I, thus neglecting worldly ends, all dedicated
To closeness and the bettering of my mind
With that which, but by being so retired,
O'er-prized all popular rate, in my false brother
Awaked an evil nature, and my trust,
Like a good parent, did beget of him
A falsehood, in its contrary as great

As my trust was, which had, indeed, no limit,
A confidence sans bound. He being thus lorded,
Not only with what my revenue yielded,

But what my power might else exact,—like one
Who having unto truth, by telling of it,
Made such a sinner of his memory

To credit his own lie,—he did believe

He was indeed the duke, out o' the substitution
And executing the outward face of royalty

With all prerogative: hence his ambition growing,-
Dost thou hear?

Mira. Your tale, sir, would cure deafness.— Pro. To have no screen between this part he played,

And him he played it for, he needs will be
Absolute Milan. Me, poor man, my library
Was dukedom large enough: of temporal royalties
He thinks me now incapable; confederates
(So dry he was for sway) with the King of Naples

To give him annual tribute, do him homage,
Subject his coronet to his crown, and bend
The dukedom, yet unbowed, (alas, poor Milan!)
To most ignoble stooping.

Mira.

O the heavens !

Pro. Mark his condition, and the event, then

tell me

If this might be a brother.

Mira.

I should sin

To think but nobly of my grandmother:
Good wombs have borne bad sons.

Pro.

Now the condition.

This King of Naples, being an enemy

To me inveterate, hearkens my brother's suit;
Which was, that he in lieu o' the premises,

Of homage, and I know not how much tribute,
Should presently extirpate me and mine
Out of the dukedom, and confer fair Milan,
With all the honours, on my brother: whereon,
A treacherous army levied, one midnight
Fated to the purpose, did Antonio open

The gates of Milan; and, i' the dead of darkness,
The ministers for the purpose hurried thence

Me, and thy crying self.

Mira.

Alack, for pity!

I, not remembering how I cried out then,

Will cry it o'er again: it is a hint,

That wrings mine eyes to 't.

Pro.

Hear a little further,

And then I'll bring thee to the present business Which now's upon's; without the which, this

My tale provokes that question: dear, they durst

not,

So dear the love my people bore me, nor set

A mark so bloody on the business; but

With colours fairer painted their foul ends.

In few, they hurried us aboard a bark,

Bore us some leagues to sea; where they prepared A rotten carcass of a boat, not rigged,

Nor tackle, sail, nor mast; the very rats

To

Instinctively have quit it: there they hoist us,
cry to the sea that roared to us; to sigh
To the winds, whose pity, sighing back again,
Did us but loving wrong.

Mira.

Was I then to you!

Pro.

Alack, what trouble

O, a cherubin

Thou wast, that did preserve me. Thou didst smile, Infuséd 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,