Enter MIRANDA; and PROSPERO at a distance.
Alas, now! pray you,

Mira.
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 weary'd you: My father
Is hard at study; pray now, rest yourself;

He's safe for these three hours.

Fer.

O most dear mistress,

The sun will set, before I shall discharge

What I must strive to do.

Mira.

If you'll sit down,

I'll bear your logs the while: Pray, give me that;

I'll carry it to the pile.

Fer.

No, precious creature:

I had rather crack my sinews, break my back,
Than you should such dishonour undergo,
While I sit lazy by.

Fer. 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?

Mira.

Miranda :-O my father,

I have broke your hest to say so!

Fer.

Admir'd Miranda!

Indeed, the top of admiration; worth
What's dearest to the world! Full many a lady
I have ey'd with best regard; and many a time
The 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 34.

I do not know

Mira. 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 skill-less 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
Therein forget.

Fer.

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 I would 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.

Mira.

Do you love me?

Fer. 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' the world,
Do love, prize, honour you.

Mira.

I am a fool,

To weep at what I am glad of 35.

Pro.

Fair encounter

Of two most rare affections! Heavens rain grace
On that which breeds between them!

Fer.

Wherefore weep you?

Mira. 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 shews. 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.

Fer.

And I thus humble ever.

My mistress, dearest,