The Dramatic Works of Shakspeare

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-beloved solemniz'd;
And thence retire me to my Milan, where
Every third thought shall be my grave.
Alon.
I long

To hear the story of your life, which must
Take the ear strangely.
Pro.
I'll deliver all;
And promise you calm seas, auspicious gales,
And sail so expeditious, that shall catch
Your royal fleet far off.-My Ariel ;—chick,—
That is thy charge; then to the elements
Be free, and fare thou well!-[aside.] Please
you, draw near.
[Exeunt.

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.

* Applause: noise was supposed to dissolve a spell.

It is observed of THE TEMPEST, that its plan is regular: this the author of THE REVISAL thinks, what I think too, an accidental effect of the story, not intended or regarded by ou author. But, whatever might be Shakspeare's intention in forming or adopting the plot, he has made it instrumental to the production of many characters, diversified with boundless invention, and preserved with profound skill in nature, extensive knowledge of opinions, and accurate observation of life. In a single drama are here exhibited princes, courtiers, and sailors, all speaking in their real characters. There is the agency of airy spirits, and of an earthly goblin. The operations of magic, the tumults of a storm, the adventures of a desert island, the native effusion of untaught affection, the punishment of guilt, and the final bappi. ness of the pair for whom our passions and reason are equally interested. JOHNSON.

Scene,-sometimes in Verona; sometimes in Milan; and on the frontiers of Mantua.

ACT I.

SCENE I. An open place in Verona.

Enter VALENTINE and PROTEUS. Val. Cease to persuade, my loving Proteus Home-keeping youth have ever homely wits: Wer't not, affection chains thy tender days To the sweet glances of thy honour'd love, I rather would entreat thy company, To see the wonders of the world abroad, Than living dully slaggardiz'd at home, Wear out thy youth with shapeless idleness. But, since thou lov'st, love still, and thrive therein,

Even as I would, when I to love begin.
Pro. Wilt thou be gone? Sweet Valentine,
adieu!

Think on thy Proteus, when thou, haply, seest
Some rare note-worthy object in thy travel:
Wish me partaker in thy happiness,
When thou dost meet good hap; and, in thy
If ever danger do environ thee, [danger,
Commend thy grievance to my holy prayers,
For I will be thy bead's-man, Valentine.
Val. And on a love-book pray for my success.
Pro. Upon some book I love, I'll pray for
[love,

thee.

Val. That's on some shallow story of deep How young Leander cross'd the Hellespont. Pro. That's a deep story of a deeper love; For he was more than over shoes in love. Val. 'Tis true; for you are over boots in love, And yet you never swam the Hellespont. Pro. Over the boots? nay, give me not the boots..

Val. No, I'll not, for it boots thee not.

Pro.

Val.

What?

;

If lost, why then a grievous labour won;
However, but a folly bought with wit,
Or else a wit by folly vanquished.

Pro. So, by your circumstance, you call me fool.

Val. So, by your circumstance, I fear, you'll

prove.

Pro. 'Tis love you cavil at; I am not Love.

Val. Love is your master, for he masters And he that is so yoked by a fool, [you: Methinks should not be chronicled for wise.

Pro. Yet writers say, As in the sweetest bud The eating canker dwells, so eating love Inhabits in the finest wits of all.

Val. And writers say, As the most forward
Is eaten by the canker ere it blow, [bud
Even so by love the young and tender wit
Is turn'd to folly; blasting in the bud,
Losing his verdure even in the prime
And all the fair effects of future hopes.
But-wherefore waste I time to counsel thee,
That art a votary to fond desire?
Once more adieu: my father at the road
Expects my coming, there to see me shipp'd.
Pro. And thither will I bring thee, Valentine.
Val. Sweet Proteus, no; now let us take
our leave.

At Milan let me hear from thee by letters,
Of thy success in love, and what news else
Betideth here in absence of thy friend;
And I likewise will visit thee with mine.
Pro.All happiness bechance to thee in Milan!
Val. As much to you at home! and so fare-
well!
[Exit VALENTINE.

