
advance, and who To trash for over-topping, new created The creatures that were
mine, I say, or chang'd 'em, Or else new form'd 'em; having both the key Of
officer and office, set all hearts i' th' state To what tune pleas'd 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.
MIRANDA. O, good sir, I do!
PROSPERO. I pray thee, mark me. I thus neglecting worldly ends, all dedicated
To closeness and the bettering of my mind With that which, but by being so
retir'd, O'er-priz'd all popular rate, in my false brother Awak'd an evil
nature; and my trust, Like a good parent, did beget of him A falsehood, in its
contrary as great As my trust was; which had indeed no limit, A confidence sans
bound. He being thus lorded, Not only with what my revenue yielded, But what my
power might else exact, like one Who having into truth, by telling of it, Made
such a sinner of his memory, To credit his own lie-he did believe He was indeed
the Duke; out o' th' substitution, And executing th' outward face of royalty
With all prerogative. Hence his ambition growing- Dost thou hear?
MIRANDA. Your tale, sir, would cure deafness.
PROSPERO. To have no screen between this part he play'd And him he play'd it
for, he needs will be Absolute Milan. Me, poor man-my library Was dukedom large
enough-of temporal royalties He thinks me now incapable; confederates, So dry he
was for sway, wi' th' King of Naples, To give him annual tribute, do him homage,
Subject his coronet to his crown, and bend The dukedom, yet unbow'd-alas, poor
Milan!- To most ignoble stooping.
MIRANDA. O the heavens!
PROSPERO. Mark his condition, and th' event, then tell me If this might be a
brother.
MIRANDA. I should sin To think but nobly of my grandmother: Good wombs have
borne bad sons.
PROSPERO. Now the condition: This King of Naples, being an enemy To me
inveterate, hearkens my brother's suit; Which was, that he, in lieu o' th'
premises, Of homage, and I know not how much tribute, Should 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 Fated to th' purpose,
did Antonio open The gates of Milan; and, i' th' dead of darkness, The ministers
for th' purpose hurried thence Me and thy crying self.
MIRANDA. Alack, for pity! I, not rememb'ring how I cried out then, Will cry
it o'er again; it is a hint That wrings mine eyes to't.
PROSPERO. Hear a little further, And then I'll bring thee to the present
busines Which now's upon 's; without the which this story Were most impertinent.
MIRANDA. Wherefore did they not That hour destroy us?
PROSPERO. Well demanded, wench! My tale provokes that question. Dear, they
durst not, So dear the love my people bore me; 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; Bore us some leagues to sea, where they prepared A rotten
carcass of a butt, not rigg'd, Nor tackle, sail, nor mast; the very rats
Instinctively have quit it. There they hoist us, To cry to th' sea, that roar'd
to us; to sigh To th' winds, whose pity, sighing back again, Did us but loving
wrong.
MIRANDA. Alack, what trouble Was I then to you!
PROSPERO. O, a cherubin Thou wast that did preserve me! Thou didst smile,
Infused with a fortitude from heaven, When I have deck'd the sea with drops full
salt, Under my burden groan'd; which rais'd in me An undergoing stomach, to bear
up Against what should ensue.
MIRANDA. How came we ashore?
PROSPERO. By Providence divine. Some food we had and some fresh water that A
noble Neapolitan, Gonzalo, Out of his charity, who being then appointed Master
of this design, did give us, with Rich garments, linens, stuffs, and
necessaries, Which since have steaded much; so, of his gentleness, Knowing I
lov'd my books, he furnish'd me From mine own library with volumes that I prize
above my dukedom.
MIRANDA. Would I might But ever see that man!
PROSPERO. Now I arise.[Puts on his mantle] Sit still, and hear the last of
our sea-sorrow. Here in this island we arriv'd; and here Have I, thy
schoolmaster, made thee more profit Than other princess' can, that have more
time For vainer hours, and tutors not so careful.
MIRANDA. 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?
PROSPERO. Know thus far forth: By accident most strange, bountiful Fortune,
Now my dear lady, hath mine enemies Brought 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; Thou art inclin'd to sleep; 'tis a good dullness, And give it way. I
know thou canst not choose. [MIRANDA sleeps] Come away, servant; come; I am
ready now. Approach, my Ariel. Come.
Enter ARIEL
ARIEL. All hail, great master! grave sir, hail! I come To answer thy best
pleasure; be't to fly, To swim, to dive into the fire, to ride On the curl'd
clouds. To thy strong bidding task Ariel and all his quality.
PROSPERO. Hast thou, spirit, Perform'd to point the tempest that I bade thee?
ARIEL. To every article. I boarded the King's ship; now on the beak, Now in
the waist, the deck, in every cabin, I flam'd amazement. Sometime I'd divide,
And burn in many places; on the topmast, The yards, and bowsprit, would I flame
distinctly, Then meet and join Jove's lightning, the precursors O' th' dreadful
thunder-claps, more momentary And sight-outrunning were not; the fire and cracks
Of sulphurous roaring the most mighty Neptune Seem to besiege, and make his bold
waves tremble, Yea, his dread trident shake.
PROSPERO. My brave spirit! Who was so firm, so constant, that this coil Would
not infect his reason?
ARIEL. Not a soul But felt a fever of the mad, and play'd Some tricks of
desperation. All but mariners Plung'd in the foaming brine, and quit the 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 leapt; cried 'Hell is empty, And
all the devils are here.'
PROSPERO. Why, that's my spirit! But was not this nigh shore?
ARIEL. Close by, my master.
PROSPERO. But are they, Ariel, safe?
ARIEL. Not a hair perish'd; On their sustaining garments not a blemish, But
fresher than before; and, as thou bad'st me, In troops I have dispers'd 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.
PROSPERO. Of the King's ship, The mariners, say how thou hast dispos'd, And
all the rest o' th' fleet?
ARIEL. 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'd Bermoothes,
there she's hid; The mariners all under hatches stowed, Who, with a charm join'd
to their suff'red labour, I have left asleep; and for the rest o' th' fleet,
Which I dispers'd, they all have met again, And are upon the Mediterranean flote
Bound sadly home for Naples, Supposing that they saw the King's ship wreck'd,
And his great person perish.
PROSPERO. Ariel, thy charge Exactly is perform'd; but there's more work. What
is the time o' th' day?
ARIEL. Past the mid season.
PROSPERO. At least two glasses. The time 'twixt six and now Must by us both
be spent most preciously.
ARIEL. Is there more toil? Since thou dost give me pains, Let me remember
thee what thou hast promis'd, Which is not yet perform'd me.
PROSPERO. How now, moody? What is't thou canst demand?
ARIEL. My liberty.
PROSPERO. Before the time be out? No more!
ARIEL. I prithee, Remember I have done thee worthy service, Told thee no
lies, made thee no mistakings, serv'd Without or grudge or grumblings. Thou
didst promise To bate me a full year.
PROSPERO. Dost thou forget From what a torment I did free thee?
ARIEL. No.
PROSPERO. Thou dost; and think'st it much to tread the ooze Of the salt deep,
To run upon the sharp wind of the north, To do me business in the veins o' th'
earth When it is bak'd with frost.
ARIEL. I do not, sir.
PROSPERO. 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?
ARIEL. No, sir.
PROSPERO. Thou hast. Where was she born? Speak; tell me.
ARIEL. Sir, in Argier.
PROSPERO. 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
sorceries terrible To 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?
ARIEL. Ay, sir.
PROSPERO. This blue-ey'd hag was hither brought with child, And here was left
by th'sailors. Thou, my slave, As thou report'st thyself, wast then her servant;
And, for thou wast a spirit too delicate To act her earthy and abhorr'd
commands, Refusing her grand hests, she did confine thee, By 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, And left thee there, where thou didst vent thy groans As fast as
mill-wheels strike. Then was this island- Save for the son that she did litter
here, A freckl'd whelp, hag-born-not honour'd with A human shape.
ARIEL. Yes, Caliban her son.
PROSPERO. 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 To lay
upon the damn'd, which Sycorax Could not again undo. It was mine art, When I
arriv'd and heard thee, that made gape The pine, and let thee out.
ARIEL. I thank thee, master.
PROSPERO. If thou more murmur'st, I will rend an oak And peg thee in his
knotty entrails, till Thou hast howl'd away twelve winters.
ARIEL. Pardon, master; I will be correspondent to command, And do my spriting
gently.
PROSPERO. Do so; and after two days I will discharge thee.
ARIEL. That's my noble master! What shall I do? Say what. What shall I do?
PROSPERO. Go make thyself like a nymph o' th' sea; be subject To no sight but
thine and mine, invisible To every eyeball else. Go take this shape, And hither
come in 't. Go, hence with diligence!
Exit ARIEL Awake, dear heart, awake; thou hast slept well; Awake.
MIRANDA. The strangeness of your story put Heaviness in me.
PROSPERO. Shake it off. Come on, We'll visit Caliban, my slave, who never
Yields us kind answer.
MIRANDA. 'Tis a villain, sir, I do not love to look on.
PROSPERO. But as 'tis, We cannot miss him: he does make our fire, Fetch in
our wood, and serves in offices That profit us. What ho! slave! Caliban! Thou
earth, thou! Speak.
CALIBAN. [ Within] There's wood enough within.
PROSPERO. Come forth, I say; there's other business for thee. Come, thou
tortoise! when?
Re-enter ARIEL like a water-nymph
Fine apparition! My quaint Ariel, Hark in thine ear.
ARIEL. My lord, it shall be done. Exit
PROSPERO. Thou poisonous slave, got by the devil himself Upon thy wicked dam,
come forth!
Enter CALIBAN
CALIBAN. As wicked dew as e'er my mother brush'd With raven's feather from
unwholesome fen Drop on you both! A south-west blow on ye And blister you all
o'er!
PROSPERO. For this, be sure, to-night thou shalt have cramps, Side-stitches
that shall pen thy breath up; urchins Shall, for that vast of night that they
may work, All exercise on thee; thou shalt be pinch'd As thick as honeycomb,
each pinch more stinging Than bees that made 'em.
CALIBAN. I must eat my dinner. This island's mine, by Sycorax my mother,
Which thou tak'st from me. When thou cam'st first, Thou strok'st me and made
much of me, wouldst give me Water with berries in't, and teach me how To name
the bigger light, and how the less, That burn by day and night; and then I lov'd
thee, And show'd thee all the qualities o' th' isle, The fresh springs,
brine-pits, barren place and fertile. Curs'd be I that did so! All the charms Of
Sycorax, toads, beetles, bats, light on you! For I am all the subjects that you
have, Which first was mine own king; and here you sty me In this hard rock,
whiles you do keep from me The rest o' th' island.
