Pro. Look, thou be true; do not give dalliance Fer. I warrant you, sir; The white-cold virgin snow upon my heart Well. Pro. Rather than want a spirit; appear, and pertly.—. A Masque. Enter IRIS. [Soft Music. Iris. Ceres, most bounteous lady, thy rich leas [groves, To make cold nymphs chaste crowns; and thy broom Whose shadow the dismissed bachelor loves, Bids thee leave these; and with her sovereign grace, Enter CERES. Cer. Hail, many-colour'd messenger, that ne'er Who, with thy saffron wings, upon my flowers Ꭰ And some donation freely to estate On the bless'd lovers. Cer. 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 Till Hymen's torch be lighted: but in vain; 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 honour'd in their issue. SONG. Juno. Honour, riches, marriage-blessing, Cer. Earth's increase, and foison plenty; Fer. This is a most majestic vision, and Harmonious charmingly: May I be bold To think these spirits? Pro. I have from their confines call'd to enact My present fancies. Fer. Spirits, which by mine art Let me live here ever; So rare a wonder'd father, and a wife, Make this place Paradise. Pro., [Juno and Ceres whisper, and send Iris on employment. Sweet now, silence; Juno and Ceres whisper seriously; [brooks, Enter certain Nymphs. You sun-burn'd sicklemen, of August weary, Come hither from the furrow, and be merry; Make holy-day: your rye-straw hats put on, And these fresh nymphs encounter every one 'In country footing. 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 [-no more. Is almost come.-[To the Spirits.] Well done;-avoid; Fer. This is most strange: your father's in some passion That works him strongly. Mira. And, like the baseless fabrick of this vision, If you be pleas'd, retire into my cell, And there repose; a turn or two I'll walk To still my beating mind. Fer. Mira. We wish your 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. We must prepare to meet with Caliban. Spirit, Ari. Ay, my commander: when I presented Ceres, I thought to have told thee of it: but I fear'd, 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 valour, that they smote the air For breathing in their faces; beat the ground As they smelt music; so I charm'd their ears, There dancing up to the chins, that the foul lake Pro. This was well done, my bird: Thy shape invisible retain thou still : The trumpery in my house, go, bring it hither, Ari. [Exit. Re-enter ARIEL, loaden with glistering Apparel, &c. Even to roaring :-Come, hang them on this line. PROSPERO and ARIEL remain invisible. Enter CALIBAN, STEPHANO, and TRINCULO; all wet. Cal. Pray you, tread softly, that the blind mole may Hear a foot fall: we now are near his cell. [not Ste. Monster, your fairy, which, you say, is a harmless fairy, has done little better than played the Jack with us. Trin. Monster, I do smell all horse-piss; at which my nose is in great indignation. Ste. So is mine. Do you hear, monster? If I should take a displeasure against you; look you,― Trin. Thou wert but a lost monster. Cal. Good my lord, give me thy favour still: Be patient, for the prize I'll bring thee to Shall hood-wink this mischance: therefore, speak softly, All's hush'd as midnight yet. Trin. Ay, but to lose our bottles in the pool, Ste. There is not only disgrace and dishonour in that, monster, but an infinite loss. |