A Masque. Enter IRIS. To make cold nymphs chaste crowns; and thy broom groves, Whose shadow the dismissed bachelor loves, Bids thee leave these; and, with her sovereign grace, 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-rite 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; C'er. 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. SONG. Juno. Honour, riches, marriage-blessing, Scarcity and want shall shun you; Fer. This is a most majestic vision, and ⚫ Harmonious charmingly: May I be bold To think these spirits? Pro. Spirits, which by mine art I have from their confines call'd to enact My present fancies. Fer. Let me live here ever; So rare a wonder'd father, and a wife, [Juno and Ceres whisper, and send IRIS on Pro. 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 wand'ring brooks, With your sedg'd crowns and ever-harmless looks, You sun-burn'd sicklemen, of August weary, 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. Pro. [Aside.] I had forgot that foul conspiracy Is almost come.-[To the Spirits.] Well done:avoid :-no more. Fer. This is most strange: your father's in some passion That works him strongly. Mira. Never till this day Saw I him touch'd with anger so distemper'd. Bear with my weakness: my old brain is troubled: If you be pleas'd, retire into my cell, And there repose: a turn or two I'll walk, To still my beating mind. Fer. Mira. We wish you peace. [Exeunt. Pro. Come with a thought:-I thank you -Ariel, come. Enter ARIEL. Ari. Thy thoughts I cleave to: What's thy pleasure? We must prepare to meet with Caliban. Ari. Ay, my Commander; when I presented Ceres, I thought to have told thee of it; but I fear'd, Lest I might anger thee. Pro. Say again, where did'st thou leave these varlets? Ari. I told you, sir, they were red hot with drinking; So full of valour, that they smote the air For breathing in their faces; beat the ground For kissing of their feet; yet always bending Towards their project: Then I beat my tabor, At which, like unback'd colts, they prick'd their ears, Advanc'd their eye-lids, lifted up their noses, As they smelt music: so I charm'd their ears, That, calf-like, they my lowing follow'd, through Tooth'd briers, sharp furzes, pricking goss, and thorns, Which enter'd their frail shins: at last I left them I' the filthy mantled pool beyond your cell, There dancing up to the chins, that the foul lake O'er-stunk their feet. Pro. This was well done, my bird: Thy shape invisible retain thou still : Ari. Enter Cal. Pray you, tread softly, that the blind mole may not Hear a foot fall: we now are near his cell. Stc. Monster, your fairy, which, you say, is a harmless fairy, has done little better than play'd the Jack with us. Trin. Monster, I do smell all horse-piss; at which my nose is in great indignation. Ste. So is mine. Do you hear, monster? should take a displeasure against you; look you,— Trin. Thou wert but a lost monster. If I Cal. Good my lord, give me thy favour still : Be patient, for the prize I'll bring thee to Shall hood-wink this mischance: therefore, speak softly. All's hush'd as midnight yet. Trin. Ay, but to lose our bottles in the pool,Ste. There is not only disgrace and dishonour in that, monster, but an infinite loss. Trin. That's more to me than my wetting; yet this is your harmless fairy, monster. Ste. I will fetch off my bottle, though I be o'er ears for my labour. Cal. Pr'ythee, my king, be quiet: Seest thou here: This is the mouth of the cell: no noise, and enter: Do that good mischief which may make this island Thine own for ever, and I, thy Caliban, For aye thy foot-licker. Ste. Give me thy hand: I do begin to have bloody thoughts. Trin. O king Stephano! O peer! O worthy Stephano! look, what a wardrobe here is for thee! Cal. Let it alone, thou fool: it is but trash. Trin. O, ho! monster; we know what belongs to a frippery :-O king Stephano! Ste. Put off that gown, Trinculo: by this hand, I'll have that gown. Trin. Thy grace shall have it. Cal. The dropsy drown this fool! what do you mean From toe to crown he'll fill our skins with pinches; Ste. Be you quiet, monster.