PROSPERO. Thou most lying slave, Whom stripes may move, not kindness! I have
us'd thee, Filth as thou art, with human care, and lodg'd thee In mine own cell,
till thou didst seek to violate The honour of my child.
CALIBAN. O ho, O ho! Would't had been done. Thou didst prevent me; I had
peopl'd else This isle with Calibans.
MIRANDA. Abhorred slave, Which any print of goodness wilt not take, Being
capable of all ill! I pitied thee, Took pains to make thee speak, taught thee
each hour One thing or other. When thou didst not, savage, Know thine own
meaning, but wouldst gabble like A thing most brutish, I endow'd thy purposes
With words that made them known. But thy vile race, Though thou didst learn, had
that in't which good natures Could not abide to be with; therefore wast thou
Deservedly confin'd into this rock, who hadst Deserv'd more than a prison.
CALIBAN. You taught me language, and my profit on't Is, I know how to curse.
The red plague rid you For learning me your language!
PROSPERO. Hag-seed, hence! Fetch us in fuel. And be quick, thou 'rt best, To
answer other business. Shrug'st thou, malice? If thou neglect'st, or dost
unwillingly What I command, I'll rack thee with old cramps, Fill all thy bones
with aches, make thee roar, That beasts shall tremble at thy din.
CALIBAN. No, pray thee. [Aside] I must obey. His art is of such pow'r, It
would control my dam's god, Setebos, And make a vassal of him.
PROSPERO. So, slave; hence! Exit CALIBAN
Re-enter ARIEL invisible, playing ad singing; FERDINAND following
ARIEL'S SONG. Come unto these yellow sands,
And then take hands; Curtsied when you have and kiss'd,
The wild waves whist, Foot it featly here and there, And, sweet sprites, the
burden bear.
Hark, hark! [Burden dispersedly: Bow-wow.]
The watch dogs bark. [Burden dispersedly: Bow-wow.]
Hark, hark! I hear The strain of strutting chanticleer
Cry, Cock-a-diddle-dow.
FERDINAND. Where should this music be? I' th' air or th' earth? It sounds no
more; and sure it waits upon Some god o' th' island. Sitting on a bank, Weeping
again the King my father's wreck, This music crept by me upon the waters,
Allaying both their fury and my passion With its sweet air; thence I have
follow'd it, Or it hath drawn me rather. But 'tis gone. No, it begins again.
ARIEL'S SONG Full fathom five thy father lies;
Of his bones are coral made; Those are pearls that were his eyes;
Nothing of him that doth fade But doth suffer a sea-change Into something
rich and strange. Sea-nymphs hourly ring his knell:
[Burden: Ding-dong.] Hark! now I hear them-Ding-dong bell.
FERDINAND. The ditty does remember my drown'd father. This is no mortal
business, nor no sound That the earth owes. I hear it now above me.
PROSPERO. The fringed curtains of thine eye advance, And say what thou seest
yond.
MIRANDA. What is't? a spirit? Lord, how it looks about! Believe me, sir, It
carries a brave form. But 'tis a spirit.
PROSPERO. No, wench; it eats and sleeps and hath such senses As we have,
such. This gallant which thou seest Was in the wreck; and but he's something
stain'd With grief, that's beauty's canker, thou mightst call him A goodly
person. He hath lost his fellows, And strays about to find 'em.
MIRANDA. I might call him A thing divine; for nothing natural I ever saw so
noble.
PROSPERO. [Aside] It goes on, I see, As my soul prompts it. Spirit, fine
spirit! I'll free thee Within two days for this.
FERDINAND. Most sure, the goddess On whom these airs attend! Vouchsafe my
pray'r May know if you remain upon this island; And that you will some good
instruction give How I may bear me here. My prime request, Which I do last
pronounce, is, O you wonder! If you be maid or no?
MIRANDA. No wonder, sir; But certainly a maid.
FERDINAND. My language? Heavens! I am the best of them that speak this
speech, Were I but where 'tis spoken.
PROSPERO. How? the best? What wert thou, if the King of Naples heard thee?
FERDINAND. A single thing, as I am now, that wonders To hear thee speak of
Naples. He does hear me; And that he does I weep. Myself am Naples, Who with
mine eyes, never since at ebb, beheld The King my father wreck'd.
MIRANDA. Alack, for mercy!
FERDINAND. Yes, faith, and all his lords, the Duke of Milan And his brave son
being twain.
PROSPERO. [Aside] The Duke of Milan And his more braver daughter could
control thee, If now 'twere fit to do't. At the first sight They have chang'd
eyes. Delicate Ariel, I'll set thee free for this. [To FERDINAND] A word, good
sir; I fear you have done yourself some wrong; a word.
MIRANDA. Why speaks my father so ungently? This Is the third man that e'er I
saw; the first That e'er I sigh'd for. Pity move my father To be inclin'd my
way!
FERDINAND. O, if a virgin, And your affection not gone forth, I'll make you
The Queen of Naples.
PROSPERO. Soft, Sir! one word more. [Aside] They are both in either's pow'rs;
but this swift busines I must uneasy make, lest too light winning Make the prize
light. [To FERDINAND] One word more; I charge thee That thou attend me; thou
dost here usurp The name thou ow'st not; and hast put thyself Upon this island
as a spy, to win it From me, the lord on't.
FERDINAND. No, as I am a man.
MIRANDA. There's nothing ill can dwell in such a temple. If the ill spirit
have so fair a house, Good things will strive to dwell with't.
PROSPERO. Follow me. Speak not you for him; he's a traitor. Come; I'll
manacle thy neck and feet together. Sea-water shalt thou drink; thy food shall
be The fresh-brook mussels, wither'd roots, and husks Wherein the acorn cradled.
Follow.
FERDINAND. No; I will resist such entertainment till Mine enemy has more
power.
[He draws, and is charmed from moving]
MIRANDA. O dear father, Make not too rash a trial of him, for He's gentle,
and not fearful.
PROSPERO. What, I say, My foot my tutor? Put thy sword up, traitor; Who
mak'st a show but dar'st not strike, thy conscience Is so possess'd with guilt.
Come from thy ward; For I can here disarm thee with this stick And make thy
weapon drop.
MIRANDA. Beseech you, father!
PROSPERO. Hence! Hang not on my garments.
MIRANDA. Sir, have pity; I'll be his surety.
PROSPERO. Silence! One word more Shall make me chide thee, if not hate thee.
What! An advocate for an impostor! hush! Thou think'st there is no more such
shapes as he, Having seen but him and Caliban. Foolish wench! To th' most of men
this is a Caliban, And they to him are angels.
MIRANDA. My affections Are then most humble; I have no ambition To see a
goodlier man.
PROSPERO. Come on; obey. Thy nerves are in their infancy again, And have no
vigour in them.
FERDINAND. So they are; My spirits, as in a dream, are all bound up. My
father's loss, the weakness which I feel, The wreck of all my friends, nor this
man's threats To whom I am subdu'd, are but light to me, Might I but through my
prison once a day Behold this maid. All corners else o' th' earth Let liberty
make use of; space enough Have I in such a prison.
PROSPERO. [Aside] It works. [To FERDINAND] Come on.- Thou hast done well,
fine Ariel! [To FERDINAND] Follow me. [To ARIEL] Hark what thou else shalt do
me.
MIRANDA. Be of comfort; My father's of a better nature, sir, Than he appears
by speech; this is unwonted Which now came from him.
PROSPERO. [To ARIEL] Thou shalt be as free As mountain winds; but then
exactly do All points of my command.
ARIEL. To th' syllable.
PROSPERO. [To FERDINAND] Come, follow. [To MIRANDA] Speak not for him.Exeunt
ACT II. SCENE 1
Another part of the island Enter ALONSO, SEBASTIAN, ANTONIO, GONZALO, ADRIAN,
FRANCISCO, and OTHERS
GONZALO. Beseech you, sir, be merry; you have cause, So have we all, of joy;
for our escape Is much beyond our loss. Our hint of woe Is common; every day,
some sailor's wife, The masters of some merchant, and the merchant, Have just
our theme of woe; but for the miracle, I mean our preservation, few in millions
Can speak like us. Then wisely, good sir, weigh Our sorrow with our comfort.
ALONSO. Prithee, peace.
SEBASTIAN. He receives comfort like cold porridge.
ANTONIO. The visitor will not give him o'er so.
SEBASTIAN. Look, he's winding up the watch of his wit; by and by it will
strike.
GONZALO. Sir-
SEBASTIAN. One-Tell.
GONZALO. When every grief is entertain'd that's offer'd, Comes to th'
entertainer-
SEBASTIAN. A dollar.
GONZALO. Dolour comes to him, indeed; you have spoken truer than you
purpos'd.
SEBASTIAN. You have taken it wiselier than I meant you should.
GONZALO. Therefore, my lord-
ANTONIO. Fie, what a spendthrift is he of his tongue!
ALONSO. I prithee, spare.
GONZALO. Well, I have done; but yet-
SEBASTIAN. He will be talking.
ANTONIO. Which, of he or Adrian, for a good wager, first begins to crow?
SEBASTIAN. The old cock.
ANTONIO. The cock'rel.
SEBASTIAN. Done. The wager?
ANTONIO. A laughter.
SEBASTIAN. A match!
ADRIAN. Though this island seem to be desert-
ANTONIO. Ha, ha, ha!
SEBASTIAN. So, you're paid.
ADRIAN. Uninhabitable, and almost inaccessible-
SEBASTIAN. Yet-
ADRIAN. Yet-
ANTONIO. He could not miss't.
ADRIAN. It must needs be of subtle, tender, and delicate temperance.
ANTONIO. Temperance was a delicate wench.
SEBASTIAN. Ay, and a subtle; as he most learnedly deliver'd.
ADRIAN. The air breathes upon us here most sweetly.
SEBASTIAN. As if it had lungs, and rotten ones.
ANTONIO. Or, as 'twere perfum'd by a fen.
GONZALO. Here is everything advantageous to life.
ANTONIO. True; save means to live.
SEBASTIAN. Of that there's none, or little.
GONZALO. How lush and lusty the grass looks! how green!
ANTONIO. The ground indeed is tawny.
SEBASTIAN. With an eye of green in't.
ANTONIO. He misses not much.
SEBASTIAN. No; he doth but mistake the truth totally.
GONZALO. But the rarity of it is, which is indeed almost beyond credit-
SEBASTIAN. As many vouch'd rarities are.
GONZALO. That our garments, being, as they were, drench'd in the sea, hold,
notwithstanding, their freshness and glosses, being rather new-dy'd, than
stain'd with salt water.
