Than we bring men to comfort them: The fault's your own. Alon. So is the dear'st o' th' loss. Gon. My Lord Sebastian, The truth you speak doth lack some gentleness, When you should bring the plaster. Seb. Ant. And most chirurgeonly. Very well. 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'd sow 't with nettle-seed. Seb. 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. Ant. The latter end of his commonwealth forgets the beginning. Gon. All things in common nature should pro duce, 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 its 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 ! Ant. Long live Gonzalo ! Gon. And, do you mark me, sir?— Alon. Pr'ythee; 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. 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; solemn music playing Seb. We would so, and then go a bat-fowling. Ant. Nay, good my lord, be not angry. Gon. No, I warrant you; I will not adventure my discretion so weakly. Will you laugh me asleep, for I am very heavy? Ant. Go sleep, and hear us. [All sleep but ALON., SEB., and ANT. Alon. What, all so soon asleep? I wish mine eyes Would, with themselves, shut up my thoughts: I find, They are inclined to do so. Seb. Please you, sir, Do not omit the heavy offer of it: It seldom visits sorrow; when it doth, It is a comforter. Ant. We two, my lord, Will guard your person while you take your rest, And watch your safety. Alon. Thank you. Wondrous heavy. [ALONSO sleeps. Exit ARIEL. Seb. What a strange drowsiness possesses them ! Ant. It is the quality o' the climate. Seb. Why Doth it not then our eyelids sink? I find not Myself disposed to sleep. Ant. Nor I: my spirits are nimble. What They fell together all, as by consent; They dropped, as by a thunder-stroke. might, Worthy Sebastian-O! what might no more :— And yet, methinks, I see it in thy face, What thou shouldst be. The occasion speaks thee, and My strong imagination sees a crown Dropping upon thy head. Seb. What? art thou waking? I do; and, surely, Ant. Do you not hear me speak? Seb. It is a sleepy language, and thou speak'st This is a strange repose, to be asleep With eyes wide open; standing, speaking, moving, And yet so fast asleep. Ant. Noble Sebastian, Thou let'st thy fortune sleep, die rather; wink'st Whiles thou art waking. Seb. Thou dost snore distinctly: There's meaning in thy snores. Ant. I am more serious than my custom: you Must be so too, if heed me; which to do, If you but knew, how you the purpose cherish Most often do so near the bottom run By their own fear, or sloth. Seb. Pr'ythee, say on. The setting of thine eye and cheek proclaim Which throes thee much to yield. Ant. Thus, sir: |