Seb.

But one fiend at a time,

I'll fight their legions o'er.

Ant.

I'll be thy second.

[Exeunt SEBASTIAN and ANTONIO. Gon. All three of them are desperate: their great guilt,

Like poison given to work a great time after,
Now 'gins to bite the spirits.—I do beseech you,
That are of suppler joints, follow them swiftly,
And hinder them from what this ecstasy
May now provoke them to.

Adr.

Follow, I pray you. [Exeunt.

ACT IV.

SCENE I. Before PROSPERO'S cell.

Enter PROSPERO, FERDINAND, and MIRANDA. Pros. If I have too austerely punish'd you, Your compensation makes amends; for I Have given you here a thrid of mine own life, Or that for which I live; who once again I tender to thy hand. All thy vexations Were but my trials of thy love, and thou Hast strangely stood the test: here, afore Heaven, I ratify this my rich gift. O Ferdinand! Do not smile at me that I boast her off, For thou shalt find she will outstrip all praise And make it halt behind her.

Fer.

Against an oracle.

I do believe it,

Pros. Then, as my gift, and thine own acquisition

Worthily purchased, take my daughter: but
If thou dost break her virgin-knot before
All sanctimonious ceremonies may,
With full and holy rite, be minister'd,
No sweet aspersion shall the heavens let fall
To make this contract grow, but barren hate,
Sour-eyed disdain, and discord, shall bestrew
The union of your bed with weeds so loathly,
That you shall hate it both: therefore, take heed,
As Hymen's lamps shall light you.

Fer.
As I hope
For quiet days, fair issue and long life,
With such love as 't is now, the murkiest den,
The most opportune place, the strong'st suggestion
Our worser genius can, shall never melt
Mine honour into lust, to take away

The edge of that day's celebration,

When I shall think, or Phoebus' steeds are founder'd,

Or Night kept chain'd below.

Pros.

Fairly spoke.

Sit then and talk with her; she is thine own.What, Ariel! my industrious servant, Ariel!

Enter ARIEL.

Ari. What would my potent master? here I am. Pros. Thou and thy meaner fellows your last

service

Did worthily perform, and I must use you
In such another trick. Go bring the rabble,
O'er whom I give thee power, here, to this place:
Incite them to quick motion; for I must
Bestow upon the eyes of this young couple

Some vanity of mine art: it is my promise,
And they expect it from me.

Ari.

Pros. Ay, with a twink.

Presently?

Ari. Before you can say, 'come,' and 'go,'
And breathe twice, and cry,' so, so'
Each one, tripping on his toe,
Will be here with mop and mow.
Do you love me, master? no?
Pros. Dearly, my delicate Ariel.
approach,

Till thou dost hear me call.

;

Do not

Ari. Well, I conceive. [Exit. Pros. Look thou be true. Do not give dalliance Too much the rein: the strongest oaths are straw To the fire i' the blood. Be more abstemious, Or else, good night your vow!

Fer. I warrant you, sir; The white cold virgin snow upon my heart Abates the ardour of my liver.

Pros.

Well.

Now come, my Ariel! bring a corollary,
Rather than want a spirit: appear, and pertly.-
No tongue! all eyes! be silent. [Soft music.

Enter IRIS.

Iris. Ceres, most bounteous lady, thy rich leas Of wheat, rye, barley, vetches, oats and pease; Thy turfy mountains, where live nibbling sheep, And flat meads thatch'd with stover, them to keep;

Thy banks with pioned and twilled brims,
Which spongy April at thy hest betrims,

To make cold nymphs chaste crowns; and thy broom-groves,

Whose shadow the dismissed bachelor loves,
Being lass-lorn; thy pole-clipt vineyard;
And thy sea-marge, sterile and rocky-hard,
Where thou thyself dost air;-the queen o' the
sky,

Whose watery arch and messenger am I,

Bids thee leave these, and with her sovereign

grace,

Here on this grass-plot, in this very place,
To come and sport: her peacocks fly amain:
Approach, rich Ceres, her to entertain.

Enter CERES.

Cer. Hail, many-colour'd messenger, that ne'er Dost disobey the wife of Jupiter;

Who with thy saffron wings upon my flowers
Diffusest honey-drops, refreshing showers,
And with each end of thy blue bow dost crown
My bosky acres, and my unshrubb'd down,
Rich scarf to my proud earth; why hath thy
queen

Summon'd me hither, to this short-grass'd green?
Iris. A contract of true love to celebrate;
And some donation freely to estate

On the blest lovers.

Cer. Tell me, heavenly bow, If Venus, or her son, as thou dost know, Do now attend the queen? Since they did plot The means that dusky Dis my daughter got, Her and her blind boy's scandal'd company I have forsworn.

Iris.

Of her society

Be not afraid: I met her deity

Cutting the clouds towards Paphos, and her son Dove-drawn with her. Here thought they to have done

Some wanton charm upon this man and maid, Whose vows are, that no bed-right shall be paid

Till Hymen's torch be lighted: but in vain ;
Mars's hot minion is return'd again;

Her waspish-headed son has broke his arrows,
Swears he will shoot no more, but play with

sparrows,

And be a boy right out.

Cer.

High'st queen of state, Great Juno comes; I know her by her gait.

Enter JUNO.

Juno. How does my bounteous sister? Go with me,

To bless this twain, that they may prosperous be, And honour'd in their issue.

[They sing.

Juno. Honour, riches, marriage-blessing,

Long continuance, and increasing,

Hourly joys be still upon you!

Juno sings her blessings on you.

Cer.

Earth's increase, foison plenty,
Barns and garners never empty;
Vines with clustering bunches growing;
Plants with goodly burthen bowing;
Spring come to you at the farthest
In the very end of harvest!