The Dramatic Works of William Shakspeare

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 'tis odious; but
The mistress, which I serve, quickens what's dead,
And makes my labours pleasures: 0, 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 ne'er like executor. I forget:

But these sweet thoughts do even refresh my labours;

Most busy-less, when I do it.

Enter Miranda; and Prospero at a distance. Mira. 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.

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.

Mira. 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 against.

Pro.

Poor worm! thou art infected; This visitation shows it. Mira. You look wearily. 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,2
And put it to the foil: but you, O you,
So perfect, and so peerless, are created
Of every creature's best.

Mira.
I do not know
One of my sex; no woman's face remember,
Save, from my glass, mine own; nor have I seen

(1) Command. (2) Own'd. (3) Whatsoever,

More that I may call men, than you, good friend,
And my dear father: how features are abroad,
(The jewel in my dower,) I would not wish
am skill-less of; but by my modesty
Any companion in the world but you;
Nor can inagination form a shape,
Besides yourself, to like of: but I prattle
Something too wildly, and my father's precepts
Therein forget.
I am, in my condition,

Fer.

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

To weep at what I am glad of. Pro.

I am a fool,

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 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.

Fer.

My mistress, dearest,

My husband then?

Fer. Ay, with a heart as willing

As bondage e'er of freedom: here's my hand. Mira. And mine, with my heart in't: And now farewell,

Till half an hour hence. Fer.

A thousand! thousand! [Exeunt Fer. and Mir. Pro. So glad of this as they, I cannot be, Who are surpris'd with all; 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 II.-Another part of the Island. Enter Stephano and Trinculo; Caliban following with a bottle.

Ste. 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.

Trin. Servant-monster? the folly of this island! They say, there's but five upon this isle: we are three of them; if the other two be brained like us, the state totters.

Ste. Drink, servant-monster, when I bid thee; thy eyes are almost set in thy head.

Trin. Where should they be set else? he were a brave monster indeed, if they were set in his tail,

Ste. We'll not run, monsieur monster. Trin. Nor go neither: but you lie, like dogs; and yet say nothing neither.

Ste. Moon-calf, speak once in thy life, if thou beest a good moon-calf,

Cal. How does thy honour? Let me lick thy shoe;

I'll not serve him, he is not valiant.

Trin. Why, what did Í? I did nothing; I'll go further off.

Ste. Didst thou not say, he lied?
Ari. Thou liest.

Ste. Do I so? take thou that. [strikes him.] As you like this, give me the lie another time.

Trin. 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!

Cal. Ha, ha, ha!

Ste. Now, forward with your tale. Pr'ythee, stand further off.

Cal. Beat him enough: after a little time,
I'll beat him too.

Ste.

Stand further.-Come proceed. Cal. Why, as I told thee, 'tis a custom with him

Trin. Thou liest, most ignorant monster; I am in case to justle a constable: Why, thou deboshed1 fish thou, was there ever man a coward, that hath I' the afternoon to sleep: there thou may'st brain drunk so much sack as I to-day? Wilt thou tell a monstrous lie, being but half a fish, and half a monster?

Cal. Lo, how he mocks me! wilt thou let him, my lord?

Trin. Lord, quoth he!-that a monster should be such a natural!

him,

Having first seiz'd his books; or with a log Batter his skull, or paunch him with a stake, Or cut his weazand 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, Cal. Lo, lo, again! bite him to death, I pr'ythec. As rootedly as I: Burn but his books; Ste. Trinculo, keep a good tongue in your head; He has brave utensils (for so he calls them,) if you prove a mutineer, the next tree-The poor Which, when he has a house, he'll deck withal. monster's my subject, and he shall not suffer indig

nity.

Cal. Thou liest, thou jesting monkey, thou: I would my valiant master would destroy thee; I do not lie.

Ste. Trinculo, if you trouble him any more in his tale, by this hand, I will supplant some of your teeth.

Trin. Why, I said nothing.

Ste. Mum then, and no more.-[To Caliban.]
Proceed.

Ca. 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.

Ste. That's most certain.

Cal. Thou shalt be lord of it, and I'll serve thee. Ste. How now shall this be compassed? Canst thou bring me to the party?

Cal. Yea, yea, my lord; I'll yield him thee asleep,
Where thou may'st knock a nail into his head.
Ari. Thou liest, thou canst not.

Cal. What a pied ninny's this!2 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
Where the quick freshes' are.

