Contents
-BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD
William Shakespeare (1564–1616). The Tempest.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.
Scene I
Act IV
[Before Prospero’s cell]
Enter PROSPERO, FERDINAND, and MIRANDA
Pros.If I have too austerely punish’d you,Your compensation makes amends, for IHave given you here a third of mine own life,Or that for which I live; who once againI tender to thy hand. All thy vexationsWere but my trials of thy love, and thouHast strangely stood the test. Here, afore Heaven,I ratify this my rich gift. O Ferdinand,Do not smile at me that I boast her off,For thou shalt find she will outstrip all praiseAnd make it halt behind her.Fer.I do believe itAgainst an oracle.Pros.Then, as my gift and thine own acquisitionWorthily purchas’d, take my daughter. ButIf thou dost break her virgin-knot beforeAll sanctimonious ceremonies mayWith full and holy rite be minist’red,No sweet aspersion shall the heavens let fallTo make this contract grow; but barren Hate,Sour-eyed Disdain and Discord shall bestrewThe union of your bed with weeds so loathlyThat you shall hate it both. Therefore take heed,As Hymen’s lamps shall light you.Fer.As I hopeFor quiet days, fair issue, and long life,With such love as ’tis now, the murkiest den,The most opportune place, the strong’st suggestionOur worser genius can, shall never meltMine honour into lust, to take awayThe edge of that day’s celebrationWhen I shall think or Phœbus’ steeds are founder’dOr Night kept chain’d below.Pros.Fairly spoke.Sit then and talk with her; she is thine own.What, Ariel! my industrious servant, Ariel!Enter ARIEL
Ari.What would my potent master? Here I am.Pros.Thou and thy meaner fellows your last serviceDid worthily perform; and I must use youIn such another trick. Go bring the rabble,O’er whom I give thee power, here to this place.Incite them to quick motion; for I mustBestow upon the eyes of this young coupleSome vanity of mine art. It is my promise,And they expect it from me.Ari.Presently?Pros.Ay, with a twink.Ari.Before you can say “come” and “go,”And breathe twice and cry “so, so,”Each one, tripping on his toe,Will be here with mop and mow.Do you love me, master? No?Pros.Dearly, my delicate Ariel. Do not approachTill thou dost hear me call.Ari.Well, I conceive.Exit.Pros.Look thou be true; do not give dallianceToo much the rein. The strongest oaths are strawTo the fire i’ the blood. Be more abstemious,Or else, good night your vow!Fer.I warrant you, sir;The white cold virgin snow upon my heartAbates the ardour of my liver.Pros.Well.Now come, my Ariel! bring a corollary,Rather than want a spirit. Appear, and pertly!No tongue! all eyes! Be silent.Soft music.Enter IRIS
Iris.Ceres, most bounteous lady, thy rich leasOf wheat, rye, barley, vetches, oats, and pease;Thy turfy mountains, where live nibbling sheep,And flat meads thatch’d with stover, them to keep;Thy banks with pioned and twilled brims,Which spongy April at thy hest betrimsTo make cold nymphs chaste crowns; and thy brown groves,Whose shadow the dismissed bachelor loves,Being lass-lorn; thy pole-clipp’d vineyard;And thy sea-marge, sterile and rocky-hard,Where thou thyself dost air;—the queen o’ the sky,Whose watery arch and messenger am I,Bids thee leave these, and with her sovereign grace,JUNO descends.Here on this grass-plot, in this very place,To come and sport; here peacocks fly amain.Approach, rich Ceres, her to entertain.Enter CERES
Cer.Haií, many-coloured messenger, that ne’erDost disobey the wife of Jupiter;Who with thy saffron wings upon my flowersDiffusest honey-drops, refreshing showers,And with each end of thy blue bow dost crownMy bosky acres and my unshrubb’d down,Rich scarf to my proud earth; why hath thy queenSummon’d me hither, to this short-grass’d green?Iris.A contract of true love to celebrate;And some donation freely to estateOn the blest lovers.Cer.Tell me, heavenly bow,If Venus or her son, as thou dost know,Do now attend the Queen? Since they did plotThe means that dusky Dis my daughter got,Her and her blind boy’s scandal’d companyI have forsworn.Iris.Of her societyBe not afraid. I met her deityCutting the clouds towards Paphos, and her sonDove-drawn with her. Here thought they to have doneSome wanton charm upon this man and maid,Whose vows are, that no bed-right shall be paidTill Hymen’s torch be lighted; but in vain.Mars’s hot minion is return’d again;Her waspish-headed son has broke his arrows,Swears he will shoot no more, but play with sparrowsAnd 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 meTo bless this twain, that they may prosperous beAnd honour’d in their issue.They sing.Juno.Honour, riches, marriage-blessing,Long continuance, and increasing,Hourly joys be still upon you!Juno sings her blessings on you.[Cer.]Earth’s increase, foison plenty,Barns and garners never empty,Vines with clustering bunches growing,Plants with goodly burden bowing.Spring come to you at the farthestIn the very end of harvest!Scarcity and want shall shun you;Ceres’ blessing so is on you.Fer.This is a most majestic vision, andHarmonious charmingly. May I be boldTo think these spirits?Pros.Spirits, which by mine artI have from their confines call’d to enactMy present fancies.Fer.Let me live here ever;So rare a wond’red father and a wiseMakes this place Paradise.Pros.Sweet, now, silence!Juno and Ceres whisper seriously.There’s something else to do; hush, and be mute,Or else our spell is marr’d.JUNO and CERES whisper, and send IRIS on employment.Iris.You nymphs, call’d Naiads, of the winding brooks,With your sedg’d crowns and ever-harmless looks,Leave your crisp channels, and on this green landAnswer your summons; Juno does command.Come, temperate nymphs, and help to celebrateA contract of true love; be not too late.Enter certain Nymphs