ANTONIO. If but one of his pockets could speak, would it not say he lies?
SEBASTIAN. Ay, or very falsely pocket up his report.
GONZALO. Methinks our garments are now as fresh as when we put them on first
in Afric, at the marriage of the King's fair daughter Claribel to the King of
Tunis.
SEBASTIAN. 'Twas a sweet marriage, and we prosper well in our return.
ADRIAN. Tunis was never grac'd before with such a paragon to their queen.
GONZALO. Not since widow Dido's time.
ANTONIO. Widow! a pox o' that! How came that 'widow' in? Widow Dido!
SEBASTIAN. What if he had said 'widower Aeneas' too? Good Lord, how you take
it!
ADRIAN. 'Widow Dido' said you? You make me study of that. She was of
Carthage, not of Tunis.
GONZALO. This Tunis, sir, was Carthage.
ADRIAN. Carthage?
GONZALO. I assure you, Carthage.
ANTONIO. His word is more than the miraculous harp.
SEBASTIAN. He hath rais'd the wall, and houses too.
ANTONIO. What impossible matter will he make easy next?
SEBASTIAN. I think he will carry this island home in his pocket, and give it
his son for an apple.
ANTONIO. And, sowing the kernels of it in the sea, bring forth more islands.
GONZALO. Ay.
ANTONIO. Why, in good time.
GONZALO. Sir, we were talking that our garments seem now as fresh as when we
were at Tunis at the marriage of your daughter, who is now Queen.
ANTONIO. And the rarest that e'er came there.
SEBASTIAN. Bate, I beseech you, widow Dido.
ANTONIO. O, widow Dido! Ay, widow Dido.
GONZALO. Is not, sir, my doublet as fresh as the first day I wore it? I mean,
in a sort.
ANTONIO. That 'sort' was well fish'd for.
GONZALO. When I wore it at your daughter's marriage?
ALONSO. You cram these words into mine ears against The stomach of my sense.
Would I had never Married my daughter there; for, coming thence, My son is lost;
and, in my rate, she too, Who is so far from Italy removed I ne'er again shall
see her. O thou mine heir Of Naples and of Milan, what strange fish Hath made
his meal on thee?
FRANCISCO. Sir, he may live; I saw him beat the surges under him, And ride
upon their backs; he trod the water, Whose enmity he flung aside, and breasted
The surge most swoln that met him; his bold head 'Bove the contentious waves he
kept, and oared Himself with his good arms in lusty stroke To th' shore, that
o'er his wave-worn basis bowed, As stooping to relieve him. I not doubt He came
alive to land.
ALONSO. No, no, he's gone.
SEBASTIAN. Sir, you may thank yourself for this great loss, That would not
bless our Europe with your daughter, But rather lose her to an African; Where
she, at least, is banish'd from your eye, Who hath cause to wet the grief on't.
ALONSO. Prithee, peace.
SEBASTIAN. You were kneel'd to, and importun'd otherwise By all of us; and
the fair soul herself Weigh'd between loathness and obedience at Which end o'
th' beam should bow. We have lost your son, I fear, for ever. Milan and Naples
have Moe widows in them of this business' making, Than we bring men to comfort
them; The fault's your own.
ALONSO. So is the dear'st o' th' loss.
GONZALO. My lord Sebastian, The truth you speak doth lack some gentleness,
And time to speak it in; you rub the sore, When you should bring the plaster.
SEBASTIAN. Very well.
ANTONIO. And most chirurgeonly.
GONZALO. It is foul weather in us all, good sir, When you are cloudy.
SEBASTIAN. Foul weather?
ANTONIO. Very foul.
GONZALO. Had I plantation of this isle, my lord-
ANTONIO. He'd sow 't with nettle-seed.
SEBASTIAN. Or docks, or mallows.
GONZALO. And were the king on't, what would I do?
SEBASTIAN. Scape being drunk for want of wine.
GONZALO. I' th' commonwealth I would by contraries Execute all things; for no
kind of traffic Would I admit; no name of magistrate; Letters should not be
known; riches, poverty, And use of service, none; contract, succession, Bourn,
bound of land, tilth, vineyard, none; No use of metal, corn, or wine, or oil; No
occupation; all men idle, all; And women too, but innocent and pure; No
sovereignty-
SEBASTIAN. Yet he would be king on't.
ANTONIO. The latter end of his commonwealth forgets the beginning.
GONZALO. All things in common nature should produce Without sweat or
endeavour. Treason, felony, Sword, pike, knife, gun, or need of any engine,
Would I not have; but nature should bring forth, Of it own kind, all foison, all
abundance, To feed my innocent people.
SEBASTIAN. No marrying 'mong his subjects?
ANTONIO. None, man; all idle; whores and knaves.
GONZALO. I would with such perfection govern, sir, T' excel the golden age.
SEBASTIAN. Save his Majesty!
ANTONIO. Long live Gonzalo!
GONZALO. And-do you mark me, sir?
ALONSO. Prithee, no more; thou dost talk nothing to me.
GONZALO. I do well believe your Highness; and did it to minister occasion to
these gentlemen, who are of such sensible and nimble lungs that they always use
to laugh at nothing.
ANTONIO. 'Twas you we laugh'd at.
GONZALO. Who in this kind of merry fooling am nothing to you; so you may
continue, and laugh at nothing still.
ANTONIO. What a blow was there given!
SEBASTIAN. An it had not fall'n flat-long.
GONZALO. You are gentlemen of brave mettle; you would lift the moon out of
her sphere, if she would continue in it five weeks without changing.
Enter ARIEL, invisible, playing solemn music
SEBASTIAN. We would so, and then go a-bat-fowling.
ANTONIO. Nay, good my lord, be not angry.
GONZALO. No, I warrant you; I will not adventure my discretion so weakly.
Will you laugh me asleep, for I am very heavy?
ANTONIO. Go sleep, and hear us.
[All sleep but ALONSO, SEBASTIAN and ANTONIO]
ALONSO. What, all so soon asleep! I wish mine eyes Would, with themselves,
shut up my thoughts; I find They are inclin'd to do so.
SEBASTIAN. Please you, sir, Do not omit the heavy offer of it: It seldom
visits sorrow; when it doth, It is a comforter.
ANTONIO. We two, my lord, Will guard your person while you take your rest,
And watch your safety.
ALONSO. Thank you-wondrous heavy! [ALONSO sleeps. Exit ARIEL]
SEBASTIAN. What a strange drowsiness possesses them!
ANTONIO. It is the quality o' th' climate.
SEBASTIAN. Why Doth it not then our eyelids sink? I find not Myself dispos'd
to sleep.
ANTONIO. Nor I; my spirits are nimble. They fell together all, as by consent;
They dropp'd, as by a thunder-stroke. What might, Worthy Sebastian? O, what
might! No more! And yet methinks I see it in thy face, What thou shouldst be;
th' occasion speaks thee; and My strong imagination sees a crown Dropping upon
thy head.
SEBASTIAN. What, art thou waking?
ANTONIO. Do you not hear me speak?
SEBASTIAN. I do; and surely It is a sleepy language, and thou speak'st Out of
thy sleep. What is it thou didst say? This is a strange repose, to be asleep
With eyes wide open; standing, speaking, moving, And yet so fast asleep.
ANTONIO. Noble Sebastian, Thou let'st thy fortune sleep-die rather; wink'st
Whiles thou art waking.
SEBASTIAN. Thou dost snore distinctly; There's meaning in thy snores.
ANTONIO. I am more serious than my custom; you Must be so too, if heed me;
which to do Trebles thee o'er.
SEBASTIAN. Well, I am standing water.
ANTONIO. I'll teach you how to flow.
SEBASTIAN. Do so: to ebb, Hereditary sloth instructs me.
ANTONIO. O, If you but knew how you the purpose cherish, Whiles thus you mock
it! how, in stripping it, You more invest it! Ebbing men indeed, Most often, do
so near the bottom run By their own fear or sloth.
SEBASTIAN. Prithee say on. The setting of thine eye and cheek proclaim A
matter from thee; and a birth, indeed, Which throes thee much to yield.
ANTONIO. Thus, sir: Although this lord of weak remembrance, this Who shall be
of as little memory When he is earth'd, hath here almost persuaded- For he's a
spirit of persuasion, only Professes to persuade-the King his son's alive, 'Tis
as impossible that he's undrown'd As he that sleeps here swims.
SEBASTIAN. I have no hope That he's undrown'd.
ANTONIO. O, out of that 'no hope' What great hope have you! No hope that way
is Another way so high a hope, that even Ambition cannot pierce a wink beyond,
But doubt discovery there. Will you grant with me That Ferdinand is drown'd?
SEBASTIAN. He's gone.
ANTONIO. Then tell me, Who's the next heir of Naples?
SEBASTIAN. Claribel.
ANTONIO. She that is Queen of Tunis; she that dwells Ten leagues beyond man's
life; she that from Naples Can have no note, unless the sun were post, The Man
i' th' Moon's too slow, till newborn chins Be rough and razorable; she that from
whom We all were sea-swallow'd, though some cast again, And by that destiny, to
perform an act Whereof what's past is prologue, what to come In yours and my
discharge.
SEBASTIAN. What stuff is this! How say you? 'Tis true, my brother's
daughter's Queen of Tunis; So is she heir of Naples; 'twixt which regions There
is some space.
ANTONIO. A space whose ev'ry cubit Seems to cry out 'How shall that Claribel
Measure us back to Naples? Keep in Tunis, And let Sebastian wake.' Say this were
death That now hath seiz'd them; why, they were no worse Than now they are.
There be that can rule Naples As well as he that sleeps; lords that can prate As
amply and unnecessarily As this Gonzalo; I myself could make A chough of as deep
chat. O, that you bore The mind that I do! What a sleep were this For your
advancement! Do you understand me?
SEBASTIAN. Methinks I do.
ANTONIO. And how does your content Tender your own good fortune?
SEBASTIAN. I remember You did supplant your brother Prospero.
ANTONIO. True. And look how well my garments sit upon me, Much feater than
before. My brother's servants Were then my fellows; now they are my men.
SEBASTIAN. But, for your conscience-
ANTONIO. Ay, sir; where lies that? If 'twere a kibe, 'Twould put me to my
slipper; but I feel not This deity in my bosom; twenty consciences That stand
'twixt me and Milan, candied be they And melt, ere they molest! Here lies your
brother, No better than the earth he lies upon, If he were that which now he's
like-that's dead; Whom I with this obedient steel, three inches of it, Can lay
to bed for ever; whiles you, doing thus, To the perpetual wink for aye might put
This ancient morsel, this Sir Prudence, who Should not upbraid our course. For
all the rest, They'll take suggestion as a cat laps milk; They'll tell the clock
to any business that We say befits the hour.
