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That book in many's eyes doth share the glory
That in gold clasps locks in the golden story.

      — Romeo and Juliet, Act I Scene 3

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The Tempest

Act III

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Scene 1. Before PROSPERO’S Cell.

Scene 2. Another part of the island.

Scene 3. Another part of the island.

---
       

Act III, Scene 1

Before PROSPERO’S Cell.

      next scene .
---

[Enter FERDINAND, bearing a log]

  • Ferdinand. There be some sports are painful, and their labour
    Delight in them sets off: some kinds of baseness
    Are nobly undergone and most poor matters 1280
    Point to rich ends. This my mean task
    Would be as heavy to me as odious, but
    The mistress which I serve quickens what's dead
    And makes my labours pleasures: O, she is
    Ten times more gentle than her father's crabbed, 1285
    And he's composed of harshness. I must remove
    Some thousands of these logs and pile them up,
    Upon a sore injunction: my sweet mistress
    Weeps when she sees me work, and says, such baseness
    Had never like executor. I forget: 1290
    But these sweet thoughts do even refresh my labours,
    Most busy lest, when I do it.

[Enter MIRANDA; and PROSPERO at a distance, unseen]

  • Miranda. Alas, now, pray you,
    Work not so hard: I would the lightning had 1295
    Burnt up those logs that you are enjoin'd to pile!
    Pray, set it down and rest you: when this burns,
    'Twill weep for having wearied you. My father
    Is hard at study; pray now, rest yourself;
    He's safe for these three hours. 1300
  • Ferdinand. O most dear mistress,
    The sun will set before I shall discharge
    What I must strive to do.
  • Miranda. If you'll sit down,
    I'll bear your logs the while: pray, give me that; 1305
    I'll carry it to the pile.
  • Ferdinand. No, precious creature;
    I had rather crack my sinews, break my back,
    Than you should such dishonour undergo,
    While I sit lazy by. 1310
  • Miranda. It would become me
    As well as it does you: and I should do it
    With much more ease; for my good will is to it,
    And yours it is against.
  • Prospero. Poor worm, thou art infected! 1315
    This visitation shows it.
  • Ferdinand. No, noble mistress;'tis fresh morning with me
    When you are by at night. I do beseech you—
    Chiefly that I might set it in my prayers— 1320
    What is your name?
  • Miranda. Miranda.—O my father,
    I have broke your hest to say so!
  • Ferdinand. Admired Miranda!
    Indeed the top of admiration! worth 1325
    What's dearest to the world! Full many a lady
    I have eyed with best regard and many a time
    The harmony of their tongues hath into bondage
    Brought my too diligent ear: for several virtues
    Have I liked several women; never any 1330
    With so fun soul, but some defect in her
    Did quarrel with the noblest grace she owed
    And put it to the foil: but you, O you,
    So perfect and so peerless, are created
    Of every creature's best! 1335
  • Miranda. I do not know
    One of my sex; no woman's face remember,
    Save, from my glass, mine own; nor have I seen
    More that I may call men than you, good friend,
    And my dear father: how features are abroad, 1340
    I am skilless of; but, by my modesty,
    The jewel in my dower, I would not wish
    Any companion in the world but you,
    Nor can imagination form a shape,
    Besides yourself, to like of. But I prattle 1345
    Something too wildly and my father's precepts
    I therein do forget.
  • Ferdinand. I am in my condition
    A prince, Miranda; I do think, a king;
    I would, not so!—and would no more endure 1350
    This wooden slavery than to suffer
    The flesh-fly blow my mouth. Hear my soul speak:
    The very instant that I saw you, did
    My heart fly to your service; there resides,
    To make me slave to it; and for your sake 1355
    Am I this patient log—man.
  • Ferdinand. O heaven, O earth, bear witness to this sound
    And crown what I profess with kind event
    If I speak true! if hollowly, invert 1360
    What best is boded me to mischief! I
    Beyond all limit of what else i' the world
    Do love, prize, honour you.
  • Miranda. I am a fool
    To weep at what I am glad of. 1365
  • Prospero. Fair encounter
    Of two most rare affections! Heavens rain grace
    On that which breeds between 'em!
  • Miranda. At mine unworthiness that dare not offer 1370
    What I desire to give, and much less take
    What I shall die to want. But this is trifling;
    And all the more it seeks to hide itself,
    The bigger bulk it shows. Hence, bashful cunning!
    And prompt me, plain and holy innocence! 1375
    I am your wife, it you will marry me;
    If not, I'll die your maid: to be your fellow
    You may deny me; but I'll be your servant,
    Whether you will or no.
  • Ferdinand. My mistress, dearest; 1380
    And I thus humble ever.
  • Ferdinand. Ay, with a heart as willing
    As bondage e'er of freedom: here's my hand.
  • Miranda. And mine, with my heart in't; and now farewell 1385
    Till half an hour hence.

