I prophesied, if a gallows were on land, Now, blasphemy, That swear'st grace o'erboard, not an oath on shore? Hast thou no mouth by land? What is the news? Boats. The best news is, that we have safely found Our king, and company: the next, our ship, Which, but three glasses since, we gave out split, Is tight, and yare,15 and bravely rigg'd, as when We first put out to sea. 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, Where, but even now, with strange and several noises Of roaring, shrieking, howling, jingling chains, Ari. Was't well done? be free. Alon. This is as strange a maze as e'er men trod: And there is in this business more than nature 15 i. e. ready 16 i. e. adroit, nimble. 17 Was ever conduct of: " some oracle Pro. Sir, my liege, Do not infest your mind with beating on 18 The strangeness of this business: at pick'd leisure, Which shall be shortly, single I'll resolve you, (Which to you shall seem probable,) of every These happen'd accidents: till when,, be cheerful, And think of each thing well.[Aside.] Come hither, spirit: Set Caliban and his companions free; Untie the spell. [Exit ARIEL.] How fares my gracious sir? There are yet missing of your company 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 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, 17 Conductor of. 18 There is a vulgar expression still in use, of similar import: "Still hammering at it." 19 Then say, if they be true: This misshapen knave, 20 His mother was a witch; and one so strong Cal. I shall be pinch'd to death. Alon. Is not this Stephano, my drunken butler? Seb. He is drunk now: Where had he wine? Alon. And Trinculo is reeling ripe: Where should they Find this grand liquor that hath gilded them? 21 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; 19 Honest. 20 i. e. work the same effects as the moon without her delegated authority. 21 The phrase of being gilded was a trite one for being drunk. Fletcher uses it in The Chances, Act iv. sc. 3: "Duke. Is she not drunk too? Con. A little gilded o'er, sir: old sack, old sack, boys." Take with you your companions: as you look Cal. Ay, that I will; and I'll be wise hereafter, And seek for grace: What a thrice double ass Was I, to take this drunkard for a god, And worship this dull fool? Pro. Go to; away! Alon. Hence, and bestow your luggage where you found it. Seb. Or stole it, rather. [Exeunt CAL. STE. and TRIN. Since I came to this isle: And in the morn Alon. Pro. I'll deliver all; Be free, and fare thou well! - Please you, draw near. [Exeunt. EPILOGUE. SPOKEN BY PROSPERO. Now my charms are all o'erthrown, As you from crimes would pardon'd be, 1 i. e. by your applause. Noise was supposed to dissolve a spell. Thus before in this play: "hush, and be mute, Or else our spell is marr'd." |