SEBASTIAN. Thy case, dear friend, Shall be my precedent; as thou got'st
Milan, I'll come by Naples. Draw thy sword. One stroke Shall free thee from the
tribute which thou payest; And I the King shall love thee.
ANTONIO. Draw together; And when I rear my hand, do you the like, To fall it
on Gonzalo.
SEBASTIAN. O, but one word. [They talk apart]
Re-enter ARIEL, invisible, with music and song
ARIEL. My master through his art foresees the danger That you, his friend,
are in; and sends me forth- For else his project dies-to keep them living.
[Sings in GONZALO'S ear] While you here do snoring lie, Open-ey'd conspiracy His
time doth take. If of life you keep a care, Shake off slumber, and beware.
Awake, awake!
ANTONIO. Then let us both be sudden.
GONZALO. Now, good angels Preserve the King! [They wake]
ALONSO. Why, how now?-Ho, awake!-Why are you drawn? Wherefore this ghastly
looking?
GONZALO. What's the matter?
SEBASTIAN. Whiles we stood here securing your repose, Even now, we heard a
hollow burst of bellowing Like bulls, or rather lions; did't not wake you? It
struck mine ear most terribly.
ALONSO. I heard nothing.
ANTONIO. O, 'twas a din to fright a monster's ear, To make an earthquake!
Sure it was the roar Of a whole herd of lions.
ALONSO. Heard you this, Gonzalo?
GONZALO. Upon mine honour, sir, I heard a humming, And that a strange one
too, which did awake me; I shak'd you, sir, and cried; as mine eyes open'd, I
saw their weapons drawn-there was a noise, That's verily. 'Tis best we stand
upon our guard, Or that we quit this place. Let's draw our weapons.
ALONSO. Lead off this ground; and let's make further search For my poor son.
GONZALO. Heavens keep him from these beasts! For he is, sure, i' th' island.
ALONSO. Lead away.
ARIEL. Prospero my lord shall know what I have done; So, King, go safely on
to seek thy son. Exeunt
SCENE 2
Another part of the island Enter CALIBAN, with a burden of wood. A noise of
thunder heard
CALIBAN. All the infections that the sun sucks up From bogs, fens, flats, on
Prosper fall, and make him By inch-meal a disease! His spirits hear me, And yet
I needs must curse. But they'll nor pinch, Fright me with urchin-shows, pitch me
i' th' mire, Nor lead me, like a firebrand, in the dark Out of my way, unless he
bid 'em; but For every trifle are they set upon me; Sometime like apes that mow
and chatter at me, And after bite me; then like hedgehogs which Lie tumbling in
my barefoot way, and mount Their pricks at my footfall; sometime am I All wound
with adders, who with cloven tongues Do hiss me into madness.
Enter TRINCULO
Lo, now, lo! Here comes a spirit of his, and to torment me For bringing wood
in slowly. I'll fall flat; Perchance he will not mind me.
TRINCULO. Here's neither bush nor shrub to bear off any weather at all, and
another storm brewing; I hear it sing i' th' wind. Yond same black cloud, yond
huge one, looks like a foul bombard that would shed his liquor. If it should
thunder as it did before, I know not where to hide my head. Yond same cloud
cannot choose but fall by pailfuls. What have we here? a man or a fish? dead or
alive? A fish: he smells like a fish; a very ancient and fish-like smell; kind
of not-of-the-newest Poor-John. A strange fish! Were I in England now, as once I
was, and had but this fish painted, not a holiday fool there but would give a
piece of silver. There would this monster make a man; any strange beast there
makes a man; when they will not give a doit to relieve a lame beggar, they will
lay out ten to see a dead Indian. Legg'd like a man, and his fins like arms!
Warm, o' my troth! I do now let loose my opinion; hold it no longer: this is no
fish, but an islander, that hath lately suffered by thunderbolt. [Thunder] Alas,
the storm is come again! My best way is to creep under his gaberdine; there is
no other shelter hereabout. Misery acquaints a man with strange bed-fellows. I
will here shroud till the dregs of the storm be past.
Enter STEPHANO singing; a bottle in his hand
STEPHANO. I shall no more to sea, to sea, Here shall I die ashore- This is a
very scurvy tune to sing at a man's funeral; well, here's my comfort.[Drinks]
The master, the swabber, the boatswain, and I, The gunner, and his mate,
Lov'd Mall, Meg, and Marian, and Margery, But none of us car'd for Kate; For she
had a tongue with a tang, Would cry to a sailor 'Go hang!' She lov'd not the
savour of tar nor of pitch, Yet a tailor might scratch her where'er she did
itch. Then to sea, boys, and let her go hang!
This is a scurvy tune too; but here's my comfort. [Drinks]
CALIBAN. Do not torment me. O!
STEPHANO. What's the matter? Have we devils here? Do you put tricks upon 's
with savages and men of Ind? Ha! I have not scap'd drowning to be afeard now of
your four legs; for it hath been said: As proper a man as ever went on four legs
cannot make him give ground; and it shall be said so again, while Stephano
breathes at nostrils.
CALIBAN. The spirit torments me. O!
STEPHANO. This is some monster of the isle with four legs, who hath got, as I
take it, an ague. Where the devil should he learn our language? I will give him
some relief, if it be but for that. If I can recover him, and keep him tame, and
get to Naples with him, he's a present for any emperor that ever trod on neat's
leather.
CALIBAN. Do not torment me, prithee; I'll bring my wood home faster.
STEPHANO. He's in his fit now, and does not talk after the wisest. He shall
taste of my bottle; if he have never drunk wine afore, it will go near to remove
his fit. If I can recover him, and keep him tame, I will not take too much for
him; he shall pay for him that hath him, and that soundly.
CALIBAN. Thou dost me yet but little hurt; thou wilt anon, I know it by thy
trembling; now Prosper works upon thee.
STEPHANO. Come on your ways; open your mouth; here is that which will give
language to you, cat. Open your mouth; this will shake your shaking, I can tell
you, and that soundly; you cannot tell who's your friend. Open your chaps again.
TRINCULO. I should know that voice; it should be-but he is drown'd; and these
are devils. O, defend me!
STEPHANO. Four legs and two voices; a most delicate monster! His forward
voice, now, is to speak well of his friend; his backward voice is to utter foul
speeches and to detract. If all the wine in my bottle will recover him, I will
help his ague. Come-Amen! I will pour some in thy other mouth.
TRINCULO. Stephano!
STEPHANO. Doth thy other mouth call me? Mercy, mercy! This is a devil, and no
monster; I will leave him; I have no long spoon.
TRINCULO. Stephano! If thou beest Stephano, touch me, and speak to me; for I
am Trinculo-be not afeard-thy good friend Trinculo.
STEPHANO. If thou beest Trinculo, come forth; I'll pull the by the lesser
legs; if any be Trinculo's legs, these are they. Thou art very Trinculo indeed!
How cam'st thou to be the siege of this moon-calf? Can he vent Trinculos?
TRINCULO. I took him to be kill'd with a thunderstroke. But art thou not
drown'd, Stephano? I hope now thou are not drown'd. Is the storm overblown? I
hid me under the dead moon-calf's gaberdine for fear of the storm. And art thou
living, Stephano? O Stephano, two Neapolitans scap'd!
STEPHANO. Prithee, do not turn me about; my stomach is not constant.
CALIBAN. [Aside] These be fine things, an if they be not sprites. That's a
brave god, and bears celestial liquor. I will kneel to him.
STEPHANO. How didst thou scape? How cam'st thou hither? Swear by this bottle
how thou cam'st hither-I escap'd upon a butt of sack, which the sailors heaved
o'erboard- by this bottle, which I made of the bark of a tree, with mine own
hands, since I was cast ashore.
CALIBAN. I'll swear upon that bottle to be thy true subject, for the liquor
is not earthly.
STEPHANO. Here; swear then how thou escap'dst.
TRINCULO. Swum ashore, man, like a duck; I can swim like a duck, I'll be
sworn.
STEPHANO. [Passing the bottle] Here, kiss the book. Though thou canst swim
like a duck, thou art made like a goose.
TRINCULO. O Stephano, hast any more of this?
STEPHANO. The whole butt, man; my cellar is in a rock by th' seaside, where
my wine is hid. How now, moon-calf! How does thine ague?
CALIBAN. Hast thou not dropp'd from heaven?
STEPHANO. Out o' th' moon, I do assure thee; I was the Man i' th' Moon, when
time was.
CALIBAN. I have seen thee in her, and I do adore thee. My mistress show'd me
thee, and thy dog and thy bush.
STEPHANO. Come, swear to that; kiss the book. I will furnish it anon with new
contents. Swear. [CALIBAN drinks]
TRINCULO. By this good light, this is a very shallow monster! I afeard of
him! A very weak monster! The Man i' th' Moon! A most poor credulous monster!
Well drawn, monster, in good sooth!
CALIBAN. I'll show thee every fertile inch o' th' island; and will kiss thy
foot. I prithee be my god.
TRINCULO. By this light, a most perfidious and drunken monster! When's god's
asleep he'll rob his bottle.
CALIBAN. I'll kiss thy foot; I'll swear myself thy subject.
STEPHANO. Come on, then; down, and swear.
TRINCULO. I shall laugh myself to death at this puppy- headed monster. A most
scurvy monster! I could find in my heart to beat him-
STEPHANO. Come, kiss.
TRINCULO. But that the poor monster's in drink. An abominable monster!
CALIBAN. I'll show thee the best springs; I'll pluck thee berries; I'll fish
for thee, and get thee wood enough. A plague upon the tyrant that I serve! I'll
bear him no more sticks, but follow thee, Thou wondrous man.
TRINCULO. A most ridiculous monster, to make a wonder of a poor drunkard!
CALIBAN. I prithee let me bring thee where crabs grow; And I with my long
nails will dig thee pig-nuts; Show thee a jay's nest, and instruct thee how To
snare the nimble marmoset; I'll bring thee To clust'ring filberts, and sometimes
I'll get thee Young scamels from the rock. Wilt thou go with me?
STEPHANO. I prithee now, lead the way without any more talking. Trinculo, the
King and all our company else being drown'd, we will inherit here. Here, bear my
bottle. Fellow Trinculo, we'll fill him by and by again.
CALIBAN. [Sings drunkenly] Farewell, master; farewell, farewell!
TRINCULO. A howling monster; a drunken monster!
CALIBAN. No more dams I'll make for fish; Nor fetch in firing At requiring,
Nor scrape trenchering, nor wash dish. 'Ban 'Ban, Ca-Caliban, Has a new
master-Get a new man. Freedom, high-day! high-day, freedom! freedom, high- day,
freedom!