-Mistress line, is not this my jerkin? Now is the jerkin under the line: now, jerkin, you are like to lose your hair, and prove a bald jerkin. Trin. Do, do: we steal by line and level, an't like your grace. Ste. I thank thee for that jest: here's a garment for't: wit shall not go unrewarded, while I am king of this country: Steal by line and level is an excellent pass of pate: there's another garment for't. Trin. Monster, come, put some lime upon your fingers, and away with the rest. Cal. I will have none on't: we shall lose our time, And all be turn'd to barnacles, or to apes With foreheads villainous low. Ste. Monster, lay-to your fingers; help to bear this away, where my hogshead of wine is, or I'll turn you out of my kingdom: go to, carry this. Trin. And this. Ste. Ay, and this. A noise of hunters heard. Enter divers Spirits, in shape of hounds, and hunt them about, PROSPERO and ARIEL setting them on. Pro. Hey, Mountain, hey! Pro. Fury, Fury! there, Tyrant, there! hark, hark! Ari. Hark! they roar. When first I rais'd the tempest. How fares the king and his ? Ari. Say, my spirit. Confin'd together In the same fashion as you gave in charge; That if you now beheld them, your affections And mine shall. In virtue than in vengeance: they being penitent, And ye that, on the sands, with printless foot, [Solemn music. Re-enter ARIEL: after him, ALONZO, with a frantic gesture, attended by GONZALO; SEBASTIAN and ANTONIO, in like manner, attended by ADRIAN and FRANCISCO: They all enter the circle which PROSPERO had made, and there stand charmed; which PROSPERO observing, speaks. A solemn air, and the best comforter Holy Gonzalo, honourable man, Mine eyes, even sociable to the show of thine, To him thou follow'st; I will pay thy graces Fetch me the hat and rapier in my cell: [Exit ARIEL. ARIELre-enters, singing, and helps to attire PROSPERO. There I couch when owls do cry: After summer, merrily: Merrily, merrily, shall I live now, Under the blossom that hangs on the bough. Pro. Why, that's my dainty Ariel: I shall miss thee; Under the hatches: the master and the boatswain And presently, I pr'ythee. Ari. I drink the air before me, and return Or e'er your pulse twice beat. [Exit ARIEL. Gon. All torment, trouble, wonder, and amazement, Inhabits here: Some heavenly power guide us Out of this fearful country! A hearty welcome. Alon. Whe'r thou beest he, or no, Thou pardon me my wrongs :-But how should Prospero Pro. First, noble friend, A daughter? O heavens! that they were living both in Naples, Where my son lies. When did you lose your daughter? B Which was thrust forth of Milan; who most strangely Befitting this first meeting. Welcome, sir; The entrance of the cell opens, and discovers FER Mira. Sweet lord, you play me false. Fer. I would not for the world. No, my dearest love, But, by immortal Providence, she's mine; Alon. Pro. There, sir, stop: Let us not burden our remembrances With a heaviness that's gone. Gon. I have inly wept, Or should have spoken ere this. Look down, you gods, For it is you that have chalk'd forth the way A lon. I say, Amen, Gonzalo ! Gon. Was Milan thrust from Milan, that his issue Should become kings of Naples? Oh! rejoice Beyond a common joy; and set it down Did Claribel her husband find at Tunis; And Ferdinand, her brother, found a wife, Alon. Give me your hands: [To FER. and MIR. Be't so! Amen! Gon. Re-enter ARIEL, with the MASTER and BOATSWAIN amazedly following. Oh look, sir, look, sir; here are more of us! I prophecied, if a gallows were on land, Boats. The best news is, that we have safely found From strange to stranger:-Say, how came you hither? Ari. Was't well done? [Aside. Pro. Bravely, my diligence. Thou shalt be free. [Aside. Alon. This is as strange a maze as e'er men trod : And there is in this business more than nature Was ever conduct of: some oracle Must rectify our knowledge. Pro. Sir, my liege, Do not infest your mind with beating on The strangeness of this business: at pick'd