Untie the spell. [Ex.ARI.] How fares my gracious sir? Re-enter ARIEL, driving in CALIBAN, STEPHANO, and TRINCULO in their stolen apparel. 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; What things are these, my lord Antonio ! Ant. Very like; one of them Is a plain fish, and, no doubt, marketable. Pro. Mark but the badges of these men, my lords, Then say, if they be true :-This mis-shapen knave, His mother was a witch; and one so strong That could control the moon; make flows and ebbs, Cal. I shall be pinch'd to death. Alon. Is not this Stephano, my drunken butler? Alon. And Trinculo is reeling ripe; where should they After the statute against [] This was the phraseology of the times. witches, revenge or ignorance frequently induced people to charge those against whom they harboured resentment, or entertained prejudices, with the crime of witchcraft, which had just then been declared a capital offence. In our ancient reports are several cases where persons charged in this manner sought redress in the courts of law. And it is remarkable in all of them, to the scandalous imputation of being witches, the term-a strong one, is constantly added. In Michaelmas term, 9 Car. I. the point was settled that no action could be supported on so general a charge, and that the epithet strong did not enforce the other words. In this instance, I believe, the opinion of the people at large was not in unison with the sages of Westminster-Hall. Several of these cases are collected together in I. Viner, 422. REED. Trin. I have been in such a pickle, since I saw you last, that, I fear me, will never out of my bones: I shall not fear fly-blowing. Seb. Why, how now, Stephano? Ste. O, 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 as 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, And worship this dull fool? Pro. Go to ; away! Alon. Hence, and bestow your luggage where you found it. Seb. Or stole it, rather. [Exe.CAL. STE. & TRIN. Since I came to this isle: And in the morn, To hear the story of your life, which must Pro. I'll deliver all; And promise you calm seas, auspicious gales, And sails so expeditious, that shall catch Your royal fleet far off.-My Ariel ;-chick,— Be free, and fare thou well! [Aside.]-Please you draw near. [Exeunt. Now EPILOGUE. SPOKEN BY PROSPERO. my 2 Unless I be reliev'd by pray'r ;2 Mercy itself, and frees all faults. [1] By your applause, by clapping hands. Noise was supposed to dissolve a spell. STEEV. [2] This alludes to the old stories told of the despair of necromancers in their last moments, and of the efficacy of the prayers of their friends for them. WARB. |