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

20

When I shall think, or Phoebus' steeds are founder'd, 30 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?

40

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. Do not ap

proach

Till thou dost hear me call.

Ari.

Well, I conceive. [Exit. 50

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.

Enter IRIS

[Soft music.

Iris. Ceres, most bounteous lady, thy rich leas 60 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;

sky,

the queen o' the

70

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

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!
Scarcity and want shall shun you;
Ceres' blessing so is on you.

Fer. This is a most majestic vision, and
Harmonious charmingly. May I be bold
To think these spirits?

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110

So rare a wonder'd father and a wise

Makes this place Paradise.

Pros.

[Juno and Ceres whisper, and send Iris on

employment.

Sweet, now, silence!

Juno and Ceres whisper seriously;

There's something else to do: hush, and be mute, Or else our spell is marr'd.

Iris. You nymphs, call'd Naiads, of the windring brooks,

With your sedged crowns and ever-harmless looks,
Leave your crisp channels and on this green land 130
Answer your summons; Juno does command:
Come, temperate nymphs, and help to celebrate
A contract of true love; be not too late.

Enter certain Nymphs

You sunburnt sicklemen, of August weary,
Come hither from the furrow and be merry :
Make holiday; your rye-straw hats put on
And these fresh nymphs encounter every one
In country footing.

Enter certain Reapers, properly habited: they join with the
Nymphs in a graceful dance; towards the end whereof
PROSPERO starts suddenly, and speaks; after which, to a
strange, hollow, and confused noise, they heavily vanish
Pros. [Aside] I had forgot that foul conspiracy
Of the beast Caliban and his confederates

140