MILCHA SINGS. Full fathom five thy father lies, Hark! now I hear them, ding dong bell. Ferd. This mournful ditty mentions my drowned father. This is no mortal business, nor a sound Which the earth owns-I hear it now before me; However, I will on, and follow it. [Exit FERD. following ARIEL. SCENE II.-The Cypress Trees and Cave. Enter PROSPERO and MIRANDA. Prosp. Excuse it not, Miranda, for to you (The elder, and, I thought, the more discreet,) Igave the conduct of your sister's actions. Mir. Sir, when you called me thence, I did not fail To mind her of her duty to depart. The Prosp. How can I think you did remember hers, When you forgot your own? did you not see man, whom I commanded you to shun? Mir. Í must confess I saw him at a distance. Prosp. Did not his eyes infect and poison you? What alteration found you in yourself? Mir. I only wondered at a sight so new. him? Come, tell me truly what you think of him. Mir. As of the gayest thing I ever saw, So fine, that it appeared more fit to be Beloved than feared, and seemed so near my kind, That I did think I might have called it sister. Prosp. You do not love it? Mir. How is it likely that I should, Except the thing had first loved me? Prosp Cherish those thoughts: You have a generous soul; And since I see your mind not apt to take Of terror to my mind? You never used To teach me any thing but god-like truths, man Might unawares possess your tender breast, Mir. Heaven still preserve you, şir. [Exit MIR. Enter DORINDA. Oh, come hither: you have seen a man to-day, Dor. Who, I? Indeed I saw him but a little, sir. Prosp. Come, come, be clear. Your sister told me all. Dor, Did she? Truly she would have seen him more than I, Prosp. Why so? Dor. Because, methought, he would have hurt me less, Than he would her. But if I knew you'd not be angry with me, Tell me, with that sincerity I taught you, Dor. I hope you will forgive me, sir, because Prosp. I told you he Was dangerous; but you would not be warned. Dor. Pray be not angry, sir, if I tell you, You are mistaken in him; for he did Me no great hurt. Prosp. But he may do you more harm hereafter. Dor. No, sir, I'm as well as e'er I was in all my life, But that I cannot eat nor drink for thought of him. That dangerous man runs ever in my mind. Prosp. The way to cure you is, no more to see him. Dor. Nay, pray, sir, say not so. I promised him To see him once again; and you know, sir, You charged me I should never break my promise. Prosp. Would you see him, who did you so much mischief? Dor. I warrant you I did him as much harm as he did me; For when I left him, sir, he sighed so, as it grieved My heart to hear him. Prosp. Those sighs were poisonous, they infected you; You say, they grieved you to the heart. Dor. Tis true; but yet his looks and words were gentle. Prosp. These are the day-dreams of a maid in love; But still I fear the worst. Dor. O fear not him, sir. Prosp. You speak of him with too much passion; tell me, (And on your duty tell me true, Dorinda,) What passed betwixt you and that horrid creature? Dor. How, horrid, sir? if any else but you Should call it so, indeed, I should be angry. Prosp. Go to! You are a foolish girl; but an swer To what I ask; what thought you when you saw it? I was afraid he would have swallowed it. Prosp. Well, what was his behaviour afterwards? Dor. He on a sudden grew so tame and gentle, That he became more kind to me than you are; Then, sir, I grew I know not how, and, touching His hand again, my heart did beat so strong, As I lacked breath to answer what he asked. Prosp. You've been too fond, and I should chide. you for it. Dor. Then send me to that creature to be nished. pu Prosp. Poor child! Thy passion, like a lazy ague, Has seized thy blood; instead of striving, thou hu mourest And feed'st thy languishing disease: Thou fight'st If he would hurt me, yet he knows not how: Just straggling from the nest: Pray trust me, sir, Prosp. Since you will I charge you bear yourself reservedly to him; Dor. This is hard! Prosp. It is the way to make him love you more; He will despise you, if you grow too kind. Dor. I'll struggle with my heart to follow this; But if I lose him by it, will you promise To bring him back again? Prosp. Fear not, Dorinda; But se him ill, and he'll be yours for ever. [Exit DOR. Enter ARIEL. Ariel. What would my potent master? Here I am. Prosp. rosp. Thou and thy meaner fellows your last service 5 |