[Exeunt FERDINAND and MIRANDA severally]

  • Prospero. So glad of this as they I cannot be,
    Who are surprised withal; but my rejoicing 1390
    At nothing can be more. I'll to my book,
    For yet ere supper-time must I perform
    Much business appertaining.

[Exit]

---
. previous scene      

Act III, Scene 2

Another part of the island.

      next scene .
---

[Enter CALIBAN, STEPHANO, and TRINCULO]

  • Stephano. Tell not me; when the butt is out, we will drink
    water; not a drop before: therefore bear up, and
    board 'em. Servant-monster, drink to me.
  • Trinculo. Servant-monster! the folly of this island! They
    say there's but five upon this isle: we are three 1400
    of them; if th' other two be brained like us, the
    state totters.
  • Stephano. Drink, servant-monster, when I bid thee: thy eyes
    are almost set in thy head.
  • Trinculo. Where should they be set else? he were a brave 1405
    monster indeed, if they were set in his tail.
  • Stephano. My man-monster hath drown'd his tongue in sack:
    for my part, the sea cannot drown me; I swam, ere I
    could recover the shore, five and thirty leagues off
    and on. By this light, thou shalt be my lieutenant, 1410
    monster, or my standard.
  • Trinculo. Your lieutenant, if you list; he's no standard.
  • Stephano. We'll not run, Monsieur Monster.
  • Trinculo. Nor go neither; but you'll lie like dogs and yet say
    nothing neither. 1415
  • Stephano. Moon-calf, speak once in thy life, if thou beest a
    good moon-calf.
  • Caliban. How does thy honour? Let me lick thy shoe.
    I'll not serve him; he's not valiant.
  • Trinculo. Thou liest, most ignorant monster: I am in case to 1420
    justle a constable. Why, thou deboshed fish thou,
    was there ever man a coward that hath drunk so much
    sack as I to-day? Wilt thou tell a monstrous lie,
    being but half a fish and half a monster?
  • Caliban. Lo, how he mocks me! wilt thou let him, my lord? 1425
  • Trinculo. 'Lord' quoth he! That a monster should be such a natural!
  • Caliban. Lo, lo, again! bite him to death, I prithee.
  • Stephano. Trinculo, keep a good tongue in your head: if you
    prove a mutineer,—the next tree! The poor monster's
    my subject and he shall not suffer indignity. 1430
  • Caliban. I thank my noble lord. Wilt thou be pleased to
    hearken once again to the suit I made to thee?
  • Stephano. Marry, will I. kneel and repeat it; I will stand,
    and so shall Trinculo.

[Enter ARIEL, invisible]

  • Caliban. As I told thee before, I am subject to a tyrant, a
    sorcerer, that by his cunning hath cheated me of the island.
  • Caliban. Thou liest, thou jesting monkey, thou: I would my
    valiant master would destroy thee! I do not lie. 1440
  • Stephano. Trinculo, if you trouble him any more in's tale, by
    this hand, I will supplant some of your teeth.
  • Stephano. Mum, then, and no more. Proceed.
  • Caliban. I say, by sorcery he got this isle; 1445
    From me he got it. if thy greatness will
    Revenge it on him,—for I know thou darest,
    But this thing dare not,—
  • Caliban. Thou shalt be lord of it and I'll serve thee. 1450
  • Stephano. How now shall this be compassed?
    Canst thou bring me to the party?
  • Caliban. Yea, yea, my lord: I'll yield him thee asleep,
    Where thou mayst knock a nail into his bead.
  • Ariel. Thou liest; thou canst not. 1455
  • Caliban. What a pied ninny's this! Thou scurvy patch!
    I do beseech thy greatness, give him blows
    And take his bottle from him: when that's gone
    He shall drink nought but brine; for I'll not show him
    Where the quick freshes are. 1460
  • Stephano. Trinculo, run into no further danger:
    interrupt the monster one word further, and,
    by this hand, I'll turn my mercy out o' doors
    and make a stock-fish of thee.
  • Trinculo. Why, what did I? I did nothing. I'll go farther 1465
    off.
  • Stephano. Do I so? take thou that.
    [Beats TRINCULO] 1470
    As you like this, give me the lie another time.
  • Trinculo. I did not give the lie. Out o' your
    wits and bearing too? A pox o' your bottle!
    this can sack and drinking do. A murrain on
    your monster, and the devil take your fingers! 1475
  • Stephano. Now, forward with your tale. Prithee, stand farther
    off.
  • Caliban. Beat him enough: after a little time
    I'll beat him too. 1480
  • Stephano. Stand farther. Come, proceed.
  • Caliban. Why, as I told thee, 'tis a custom with him,
    I' th' afternoon to sleep: there thou mayst brain him,
    Having first seized his books, or with a log
    Batter his skull, or paunch him with a stake, 1485
    Or cut his wezand with thy knife. Remember
    First to possess his books; for without them
    He's but a sot, as I am, nor hath not
    One spirit to command: they all do hate him
    As rootedly as I. Burn but his books. 1490
    He has brave utensils,—for so he calls them—
    Which when he has a house, he'll deck withal
    And that most deeply to consider is
    The beauty of his daughter; he himself
    Calls her a nonpareil: I never saw a woman, 1495
    But only Sycorax my dam and she;
    But she as far surpasseth Sycorax
    As great'st does least.
  • Caliban. Ay, lord; she will become thy bed, I warrant. 1500
    And bring thee forth brave brood.
  • Stephano. Monster, I will kill this man: his daughter and I
    will be king and queen—save our graces!—and
    Trinculo and thyself shall be viceroys. Dost thou
    like the plot, Trinculo? 1505
  • Stephano. Give me thy hand: I am sorry I beat thee; but,
    while thou livest, keep a good tongue in thy head.
  • Caliban. Within this half hour will he be asleep:
    Wilt thou destroy him then? 1510
  • Ariel. This will I tell my master.
  • Caliban. Thou makest me merry; I am full of pleasure:
    Let us be jocund: will you troll the catch
    You taught me but while-ere? 1515
  • Stephano. At thy request, monster, I will do reason, any
    reason. Come on, Trinculo, let us sing.
    [Sings]
    Flout 'em and scout 'em
    And scout 'em and flout 'em 1520
    Thought is free.