[him

Ste. Trinculo, run into no further danger; interrupt the monster one word further, and, by this hand, I'll turn my mercy out of doors, and make a stock-fish of thee.

And that most deeply to consider, is
The beauty of his daughter; he himself
Calls her a nonpareil: I ne'er saw woman,
But only Sycorax my dam, and she;
But she as far surpasseth Sycorax,
As greatest does least.

Ste.
Is it so brave a lass?
Cal. Ay, lord; she will become thy bed, I warrant,
And bring thee forth brave brood."

Ste. 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?

Trin. Excellent.

Ste. Give me thy hand; I am sorry I beat thee; but, while thou livest, keep a good tongue in thy head.

Cal. Within this half hour will he be asleep:
Wilt thou destroy him then?

Ste.
Ay, on mine honour.
Ari. This will I tell my master.
Cal. Thou mak'st me merry: I am full of plea-
sure;

Let us be jocund: Will you troll the catch
You taught me but while-ere?

Ste. At thy request, monster, I will do reason, any reason: Come on, Trinculo, let us sing.

[Sings.

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Cal. Art thou afeard?

Ste. No, monster, not I.

Cal. 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 cry'd to dream again.

Ste. This will prove a brave kingdom to me,
where I shall have my music for nothing.
Cal. When Prospero is destroyed.

Ste. That shall be by and by: I remember the story.

Trin. The sound is going away: let's follow it, and after, do our work.

Ste. Lead, monster; we'll follow.-I would, I could see this taborer: he lays it on.

Trin. Wilt come? I'll follow, Stephano.

[Exeunt.

(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.
Pro.
Honest lord,

Thou hast said well; for some of you there present,
Are worse than devils.
[Aside.
Alon.
I cannot too much muse,
Such shapes, such gesture, and such sound, ex-
pressing
(Although they want the use of tongue,) a kind
Of excellent dumb discourse.
Pro.
Praise in departing.

[Aside. No matter, since They have left their viands behind; for we have stomachs.

Fran. They vanish'd strangely.
Seb.

Will't please you taste of what is here?
Alon.

Not I. Gon. Faith, Sir, you need not fear: When we were boys,

SCENE III. Another part of the Island. En- Who would believe that there were mountaineers, ter Alonso, Sebastian, Antonio, Gonzalo, Adrian, Dew-lapp'd like bulls, whose throats had hanging Francisco, and others.

Gen. 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 pa-
tience,

1 needs must rest me.
Alon.
Old lord, I cannot blame thee,
Who am myself attach'd with weariness,
To the 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.
Ant. I am right glad that he's so out of hope.
[Aside to Sebastian.
Do not, for one repulse, forego the purpose
That you resolv'd to effect.

Seb.

Will we take thoroughly.

Ant.

The next advantage

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.
Seb.

I say, to-night: no more.

at them

Wallets of flesh? or that there were such men,
Whose heads stood in their breasts? which now we
Each putter-out on five for one, will bring us
find,
Good warrant of.

Alon.

Although my last: no matter, since I feel
I will stand to, and feed,
The best is past:-Brother, my lord the duke,
Stand too, and do as we.

Thunder and lightning. Enter Ariel like a har-
py: claps his wings upon the table, and with a
quaint device, the banquet vanishes.

Ari. 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 caused to belch up; and on this island
Where man doth not inhabit; you 'mongst men
Being most unfit to live. I have made you mad;
[Seeing Alon. Seb. &c. draw their swords.
And even with such like valour, men hang and
drown

Their proper selves. You fools! I and my fellows
Are ministers of fate; the elements

Solemn and strange music; and Prospero above, Of whom your swords are temper'd, may as well invisible. Enter several strange Shapes, bring-Wound the loud winds, or with bemock'd-at stabs ing in a banquet; they dance about it with gen- Kill the still-closing waters, as diminish lle actions of salutation; and inviting the king, One dowle' that's in my plume; my fellow-ministers &c. to eat, they depart.

Are like invulnerable: if you could hurt,

Alon. What harmony is this? my good friends, And will not be uplifted: But, remember

Your swords are now too massy for your strengths,

hark!

Gon. Marvellous sweet music!

Alon. Give us kind keepers, heavens!-What

were these?

Seb. A living drollery:2 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.

Ant.
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 them.
Gon.

I should report this now, would they believe me?
If in Naples
If I should say I saw such islanders

(1) Our lady. (2) Show. (3) Certainly.