Pro. He after honour hunts, I after love: He leaves his friends, to dignify them more; To be I leave myself, my friends, and all for love. In love, where scorn is bought with groans; Thou, Julia, thou hast metamorphos'd me; coy looks, [mirth, Made me neglect my studies, lose my time, With heart-sore sighs; one fading moment's War withgood counsel, set the world at nought; With twenty watchful, weary, tedious nights: Made wit with musing weak, heart sick with If haply won, perhaps, a hapless gain;

thought.

• A humorous punishment at harvest-home feasts, &c.

Pro. I do.

Speed. Why then my horns are his horns, whether I wake or sleep. Pro. A silly answer, and fitting well a sheep. Speed. This proves me still a sheep. Pro. True; and thy master a shepherd. Sp. Nay, that I can deny by a circumstance. Pro. It shall go hard, but I'll prove it by another.

Speed. The shepherd seeks the sheep, and not the sheep the shepherd; but I seek my master, and my master seeks not me: there fore, I am no sheep.

Pro. The sheep for fodder follow the shepberd, the shepherd for food follows not the sheep; thou for wages followest thy master, thy master for wages follows not thee: therefore, thou art a sheep.

Sp.Such another proof will make me cry bra. Pro. But dost thou hear? gav'st thou my letter to Julia?

Speed. Ay, sir: I, a lost mutton, gave your letter to her, a laced mutton; and she, a laced mutton, gave me, a lost mutton, nothing for my labour.

Pro. Here's too small a pasture for such a store of muttons.

Speed. If the ground be overcharged, you were best stick her.

Pro. Nay, in that you are astray; 'twere best pound you.

Speed. Nay, sir, less than a pound shall serve me for carrying your letter.

Pro. You mistake; I mean the pound, a pinfold.

Speed. From a pound to a pin? fold it over and over, [your lover. 'Tis threefold too little for carrying a letter to Pro. But what said she? did she nod? SPEED nods.

Speed. I.

Pro. Nod, I? why, that's noddy t. Speed. You mistook, sir; I say, she did nod: and you ask me, if she did nod; and I say, I. Pro. And that set together, is-noddy. Speed. Now you have taken the pains to set it together, take it for your pains.

Pro. No, no, you shall have it for bearing the letter.

Speed. Well, I perceive, I must be fain to bear with you.

Pro. Why, sir, how do you bear with me? Speed. Marry, sir, the letter very orderly; having nothing but the word, noddy, for my pains.

A term for a courtezan. Cive me a six-pence.

Pr. Beshrew me, but you have a quick wis Speed. And yet it cannot overtake you slow purse.

Pro. Come, come, open the matter in brief What said she?

Speed. Open your purse, that the money, an the matter, may be both at once delivered. Pro. Well, sir, here is for your pains: Wha said she?

Sp. Truly, sir, I think you'll hardly win her Pro. Why? Could'st thou perceive so muc from her?

Speed. Sir, I could perceive nothing at a from her; no, not so much as a ducat for de livering your letter: And being so hard to m that brought your mind, I fear, she'll prove a hard to you in telling her mind. Give her n token but stones; for she's as hard as stee.. Pro. What, said she nothing?

Speed. No, not so much as-take this fo thy pains. To testify your bounty, I thank you you have testern'd§ ine; in requital whereof, henceforth carry your letters yourself: and so, sir, I'll commend you to my master.

Pro. Go, go, be gone, to save your ship from wreck;

Which cannot perish, having thee aboard,
Being destined to a drier death on shore <-
I must go send some better messenger;
I fear, my Julia would not deign my lines,
Receiving them from such a worthless post.
[Exeunt
SCENE II.

me.

Jul. And wonld'st thou have me cast my
love on him?
Luc. Ay, if you thought your love not cast
[away.
Jul. Why he of all the rest hath never mov'd
Luc. Yet he of all the rest, I think, best
[loves ye.
Jul. His little speaking shews his love but
small.
Luc. Fire, that is closest kept burns most
[of all.
Jul. They do not love, that do not shew
their love.