[Ariel plays the tune on a tabour and pipe]

  • Trinculo. This is the tune of our catch, played by the picture 1525
    of Nobody.
  • Stephano. If thou beest a man, show thyself in thy likeness:
    if thou beest a devil, take't as thou list.
  • Stephano. He that dies pays all debts: I defy thee. Mercy upon us! 1530
  • Caliban. Be not afeard; the isle is full of noises,
    Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not.
    Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments 1535
    Will hum about mine ears, and sometime voices
    That, if I then had waked after long sleep,
    Will make me sleep again: and then, in dreaming,
    The clouds methought would open and show riches
    Ready to drop upon me that, when I waked, 1540
    I cried to dream again.
  • Stephano. This will prove a brave kingdom to me, where I shall
    have my music for nothing.
  • Caliban. When Prospero is destroyed.
  • Stephano. That shall be by and by: I remember the story. 1545
  • Trinculo. The sound is going away; let's follow it, and
    after do our work.
  • Stephano. Lead, monster; we'll follow. I would I could see
    this tabourer; he lays it on.
  • Trinculo. Wilt come? I'll follow, Stephano. 1550

[Exeunt]

---
. previous scene      

Act III, Scene 3

Another part of the island.

       
---

[Enter ALONSO, SEBASTIAN, ANTONIO, GONZALO,] [p]ADRIAN, FRANCISCO, and others]

  • Gonzalo. By'r lakin, I can go no further, sir;
    My old bones ache: here's a maze trod indeed 1555
    Through forth-rights and meanders! By your patience,
    I needs must rest me.
  • Alonso. Old lord, I cannot blame thee,
    Who am myself attach'd with weariness,
    To the dulling of my spirits: sit down, and rest. 1560
    Even here I will put off my hope and keep it
    No longer for my flatterer: he is drown'd
    Whom thus we stray to find, and the sea mocks
    Our frustrate search on land. Well, let him go.
  • Antonio. [Aside to SEBASTIAN] I am right glad that he's so 1565
    out of hope.
    Do not, for one repulse, forego the purpose
    That you resolved to effect.
  • Sebastian. [Aside to ANTONIO] The next advantage
    Will we take throughly. 1570
  • Antonio. [Aside to SEBASTIAN] Let it be to-night;
    For, now they are oppress'd with travel, they
    Will not, nor cannot, use such vigilance
    As when they are fresh.
  • Sebastian. [Aside to ANTONIO] I say, to-night: no more. 1575

[Solemn and strange music]

