Some food we had, and some fresh water, that Out of his charity, (who being then appointed Which since have steaded much; so, of his gentleness, From my own library, with volumes that I prize above my dukedom. Mira. But ever see that man! Pro. 'Would I might Now I arise: Sit still, and hear the last of our sea-sorrow. Here in this island we arrived; and here Have 1, thy schoolmaster, made thee more profit Than other princes 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, Brought to this shore: and by my prescience A most auspicious star; whose influence If now I court not, but omit, my fortunes Will ever after droop.-Here cease more questions; Come away, servant, come: I am ready now; Enter ARIEL [MIRANDA sleeps. 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 Hast thou, spirit, Pro. I boarded the king's ship; now on the beak, And burn in many places; on the top-mast, O' the dreadful thunder-claps, more momentary Pro. My brave spirit! Who was so firm, so constant, that this coil* But felt a fever of the mad, and play'd Some tricks of desperation: All, but mariners, Pro. But was not this nigh shore? Why, that's my spirit! Close by, my master. Pro. But are they, Ariel, safe? Not a hair perish'd, On their sustaining garments not a blemish, Pro. Of the king's ship, Ari. Whom, with a charm join'd to their suffer'd labor, Supposing that they saw the king's ship wreck'd, Pro. Ariel, thy charge Exactly is perform'd; but there's more work: Ari. Past the mid season. Pro. At least two glasses: the time 'twixt six and now Must by us both be spent most preciously. 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. Pro. What is't thou can'st demand? Ari. How now ? moody? My liberty. I pray thee Pro. Before the time be out? no more. Pro. Dost thou forget Pro. Thou dost; and think'st It much to tread the ooze of the salt deep; Ari. Pro. Thou hast: Where was she born? speak tell me. Ari. Sir, in Argier. Pro. O, was she so? I must, Once in a month, recount what thou hast been, Thou know'st, was banish'd; for one thing she did, Pro. This blue-ey'd hag was hither brought, To act her earthy and abhorr'd commands, A dozen years; within which space she died, And left thee there; where thou didst vent thy groans, As fast as mill-whee.s strike: Then was this island, Pro. Dull thing, I say so; he, that Caliban, Did make wolves howl, and penetrate the breasts Could not again undo; it was mine art, When I arriv'd, and heard thee, that made gape I thank thee, master. Ari. Thou hast howl'd away twelve winters. Ari. Pardon, master: Do so; and after two days That's my noble master! What shall I do? say what? what shall I do? Pro. Go, make thyself like to a nymph o' the sea; Mira. The strangeness of your story put Pro. Shake it off; Come on; We'll visit Caliban, my slave, who never Yields us a kind answer. Mira. I do not love to look on. Pro. 'Tis a villain, sir, But, as 'tis, We cannot miss him he does make our fire, That profit us. What ho! slave! Caliban ! Cal. [within.] There's wood enough within. [Exit ARIEL. Pro. Come forth, I say; there's other business for thee: Come forth, thou tortoise! when? Re-enter ARIEL, like a water-nymph. Cal. As wicked dew as e'er my mother brush'd And blister you all o'er. Pro. For this, be sure, to-night thou shalt have cramps, As thick as honey-combs, each pinch more stinging Cal. I must eat my dinner. This island's mine, by Sycorax my mother, Which thou tak'st from me. When thou camest first, Thou strok'dst me, and mad'st much of me; would'st give me Water with berries in't; and teach me how To name the bigger light, and how the less, That burn by day and night: and then I lov'd thee, And show'd thee all the qualities o' the isle, The fresh springs, brine pits, barren place, and fertile ; Of Sycorax, toads, beetles, bats, light on you! Which first was mine own king; and here you sty me Which any print of goodness will not take; Took pains to make thee speak, taught thee each hour A thing most brutish, I endow'd thy purposes With words that made them known: But thy vile race, Though thou did'st learn, had that in't which good natures Could not abide to be with; therefore wast thou Deservedly confin'd into this rock, Who had'st deserv'd more than a prison. Cal. You taught me language; and my profit on't Is, I know how to curse: the red plague rid* you, For learning me your language! Pro. Hag-seed, hence! Fetch us in fuel; and be quick, thou wert best, What I command, I'll rack thee with old cramps; That beasts shall tremble at thy din. * Destroy. |