Having first seiz'd his books; or with a log
Batter his skull, or paunch him with a stake,
Or cut his weazand with thy knife: Remember,
First to possess his books; for, without them,
He's but a sot, as I am; nor hath not

One spirit to command: They all do hate him,
As rootedly as I.

Step. Monster, I will kill this man, and be myself king of the island. Dost thou like the plot, Trinculo?

Trin. Stephano, hear me: I will speak for the people, because there are none in the island to speak for themselves. Know then, we are all content, that Stephano shall be king, on condition I may be viceroy over him. Speak, good people, are you agreed? What, no man answer? Then, we may take their silence for consent.

Step. Give me thy hand.-I am sorry I beat thee: but, while thou liv'st, keep a good tongue in thy head.

Cal. Within this half hour will he be asleep;

Wilt thou destroy him then?

Step. Ay, on mine honour.

Ari. This will I tell my master.

[Exit ARIEL.

Cal. Thou mak'st me merry: I am full of pleasure;

Let us be jocund: Will you troll the catch

You taught me but while-ere?

Step. At thy request, monster, I will do reason, any reason: Come on, Trinculo, let us sing.

They sing and dance,

Flout 'em, and skout 'em ;

And skout 'em, and flout 'em ;

Thought is free.

[ARIEL plays on the Tabor and Pipe without.

Cal. That's not the tune.

Step. What is this same ?

Trin. This is the tune of our catch, played by the

picture of nobody.

Step. If thou be'st a man, show thyself in thy likeness: if thou be'st a devil, take't as thou list.

[ARIEL plays again.

Step. He that dies, pays all debts :-I defy thee.

Trin. O, forgive me my sins!

[Falls on his Knees.

[ARIEL plays again.

Mercy upon us!

Cal. Art thou afeard?

Step. No, monster, not I.

[Falls on his Knees.

Cal. Be not afeard; the isle is full of noises,

Sounds, and sweet airs, that give delight, and hurt

not.

[STEPHANO and TRINCULO rise, Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments

Will hum about mine ears; and sometime voices,
That, if I then had wak'd after long sleep,

Will make me sleep again: and then, in dreaming,
The clouds, methought, would open, and show riches
Ready to drop upon me; that, when I wak'd,
I cry'd to dream again.

Step. This will prove a brave kingdom to me, where I shall have my music for nothing.

Cal. When Prospero is destroy'd.

Step. That shall be by and by: I remember the story.

[ARIEL plays again at some Distance; and continues to do so, retiring more and more, till the End of the Scene.

Trin. The sound is going away: let's follow it, and after do our work.

Step. Lead, monster; we'll follow.-I would, I could see this taborer: he lays it on. -Wilt come? Trin. I'll follow, Stephano.

[Exeunt.

SCENB III.

A Grove behind the Cell of PROSpero.

Enter MIRANDA and PROSPERO.

Pro. Your suit has pity in't, and has prevail'd.
But yet take heed; let prudence be your guide:
You must not stay, your visit must be short.-
One thing I had forgot; insinuate into his mind
A kindness to that youth, whom first you saw;
I would have friendship grow between them.
Mir. You shall be obey'd in all things.
Pro. Be earnest to unite their very souls.
Mir. I shall endeavour it.

Pro. This may secure Hippolyto

From that dark danger which my heart forebodes; For friendship does provide a double strength oppose the assaults of fortune. See, he comes :Remember. [Exit PROSPERO,

Το

Enter FERDINAND, bearing a Log.

Mir. Alas, now! 'pray you,

Work not so hard; I would, the lightning had
Burnt up those logs, that you are enjoin'd to pile!
'Pray, set it down, and rest you: when this burns,
Twill weep for having weary'd you: My father
Is gone to study; 'pray now, rest yourself.
Fer. O, most dear mistress,

The sun will set, before I shall discharge
What I must strive to do.

Mir. If you'll sit down,

I'll bear your logs the while: 'Pray, give me that;

I'll carry it to the pile.

Fer. No, precious creature:

I had rather crack my sinews,

Than you should such dishonour undergo,
While I sit lazy by.

Mir. Why, I should do it

With much more ease; for my good will is to it,
And yours it is against.-You look wearily.

Fer. No, noble mistress; 'tis fresh morning with

me,

When you are by at night. I do beseech you, (Chiefly that I might set it in my prayers,) What is your name?

Mir. Miranda:-O, my father,

I have broke your hest to say so!

Fer. Admir'd Miranda!-
Indeed, the top of admiration; worth

What's dearest to the world!-Full many a lady
I've ey'd with best regard; and many a time
The harmony of their tongues hath into bondage
Brought my too diligent ear: for several virtues
Have I lik'd several women; never any
With so full soul, but some defect in her
Did quarrel with the noblest grace she ow'd,
And put it to the foil: But you, O you,
So perfect, and so peerless, are created
Of every creature's best.

Mir. I would not wish

Any companion in the world but you :—
I prattle wildly, and my father's precepts
Therein I do forget.

Fer. Hear my soul speak ;

The very instant, that I saw you, did

My heart fly to your service; there resides,

To make me slave to it; and for your sake

Am I this patient logman.

Mir. Do you love me?

Fer. O heaven, O earth, bear witness to this

sound,

And crown what I profess with kind event,

If I speak true; if hollowly, invert

What best is boded me, to mischief! I,
Beyond all limit of what else i'the world,
Do love, prize, honour you.
Mir. I am a fool,

To weep at what I'm glad of.

Fer. Wherefore weep you?

Mir. At mine unworthiness.-Hence, bashful cun

ning!

And prompt me, plain and holy innocence!
I am your wife, if

you will marry me;
If not, I'll die your maid:
: to be your fellow
You may deny me; but I'll be your servant,
Whether you will or no.

Fer. My mistress, dearest;
And I thus humble ever.
Mir. My husband then?

Fer. Ay, with a heart as willing

As bondage e'er of freedom: here's my hand.
Mir. And mine, with my heart in't.-
Now, I've a suit to you, and I shall make it
The only trial of your love to me.

Fer. You've said enough, never to be deny'd,
Were it
my life.

Mir. For my sake to love one, sir,

Who, for his own, indeed, does well deserve
All the respect that you can ever pay him.
Fer. Is there another whom I ought to love,
And love him for your sake?

Mir. Yes; such a one,

As, for his sweetness, and his goodly shape,
(If I who am unskill'd in forms may judge,)
Can scarce be match'd: my sister thinks so too,
My dear Dorinda.

Fer. Have you a sister?

sake: you

shall,

Mir. Yes; she loves him too : Come, you must love him for my Fer. Must I for yours, and cannot for my own?