  • Alonso. What harmony is this? My good friends, hark!
  • Gonzalo. Marvellous sweet music!
    [Enter PROSPERO above, invisible. Enter several]
    strange Shapes, bringing in a banquet; 1580
    they dance about it with gentle actions of
    salutation; and, inviting the King, &c. to
    eat, they depart]
  • Alonso. Give us kind keepers, heavens! What were these?
  • Sebastian. A living drollery. Now I will believe 1585
    That there are unicorns, that in Arabia
    There is one tree, the phoenix' throne, one phoenix
    At this hour reigning there.
  • Antonio. I'll believe both;
    And what does else want credit, come to me, 1590
    And I'll be sworn 'tis true: travellers ne'er did
    lie,
    Though fools at home condemn 'em.
  • Gonzalo. If in Naples
    I should report this now, would they believe me? 1595
    If I should say, I saw such islanders—
    For, certes, these are people of the island—
    Who, though they are of monstrous shape, yet, note,
    Their manners are more gentle-kind than of
    Our human generation you shall find 1600
    Many, nay, almost any.
  • Prospero. [Aside] Honest lord,
    Thou hast said well; for some of you there present
    Are worse than devils.
  • Alonso. I cannot too much muse 1605
    Such shapes, such gesture and such sound, expressing,
    Although they want the use of tongue, a kind
    Of excellent dumb discourse.
  • Prospero. [Aside]. Praise in departing.
  • Sebastian. No matter, since
    They have left their viands behind; for we have stomachs.
    Will't please you taste of what is here?
  • Gonzalo. Faith, sir, you need not fear. When we were boys, 1615
    Who would believe that there were mountaineers
    Dew-lapp'd like bulls, whose throats had hanging at 'em
    Wallets of flesh? or that there were such men
    Whose heads stood in their breasts? which now we find
    Each putter-out of five for one will bring us 1620
    Good warrant of.
  • Alonso. I will stand to and feed,
    Although my last: no matter, since I feel
    The best is past. Brother, my lord the duke,
    Stand to and do as we. 1625
    [Thunder and lightning. Enter ARIEL, like a]
    harpy; claps his wings upon the table; and,
    with a quaint device, the banquet vanishes]
  • Ariel. You are three men of sin, whom Destiny,
    That hath to instrument this lower world 1630
    And what is in't, the never-surfeited sea
    Hath caused to belch up you; and on this island
    Where man doth not inhabit; you 'mongst men
    Being most unfit to live. I have made you mad;
    And even with such-like valour men hang and drown 1635
    Their proper selves.
    [ALONSO, SEBASTIAN &c. draw their swords]
    You fools! I and my fellows
    Are ministers of Fate: the elements,
    Of whom your swords are temper'd, may as well 1640
    Wound the loud winds, or with bemock'd-at stabs
    Kill the still-closing waters, as diminish
    One dowle that's in my plume: my fellow-ministers
    Are like invulnerable. If you could hurt,
    Your swords are now too massy for your strengths 1645
    And will not be uplifted. But remember—
    For that's my business to you—that you three
    From Milan did supplant good Prospero;
    Exposed unto the sea, which hath requit it,
    Him and his innocent child: for which foul deed 1650
    The powers, delaying, not forgetting, have
    Incensed the seas and shores, yea, all the creatures,
    Against your peace. Thee of thy son, Alonso,
    They have bereft; and do pronounce by me:
    Lingering perdition, worse than any death 1655
    Can be at once, shall step by step attend
    You and your ways; whose wraths to guard you from—
    Which here, in this most desolate isle, else falls
    Upon your heads—is nothing but heart-sorrow
    And a clear life ensuing. 1660
    [He vanishes in thunder; then, to soft music]
    enter the Shapes again, and dance, with
    mocks and mows, and carrying out the table]
  • Prospero. Bravely the figure of this harpy hast thou
    Perform'd, my Ariel; a grace it had, devouring: 1665
    Of my instruction hast thou nothing bated
    In what thou hadst to say: so, with good life
    And observation strange, my meaner ministers
    Their several kinds have done. My high charms work
    And these mine enemies are all knit up 1670
    In their distractions; they now are in my power;
    And in these fits I leave them, while I visit
    Young Ferdinand, whom they suppose is drown'd,
    And his and mine loved darling.

[Exit above]

  • Gonzalo. I' the name of something holy, sir, why stand you
    In this strange stare?
  • Alonso. O, it is monstrous, monstrous:
    Methought the billows spoke and told me of it;
    The winds did sing it to me, and the thunder, 1680
    That deep and dreadful organ-pipe, pronounced
    The name of Prosper: it did bass my trespass.
    Therefore my son i' the ooze is bedded, and
    I'll seek him deeper than e'er plummet sounded
    And with him there lie mudded. 1685

[Exit]

  • Sebastian. But one fiend at a time,
    I'll fight their legions o'er.

[Exeunt SEBASTIAN, and ANTONIO]

  • Gonzalo. All three of them are desperate: their great guilt,
    Like poison given to work a great time after,
    Now 'gins to bite the spirits. I do beseech you
    That are of suppler joints, follow them swiftly
    And hinder them from what this ecstasy 1695
    May now provoke them to.

[Exeunt]