To think but1 nobly of my grandmother. PRO. Good wombs have borne bad sons. Now the con dition: This King of Naples, being an enemy To me inveterate, hearkens my brother's suit : PRO. Hear a little further, And then I'll bring thee to the present business Which now 's upon's; without the which, this story Were most impertinent. 120 130 ACT I MIRA. Wherefore did they not That hour destroy us? Well demanded, wench : PRO. My tale provokes that question. Dear, they durst So dear the love my people bore me, set A mark so bloody on the business; but With colours fairer painted their foul ends. In few, they hurried us aboard a bark, Bore us some leagues to sea; where they prepar'd A rotten carcass of a boat, not rigg'd, Nor tackle, sail, nor mast; the very rats 1 other than. 2 occasion. 140 150 Thou wast, that did preserve me! Thou didst smile, Infused with a fortitude from heaven, When I have deck'd1 the sea with drops full salt; Under my burden groan'd; which rais'd in me An undergoing stomach, to bear up Against what should ensue. MIRA. PRO. By Providence divine, How came we ashore? Some food we had, and some fresh water, that A noble Neapolitan, Gonzalo, Out of his charity, being then appointed Master of this design, did give us; with Rich garments, linens, stuffs, and necessaries, Which since have steaded much; so, of his gentle ness, Knowing I lov'd my books, he furnish'd me, From mine own library, with volumes that I prize above my Dukedom. MIRA. But ever see that man! PRO. 'Would I might 160 Now I arise: [resumes his robe. Sit still, and hear the last of our sea-sorrow. Here in this Island we arriv'd; and here Have I, thy school-master, made thee more profit Than other princesses can, that have more time For vainer hours, and tutors not so careful. MIRA. Heavens thank you for't! And now, I pray you, Sir (For still 'tis beating in my mind), your reason For raising this sea-storm ? PRO. Know thus far forth. By accident most strange, bountiful Fortune, A most auspicious star; whose influence 1 obscure; perhaps 'degg'd,' i.e. sprinkled. 170 180 Will ever after droop. Here cease more questions : And give it way: [aside.] I know thou canst not [MIRANDA sleeps. Come away, servant, come! I am ready now: Approach, my Ariel; come! Enter ARIEL. ARI. All hail, great master! grave Sir, hail! I come To answer thy best pleasure: be't to fly, To swim, to dive into the fire, to ride On the curl'd clouds: to thy strong bidding, task Ariel and all his quality.1 PRO. Hast thou, Spirit, Perform'd to point the Tempest that I bade thee? ARI. To every article. 190 200 I boarded the King's ship: now on the beak, PRO. But felt a fever of the mad, and play'd And all the devils are here. PRO. Why, that's my Spirit! 1 fellowship. 210 ACT I ACT I ARI. Sc. II PRO. But are they, Ariel, safe? ARI. Close by, my master. Not a hair perish'd ; On their unstaining garments not a blemish, His arms in this sad knot. PRO. Of the King's ship The mariners say how thou hast dispos'd, ARI. Safely in harbour Is the King's ship: in the deep nook, where once Supposing that they saw the King's ship wrack'd, And his great person perish. PRO. What is the time o' the day? ARI. At least two glasses.2 PRO. The time 'twixt six and now Past the mid season Must by us both be spent most preciously. 220 230 240 ARI. Is there more toil? Since thou dost give me pains, Let me remember thee what thou hast promis'd, Which is not yet perform'd me. I pr'ythee ARI. 1 sea. 2 turns of the hour-glass. Remember, I have done thee worthy service; No. From what a torment I did free thee? PRO. Thou dost; and think'st it much, to tread the ooze To run upon the sharp wind of the north, To do me business in the veins o' the earth When it is bak'd with frost. PRO. Thou liest, malignant thing! Hast thou forgot Was grown into a hoop-hast thou forgot her? ARI. No, Sir. tell me. Thou hast : where was she born? speak; ARI. Sir, in Argier. O, was she so? I must, Once in a month, recount what thou hast been, To enter human hearing, from Argier, Thou know'st, was banish'd; for one thing she did, ARI. Ay, Sir. 251 261 271 PRO. This blue-ey'd hag was hither brought with child, 280 ACT I |