leisure, [Aside. Set Caliban and his companions free : There are yet missing of your company Ste. Every man shift for all the rest, and let no man take care for himself; for all is but fortune:-Coragio, bully-monster, Coragio! Trin. If these be true spies which I wear in my head, here's a goodly sight. Cal. O Setebos, these be brave spirits, indeed! How fine my master is! I am afraid He will chastise me. Seb. Ha, ha! Is a plain fish, and, no doubt, marketable. Cal. I shall be pinch'd to death. Alon. Is not this Stephano, my drunken butler? Seb. He is drunk now: Where had he wine? Alon. And Trinculo is reeling ripe: Where should they Find this grand liquor that hath gilded them ?— Trin. I have been in such a pickle, since I saw you last, that, I fear me, will never out of my bones: 1 shall not fear fly-blowing. Seb. Why, how now, Stephano? Ste. Oh! touch me not: I am not Stephano, but a cramp. Pro. You'd be king of the isle, sirrah? Ste. I should have been a sore one, then. Alon. This is as strange a thing a e'er I look'd on. [Pointing to CALIBAN. Pro. He is as disproportion'd in his manners, As in his shape:-Go, sirrah, to my cell: Cal. Ay, that I will; and I'll be wise hereafter, Pro. Go to; away! Alon. Hence, and bestow your luggage where you found it. Seb. Or stole it, rather. [Exeunt CAL. STE. and TRIN. To hear the story of your life, which must Pro. I long I'll deliver all; And promise you calm seas, auspicious gales, And sail so expeditious, that shall catch Your royal fleet far off-My Ariel;-chick,That is thy charge: then to the elements Be free, and fare thou well!-[Aside.] Please you draw near. [Exeunt. EPILOGUE. SPOKEN BY PROSPERO. Now my charms are all o'erthrown, And what strength I have's mine own, Which is most faint: now, 'tis true, I must be here confin'd by you, Or sent to Naples: Let me not, Since I have my dukedom got, And pardon'd the deceiver, dwell In this bare island, by your spell; But release me from my bands, With the help of your good hands. Gentle breath of yours my sails Must fill, or else my project fails, Which was to please: Now I want Spirits to enforce, art to enchant; And my ending is despair, Unless I be reliev'd by prayer, Which pierces so, that it assaults Mercy itself, and frees all faults. As you from crimes would pardon'd be, Let your indulgence set me free. To the sweet glances of thy honour'd love, I rather would entreat thy company But, since thou lov'st, love still, and thrive therein, Pro. Wilt thou be gone? Sweet Valentine, adieu! Think on thy Proteus, when thou, haply, seest Some rare note-worthy object in thy travel: Wish me partaker in thy happiness, When thou dost meet good hap; and, in thy danger, Commend thy grievance to my holy prayers, Val. And on a love-book pray for my success. Pro. That's a deep story of a deeper love; For he was more than over shoes in love. Val. "Tis true; for you are over boots in love, And yet you never swam the Hellespont. Pro. Over the boots? Nay, give me not the boots. Val. No, I'll not, for it boots thee not. Pro. What? If lost, why then a grievous labour won; Or else a wit by folly vanquished. Pro. So, by your circumstance, you call me fool. Val. So, by your circumstance, I fear you'll prove. Pro. "Tis Love you cavil at; I am not Love. Val. Love is your master, for he masters you; And he that is so yoked by a fool, Methinks should not be chronicled for wise. Pro. Yet writers say, As in the sweetest bud The eating canker dwells, so eating love Inhabits in the finest wits of all. Val. And writers say, As the most forward bud Even so by love the young and tender wit But wherefore waste I time to counsel thee? Pro. And thither will I bring thee, Valentine. Pro. All happiness bechance to thee in Milan ! Val. As much to you at home! and so, farewell! [Exit VALENTINE. Pro. He after honour hunts, I after love: He leaves his friends, to dignify them more; I leave myself, my friends, and all, for love. Thou, Julia, thou hast metamorphos'd me; Made me neglect my studies, lose my time, War with good