story was at an early date performed in Germany, and that if it were not taken from Shakespeare's play, it was perhaps derived from the same unknown source. Mr. Thoms is preparing a translation of it for the Shakespeare Society, and we shall then be better able to form an opinion, as to the real or supposed connection between the two. When Coleridge tells us (Lit. Rem. ii. p. 94.) that " The Tempest' is a specimen of the purely romantio Drama," he of course refers to the nature of the plot and personages : in one sense of the words, it is not a "romantic drama," inasmuch as there are few plays, ancient or modern, in which the unities are more exactly observed: the whole of the events occupy only a few hours. At the same time it is perfectly true, as the same enlightened and fanciful commentator adds, “ It is a species of drama, which owes no allegiance to time or space, and in which, therefore, errors of chronology and ge eography-no mortal sins in any species-ure venial faults, and count for nothing: it addresses itself entirely to the imaginative faculty." This opinion was delivered in 1818; and three years earlier Coleridge had spoken of “The Tempest,” as certainly one of Shakespeare's latest works, judging from the language only : Schlegel was of the same opinion, without, however, assigning any distinct reason, and instituted a comparison between “The Tempest” and “ Midsummer Night's Dream,” adding, “The preponderance of thought in The Tempest,' exhibited in its profound and original characterisation, strikes us at once; but we must also admire the deep sense of the art (tiefsinnige Kunst) which is apparent in the structure of the whole, in the wise economy of its means, and in the skill with which the scaffolding is raised to sustain the marvellons aerial structure," Ueber Dram. Kunst und Litt. Vol. iii. p. 123, edir. 1817. THE TEMPEST. DRAMATIS PERSONÆ. ALONSO, King of Naples. Milan. ADRIAN, Lords. FRANCISCO, Other Spirits attending on Prospero. SCENE, a Ship at Sea ;' afterwards an uninhabited Island. 1 Former editions : the sea with a ship. THE TEMPEST. ACT I. SCENE I.-On a Ship at Sea. A tempestuous noise of Thunder and Lightning heard.” Enter a Ship-master and a Boatswain, as on ship-board, shaking off wet.” Master. Boatswain ! Boats. Here, master : what cheer ? Mast. Good. Speak to the mariners: fall to 't yarely, or we run ourselves aground : bestir, bestir. (Exit. Enter Mariners. Boats. Heigh, my hearts! cheerly, cheerly, my hearts ! yare, yare. Take in the topsail; tend to the master's whistle.-Blow, till thou burst thy wind, if room enough! Enter ALONZO, SEBASTIAN, ANTONIO, FERDINAND, GON ZALO, and Others, from the Cabin. Alon. Good boatswain, have a care. Where's the master ? Play the men. Boats. I pray now, keep below. Boats. Do you not hear him ? You mar our labour. Keep your cabins: you do assist the storm. Gon. Nay, good, be patient. Boats. When the sea is. Hence! What care these roarers for the name of king ? To cabin: silence ! trouble us not. Gon. Good; yet remember whom thou hast aboard. Boats. None that I more love than myself. You are a counsellor : if you can command these elements to silence, and work the peace of the present, we will not hand a rope more; use your authority: if you cannot, give thanks you have lived so long, and make yourself ready in your cabin for the mischance of the hour, if it so hap. Cheerly, good hearts !-Out of our way, I say. [Exit. Gon. I have great comfort from this fellow : methinks, he hath no drowning mark upon him; his complexion is perfect gallows. Stand fast, good fate, to his hanging: make the rope of his destiny our cable, for our own doth little advantage. If he be not born to be hanged, our case is miserable. (Exeunt. Re-enter Boatswain. Boats. Down with the top-mast : yare; lower, lower. Bring her to try with main-course. [A cry within.] A plague upon this howling ! they are louder than the weather, or our office. Re-enter SEBASTIAN, ANTONIO, and GONZALO. Yet again! what do you here ? Shall we give o'er, and drown ? Have you a mind to sink? Seb. A pox o' your throat, you bawling, blasphemous, incharitable dog! Boats. Work you, then. Ant. Hang, cur, hang ! you whoreson, insolent noisemaker, we are less afraid to be drowned than thou art. Gon. I'll warrant him for drowning; though the ship were no stronger than a nutshell, and as leaky as an unstanched wench. Boats. Lay her a-hold, a-hold. Set her two courses : off to sea again; lay her off. Enter Mariners, wet. Mar. All lost ! to prayers, to prayers ! all lost! [Ex. Boats. What! must our mouths be cold ? (them. Gon. The king and prince at prayers ! let us assist For our case is as theirs. Seb. I am out of patience. ards. This wide-chapp'd rascal,--would, thou might'st lie drowning, The washing of ten tides ! Gon. He'll be hanged yet, Though every drop of water swear against it, And gape at wid'st to glut him. [A confused noise within.] Mercy on us ! We split, we split-Farewell, my wife and children ! 1 Absolutely. Farewell, brother !_We split, we split, we split! - [Exit. Seb. Let's take leave of him. Exit. Gon. Now would I give a thousand furlongs of sea for an acre of barren ground; long heath, brown furze, any thing. The wilts above be done!' but I would fain die a dry death. . [Exit. SCENE II.— The Island : before the cell of PROSPERO. Enter PROSPERO and MIRANDA. Be collected : O, woe the day! No harm. More to know 'Tis time I should inform thee farther. Lend thy hand, And pluck my magic garment from me.-So: [Lays down his robe. Lie there my art.-Wipe thou thine eyes; have comfort. The direful spectacle of the wreck, which touch'd Pro. |
