SCENE I. Before Prospero's Cell. Enter PROSPERO, FERDINAND, and MIRANDA. Prospero. If I have too austerely punish'd you, Your compensation makes amends, for I Have given you here a thread of mine own life, Or that for which I live; who once again Do not smile at me that I boast her off, For thou shalt find she will outstrip all praise, Ferdinand. Against an oracle. I do believe it Prospero. Then, as my gift and thine own acquisition No sweet aspersion shall the heavens let fall Ferdinand. As I hope For quiet days, fair issue, and long life, With such love as 't is now, the murkiest den, The most opportune place, the strong'st suggestion Our worser genius can, shall never melt Mine honour into lust, to take away The edge of that day's celebration When I shall think, or Phoebus' steeds are founder'd, Prospero. Fairly spoke. Sit then and talk with her; she is thine own.— ΤΟ 20 30 Enter ARIEL. Ariel. What would my potent master? here I am. Prospero. Thou and thy meaner fellows your last service Did worthily perform, and I must use you In 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 must Bestow upon the eyes of this young couple Ariel. Prospero. Ay, with a twink. Ariel. Presently? Before you can say 'come' and 'go,' Each one, tripping on his toe, Prospero. Dearly, my delicate Ariel. Do not approach Till thou dost hear me call. Ariel. Well, I conceive. Prospero. Look thou be true; do not give dalliance Or else good night your vow! Ferdinand. I warrant you, sir; The white-cold virgin snow upon my heart Abates the ardour of my liver. Now come, my Ariel! bring a corollary, Rather than want a spirit; appear, and pertly!— No tongue! all eyes! be silent. 40 [Exit. 51 [Soft music. Enter IRIS. Iris. Ceres, most bounteous lady, thy rich leas 60 Of wheat, rye, barley, vetches, oats, and pease; Which spongy April at thy hest betrims, To make cold nymphs chaste crowns; and thy broom groves, Where thou thyself dost air ;-the queen o' the sky, Bids thee leave these, and with her sovereign grace, To come and sport. Her peacocks fly amain; Enter CERES. Ceres. Hail, many-colour'd messenger, that ne'er Who, with thy saffron wings, upon my flowers. 70 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 Iris. A contract of true love to celebrate, And some donation freely to estate On the blest lovers. Ceres. Tell me, heavenly bow, If Venus or her son, as thou dost know, Do now attend the queen? Since they did plot 80 90 Be not afraid; I met her deity Cutting the clouds towards Paphos, and her son Her waspish-headed son has broke his arrows, And be a boy right out. Ceres. Highest queen of state, Great Juno comes; I know her by her gait. Enter JUNO. Juno. How does my bounteous sister? Go with me Juno. Ceres. Honour, riches, marriage-blessing, Scarcity and want shall shun you; Ferdinand. This is a most majestic vision, and Harmonious charmingly. May I be bold To think these spirits? Prospero. 100 [They sing. LIC Spirits, which by mine art 120 I have from their confines call'd to enact My present fancies. |