A confidence sans' bound. He being thus lorded, But what my power might else exact,—like one, Mira. Your tale, sir, would cure deafness. Pro. To have no screen between this part he play'd, And him he play'd it for, he needs will be Mira. O the heavens! Pro. Mark his condition, and the event; then tell me, If this might be a brother. Mira. I should sin To think but nobly of my grandmother: Pro. (1) Without. (2) Thirsty. (3) Consideration. Fated to the purpose, did Antonio open The gates of Milan; and, i' the dead of darkness, The ministers for the purpose hurried thence Me, and thy crying self. Mira. Alack, for pity! I, not rememb'ring how I cried out then, Will cry it o'er again; it is a hint1, That wrings mine eyes. Pro. Hear a little further, And then I'll bring thee to the present business Which now's upon us; without the which, this story Were most impertinent. Mira. That hour destroy us? Pro. Wherefore did they not Well demanded, wench; My tale provokes that question. Dear, they durst not; (So dear the love my people bore me) nor set A mark so bloody on the business; but With colours fairer painted their foul ends. Bore us some leagues to sea; where they prepar'd Mira. Was I then to you! Pro. Alack! what trouble O! a cherubim Thou wast, that did preserve me? Thou didst smile, Infused with a fortitude from heaven, When I have deck'd2 the sea with drops full salt Under my burden groan'd; which rais'd in me An undergoing stomach3, to bear up Against what should ensue. (1) Suggestion. (2) Sprinkled. (3) Stubborn resolution. Mira. How came we ashore? Pro. By Providence divine. Some food we had, and some fresh water, that Out of his charity (who being then appointed Rich garments, linens, stuffs, and necessaries, ness, Knowing I lov'd my books, he furnish'd me, 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 arriv'd; and here Have I, thy school-master, made thee more profit (For still 'tis beating in my mind,) your reason Pro. Know thus far forth.By accident most strange, bountiful fortune, Now my dear lady, hath mine enemies Brought to this shore: and by my prescience A most auspicious star; whose influence Enter Ariel. Ari. All hail, great master! grave sir, hail! I come To answer thy best pleasure; be't to fly, On the curl'd clouds; to thy strong bidding, task Pro. I boarded the king's ship; now on the beak, cursors O'the dreadful thunder-claps, more momentary And sight-outrunning were not: the fire, and cracks Of sulphurous roaring, the most mighty Neptune Seem'd to besiege, and make his bold waves tremble; Yea, his dread trident shake. Pro. My brave spirit! Who was so firm, so constant, that this coil? Would not infect his reason? Ari. Not a soul But felt a fever of the mad, and play'd Some tricks of desperation: all, but mariners, Plung'd in the foaming brine, and quit the vessel, Then all a-fire with me: the king's son, Ferdinand, With hair upstaring (then like reeds, not hair,) Was the first man that leap'd; cried, Hell is empty, And all the devils are here. Pro. Why, that's my spirit! But was not this nigh shore? Close by, my master. Not a hair perish'd; Pro. But are they, Ariel, safe? Ari. On their sustaining garments not a blemish, But fresher than before: and, as thou bad'st me, In troops I have dispers'd them 'bout the isle : (1) The minutest article. (2) Bustle, tumult. The king's son have I landed by himself; Pro. Of the king's ship, The mariners, say, how thou hast dispos'd, And all the rest o' the fleet? Ari. Safely in harbour Is the king's ship; in the deep nook, where once Thou call'dst me up at midnight to fetch dew From the still-vex'd Bermoothes, there she's hid. The mariners all under hatches stowed; Whom, with a charm join'd to their suffer'd labour, I have left asleep: and for the rest o' the fleet, Supposing that they saw the king's ship wreck'd, Pro. Ariel, thy charge Exactly is perform'd; but there's more work: What is the time o' the day? 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. How now ? moody? My liberty. What is't thou canst demand? Ari. Pro. Before the time be out? no more. Ari. I pray thee Remember, I have done thee worthy service; Told thee no lies, made no mistakings, serv'd (1) Bermudas, (2) Wave. |