Gon. But the rarity of it is, which is indeed almost beyond credit,—

Seb. As many vouched rarities are.

56

Gon. That our garments, being, as they were, drenched in the sea, hold, notwithstanding, their freshness and glosses, being rather new-dyed than stained with salt water.

60

Ant. If but one of his pockets could speak, would it not say he lies?

Seb. Ay, or very falsely pocket up his report.

Gon. 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.

66

Seb. 'Twas a sweet marriage, and we prosper well in

our return.

Adr. Tunis was never graced before with such a paragon to their queen.

Gon. Not since widow Dido's time.

70

Ant. Widow! a pox o' that! How came that widow

in? widow Dido!

What if he had said 'widower Æneas' too? Good

Seb.

Lord, how you take it!

75

Adr. 'Widow Dido' said you? you make me study of

that: she was of Carthage, not of Tunis.

Gon. This Tunis, sir, was Carthage.

Adr. Carthage?

Gon. I assure you, Carthage.

80

Ant. His word is more than the miraculous harp.

Seb. He hath raised the wall, and houses too.

Ant. What impossible matter will he make easy next?

:

Seb. I think he will carry this island home in his

85

pocket, and give it his son for an apple.

Ant. And, sowing the kernels of it in the sea, bring

forth more islands.

Gon. Ay.

Ant. Why, in good time.

89

Gon. 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.

Ant. And the rarest that e'er came there.

Seb. Bate, I beseech you, widow Dido.

Ant. Ó, widow Dido! ay, widow Dido.

95

Gon. Is not, sir, my doublet as fresh as the first day

I wore it? I mean, in a sort.

Ant.

That sort was well fished for.

Gon. When I wore it at your daughter's marriage? Alon. 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?

Fran.

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 oar'd

101

105

110

Himself with his good arms in lusty stroke
To the shore, that o'er his wave-worn basis bow'd,

As stooping to relieve him: I not doubt

115

He came alive to land.

Alon.

No, no, he's gone.

Seb. 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, 120

Who hath cause to wet the grief on't.

Alon.

Prithee, peace.

Seb. You were kneel'd to, and importuned otherwise,

By all of us; and the fair soul herself

Weigh'd between loathness and obedience, at

Which end o' the beam should bow. We have lost your son,

I fear, for ever: Milan and Naples have

Mo widows in them of this business' making

Than we bring men to comfort them:

The fault's your own.

Alon.

So is the dear'st o' the loss.

Gon. 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.

Very well.

126

130

Ant. And most chirurgeonly.

Gon. It is foul weather in us all, good sir,

When you are cloudy.

Seb.

Ant.

Foul weather?

Very foul.

Gon. Had I plantation of this isle, my lord,

Ant. He'ld sow't with nettle-seed.

Seb.

135

Or docks, or mallows.

Gon. And were the king on't, what would I do?
Seb. 'Scape being drunk for want of wine.
Gon. I' the 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;

Seb.

Yet he would be king on't.

140

145

150

Ant. The latter end of his commonwealth forgets the

beginning.

Gon. 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.

Seb. No marrying 'mong his subjects?

Ant. None, man; all idle; whores and knaves.
Gon. I would with such perfection govern, sir,

To excel the golden age.
Seb.

'Save his majesty!

155

160

Ant. Long live Gonzalo ! Gon. And, do you mark me, sir? Alon. Prithee, no more: thou dost talk nothing to me. Gon. 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. Ant. 'Twas you we laughed at.

Gon. Who in this kind of merry fooling am nothing to

you: so you may continue, and laugh at nothing still. Ant. What a blow was there given !

Seb. An it had not fallen flat-long.

170

Gon. 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.

Seb. We would so, and then go a bat-fowling.
Ant. Nay, good my lord, be not angry.

157 it] F1F2. its F3F4. See note (VIII). 162 'Save] F1F2F3. Save F4

God

175

Gon. No, I warrant you; I will not adventure my dis163 Gonzalo] King Gonzalo Elze conj., reading 'Save...Gonzalo as one line. 175 Enter...invisible...music.] Malone. Enter Ariell playing solemne Musicke. Ff. Collier MS. adds 'aboue inuisible.' om. Pope. [solemn Musick. Capell.