ACT THE FIFTH. 1 SCENE I. Before the Cell of PROSPERO. Enter PROSPERO in his magic robes, and ARIEL. Pro. Now does my project gather to a head: My charms crack not; my spirits obey; and time Goes upright with his carriage. How's the day? Ariel. On the sixth hour; at which time my lord, You said our work should cease. Pro. Ari. I did say so, Say, my spirit, Confin'd together In the same fashion as you gave in charge; That if you now beheld them, your affections Pro. Dost thou think so, spirit? Ari. Mine would, sir, were I human. And mine shall, Pro. VOL. I. 5 Defends from bad weather. G Of their afflictions? and shall not myself, Passion as they, be kindlier mov'd than thou art? Though with their high wrongs I am struck to the quick, Yet, with my nobler reason, 'gainst my fury In virtue than in vengeance: they being penitent, Not a frown further: Go, release them, Ariel; Ari. I'll fetch them, sir. [Exit. Pro. Ye elves of hills, brooks, standing lakes, and groves; And ye, that on the sands with printless foot And, deeper than did ever plummet sound, [Solemn musick. Re-enter ARIEL: after him ALONSO, with a frantic gesture, attended by GONZALO; SEBASTIAN and ANTONIO in like manner attended by ADRIAN and FRANCISCO: They all enter the circle which PROSPERO had made, and there stand charmed; which PROSPERO observing, speaks. A solemn air, and the best comforter To an unsettled fancy, cure thy brains, Now useless, boil'd within thy skull! There stand, For you are spell-stopp'd. Holy Gonzalo, honourable man, Mine eyes, even sociable to the shew of thine, To him thou follow'st; I will pay thy graces Thou'rt pinch'd for't now, Sebastian. Flesh and blood, You brother mine, that entertain'd ambition, Expell'd remorse and nature; who, with Sebastian, That now lie foul and muddy. Not one of them, 7 Pity, or tenderness of heart. Fetch me the hat and rapier in my cell; [Exit ARIEL. I will dis-case me, and myself present, ARIEL re-enters, singing, and helps to attire Ari. Where the bee sucks, there suck I; After summer, merrily: Merrily, merrily, shall I live now, Under the blossom that hangs on the bough. Pro. Why, that's my dainty Ariel: I shall miss thee; But yet thou shalt have freedom: so, so, so. There shalt thou find the mariners asleep Under the hatches; the master, and the boatswain, Being awake, enforce them to this place; And presently, I pr'ythee. Ari. I drink the air before me, and return Or e'er your pulse twice beat. [Exit ARIEL. Gon. All torment, trouble, wonder, and amaze ment Inhabits here: Some heavenly power guide us Pro. Behold, sir king, The wronged Duke of Milan, Prospero: For more assurance that a living prince Does now speak to thee, I embrace thy body; A hearty welcome. Alon. Whe'r thou beest he, or no, Or some enchanted trifle to abuse me, 8 Whether. As late I have been, I not know: thy pulse I fear, a madness held me: this must crave Thou pardon me my wrongs:-But how should Prospero Be living, and be here? Pro. First, noble friend, Let me embrace thine age; whose honour cannot Be measur'd, or confin'd. Gon. Or be not, I'll not swear. Pro. Some subtilties o' the isle, Believe things certain: all: But Whether this be, You do yet taste that will not let you Welcome, my friends you, my brace of lords, were I so minded, [Aside to SEB. and ANT. I here could pluck his highness' frown upon you, And justify you traitors; at this time I'll tell no tales. Seb. Pro. The devil speaks in him. [Aside. No: For you, most wicked sir, whom to call brother Thou must restore.. Alon. If thou beest Prospero, Give us particulars of thy preservation: How thou hast met us here, who three hours since Were wreck'd upon this shore; where I have lost, How sharp the point of this remembrance is! My dear son Ferdinand. Pro. I am woe? for't, sir. 9 Sorry. |