Thou wast, that did preserve me. Thou didst smile, Infused with a fortitude from heaven,

When I have decked the sea with drops full salt, Under my burden groaned; which raised in me An undergoing stomach, to bear up

Against what should ensue.

Mira.

How came we ashore?

Pro. By Providence divine.

Some food we had, and some fresh water, that
A noble Neapolitan, Gonzalo,

Out of his charity (who being then appointed
Master of this design) did give us, with

Rich garments, linens, stuffs, and necessaries,

Which since have steaded much so, of his gentleness,

Knowing I loved my books, he furnished me,

From mine own library, with volumes that

I prize above my dukedom.

Mira.

But ever see that man!

Pro.

'Would I might

Now I arise.

Sit still, and hear the last of our sea-sorrow.
Here in this island we arrived; and here
Have I, thy schoolmaster, made thee more profit
Than other princess' can, that have more time
For vainer hours, and tutors not so careful.

Mira. Heavens thank you for 't! And now I

pray you, sir,

For still 't is beating in my mind, your reason

For raising this sea-storm?

Pro.

Know thus far forth.

By accident most strange, bountiful Fortune,
Now my dear lady, hath mine enemies
Brought to this shore; and by my prescience
I find my zenith doth depend upon
A most auspicious star, whose influence
If now I court not, but omit, my fortunes
Will ever after droop. Here cease more questions.
Thou art inclined to sleep; 't is a good dulness,
And give it way :-I know thou canst not choose.—
[MIRANDA sleeps.
Come away, servant, come; I am ready now;
Approach, my Ariel. Come!

Enter ARIEL

Ari. All hail, great master; grave sir, hail!

I come

To answer thy best pleasure; be 't to fly,

To swim, to dive into the fire, to ride

On the curled clouds: to thy strong bidding, task Ariel, and all his quality.

Pro.

Hast thou, spirit,

Performed to point the tempest that I bade thee?

Ari. To every article.

I boarded the king's ship: now on the beak,
Now in the waist, the deck, in every cabin,
I flamed amazement: sometime I'd divide,
And burn in many places; on the topmast
The yards and bowsprit would I flame distinctly,
Then meet and join. Jove's lightnings, the pre-

cursors

O' the dreadful thunder-claps, more momentary And sight-outrunning were not: the fire, and cracks Of sulphurous roaring the most mighty Neptune Seem to besiege, and make his bold waves tremble, Yea, his dread trident shake.

Pro.

My brave spirit!

Who was so firm, so constant, that this coil

Would not infect his reason?

Ari.

Not a soul

But felt a fever of the mad, and played

Some tricks of desperation. All, but mariners, Plunged in the foaming brine, and quit the vessel, Then all a-fire with me: the king's son, Ferdinand, With hair up-staring (then like reeds, not hair), Was the first man that leapt; cried, 'Hell is

empty,

And all the devils are here.'

On their sustaining garments not a blemish,

But fresher than before; and, as thou bad'st me,
In troops I have dispersed them 'bout the isle.
The king's son have I landed by himself,

Whom I left cooling of the air with sighs,
In an odd angle of the isle, and sitting,
His arms in this sad knot.

Pro.

The mariners, say how thou hast disposed,
And all the rest o' the fleet?

Ari.

Of the king's ship

Safely in harbour

Is the king's ship, in the deep nook where once Thou call'dst me up at midnight to fetch dew From the still-vext Bermoothes, there she's hid; The mariners all under hatches stowed,

Whom, with a charm joined to their suffered

labour,

I have left asleep and for the rest o' the fleet

:

Which I dispersed, they all have met again,

And are upon the Mediterranean flote

Bound sadly home for Naples,

Supposing that they saw the king's ship wrecked,

And his great person perish.

Pro.

Ariel, thy charge

Exactly is performed; but there's more work:

What is the time o' the day?

Ari.

Past the mid season.

Pro. At least two glasses. The time 'twixt six

and now

Must by us both be spent most preciously.

Ari. Is there more toil? Since thou dost give me pains,

Let me remember thee what thou hast promised, Which is not yet performed me.

Pro.

What is 't thou canst demand?

Ari.

How now ? moody?

My liberty.

I pr'ythee,

Pro. Before the time be out? No more! Ari. Remember, I have done thee worthy service; Told thee no lies, made no mistakings, served Without or grudge, or grumblings. Thou didst promise