STEPHANO. O brave monster! Lead the way.Exeunt
ACT III. SCENE 1
Before PROSPERO'S cell
Enter FERDINAND, hearing a log
FERDINAND. There be some sports are painful, and their labour Delight in them
sets off; some kinds of baseness Are nobly undergone, and most poor matters
Point to rich ends. This my mean task Would be as heavy to me as odious, but The
mistress which I serve quickens what's dead, And makes my labours pleasures. O,
she is Ten times more gentle than her father's crabbed; And he's compos'd of
harshness. I must remove Some thousands of these logs, and pile them up, Upon a
sore injunction; my sweet mistress Weeps when she sees me work, and says such
baseness Had never like executor. I forget; But these sweet thoughts do even
refresh my labours, Most busy, least when I do it.
Enter MIRANDA; and PROSPERO at a distance, unseen
MIRANDA. Alas, now; pray you, Work not so hard; I would the lightning had
Burnt up those logs that you are enjoin'd to pile. Pray, set it down and rest
you; when this burns, 'Twill weep for having wearied you. My father Is hard at
study; pray, now, rest yourself; He's safe for these three hours.
FERDINAND. O most dear mistress, The sun will set before I shall discharge
What I must strive to do.
MIRANDA. If you'll sit down, I'll bear your logs the while; pray give me
that; I'll carry it to the pile.
FERDINAND. No, precious creature; I had rather crack my sinews, break my
back, Than you should such dishonour undergo, While I sit lazy by.
MIRANDA. It would become me As well as it does you; and I should do it With
much more ease; for my good will is to it, And yours it is against.
PROSPERO. [Aside] Poor worm, thou art infected! This visitation shows it.
MIRANDA. You look wearily.
FERDINAND. No, noble mistress; 'tis fresh morning with me When you are by at
night. I do beseech you, Chiefly that I might set it in my prayers, What is your
name?
MIRANDA. Miranda-O my father, I have broke your hest to say so!
FERDINAND. Admir'd Miranda! What's dearest to the world! Full many a lady I
have ey'd with best regard; and many a time Th' harmony of their tongues hath
into bondage Brought my too diligent ear; for several virtues Have I lik'd
several women, never any With so full soul, but some defect in her Did quarrel
with the noblest grace she ow'd, And put it to the foil; but you, O you, So
perfect and so peerless, are created Of every creature's best!
MIRANDA. I do not know One of my sex; no woman's face remember, Save, from my
glass, mine own; nor have I seen More that I may call men than you, good friend,
And my dear father. How features are abroad, I am skilless of; but, by my
modesty, The jewel in my dower, I would not wish Any companion in the world but
you; Nor can imagination form a shape, Besides yourself, to like of. But I
prattle Something too wildly, and my father's precepts I therein do forget.
FERDINAND. I am, in my condition, A prince, Miranda; I do think, a king- I
would not so!-and would no more endure This wooden slavery than to suffer The
flesh-fly blow my mouth. Hear my soul speak: The very instant that I saw you,
did My heart fly to your service; there resides To make me slave to it; and for
your sake Am I this patient log-man.
MIRANDA. Do you love me?
FERDINAND. O heaven, O earth, bear witness to this sound, And crown what I
profess with kind event, If I speak true! If hollowly, invert What best is boded
me to mischief! I, Beyond all limit of what else i' th' world, Do love, prize,
honour you.
MIRANDA. I am a fool To weep at what I am glad of.
PROSPERO. [Aside] Fair encounter Of two most rare affections! Heavens rain
grace On that which breeds between 'em!
FERDINAND. Wherefore weep you?
MIRANDA. At mine unworthiness, that dare not offer What I desire to give, and
much less take What I shall die to want. But this is trifling; And all the more
it seeks to hide itself, The bigger bulk it shows. Hence, bashful cunning! And
prompt me, plain and holy innocence! I am your wife, if you will marry me; If
not, I'll die your maid. To be your fellow You may deny me; but I'll be your
servant, Whether you will or no.
FERDINAND. My mistress, dearest; And I thus humble ever.
MIRANDA. My husband, then?
FERDINAND. Ay, with a heart as willing As bondage e'er of freedom. Here's my
hand.
MIRANDA. And mine, with my heart in't. And now farewell Till half an hour
hence.
FERDINAND. A thousand thousand!
Exeunt FERDINAND and MIRANDA severally
PROSPERO. So glad of this as they I cannot be, Who are surpris'd withal; but
my rejoicing At nothing can be more. I'll to my book; For yet ere supper time
must I perform Much business appertaining. Exit
SCENE 2
Another part of the island Enter CALIBAN, STEPHANO, and TRINCULO
STEPHANO. Tell not me-when the butt is out we will drink water, not a drop
before; therefore bear up, and board 'em. Servant-monster, drink to me.
TRINCULO. Servant-monster! The folly of this island! They say there's but
five upon this isle: we are three of them; if th' other two be brain'd like us,
the state totters.
STEPHANO. Drink, servant-monster, when I bid thee; thy eyes are almost set in
thy head.
TRINCULO. Where should they be set else? He were a brave monster indeed, if
they were set in his tail.
STEPHANO. My man-monster hath drown'd his tongue in sack. For my part, the
sea cannot drown me; I swam, ere I could recover the shore, five and thirty
leagues, off and on. By this light, thou shalt be my lieutenant, monster, or my
standard.
TRINCULO. Your lieutenant, if you list; he's no standard.
STEPHANO. We'll not run, Monsieur Monster.
TRINCULO. Nor go neither; but you'll lie like dogs, and yet say nothing
neither.
STEPHANO. Moon-calf, speak once in thy life, if thou beest a good moon-calf.
CALIBAN. How does thy honour? Let me lick thy shoe. I'll not serve him; he is
not valiant.
TRINCULO. Thou liest, most ignorant monster: I am in case to justle a
constable. Why, thou debosh'd fish, thou, was there ever man a coward that hath
drunk so much sack as I to-day? Wilt thou tell a monstrous lie, being but half
fish and half a monster?
CALIBAN. Lo, how he mocks me! Wilt thou let him, my lord?
TRINCULO. 'Lord' quoth he! That a monster should be such a natural!
CALIBAN. Lo, lo again! Bite him to death, I prithee.
STEPHANO. Trinculo, keep a good tongue in your head; if you prove a
mutineer-the next tree! The poor monster's my subject, and he shall not suffer
indignity.
CALIBAN. I thank my noble lord. Wilt thou be pleas'd to hearken once again to
the suit I made to thee?
STEPHANO. Marry will I; kneel and repeat it; I will stand, and so shall
Trinculo.
Enter ARIEL, invisible
CALIBAN. As I told thee before, I am subject to a tyrant, sorcerer, that by
his cunning hath cheated me of the island.
ARIEL. Thou liest.
CALIBAN. Thou liest, thou jesting monkey, thou; I would my valiant master
would destroy thee. I do not lie.
STEPHANO. Trinculo, if you trouble him any more in's tale, by this hand, I
will supplant some of your teeth.
TRINCULO. Why, I said nothing.
STEPHANO. Mum, then, and no more. Proceed.
CALIBAN. I say, by sorcery he got this isle; From me he got it. If thy
greatness will Revenge it on him-for I know thou dar'st, But this thing dare
not-
STEPHANO. That's most certain.
CALIBAN. Thou shalt be lord of it, and I'll serve thee.
STEPHANO. How now shall this be compass'd? Canst thou bring me to the party?
CALIBAN. Yea, yea, my lord; I'll yield him thee asleep, Where thou mayst
knock a nail into his head.
ARIEL. Thou liest; thou canst not.
CALIBAN. 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.
STEPHANO. 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.
TRINCULO. Why, what did I? I did nothing. I'll go farther off.
STEPHANO. Didst thou not say he lied?
ARIEL. Thou liest.
STEPHANO. Do I so? Take thou that. [Beats him] As you like this, give me the
lie another time.
TRINCULO. I did not give the lie. Out o' your wits and hearing too? A pox o'
your bottle! This can sack and drinking do. A murrain on your monster, and the
devil take your fingers!
CALIBAN. Ha, ha, ha!
STEPHANO. Now, forward with your tale.-Prithee stand further off.
CALIBAN. Beat him enough; after a little time, I'll beat him too.
STEPHANO. Stand farther. Come, proceed.
CALIBAN. Why, as I told thee, 'tis a custom with him I' th' afternoon to
sleep; there thou mayst brain him, Having first seiz'd 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,
nor hath not One 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'll deck withal. And that most deeply to consider is The 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 As great'st does least.
STEPHANO. Is it so brave a lass?
CALIBAN. Ay, lord; she will become thy bed, I warrant, And bring thee forth
brave brood.
STEPHANO. 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, Trinculo?
TRINCULO. Excellent.
STEPHANO. Give me thy hand; I am sorry I beat thee; but while thou liv'st,
keep a good tongue in thy head.
CALIBAN. Within this half hour will he be asleep. Wilt thou destroy him then?
STEPHANO. Ay, on mine honour.
ARIEL. This will I tell my master.
CALIBAN. Thou mak'st me merry; I am full of pleasure. Let us be jocund; will
you troll the catch You taught me but while-ere?
STEPHANO. At thy request, monster, I will do reason, any reason. Come on,
Trinculo, let us sing. [Sings]
Flout 'em and scout 'em, And scout 'em and flout 'em; Thought is free.
CALIBAN. That's not the tune.
[ARIEL plays the tune on a tabor and pipe]
STEPHANO. What is this same?
TRINCULO. This is the tune of our catch, play'd by the picture of Nobody.
STEPHANO. If thou beest a man, show thyself in thy likeness; if thou beest a
devil, take't as thou list.
TRINCULO. O, forgive me my sins!
STEPHANO. He that dies pays all debts. I defy thee. Mercy upon us!
CALIBAN. Art thou afeard?
STEPHANO. No, monster, not I.
CALIBAN. Be not afeard. The isle is full of noises, Sounds, and sweet airs,
that give delight, and hurt not. Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments Will
hum about mine ears; and sometimes voices, That, if I then had wak'd after long
sleep, Will make me sleep again; and then, in dreaming, The clouds methought
would open and show riches Ready to drop upon me, that, when I wak'd, I cried to
dream again.
STEPHANO. This will prove a brave kingdom to me, where I shall have my music
for nothing.
CALIBAN. When Prospero is destroy'd.
STEPHANO. That shall be by and by; I remember the story.
TRINCULO. The sound is going away; let's follow it, and after do our work.
STEPHANO. Lead, monster; we'll follow. I would I could see this taborer; he
lays it on.