counsel, set the world at nought; Made wit with musing weak, heart sick with thought. Pro. A silly answer, and fitting well a sheep. Pro. True; and thy master a shepherd. Specd. Nay, that I can deny by a circumstance. Pro. It shall go hard but I'll prove it by another. Speed. The shepherd seeks the sheep, and not the sheep the shepherd; but I seek my master, and my master seeks not me: therefore, I am no sheep. Pro. The sheep for fodder follows the shepherd, the shepherd for food follows not the sheep; thou for wages followest thy master, thy master for wages follows not thee: therefore, thou art a sheep. Speed. Such another proof will make me cry baa. Pro. But dost thou hear? gav'st thou my letter to Julia? Speed. Ay, sir: I, a lost mutton, gave your letter to her, a laced mutton; and she, a laced mutton, gave me, a lost mutton, nothing for my labour. Pro. Here's too small a pasture for such a store of muttons. Speed. If the ground be overcharged, you were best stick her. Pro. Nay, in that you are astray: 'twere best pound you. Speed. Nay, sir, less than a pound shall serve me for carrying you letter. Pro. You mistake; I mean the pound, a pinfold. Speed. From a pound to a pin? fold it over and over, "Tis threefold too little for carrying a letter to your lover. Pro. But what said she? did she nod? [SPEED nods. Specd. I. Pro. Nod, I; why, that's noddy. Speed. You mistook, sir; I say she did nod; and you ask me if she did nod; and I say, I. Pro. And that, set together, is-noddy. Speed. Now you have taken the pains to set it together, take it for your pains, Pro. No, no, you shall have it for bearing the letter. Speed. Well, I perceive, I must be fain to bear with you. Pro. Why, sir, how do you bear with me? Specd. Marry, sir, the letter very orderly; having nothing but the word, noddy, for my pains. Pro. Beshrew me, but you have a quick wit. Speed. And yet it cannot overtake your slow purse. Pro. Come, come, open the matter in brief: What said she? Speed. Open your purse, that the money and the matter may be both at once delivered. Pro. Well, sir, here is for your pains: What said she? Speed. Truly, sir, I think you'll hardly win her. Pro. Why? Could'st thou perceive so much from her? Speed. Sir, I could perceive nothing at all from her; no, not so much as a ducat for delivering your letter: And being so hard to me that brought your mind, I fear she'll prove as hard to you in telling her mind. Give her no token but stones; for she's as hard as steel. Pro. What, said she nothing? Speed. No, not so much as-take this for thy pains, To testify your bounty, I thank you, you have testern'd me; in requital whereof, henceforth, carry your letters yourself: and so, sir, I'll commend you to my master. Pro. Go, go, begone, to save your ship from wreck, Which cannot perish, having thee aboard, Being destin'd to a drier death on shore:I must go send some better messenger; I fear, my Julia will not deign my lines, Receiving them from such a worthless post. [Exeunt. SCENE II.-The same. Garden of JULIA's house. Enter JULIA and LUCETTA. Jul. But say, Lucetta, now we are alone, Would'st thou then counsel me to fall in love? Luc. Ay, madam; so you stumble not unheedfully. Jul. Of all the fair resort of gentlemen That every day with parle encounter me, In thy opinion, which is worthiest love? Luc. Please you repeat their names, I'll show my mind According to my shallow, simple skill. Jul. What think'st thou of the fair Sir Eglamour? Luc. As of a knight well-spoken, neat, and fine; But, were I you, he never should be mine. Jul. What think'st thou of the rich Mercatio? Luc. Well of his wealth; but of himself, so, so. Jul. What think'st thou of the gentle Proteus? Luc. Lord, lord! to see what folly reigns in us! Jul. How now? what means this passion at his name! Luc. Pardon, dear madam; 'tis a passing shame That I, unworthy body as I am, Should censure thus on lovely gentlemen. Jul. Why not on Proteus, as of all the rest? Inc. I have no other but a woman's reason: I think him so, because I think him so. |