Gon.

Whether this be

You do yet taste

Or be not, I'll not swear.

Pro. Some subtilties o' the isle, that will not let you Believe things certain. Welcome, my friends all. But you, my brace of lords, were I so minded,

[aside to Seb. and Ant. I here could pluck his highness' frown upon you, And justify you traitors: at this time

I'll tell no tales.

Seb.

Pro.

The devil speaks in him.

No.

[aside.

For you, most wicked sir, whom to call brother
Would even infect my mouth, I do forgive
Thy rankest fault; all of them; and require
My dukedom of thee, which, perforce, I know
Thou must restore.

Alon.

If thou beest Prospero,

Give us particulars of thy preservation :

How thou hast met us here, who three hours since
Were wreck'd upon this shore; where I have lost
(How sharp the point of this remembrance is!)
My dear son Ferdinand.

Pro.

I am woe1 for 't, sir.

Alon. Irreparable is the loss; and Patience Says, it is past her cure.

You have not sought her help; of whose soft grace,

1 Sorry.

For the like loss, I have her sovereign aid,
And rest myself content.

Alon.

You the like loss?

1

Pro. As great to me, as late; 1 and, portable 2 To make the dear loss, have I means much weaker Than you may call to comfort you; for I

O heavens! that they were living both in Naples,

The king and queen there! That they were, I

wish

Myself were mudded in that oozy bed

Where my son lies.

daughter?

When did you lose your

Pro. In this last tempest. I perceive, these lords At this encounter do so much admire,3

That they devour their reason; and scarce think
Their eyes do offices of truth, their words

Are natural breath: but, howsoe'er you have
Been justled from your senses, know for certain,
That I am Prospero, and that very duke

Which was thrust forth of Milan; who most

strangely,

Upon this shore, where you were wreck'd, was

landed,

To be the lord on 't. No more yet of this:

For 'tis a chronicle of day by day,

My loss is as great as yours, and has happened to me as lately. 2 Bearable.

3 Are so much surprised at this meeting.

Not a relation for a breakfast, nor

Befitting this first meeting. Welcome, sir;
This cell's my court: here have I few attendants,
And subjects none abroad: pray you, look in.
My dukedom since you have given me again,
I will requite you with as good a thing;

At least, bring forth a wonder, to content ye,
As much as me my dukedom.

The entrance of the cell opens, and discovers FERDINAND and MIRANDA playing at chess.

Mir. Sweet lord, you play me false.

Fer.

I would not for the world.

No, my dearest love,

Mir. Yes, for a score of kingdoms, you should wrangle,

And I would call it fair play,

Alon.

If this prove

A vision of the island, one dear son

Shall I twice lose.

Seb.

A most high miracle!

Fer. Though the seas threaten, they are merciful: I have cursed them without cause.

Alon.

[Ferdinand kneels to Alonso. Now all the blessings

Of a glad father compass thee about!

Arise, and say how thou camest here.

Mir.

O wonder!

How many goodly creatures are there here!
How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world,