Were but my trials of thy love, and thou Hast strangely stood the test: here, afore Heaven, Do not smile at me, that I boast her off; For thou shalt find she will outstrip all praise, Fer. Against an oracle. I do believe it, Pro. Then, as my gift, and thine own acquisition If thou dost break her virgin knot before With full and holy rite be ministered, Fer. As I hope For quiet days, fair issue, and long life, With such love as 'tis now; the murkiest den, The most opportune place, the strong'st suggestion Mine honor into lust; to take away The edge of that day's celebration, When I shall think, or Phoebus' steeds are foundered, Or night kept chained below. Pro. Fairly spoke; Sit then, and talk with her; she is thine own.- Ari. Enter ARIEL. What would my potent master? here I am. Pro. Thou and thy meaner fellows your last service Did worthily perform; and I must use you In such another trick: go, bring the rabble, O'er whom I give thee power, here, to this place: And they expect it from me. Ari. Pro. Ari. Ay, with a twink. Presently? Before you can say, Come and go, And breathe twice; and cry, So, 80; Will be here with mop and mowe: Each one, tripping on his toe, Do you love me, master? no. Pro. Dearly, my delicate Ariel: Do not approach, Till thou dost hear me call. Well I conceive. Ari. Fer. [Exit. I warrant you, sir; The white-cold virgin snow upon my heart Pro. Well. Now come, my Ariel; bring a corollary, Rather than want a spirit; appear, and pertly.- A Masque. Enter IRIS. [Soft music. Iris. Ceres, most bounteous lady, thy rich leas To make cold nymphs chaste crowns; and thy broom groves, Being lass-lorn; thy pole-clipt vineyard; Where thou thyself dost air: The queen o' the sky, Bids thee leave these; and with her sovereign grace, Enter CERES. Cer. Hail, many-colored messenger, that ne'er Who, with thy saffron wings, upon my flowers And with each end of thy blue bow dost crown Rich scarf to my proud earth: Why hath thy queen And some donation freely to estate On the blessed lovers. Cer. Tell me, heavenly bow, Iris. Of her society Be not afraid: I met her deity Cutting the clouds towards Paphos; and her son Whose vows are, that no bed rite shall be paid Her waspish-headed son has broke his arrows, Swears he will shoot no more, but play with sparrows, And be a boy right out. Cer. Highest queen of state, Great Juno comes; I know her by her gait. Enter JUNO. Juno. How does my bounteous sister? Go with me To bless this twain, that they may prosperous be, And honored in their issue. Jun. Cer. SONG. Honor, riches, marriage-blessing, Vines, with clustering bunches growing; Scarcity and want shall shun you; Fer. This is a most majestic vision, and Pro. Spirits, which by mine art I have from their confines called to enact My present fancies. Fer. Let me live here ever; So rare a wondered father, and a wife, Make this place Paradise. [JUNO and CERES whisper, and send IRIS on employment. Sweet now, silence; Pro. Juno and Ceres whisper seriously; There's something else to do: hush, and be mute, Iris. You nymphs, called Naiads, of the wandering brooks, Enter certain Nymphs. You sun-burned sicklemen, of August weary, Enter certain Reapers, properly habited; they join with the Nymphs in a graceful dance; towards the end whereof PROSPERO starts suddenly, and speaks; after which, to a strange, hollow, and confused noise, they heavily vanish. Pro. [Aside.] I had forgot that foul conspiracy Of the beast Caliban, and his confederates, Against my life; the minute of their plot Is almost come. [To the Spirits.] Well done;-avoid; no more. Fer. This is strange: your father's in some passion That works him strongly. Mira. Leave not a rack behind: We are such stuff Bear with my weakness; my old brain is troubled. If you be pleased, retire into my cell, And there repose; a turn or two I'll walk, To still my beating mind. Fer. Mira. We wish you peace. [Exeunt. Pro. Come with a thought :-I thank you :-Ariel, come. Enter ARIEL. Ari. Thy thoughts I cleave to: What's thy pleasure? Pro. Spirit, We must prepare to meet with Caliban. Ari. Ay, my commander: when I presented Ceres, I thought to have told thee of it; but I feared, Lest I might anger thee. Pro. Say again, where didst thou leave these varlets? Ari. I told you, sir, they were red-hot with drinking; So full of valor, that they smote the air For breathing in their faces; beat the ground There dancing up to the chins, that the foul lake O'er-stunk their feet. Pro. This was well done, my bird: Thy shape invisible retain thou still: The trumpery in my house, go, bring it hither, Ari. I go, I go. [Exit Re-enter ARIEL loaden with glistering apparel, fc. Even to roaring:- Come, hang them on this line. E |