TRINCULO. Wilt come? I'll follow, Stephano. Exeunt
SCENE 3
Another part of the island Enter ALONSO, SEBASTIAN, ANTONIO, GONZALO, ADRIAN
FRANCISCO, and OTHERS
GONZALO. By'r lakin, I can go no further, sir; My old bones ache. Here's a
maze trod, indeed, Through forth-rights and meanders! By your patience, I needs
must rest me.
ALONSO. Old lord, I cannot blame thee, Who am myself attach'd with weariness
To th' dulling of my spirits; sit down and rest. Even here I will put off my
hope, and keep it No longer for my flatterer; he is drown'd Whom thus we stray
to find, and the sea mocks Our frustrate search on land. Well, let him go.
ANTONIO. [Aside to SEBASTIAN] I am right glad that he's so out of hope. Do
not, for one repulse, forgo the purpose That you resolv'd t' effect.
SEBASTIAN. [Aside to ANTONIO] The next advantage Will we take throughly.
ANTONIO. [Aside to SEBASTIAN] Let it be to-night; For, now they are oppress'd
with travel, they Will not, nor cannot, use such vigilance As when they are
fresh.
SEBASTIAN. [Aside to ANTONIO] I say, to-night; no more.
Solemn and strange music; and PROSPERO on the
top, invisible. Enter several strange SHAPES,
bringing in a banquet; and dance about it with
gentle actions of salutations; and inviting the
KING, etc., to eat, they depart
ALONSO. What harmony is this? My good friends, hark!
GONZALO. Marvellous sweet music!
ALONSO. Give us kind keepers, heavens! What were these?
SEBASTIAN. A living drollery. Now I will believe That there are unicorns;
that in Arabia There is one tree, the phoenix' throne, one phoenix At this hour
reigning-there.
ANTONIO. I'll believe both; And what does else want credit, come to me, And
I'll be sworn 'tis true; travellers ne'er did lie, Though fools at home condemn
'em.
GONZALO. If in Naples I should report this now, would they believe me? If I
should say, I saw such islanders, For certes these are people of the island, Who
though they are of monstrous shape yet, note, Their manners are more gentle-kind
than of Our human generation you shall find Many, nay, almost any.
PROSPERO. [Aside] Honest lord, Thou hast said well; for some of you there
present Are worse than devils.
ALONSO. I cannot too much muse Such shapes, such gesture, and such sound,
expressing, Although they want the use of tongue, a kind Of excellent dumb
discourse.
PROSPERO. [Aside] Praise in departing.
FRANCISCO. They vanish'd strangely.
SEBASTIAN. No matter, since They have left their viands behind; for we have
stomachs. Will't please you taste of what is here?
ALONSO. Not I.
GONZALO. Faith, sir, you need not fear. When we were boys, Who would believe
that there were mountaineers, Dewlapp'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-out of five for one will bring us Good
warrant of.
ALONSO. I will stand to, and feed, Although my last; no matter, since I feel
The best is past. Brother, my lord the Duke, Stand to, and do as we.
Thunder and lightning. Enter ARIEL, like a harpy;
claps his wings upon the table; and, with a quaint device, the banquet
vanishes
ARIEL. You are three men of sin, whom Destiny, That hath to instrument this
lower world And what is in't, the never-surfeited sea Hath caus'd to belch 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. [ALONSO, SEBASTIAN etc., draw their swords] You
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 One dowle that's in my plume; my
fellow-ministers Are like invulnerable. If you could hurt, Your swords are now
too massy for your strengths And will not be uplifted. But remember- For that's
my business to you-that you three From Milan did supplant good Prospero; Expos'd
unto the sea, which hath requit it, Him, and his innocent child; for which foul
deed The pow'rs, delaying, not forgetting, have Incens'd the seas and shores,
yea, all the creatures, Against your peace. Thee of thy son, Alonso, They have
bereft; and do pronounce by me Ling'ring perdition, worse than any death Can be
at once, shall step by step attend You and your ways; whose wraths to guard you
from- Which here, in this most desolate isle, else falls Upon your heads-is
nothing but heart's sorrow, And a clear life ensuing.
He vanishes in thunder; then, to soft music, enter the SHAPES again, and
dance, with mocks and mows, and carrying out the table
PROSPERO. Bravely the figure of this harpy hast thou Perform'd, my Ariel; a
grace it had, devouring. Of my instruction hast thou nothing bated In what thou
hadst to say; so, with good life And observation strange, my meaner ministers
Their several kinds have done. My high charms work, And these mine enemies are
all knit up In their distractions. They now are in my pow'r; And in these fits I
leave them, while I visit Young Ferdinand, whom they suppose is drown'd, And his
and mine lov'd darling. Exit above
GONZALO. I' th' name of something holy, sir, why stand you In this strange
stare?
ALONSO. O, 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, pronounc'd The name of Prosper; it did bass my trespass. Therefore
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
SEBASTIAN. But one fiend at a time, I'll fight their legions o'er.
ANTONIO. I'll be thy second. Exeunt SEBASTIAN and ANTONIO
GONZALO. All three of them are desperate; their great guilt, Like poison
given to work a great time after, Now gins to bite the spirits. I do beseech
you, That are of suppler joints, follow them swiftly, And hinder them from what
this ecstasy May now provoke them to.
ADRIAN. Follow, I pray you. Exeunt
ACT IV. SCENE 1
Before PROSPERO'S cell
Enter PROSPERO, FERDINAND, and MIRANDA
PROSPERO. If I have too austerely punish'd you, Your compensation makes
amends; for Have given you here a third of mine own life, Or that for which I
live; who once again I tender to thy hand. All thy vexations Were but my trials
of thy love, and thou Hast strangely stood the test; here, afore heaven, I
ratify this my rich gift. O Ferdinand! Do not smile at me that I boast her off,
For thou shalt find she will outstrip all praise, And make it halt behind her.
FERDINAND. I do believe it Against an oracle.
PROSPERO. Then, as my gift, and thine own acquisition Wort'hily purchas'd,
take my daughter. But If thou dost break her virgin-knot before All
sanctimonious ceremonies may With full and holy rite be minist'red, No sweet
aspersion shall the heavens let fall To make this contract grow; but barren
hate, Sour-ey'd 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.
FERDINAND. As I hope For quiet days, fair issue, and long life, With such
love as 'tis now, 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, When I shall think or Phoebus'
steeds are founder'd Or Night kept chain'd below.
PROSPERO. Fairly spoke. Sit, then, and talk with her; she is thine own. What,
Ariel! my industrious servant, Ariel!
Enter ARIEL
ARIEL. What would my potent master? Here I am.
PROSPERO. 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 pow'r, here to this place. Incite them to quick motion; for I must Bestow
upon the eyes of this young couple Some vanity of mine art; it is my promise,
And they expect it from me.
ARIEL. Presently?
PROSPERO. Ay, with a twink.
ARIEL. Before you can say 'come' and 'go,' And 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?
PROSPERO. Dearly, my delicate Ariel. Do not approach Till thou dost hear me
call.
ARIEL. Well! I conceive. Exit
PROSPERO. Look thou be true; do not give dalliance Too much the rein; the
strongest oaths are straw To th' fire i' th' blood. Be more abstemious, Or else
good night your vow!
FERDINAND. I warrant you, sir, The white cold virgin snow upon my heart
Abates the ardour of my liver.
PROSPERO. Well! Now come, my Ariel, bring a corollary, Rather than want a
spirit; appear, and pertly. No tongue! All eyes! Be silent. [Soft music]
Enter IRIS
IRIS. Ceres, most bounteous lady, thy rich 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 with pioned and twilled
brims, Which spongy April at thy hest betrims, To make cold nymphs chaste
crowns; and thy broom groves, Whose shadow the dismissed bachelor loves, Being
lass-lorn; thy pole-clipt vineyard; And thy sea-marge, sterile and rocky hard,
Where thou thyself dost air-the Queen o' th' sky, Whose wat'ry 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. Her peacocks fly amain.
[JUNO descends in her car] Approach, rich Ceres, her to entertain.
Enter CERES
CERES. Hail, many-coloured messenger, that ne'er Dost disobey the wife of
Jupiter; Who, with thy saffron wings, upon my flow'rs Diffusest honey drops,
refreshing show'rs; And 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 this short-grass'd green?
IRIS. A contract of true love to celebrate, And some donation freely to
estate On the blest lovers.
CERES. 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,
Her and her blind boy's scandal'd company I have forsworn.
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
Some wanton charm upon this man and maid, Whose vows are that no bed-rite shall
be paid Till Hymen's torch be lighted; but in vain. Mars's hot minion is
return'd again; Her waspish-headed son has broke his arrows, Swears he will
shoot no more, but play with sparrows, And be a boy right out. [JUNO alights]
CERES. Highest Queen of State, Great Juno, comes; I know her by her gait.
JUNO. How does my bounteous sister? Go with me To bless this twain, that they
may prosperous be, And 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.
CERES. Earth's increase, foison plenty, Barns and gamers never empty; Vines
with clust'ring bunches growing, Plants with goodly burden bowing; Spring come
to you at the farthest, In the very end of harvest! Scarcity and want shall shun
you, Ceres' blessing so is on you.
FERDINAND. This is a most majestic vision, and Harmonious charmingly. May I
be bold To think these spirits?
PROSPERO. Spirits, which by mine art I have from their confines call'd to
enact My present fancies.
FERDINAND. Let me live here ever; So rare a wond'red father and a wise Makes
this place Paradise.
[JUNO and CERES whisper, and send IRIS on employment]
PROSPERO. Sweet now, silence; Juno 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 the wind'ring brooks, With your sedg'd
crowns and ever harmless looks, Leave 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.
Enter certain NYMPHS
You sun-burnt sicklemen, of August weary, Come hither from the furrow, and be
merry; Make holiday; your rye-straw hats put on, And these fresh nymphs
encounter every one In country footing.
Enter certain REAPERS, properly habited; they join with the NYMPHS in a
graceful dance; towards the end whereof PROSPERO starts suddenly, and speaks,
after which, to a strange, hollow, and confused
noise, they heavily vanish
PROSPERO. [Aside] I had forgot that foul conspiracy Of 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!
FERDINAND. This is strange; your father's in some passion That works him
strongly.
MIRANDA. Never till this day Saw I him touch'd with anger so distemper'd.
PROSPERO. You do look, my son, in a mov'd 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 Are melted into air, into thin air; And, like the baseless
fabric of this vision, The cloud-capp'd towers, the gorgeous palaces, The solemn
temples, the great globe itself, Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve, And,
like this insubstantial pageant faded, Leave not a rack behind. 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; Be not disturb'd with
my infirmity. If you be pleas'd, retire into my cell And there repose; a turn or
two I'll walk To still my beating mind.
