TEMPEST. It is observed of The Tempest, that its plan is regular; this the author of The Revisal thinks, what I think too, an accidental effect of the story, not intended or regarded by our author. But, whatever might be Shakspeare's intention in forming or adopting the plot, he has made it instrumental to the production of many characters, diversified with boundless sention, and preserved with profound skill in nature, extensive knowledge of opinions, and accurate observation of h. In a single drama are here exhibited princes, courtiers, and sailors, all speaking in their real characters. There is the agency of airy spirits, and of an earthly goblin; the operations of magic, the tumults of a storm, the adventures of a desert island, the native effusion of untaught affection, the punishment of guilt, and the final happiness of the pair for whom our passions and reason are equally interested. Johnson. SCENE, The Sea, with a Ship; afterwards an uninhabited Island. ACT I. Ant. Hang, cur, hang! you whore son, insolent SCENE L-On a Ship at Sea.-A storm, with noise-maker, we are less afraid to be drowned than thunder and lightning. Enter a Ship-master and a Boatswain. Master. Boatswain, Boats. Here, master: What cheer? Master. Good: Speak to the mariners: fall to't yarely, or we run ourselves aground: bestir, bestir. Enter Mariners. [Exit. Boats. Heigh, my hearts; cheerly, cheerly, my hearts; yare, yare: Take in the top-sail; Tend to the master's whistle.-Blow till thou burst thy wind, of room enough! Enter ALONSO, SEBASTIAN, ANTONIO, FERDINAND, GONZALO, and others. thou art. Ant. We are merely cheated of our lives by Alen. Good Boatswain, have care. Where's the This wide-chapped rascal;-'Would, thou might'st master? Play the men. Boats. I pray now, keep below. Ant. Where is the master, Boatswain? Boats. Do you not hear him? You mar our labour; keep your cabins: you do assist the storm. Gon. Nay, good, be patient. Boats. When the sea is. Hence! What care these roarers for the name of king? To cabin: sileace; trouble us not. Gon. Good; yet remember whom thou hast aboard. Boats. None that I more love than myself. You are a counsellor; if you can command these elements to silence, and work the peace of the present, we will not hand a rope more; use your authority. If you cannot, give thanks you have lived so long, and make yourself ready in your cabin for the misbance of the hour, if it so hap.-Cheerly, good hearts-Out of our way, I say. [Exit. Gon. I have great comfort from this fellow: methicks, he hath no drowning mark upon him; his complexion is perfect gallows. Stand fast, good fate, to his hanging! make the rope of his destiny our rabie, for our own doth little advantage! If he be not born to be hanged, our case is miserable. [Exeunt. Re-enter Boatswain. Boats. Down with the topmast; yare; lower, lower; bring her to try with main course. (A cry thin.) A plague upon this howling! they are lder than the weather, or our office. Re-enter SEBASTIAN, ANTONIO, and GONZALO. Yet again? what do you here? Shall we give o'er, and drown? Have you a mind to sink? Seb. A pox o' your throat! you bawling, blasphemous, incharitable dog! Boats. Work you, then. The washing of ten tides! Gon. He'll be hanged yet; [lie drowning, Though every drop of water swear against it, (A confused noise within.)-Mercy on us! We split, we split-Farewell, my wife and children! Farewell, brother! We split, we split, we split!Ant. Let's all sink with the king. Seb. Let's take leave of him. [Exit. Exit. Gon. Now would I give a thousand furlongs of sea for an acre of barren ground; long heath, brown furze, any thing: The wills above be done! but I would fain die a dry death. [Exit. SCENE II.-The Island: before the Cell of Prospero. Enter PROSPERO and MIRANDA. Have sunk the sea within the earth, or e'er Pro. Be collected; No more amazement: tell your piteous heart, There's no harm done. Mira. Pro. O, woe the day! No harm. I have done nothing but in care of thee, |