Luc. O, they love least, that let nen know
Jul. I would, I knew his mind. [their love.
Luc.
Peruse this paper, madam.
Jul. To Julia,-Say, from whom?
Luc.
That the contents will shew.
Jul. Say, say; who gave it thee?
Luc. Sir Valentine's page; and sent, I think,
from Proteus:

He would have given it you, but I being in the
way,
Did in your name receive it; pardon the fault,
[I pray.
Jul. Now, by my modesty, a goodly broker!
Dare yon presume to harbour wanton lines?
To whisper and conspire against my youth?
Now, trust me, 'tis an office of great worth,
And you an officer fit for the place.
There, take the paper, see it be return'd;
Or else return no more into my sight.
Luc. To plead for love deserves more fee
Jul. Will you be gone?
Luc.
[than hate.
That you may ruminate. [Exit.
Jul. And yet, I would I had o'erlook'd the
letter.

It were a shame to call her back again,
And pray her to a fault for which I chid her.
What fool is she, that knows I am a maid,
And would not force the letter to my view?
Since maids, in modesty, suy No, to that
Which they would have the profferer construe,
Fie, fie! how way ward is this foolish love, [Ay.
That, like a testy babe, will scratch the nurse,
And presently, all humbled, kiss the rod!
How churlishly I chid Lucetta hence,
When willingly I would have had her here!
Horgrily I taught my brow to frown,

inward joy enforc'd my heart to smile!
M. penance is, to call Lucetta back,
And ask remission for my folly past:--
What ho! Lucetta!

Luc.

Re-enter LUCETTA.

What would your ladyship?
Jul. Is it near dinner-time?
Luc.

That you might kill your stomacht on your
I would it were;
And not upon your maid.
[meat,
What is't you took up

Jul.

So gingerly?
Luc.

Jul.

Nothing.
Why did'st thou stoop then?
Luc. To take a paper up that I let fall.
Jul. And is that paper nothing?

Luc.

Nothing concerning me.
Jul. Then let it lie for those that it concerns.

• A matchmaker.

The tenor in music.

Luc. Madam, it will not lie where it con
Unless it have a false interpreter.
Jul. Some love of your's hath writ to you
[cerns,
in rhyme.

Give me a note: your ladyship can set.
Luc. That I might sing it, madam, to a tune:
Jul. As little by such toys as may be possible:
Best sing it to the tune of Light o' love.
Luc. It is too heavy for so light a tune.
Jul. Heavy? belike, it hath some burden theu
Luc. Ay, and melodious were it, would yon
Jul. And why not you?
Luc.
[sing it
I cannot reach so high
Jul. Let's see your song:-How now,minion
Luc. Keep tune there still, so you will sing
it out:

And yet, methinks, I do not like this tune.
Jui. You do not?

Luc. No, madam; it is too sharp.
Jul. You, minion, are too saucy.
And mar the concord with too harsh a descant:
Luc. Nay, now you are too fiat,
There wanteth but a mean to fill your song.
Jul. The mean is drown'd with your unruly

base.

Luc. Indeed, I bid the base for Proteus.
Jul. This babble shall not henceforth trouble
Here is a coil with protestation!--
(me

Go, get you gone; and let the papers lie:
[Tears the letter.
You would be fingering them, to anger nie.
Luc. She makes it strange; but she would
be best pleas'd

To be so anger'd with another letter.

Jul. Nay, would I were so anger'd with the
[Exit.
same!

O hateful hands, to tear such loving words!
Injurious wasps! to feed on such sweet honey,
I'll kiss each several paper for amends.
And kill the bees, that yield it, with your stings!
And here is writ-kind Julia;-unkind Julia!
As in revenge of thy ingratitude,

I throw thy name against the bruising stones,
Trampling contemptuously on thy disdain.
Look, here is writ-love-wounded Proteus:-
Shall lodge thee, till thy wound be throughly
Poor wounded name! my bosom, as a bed,
heal'd;

And thus I search it with a sovereign kiss.
But twice or thrice, was Proteus written down?
Be calm, good wind, blow 'not a word away,
Till I have found each letter in the letter,
Except mine own name; that some whirlwind
Unto a ragged, fearful, hanging rock,
Lo, here in one line is his name twice writ,-
And throw it thence into the raging sea!
[bear
Poor forlorn Proteus, passionate Proteus,
To the sweet Julia-that I'll tear away;
And yet I will not, sith ** so prettily
Thus will I fold them one upon another;
He couples it to his complaining names:
Now kiss, embrace, contend, do what you will.
Re-enter LUCETTA.
Madam, dinner's ready, and your fa-
ther stays.

Luc.

A term in music.
*. Since.