FERDINAND, MIRANDA. We wish your peace. Exeunt
PROSPERO. Come, with a thought. I thank thee, Ariel; come.
Enter ARIEL
ARIEL. Thy thoughts I cleave to. What's thy pleasure?
PROSPERO. Spirit, We must prepare to meet with Caliban.
ARIEL. Ay, my commander. When I presented 'Ceres.' I thought to have told
thee of it; but I fear'd Lest I might anger thee.
PROSPERO. Say again, where didst thou leave these varlets?
ARIEL. 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 Towards their project. Then I beat my
tabor, At which like unback'd colts they prick'd their ears, Advanc'd their
eyelids, lifted up their noses As they smelt music; so I charm'd their cars,
That calf-like they my lowing follow'd through Tooth'd briers, sharp furzes,
pricking goss, and thorns, Which ent'red their frail shins. At last I left them
I' th' filthy mantled pool beyond your cell, There dancing up to th' chins, that
the foul lake O'erstunk their feet.
PROSPERO. This was well done, my bird. Thy shape invisible retain thou still.
The trumpery in my house, go bring it hither For stale to catch these thieves.
ARIEL. I go, I go.Exit
PROSPERO. A devil, a born devil, on whose nature Nurture can never stick; on
whom my pains, Humanely taken, all, all lost, quite lost; And as with age his
body uglier grows, So his mind cankers. I will plague them all, Even to roaring.
Re-enter ARIEL, loaden with glistering apparel, &c.
Come, hang them on this line.
[PROSPERO and ARIEL remain, invisible]
Enter CALIBAN, STEPHANO, and TRINCULO, all wet
CALIBAN. Pray you, tread softly, that the blind mole may not Hear a foot
fall; we now are near his cell.
STEPHANO. Monster, your fairy, which you say is a harmless fairy, has done
little better than play'd the Jack with us.
TRINCULO. Monster, I do smell all horse-piss at which my nose is in great
indignation.
STEPHANO. So is mine. Do you hear, monster? If I should take a displeasure
against you, look you-
TRINCULO. Thou wert but a lost monster.
CALIBAN. Good my lord, give me thy favour still. Be patient, for the prize
I'll bring thee to Shall hoodwink this mischance; therefore speak softly. All's
hush'd as midnight yet.
TRINCULO. Ay, but to lose our bottles in the pool!
STEPHANO. There is not only disgrace and dishonour in that, monster, but an
infinite loss.
TRINCULO. That's more to me than my wetting; yet this is your harmless fairy,
monster.
STEPHANO. I will fetch off my bottle, though I be o'er ears for my labour.
CALIBAN. Prithee, my king, be quiet. Seest thou here, This is the mouth o'
th' cell; no noise, and enter. Do that good mischief which may make this island
Thine own for ever, and I, thy Caliban, For aye thy foot-licker.
STEPHANO. Give me thy hand. I do begin to have bloody thoughts.
TRINCULO. O King Stephano! O peer! O worthy Stephano! Look what a wardrobe
here is for thee!
CALIBAN. Let it alone, thou fool; it is but trash.
TRINCULO. O, ho, monster; we know what belongs to a frippery. O King
Stephano!
STEPHANO. Put off that gown, Trinculo; by this hand, I'll have that gown.
TRINCULO. Thy Grace shall have it.
CALIBAN. The dropsy drown this fool! What do you mean To dote thus on such
luggage? Let 't alone, And do the murder first. If he awake, From toe to crown
he'll fill our skins with pinches; Make us strange stuff.
STEPHANO. Be you quiet, monster. Mistress line, is not this my jerkin? Now is
the jerkin under the line; now, jerkin, you are like to lose your hair, and
prove a bald jerkin.
TRINCULO. Do, do. We steal by line and level, an't like your Grace.
STEPHANO. I thank thee for that jest; here's a garment for't. Wit shall not
go unrewarded while I am king of this country. 'Steal by line and level' is an
excellent pass of pate; there's another garmet for't.
TRINCULO. Monster, come, put some lime upon your fingers, and away with the
rest.
CALIBAN. I will have none on't. We shall lose our time, And all be turn'd to
barnacles, or to apes With foreheads villainous low.
STEPHANO. Monster, lay-to your fingers; help to bear this away where my
hogshead of wine is, or I'll turn you out of my kingdom. Go to, carry this.
TRINCULO. And this.
STEPHANO. Ay, and this.
A noise of hunters beard. Enter divers SPIRITS, in shape of dogs and hounds,
bunting them about;
PROSPERO and ARIEL setting them on
PROSPERO. Hey, Mountain, hey!
ARIEL. Silver! there it goes, Silver!
PROSPERO. Fury, Fury! There, Tyrant, there! Hark, hark! [CALIBAN, STEPHANO,
and TRINCULO are driven out] Go charge my goblins that they grind their joints
With dry convulsions, shorten up their sinews With aged cramps, and more
pinch-spotted make them Than pard or cat o' mountain.
ARIEL. Hark, they roar.
PROSPERO. Let them be hunted soundly. At this hour Lies at my mercy all mine
enemies. Shortly shall all my labours end, and thou Shalt have the air at
freedom; for a little Follow, and do me service.Exeunt
ACT V. SCENE 1
Before PROSPERO'S cell
Enter PROSPERO in his magic robes, and ARIEL
PROSPERO. Now does my project gather to a head; My charms crack not, my
spirits obey; and time Goes upright with his carriage. How's the day?
ARIEL. On the sixth hour; at which time, my lord, You said our work should
cease.
PROSPERO. I did say so, When first I rais'd the tempest. Say, my spirit, How
fares the King and 's followers?
ARIEL. Confin'd together In the same fashion as you gave in charge; Just as
you left them; all prisoners, sir, In the line-grove which weather-fends your
cell; They cannot budge till your release. The King, His brother, and yours,
abide all three distracted, And the remainder mourning over them, Brim full of
sorrow and dismay; but chiefly Him you term'd, sir, 'the good old lord,
Gonzalo'; His tears run down his beard, like winter's drops From eaves of reeds.
Your charm so strongly works 'em That if you now beheld them your affections
Would become tender.
PROSPERO. Dost thou think so, spirit?
ARIEL. Mine would, sir, were I human.
PROSPERO. And mine shall. Hast thou, which art but air, a touch, a feeling Of
their afflictions, and shall not myself, One of their kind, that relish all as
sharply, Passion as they, be kindlier mov'd than thou art? Though with their
high wrongs I am struck to th' quick, Yet with my nobler reason 'gainst my fury
Do I take part; the rarer action is In virtue than in vengeance; they being
penitent, The sole drift of my purpose doth extend Not a frown further. Go
release them, Ariel; My charms I'll break, their senses I'll restore, And they
shall be themselves.
ARIEL. I'll fetch them, sir. Exit
PROSPERO. Ye elves of hills, brooks, standing lakes, and groves; And ye that
on the sands with printless foot Do chase the ebbing Neptune, and do fly him
When he comes back; you demi-puppets that By moonshine do the green sour
ringlets make, Whereof the ewe not bites; and you whose pastime Is to make
midnight mushrooms, that rejoice To hear the solemn curfew; by whose aid- Weak
masters though ye be-I have be-dimm'd The noontide sun, call'd forth the
mutinous winds, And 'twixt the green sea and the azur'd vault Set roaring war.
To the dread rattling thunder Have I given fire, and rifted Jove's stout oak
With his own bolt; the strong-bas'd promontory Have I made shake, and by the
spurs pluck'd up The pine and cedar. Graves at my command Have wak'd their
sleepers, op'd, and let 'em forth, By my so potent art. But this rough magic I
here abjure; and, when I have requir'd Some heavenly music-which even now I do-
To work mine end upon their senses that This airy charm is for, I'll break my
staff, Bury it certain fathoms in the earth, And deeper than did ever plummet
sound I'll drown my book.[Solem music]
Here enters ARIEL before; then ALONSO, with
frantic gesture, attended by GONZALO; SEBASTIAN
and ANTONIO in like manner, attended by ADRIAN
and FRANCISCO. They all enter the circle which
PROSPERO had made, and there stand charm'd; which PROSPERO observing, speaks
A solemn air, and the best comforter To an unsettled fancy, cure thy brains,
Now useless, boil'd within thy skull! There stand, For you are spell-stopp'd.
Holy Gonzalo, honourable man, Mine eyes, ev'n sociable to the show of thine,
Fall fellowly drops. The charm dissolves apace, And as the morning steals upon
the night, Melting the darkness, so their rising senses Begin to chase the
ignorant fumes that mantle Their clearer reason. O good Gonzalo, My true
preserver, and a loyal sir To him thou follow'st! I will pay thy graces Home
both in word and deed. Most cruelly Didst thou, Alonso, use me and my daughter;
Thy brother was a furtherer in the act. Thou art pinch'd for't now, Sebastian.
Flesh and blood, You, brother mine, that entertain'd ambition, Expell'd remorse
and nature, who, with Sebastian- Whose inward pinches therefore are most strong-
Would here have kill'd your king, I do forgive thee, Unnatural though thou art.
Their understanding Begins to swell, and the approaching tide Will shortly fill
the reasonable shore That now lies foul and muddy. Not one of them That yet
looks on me, or would know me. Ariel, Fetch me the hat and rapier in my cell;
Exit ARIEL I will discase me, and myself present As I was sometime Milan.
Quickly, spirit Thou shalt ere long be free.
ARIEL, on returning, sings and helps to attire him
Where the bee sucks, there suck I; In a cowslip's bell I lie; There I couch
when owls do cry. On the bat's back I do fly After summer merrily. Merrily,
merrily shall I live now Under the blossom that hangs on the bough.
PROSPERO. Why, that's my dainty Ariel! I shall miss thee; But yet thou shalt
have freedom. So, so, so. To the King's ship, invisible as thou art; There shalt
thou find the mariners asleep Under the hatches; the master and the boatswain
Being awake, enforce them to this place; And presently, I prithee.
ARIEL. I drink the air before me, and return Or ere your pulse twice beat.
Exit
GONZALO. All torment, trouble, wonder and amazement, Inhabits here. Some
heavenly power guide us Out of this fearful country!
PROSPERO. Behold, Sir King, The wronged Duke of Milan, Prospero. For more
assurance that a living prince Does now speak to thee, I embrace thy body; And
to thee and thy company I bid A hearty welcome.
