Than you may call to comfort you; for I Alon. A daughter? O heavens! that they were living both in Naples, Where my son lies. When did you lose your daughter? Pro. In this last tempest. I perceive, these lords At this encounter do so much admire, That they devour their reason; and scarce think 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 wreck'd, 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; The entrance of the Cell opens, and discovers FERDINAND and Mira. Sweet lord, you play me false. Fer. No, my dearest love, I would not for the world. Mira. Yes, for a score of kingdoms, you should And I would call it fair play. Alon. If this prove A vision of the island, one dear son Shall I twice lose. Seb. A most high miracle! wrang.e, Fer. Though the seas threaten, they are merciful: I have curs'd them without cause. Alon. Now all the blessings [FER. kneels to Alon. Of a glad father compass thee about! Arise, and say how thou cam'st here. Mira. O! wonder! How many goodly creatures are there here! How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world, Pro. 'Tis new to thee. Alon. 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? Fer. Sir, she's mortal; But, by immortal Providence, she's mine; Alon. I am hers: But O, how oddly will it sound, that I Pro. There, sir, stop. Let us not burden our rememorances With a heaviness that's gone. Gon. 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! Alon. I say, Amen, Gonzalo ! Gon. Was Milan thrust from Milan, that his issue Should become kings of Naples? O, rejoice Beyond a common joy; and set it down Where he himself was lost; Prospero his dukedom, In a poor isle; and all of us, ourselves, When no man was his own. Alon. Give me your hands: [To FER. and Mira. Let grief and sorrow still embrace his heart, That doth not wish you joy! Gon. Be't so! Amen! Re-enter ARIEL, with the Master and Boatswain amazedly following. O look, sir, look, sir; here are more of us! This fellow could not drown :-Now, blasphemy, Ari. Sir, all this service Have I done since I went. Pro. My tricksy spirit! Aside. Alon. These are not natural events; they strengthen, From strange to stranger :-Say, how came you hither? Boats. 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, Ari. Was't, well done? Pro. Bravely, my diligence. be free. Alon. 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. Pro. Sir, my liege, Do not infest your mind with beating on The strangeness of this business; at pick'd leisure, [Aside Untie the spell. [Ex. ARI.]-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. Ste. Every man shift for all the rest, and let no man take care for himself; for all is but fortune :-Coragio, bully-monster, Coragio! Trin. If these be true spies which I wear in my head, here's a goodly sight. Cal. O Setebos, these be brave spirits, indeed! How fine my master is! I am afraid He will chastise me. Seb. Ha, ha; What things are these, my lord Antonio ! Ant. Very like; one of them Is a plain fish, and, no doubt, marketable. Pro. 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, Cal. I shall be pinch'd to death. Alon. Is not this Stephano, my drunken butler? Alon. And Trinculo is reeling ripe: Where should they [1] This was the phraseology of the times. After the statute against witches, revenge or ignorance frequently induced people to charge those against whom they harboured resentment, or entertained prejudices, with the crime of witchcraft, which had just then been declared a capital offence. In our ancient reports are several cases where persons charged in this manner sought redress in the courts of law. And it is remarkable in all of them, to the scandalous imputation of being witches, the term-a strong one, is constantly added. In Michaelmas term, 9 Car. 1. the point was settled that no action could be supported on so general a charge, and that the epithet strong did not enforce the other words. In this instance, I believe, the opinion of the people at large was not in unison with the sages of West minster-Hall. Several of these cases are collected together in I Viner, 422 REED Trin. 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. Seb. Why, how now, Stephano? Ste. O, touch me not; I am not Stephano, but a cramp. Pro. You'd be king of the isle, sirrah? Ste. I should have been a sore one then. Alon. This is as strange a thing as e'er I look'd on. [Pointing to CALIBAN. Pro. He is as disproportion'd in his manners, As in his shape :-Go, sirrah, to my cell; Cal. Ay, that I will; and I'll be wise hereafter, And worship this dull fool? Pro. Go to; away! Alon. Hence, and bestow your luggage where you found it. Seb. Or stole it, rather. : [Exe. CAL. STE. & TRIN Pro. Sir, I invite your highness, and your train, To hear the story of your life, which must Pro. I'll deliver all; And promise you calm seas, auspicious gales, And sails so expeditious, that shall catch Your royal fleet far off.-My Ariel ;-chick,- Be free, and fare thou well!-[Aside.] Please yon draw near. [Exeunt. |