+ Passion or obstinacy.
A challenge.

Bustle, stir.
D

Jul. Well, let us go.

Luc. What, shall these papers lie like tell

tales here?

[up. Jul. If you respect them, best to take thein Luc. Nay, I was taken up for laying them

down:

Yet here they shall not lie, for catching cold. Jul. I see, you have a month's mind to them. Luc. Ay, madam, you may say what sights

you see;

Are journeying to salute the emperor,
And to commend their service to his will
Ant. Good company; with them shall Pro-
teus go:
[him §.
And, in good time,-now will we break with
Enter PROTEUS.

Pro. Sweet love! sweet lines! sweet life?

Here is her hand, the agent of her heart;
Here is her oath for love, her honour's pawn:

I see things too, although you judge I wink., that our fathers would applaud our loves,
Jul. Come, come, will't please you go?
To seal our happiness with their consents!
O heavenly Julia!

SCENE III.

[Exeunt.

The same. A Room in Antonio's House.
Enter ANTONIO and PANTHINO.
Ant. Tell me, Panthino, what sad talk was
that

Wherewith my brother held you in the cloister?

Pan. 'Twas of his nephew Proteus, your son. Ant. Why, what of him?

Pan. He wonder'd, that your lordship

Would suffer him to spend his youth at home;
While other men, of slender reputation,
Put forth their sons to seek preferment out:
Some, to the wars, to try their fortune there;
Some, to discover islands far away;
Some, to the studions universities.
For any, or for all these exercises,
He said, that Proteus, your son, was meet;
And did request me, to impórtune you,
To let him spend his time no more at home,
Which would be great impeachment to his age,
In having known no travel in his youth.

Ant. Nor need'st thou much impórtune me to that

Whereon this month I have been hammering.
I have consider'd well his loss of time;
And how he cannot be a perfect man,
Not being try'd and tutor❜d in the world:
Experience is by industry achiev'd,
And perfected by the swift course of time:
Then, tell me, whither were I best to send him!

Pan. I think, your lordship is not ignorant
How his companion, youthful Valentine,
Attends the emperor in his royal court.
Ant. I know it well.

Pan. Twere good, I think, your lordship sent him thither :

There shall he practise tilts and tournaments,
Hear sweet discourse, converse with noblemen;

And be in eye of every exercise,
Worthy his youth and nobleness of birth.

[it,

Ant. I like thy counsel; well hast thou advis'd: And, that thou may'st perceive how well I like The execution of it shall make known; Even with the speediest execution I will despatch him to the emperor's court. Pan. To-morrow, may it please yon, Don Alphonso,

With other gentlemen of good esteem,

• Serious.

there ?

news.

Ant. How now ? what letter are you reading [or two Pro. May't please your lordship, 'tis a word Of commendation sent from Valentine, Delivered by a friend that came from him. Ant. Lend me the letter; let me see what [writes Pro. There is no news, my lord; but that he And daily graced by the emperor; How happily he lives, how well belov'd, Wishing me with him, partner of his fortune. Ant. And how stand you affected to his wish? Pro. As one relying on your lordship's will, And not depending on his friendly wish.

Ant. My will is something sorted with his wish:

Muse not that I thus suddenly proceed;
For what I will, I will, and there an end.
I am resolv'd, that thou shalt spend some time
With Valentinus in the emperor's court;
What maintenance he from his friends receives,
Like exhibition ¶ thou shalt have from me.

To-morrow be in readiness to go:
Excuse it not, for I am peremptory.

Pro. My lord, I cannot be so soon provided; Please you, deliberate a day or two.

Ant. Look, what thou want'st, shall be sent

after thee:

drown'd:

Lest he should take exceptions to my love; I fear'd to shew my father Julia's letter, Hath he excepted most against my love. And with the vantage of mine own excuse 0, how this spring of love resembleth

The uncertain glory of an April day; Which now shews all the beauty of the sun, And by and by a cloud takes all away! Re-enter PANTHINO. Pan. Sir Protens, your father calls for you; He is in haste, therefore, I pray you, go. Pro.Why,this it is! my heart accords thereto; And yet a thousand times it answers, no.

+ Little consequence.

§ Break the matter to him.

Wonder.

Reproach. Allowance.

[Exeunt.

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