"Thy turfy mountains, where live nibbling sheep, "And flat meads thatch'd with stover, them to keep; "Thy banks with pionied and twilled brims, "Which spungy April at thy hest betrims, 71 "To make cold nymphs chaste crowns; and thy broom groves, "Whose shadow the dismissed bachelor loves, "Being lass-lorn; thy pole-clipt vineyard; "And thy sea-marge, steril, and rocky-hard, "Where thou thyself do'st air; The queen o' the sky, "Whose watery arch, and messenger, am I, 89 "Bids thee leave these; and with her sovereign grace, "Here on this grass-plot, in this very place, "To come and sport: her peacocks fly amain; "Approach, rich Ceres, her to entertain. Enter CERES. "Cer. Hail, many-colour'd messenger, that ne'er "Dost disobey the wife of Jupiter; "Who, with thy saffron wings, upon my flowers; "Diffusest honey drops, refreshing showers; "And with each end of thy blue bow dost crown. "My bosky acres, and my unshrubb'd down, "Rich scarf to my proud earth; Why hath thy queen "Summon'd me hither, to this short-grass'd green? "Iris. A contract of true love to celebrate; "And some donation freely to estate "On the bless'd lovers. 91 "Cer. "Cer. Tell me, heavenly bow, "If Venus, or her son, as thou dos't know, "Iris. Of her society "Be not afraid: I met her deity Cutting the clouds towards Paphos; and her son "Dove-drawn with her: here thought they to have done "Some wanton charm upon this man and maid, "Her waspish-headed son has broke his arrows, rows, "And be a boy right out, "Cer. High queen of state, "Great Juno comes; I know her by her gait." Enter JUNO. 110 "Jun. How does my bounteous sister? Go with me, "To bless this twain, that they may prosperous be, "And honour'd in their issue.' Jun. Honour, riches, marriage-blessing, Long continuance, and increasing. Hourly joys be still upon you! Juno sings her blessings on you, Cer. Cer. Earth's increase, and foison plenty; Scarcity, and want, shall shun you ; "Fer. This is a most majestic vision, and "Harmonious charmingly: May I be bold "To think these spirits? "Pro. Spirits, which by mine art "I have from their confines call'd to enact "Fer. Let me live here ever; "So rare a wonder'd father, and a wife, "Make this place paradise. "Pró. Sweet now, silence: "Juno, and Ceres, whisper seriously; 71 120 130 "There's something else to do: hush, and be mute, "Or else our spell is marr'd.. 140 "[JUNO and CERES whisper, and send IRIS on Employment.] "Iris. You nymphs, call'd Naiads, of the wand'ring brooks, "With your sedg'd crowns, and ever harınless looks, "Leave your crisp channels, and on this green land "Answer your summons; Juno does command: "Come, "Come, temperate nymphs, and help to celebrate "A contract of true love; be not too late. 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 150 "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 “ vanish heavily.” Pro. [Aside.] I had forgot that foul conspiracy Of the beast Caliban, and his confederates, Against my life; the minute of their plot Is almost come.-[To the spirits.] Well done → avoid ;-no more. Fer. This is strange: your father's in some passion That works him strongly. Mira. Never till this day, Saw I him touch'd with anger so distemper'd. Pro. You do look, my son, in a mov'd sort, As if you were dismay'd: be cheerful, sir: Our revels now are ended; these our actors, As I foretold you, were all spirits, and 160 Are melted into air, into thin air: And, like the baseless fabrick of this vision, The The cloud-capt towers, the gorgeous palaces, Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve; Leave not a rack behind: "We are such stuff 170 "As dreams are made on, and our little life "Is rounded with a sleep."- -Sir, I am vex'd; Bear with my weakness; my old brain is troubled: Be not disturb'd with my infirmity: If thou 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 you peace! [Exeunt FER. and MIRA. Pro. Come with a thought: thank thee:43#* Ariel, come. 180 PROSPERO comes forward from the Cell; enter ARIEL to him. Ari. Thy thoughts I cleave to: What's thy pleasure? Pro. Spirit, We must prepare, to meet with Caliban. 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 drink ing; G So |