(For that's my business to you,) that you three
Expos'd unto the sea, which hath requit it,
From Milan did supplant good Prospero;
Him, and his innocent child; for which foul deed
The powers, delaying, not forgetting, have
Against your peace: Thee, of thy son, Alonso,
Incens'd the seas and shores, yea, all the creatures
They have bereft: and do pronounce by me,
Lingering perdition (worse than any death
You, and your ways; whose wrath to guard you
Can be at once) shall step by step attend

from

Upon your heads,) is nothing, but heart's sorrow.
(Which here, in this most desolate isle, else falls
(5) Down.

(4) Wonder.

And a clear life ensuing.

Sour-ey'd disdain, and discord, shall bestrew The union of your bed with weeds so loathly, He vanishes in thunder: then, to soft music, enter That you shall hate it both: therefore, take need, the Shapes again, and dance with mops and As Hymen's lamps shall light you. mowes, and carry out the table.

Pro. [Aside.] 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 power;
And in these fits I leave them, whilst I visit
Young Ferdinand (whom they suppose is drown'd,)
And his and my lov'd darling.
[Exit Prospero from above.
Gon. I' the name of something holy, sir, why
stand you

In this strange stare? Alon.

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' the ooze is bedded; and I'll seek him deeper than e'er plummet sounded, And with him there lie mudded.

Seb.

I'll fight their legions o'er. Ant.

[Exit. But one fiend at a time,

I'll be thy second. [Exeunt Seb. and Ant.

Gon. 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 ecstacy2
May now provoke them to.
Adr.

ACT IV.

Follow, I pray you. [Exeunt.

Fer.

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 strongest suggestion Our worser Genius can, shall never melt Mine honour into lust; to take away The edge of that day's celebration, Or night kept chain'd below. When I shall think, or Phœbus' steeds are founder'd Fairly spoke: Sit then, and talk with her, she is thine own.What, Ariel: my industrious servant Ariel!

Pro.

Now come, my Ariel; bring a corollary,

SCENE 1.-Before Prospero's cell. Enter Pros- Rather than want a spirit; appear, and pertly.

pero, Ferdinand, and Miranda.

Pro. If I have too austerely punish'd you, Your compensation makes amends; for I Have given you here a thread of mine own life, Or that for which I live; whom 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.

No tongue; all eyes; be silent. [Soft music.

A Masque. 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 peonied and lilied 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, steril, and rocky-hard,
Where thou thyself dost air: The queen o' the sky.
Whose watery arch, and messenger, am I,
Bids thee leave these; and with her sovereign

Enter Ceres.

Cer. Hi, many-colour'd messenger, that ne'er
Dost disay the wife of Jupiter;
Who, with thy saffron wings, upon my flowers
Diffuses noney-drops, refreshing showers:
And win each end of thy blue bow dost erown
My bossy' acres, and my unshrubb'd down,
Rich scarf to my proud carth; 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 bless'd lovers.

Juno. How does my bounteous sister? Go with

To bless this twain, that they may prosperous be, And honour'd in their issue.

SONG.

Juno. Honour, riches, marriage-blessing,
Long continuance, and increasing,
Hourly joys be still upon you!
Juno sings her blessings on you.

Cer. Earth's increase, and foizon3 plenty;
Barns, and garners 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.

Fer. This is a most majestic vision, and
Harmonious charmingly: May I be bold
To think these spirits?

Pro.

Spirits, which by mine art I have from their confines call'd to enact

Let me live here ever; So rare a wonder'd father, and a wife, Make this place Paradise.

[Juno and Ceres whisper, and send Iris on employment.

Pro.

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 wand'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-burn'd sicklemen, of August weary,
Come hither from the furrow, and be merry;
Make holy-day: 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.

Pro. 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.

Fer. This is most strange: your father's in some passion That works him strongly. Mira. Never till this day, Saw I him touch'd with anger so distemper'd. Pro. 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 of, 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. Fer. Mira.

We wish your peace. [Exeunt. Pro. Come with a thought:-I thank you :Ariel, come.

Ceres,

I thought to have told thee of it; but I fear'd
Lest I might anger thee.

Pro. Say again, where didst thou leave these
varlets?

Sweet now, silence; Ari. I told you, sir, they were red-hot with

Juno and Ceres whisper seriously;

Woody.

Abundance.

drinking?

(4) Able to produce such wonders. (3) Vanished. probable that the author wrote track,

(6) A body of clouds in motion; but it is most

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