ALONSO. Whe'er thou be'st he or no, Or some enchanted trifle to abuse me, As
late I have been, I not know. Thy pulse Beats, as of flesh and blood; and, since
I saw thee, Th' affliction of my mind amends, with which, I fear, a madness held
me. This must crave- An if this be at all-a most strange story. Thy dukedom I
resign, and do entreat Thou pardon me my wrongs. But how should Prospero Be
living and be here?
PROSPERO. First, noble friend, Let me embrace thine age, whose honour cannot
Be measur'd or confin'd.
GONZALO. Whether this be Or be not, I'll not swear.
PROSPERO. You do yet taste Some subtleties o' th' isle, that will not let you
Believe things certain. Welcome, my friends all! [Aside to SEBASTIAN and
ANTONIO] But you, my brace of
lords, were I so minded, I here could pluck his Highness' frown upon you, And
justify you traitors; at this time I will tell no tales.
SEBASTIAN. [Aside] The devil speaks in him.
PROSPERO. No. For you, most wicked sir, whom to call brother Would even
infect my mouth, I do forgive Thy rankest fault-all of them; and require My
dukedom of thee, which perforce I know Thou must restore.
ALONSO. If thou beest Prospero, Give us particulars of thy preservation; How
thou hast met us here, whom three hours since Were wreck'd upon this shore;
where I have lost- How sharp the point of this remembrance is!- My dear son
Ferdinand.
PROSPERO. I am woe for't, sir.
ALONSO. Irreparable is the loss; and patience Says it is past her cure.
PROSPERO. I rather think You have not sought her help, of whose soft grace
For the like loss I have her sovereign aid, And rest myself content.
ALONSO. You the like loss!
PROSPERO. As great to me as late; and, supportable To make the dear loss,
have I means much weaker Than you may call to comfort you, for I Have lost my
daughter.
ALONSO. A daughter! O heavens, that they were living both in Naples, The King
and Queen there! That they were, I wish Myself were mudded in that oozy bed
Where my son lies. When did you lose your daughter?
PROSPERO. In this last tempest. I perceive these lords At this encounter do
so much admire That they devour their reason, and scarce think Their eyes do
offices of truth, their words Are natural breath; but, howsoe'er you have Been
justled from your senses, know for certain That I am Prospero, and that very
duke Which was thrust forth of Milan; who most strangely Upon this shore, where
you were wrecked, was landed To be the lord on't. No more yet of this; For 'tis
a chronicle of day by day, Not a relation for a breakfast, nor Befitting this
first meeting. Welcome, sir; This cell's my court; here have I few attendants,
And subjects none abroad; pray you, look in. My dukedom since you have given me
again, I will requite you with as good a thing; At least bring forth a wonder,
to content ye As much as me my dukedom.
Here PROSPERO discovers FERDINAND and MIRANDA,
playing at chess
MIRANDA. Sweet lord, you play me false.
FERDINAND. No, my dearest love, I would not for the world.
MIRANDA. Yes, for a score of kingdoms you should wrangle And I would call it
fair play.
ALONSO. If this prove A vision of the island, one dear son Shall I twice
lose.
SEBASTIAN. A most high miracle!
FERDINAND. Though the seas threaten, they are merciful; I have curs'd them
without cause. [Kneels]
ALONSO. Now all the blessings Of a glad father compass thee about! Arise, and
say how thou cam'st here.
MIRANDA. O, wonder! How many goodly creatures are there here! How beauteous
mankind is! O brave new world That has such people in't!
PROSPERO. 'Tis new to thee.
ALONSO. What is this maid with whom thou wast at play? Your eld'st
acquaintance cannot be three hours; Is she the goddess that hath sever'd us, And
brought us thus together?
FERDINAND. Sir, she is mortal; But by immortal Providence she's mine. I chose
her when I could not ask my father For his advice, nor thought I had one. She Is
daughter to this famous Duke of Milan, Of whom so often I have heard renown But
never saw before; of whom I have Receiv'd a second life; and second father This
lady makes him to me.
ALONSO. I am hers. But, O, how oddly will it sound that I Must ask my child
forgiveness!
PROSPERO. There, sir, stop; Let us not burden our remembrances with A
heaviness that's gone.
GONZALO. I have inly wept, Or should have spoke ere this. Look down, you
gods, And on this couple drop a blessed crown; For it is you that have chalk'd
forth the way Which brought us hither.
ALONSO. I say, Amen, Gonzalo!
GONZALO. Was Milan thrust from Milan, that his issue Should become Kings of
Naples? O, rejoice Beyond a common joy, and set it down With gold on lasting
pillars: in one voyage Did Claribel her husband find at Tunis; And Ferdinand,
her brother, found a wife Where he himself was lost; Prospero his dukedom In a
poor isle; and all of us ourselves When no man was his own.
ALONSO. [To FERDINAND and MIRANDA] Give me your hands. Let grief and sorrow
still embrace his heart That doth not wish you joy.
GONZALO. Be it so. Amen!
Re-enter ARIEL, with the MASTER and BOATSWAIN amazedly following
O look, sir; look, sir! Here is more of us! I prophesied, if a gallows were
on land, This fellow could not drown. Now, blasphemy, That swear'st grace
o'erboard, not an oath on shore? Hast thou no mouth by land? What is the news?
BOATSWAIN. The best news is that we have safely found Our King and company;
the next, our ship- Which but three glasses since we gave out split- Is tight
and yare, and bravely rigg'd, as when We first put out to sea.
ARIEL. [Aside to PROSPERO] Sir, all this service Have I done since I went.
PROSPERO. [Aside to ARIEL] My tricksy spirit!
ALONSO. These are not natural events; they strengthen From strange to
stranger. Say, how came you hither?
BOATSWAIN. If I did think, sir, I were well awake, I'd strive to tell you. We
were dead of sleep, And-how, we know not-all clapp'd under hatches; Where, but
even now, with strange and several noises Of roaring, shrieking, howling,
jingling chains, And moe diversity of sounds, all horrible, We were awak'd;
straightway at liberty; Where we, in all her trim, freshly beheld Our royal,
good, and gallant ship; our master Cap'ring to eye her. On a trice, so please
you, Even in a dream, were we divided from them, And were brought moping hither.
ARIEL. [Aside to PROSPERO] Was't well done?
PROSPERO. [Aside to ARIEL] Bravely, my diligence. Thou shalt be free.
ALONSO. This is as strange a maze as e'er men trod; And there is in this
business more than nature Was ever conduct of. Some oracle Must rectify our
knowledge.
PROSPERO. Sir, my liege, Do not infest your mind with beating on The
strangeness of this business; at pick'd leisure, Which shall be shortly, single
I'll resolve you, Which to you shall seem probable, of every These happen'd
accidents; till when, be cheerful And think of each thing well. [Aside to ARIEL]
Come hither, spirit; Set Caliban and his companions free; Untie the spell. [Exit
ARIEL] How fares my gracious sir? There are yet missing of your company Some few
odd lads that you remember not.
Re-enter ARIEL, driving in CALIBAN, STEPHANO, and
TRINCULO, in their stolen apparel
STEPHANO. Every man shift for all the rest, and let no man take care for
himself; for all is but fortune. Coragio, bully-monster, coragio!
TRINCULO. If these be true spies which I wear in my head, here's a goodly
sight.
CALIBAN. O Setebos, these be brave spirits indeed! How fine my master is! I
am afraid He will chastise me.
SEBASTIAN. Ha, ha! What things are these, my lord Antonio? Will money buy'em?
ANTONIO. Very like; one of them Is a plain fish, and no doubt marketable.
PROSPERO. Mark but the badges of these men, my lords, Then say if they be
true. This mis-shapen knave- His mother was a witch, and one so strong That
could control the moon, make flows and ebbs, And deal in her command without her
power. These three have robb'd me; and this demi-devil- For he's a bastard
one-had plotted with them To take my life. Two of these fellows you Must know
and own; this thing of darkness I Acknowledge mine.
CALIBAN. I shall be pinch'd to death.
ALONSO. Is not this Stephano, my drunken butler?
SEBASTIAN. He is drunk now; where had he wine?
ALONSO. And Trinculo is reeling ripe; where should they Find this grand
liquor that hath gilded 'em? How cam'st thou in this pickle?
TRINCULO. I have been in such a pickle since I saw you last that, I fear me,
will never out of my bones. I shall not fear fly-blowing.
SEBASTIAN. Why, how now, Stephano!
STEPHANO. O, touch me not; I am not Stephano, but a cramp.
PROSPERO. You'd be king o' the isle, sirrah?
STEPHANO. I should have been a sore one, then.
ALONSO. [Pointing to CALIBAN] This is as strange a thing as e'er I look'd on.
PROSPERO. He is as disproportioned in his manners As in his shape. Go,
sirrah, to my cell; Take with you your companions; as you look To have my
pardon, trim it handsomely.
CALIBAN. Ay, that I will; and I'll be wise hereafter, And seek for grace.
What a thrice-double ass Was I to take this drunkard for a god, And worship this
dull fool!
PROSPERO. Go to; away!
ALONSO. Hence, and bestow your luggage where you found it.
SEBASTIAN. Or stole it, rather.
Exeunt CALIBAN, STEPHANO, and TRINCULO
PROSPERO. Sir, I invite your Highness and your train To my poor cell, where
you shall take your rest For this one night; which, part of it, I'll waste With
such discourse as, I not doubt, shall make it Go quick away-the story of my
life, And the particular accidents gone by Since I came to this isle. And in the
morn I'll bring you to your ship, and so to Naples, Where I have hope to see the
nuptial Of these our dear-belov'd solemnized, And thence retire me to my Milan,
where Every third thought shall be my grave.
ALONSO. I long To hear the story of your life, which must Take the ear
strangely.
PROSPERO. I'll deliver all; And promise you calm seas, auspicious gales, And
sail so expeditious that shall catch Your royal fleet far off. [Aside to ARIEL]
My Ariel,
chick, That is thy charge. Then to the elements Be free, and fare thou
well!-Please you, draw near.
Exeunt
EPILOGUE EPILOGUE Spoken by PROSPERO
Now my charms are all o'erthrown,
And what strength I have's mine own,
Which is most faint. Now 'tis true,
I must be here confin'd by you,
Or sent to Naples. Let me not,
Since I have my dukedom got,
And pardon'd the deceiver, dwell
In this bare island by your spell;
But release me from my bands
With the help of your good hands.
Gentle breath of yours my sails
Must fill, or else my project fails,
Which was to please. Now I want
Spirits to enforce, art to enchant;
And my ending is despair
Unless I be reliev'd by prayer,
Which pierces so that it assaults
Mercy itself, and frees all faults.
As you from crimes would pardon'd be,
Let your indulgence set me free.
THE END
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