And more diversity of sounds, all horrible, And were brought moping hither. Alon. This is as strange a maze as e'er men trod: And there is in this business more than nature Was ever conduct of: some oracle Must rectify our knowledge. Pro. Sir, my liege, Do not infest your mind with beating on Set Caliban and his companions free: cious sir? There are yet missing of your company Re-enter Ariel, driving in Caliban, Stephano, and Trinculo, in their stolen apparel. Ste. Every man shift for all the rest, and let no man take care for himself; tor all is but fortune :Coragio, buliy-monster, Coragio! Trin. If these be true spies which I wear in my head, here's a goodly sight. Cal. O Setebos, these be brave spirits, indeed! How fine my master is! I am afraid He will chastise me. What things are these, my lord Antonio ? Will money buy them? Ant. Very like; one of them Is a plain fish, and, no doubt, marketable. Pro. Mark but the badges of these men, my lords, Then say, if they be true*: -This mis-shapen knave, His mother was a witch; and one so strong That could control the moon, make flows and ebbs, And deal in her command, without her power: These three have robb'd me; and this demi-devil (For he's a bastard one), had plotted with them To take my life: two of these fellows you Must know, and own; this thing of darkness I Acknowledge mine. Cal. I shall be pinch'd to death. Alon. Is not this Stephano, my drunken butler ? Seb He is drunk now: Where had he wine? Alon. And Trinculo is reeling ripe: Where should they Find this grand liquor that hath gilded them?- Trin. I have been in such a pickle, since I saw you last, that, I fear me, will never out of my bones: I shall not fear fly-blowing. Seb. Why, how now, Stephano? Ste. O, touch me not; I am not Stephano, but a cramp. Pro. You'd be king of the isle, sirrah? Ste. I should have been a sore one then. Alon. This is as strange a thing as e'er I look'd on. [Pointing to Caliban. Pro. He is as disproportion'd in his manners, As in his shape:-Go, sirrah, to my cell; * Honest. Cal. Ay, that I will; and I'll be wise hereafter, And seek for grace: What a thrice-double ass And worship this dull fool! Pro. Go to; away! Alon. Hence, and bestow your luggage where you found it. Seb. Or stole it, rather. [Exeunt Cal. Ste. and Trin. Pro. Sir, I invite your highness, and your train, To my poor cell: where you shall take your rest For this one night; which (part of it) I'll waste With such discourse, as, I not doubt, shall make it Go quick away: the story of my life, And the particular accidents, gone by, Since I came to this isle: And in the morn, I'll bring you to your ship, and so to Naples, Where I have hope to see the nuptial Of these our dear-beloved solemuiz'd; Alon. I long To hear the story of your life, which must Take the ear strangely. Pro. I'll deliver all; And promise you calm seas, auspicious gales, And sail so expeditious, that shall catch Your royal fleet far off. -My Ariel; -chick, That is thy charge; then to the elements Be free, and fare thou well!-[aside]. Please you draw near. [Exeunt. EPILOGUE. Spoken by Prospero. NOW my charms are all o'erthrown, As you from crimes would pardon'd be, * Applause: noise was supposed to dissolve a spell. 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 proVOL. I. E duction of many characters, diversified with boundless invention, and preserved with profound skill in nature, extensive knowledge of opinions, and accurate observation of life. 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 uative effusion of untaught affection, the punishment of guilt, and the final happiness of the pair for whom our pasions and reason are equally interested. JOHNSON. |