EPILOGUE. Spoken by Prospero. NOW my charms are all o'erthrown, Which pierces so, that it assaults As you from crimes would pardon'd be, 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 production 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 native effusion of untaught affection, the punishment of guilt, and the final happiness of the pair for whom our passions (1) Applause: noise was supposed to dissolve a and reason are equally interested. JOHNSON. spell. Valentine. Enter CEASE to persuade, my loving Proteus ; adieu! Think on thy Proteus, when thou, haply, seest ger, If ever danger do environ thee, If lost, why then a grievous labour won; Pro. So, by your circumstance, you call me fool. prove. Pro. "Tis love you cavil at; I am not Love. Val. Love is your master, for he masters you: And he that is so yoked by a fool, Methinks should not be chronicled for wise. Pro. Yet writers say, As in the sweetest bud Val. And writers say, As the most forward bud Once more adieu: my father at the road Val. And on a love-book pray for my success. Pro. Upon some book I love, I'll pray for thee. Val. That's on some shallow story of deep love, How young Leander cross'd the Hellespont. Pro. That's a deep story of a deeper love. Val. 'Tis true; for you are over boots in love, boots.1 Pro. And thither will I bring thee, Valentine. At Milan, let me hear from thee by letters, Pro. All happiness bechance to thee in Milan ! Pro. He after honour hunts, I after love: Speed. Twenty to one then, he is shipp'd already; Speed. You conclude that my master is a shepherd then, and I a sheep? Pro. I do. Speed. Why then my horns are his horns, whether Pro. A silly answer, and fitting well a sheep. Pro. The sheep for fodder follow the shepherd, the shepherd for food follows not the sheep; thou for wages followest thy master, thy master for wages follows not thee: therefore, thou art a sheep. Speed. Such another proof will make me cry baa. Pro. But dost thou hear? gav'st thou my letter to Julia? Speed. Ay, sir: I, a lost mutton, gave your letter to her, a laced mutton; and she, a laced mutton, gave me, a lost mutton, nothing for my labour. Pro. Here's too small a pasture for such a store of muttons. Speed. If the ground be overcharged, you were best stick her. Pro. Nay, in that you are astray; 'twere best pound you. Speed. Nay, sir, less than a pound shall serve me for carrying your letter. Pro. You mistake; I mean the pound, a pinfold. Speed. From a pound to a pin? fold it over and over, 'Tis threefold too little for carrying a letter to your lover. Pro. But what said she? did she nod? Speed. I. Speed. Sir, I could perceive nothing at all from her; no, not so much as a ducat for delivering your letter and being so hard to me that brought your mind, I fear, she'll prove as hard to you in telling her mind. Give her no token but stones; for she's as hard as steel. Pro. What, said she nothing? Speed. No, not so much as-take this for thy pains. To testify your bounty, I thank you, you have testern'd me; in requital whereof, henceforth carry your letters yourself: and so, sir, I' commend you to my master. Pro. Go, go, be gone, to save your ship from Which cannot perish, having thee aboard, [Exeunt. SCENE II.-The same. Garden of Julia's house. Enter Julia and Lucetta. Jul. But say, Lucetta, now we are alone, Jul. Of all the fair resort of gentlemen, Luc. Please you, repeat their names, I'll show According to my shallow simple skill. Jul. What think'st thou of the fair Sir Eglamour? Jul. What think'st thou of the rich Mercatio? Luc. Pardon, dear madam; 'tis a passing [Speed nods. That I, unworthy body as I am, Pro. Nod, I? why, that's noddy.2 Speed. You mistook, sir; I say, she did nod: and you ask me, if she did nod; and I say, I. Pro. And that set together, is-noddy. Speed. Now you have taken the pains to set it together, take it for your pains. Pro. No, no, you shall have it for bearing the letter. Speed. Well, I perceive, I must be fain to bear with you. Pro. Why, sir, how do you bear with me? Speed. Marry, sir, the letter very orderly; having nothing but the word, noddy, for my pains. Pro. Beshrew3 me, but you have a quick wit. Speed. And yet it cannot overtake your slow purse. Pro. Come, come, open the matter in brief: what said she? Speed. Open your purse, that the money, and the matter, may be both at once delivered." Pro. Well, sir, here is for your pains: what said she? Speed. Truly, sir, I think you'll hardly win her. from her? (1) A term for a courtezan. (2) A game at cards. (3) Ill betide. Should censure thus on lovely gentlemen. Jul. Why not on Proteus, as of all the rest? best. Luc. Ay, if you thought your love not cast away. Jul. I would, I knew his mind. He would have given it you, but I, being in the way, (4) Given me a sixpencè. Did in your name receive it; pardon the fault, I pray. Jul. Now, by my modesty, a goodly broker!! Dare you presume to harbour wanton lines? To whisper and conspire against my youth? Now, trust me, 'tis an office of great worth, And you an officer fit for the place. There, take the paper, see it be return'd; Or else return no more into my sight. Jul. This babble shall not henceforth trouble me. Here is a coil with protestation! [Tears the letter. Go, get you gone; and let the papers lie: To be so anger'd with another letter. [Exit. Jul. Nay, would I were so anger'd with the same! Luc. To plead for love deserves more fee than O hateful hands, to tear such loving words! hate. Jul. Will you be gone? Luc. That you may ruminate. [Exit. Jul. And yet, I would I had o'erlook'd the letter. It were a shame to call her back again, And pray her to a fault for which I chid her. What fool is she, that knows I am a maid, And would not force the letter to my view? Since maids, in modesty, say No, to that Which they would have the profferer construe, Ay. Fie, fie! how wayward is this foolish love, That, like a testy babe, will scratch the nurse, And presently, all humbled, kiss the rod! How churlishly I chid Lucetta hence, When willingly I would have had her here! How angrily I taught my brow to frown, When inward joy enforc'd my heart to smile! My penance is, to call Lucetta back, And ask remission for my folly past:What ho! Lucetta! Re-enter Lucetta. Luc. Jul. Is it near dinner-time? Luc. : What would your ladyship? I would it were; That you might kill your stomach2 on your meat, And not upon your maid. Jul. What is't you took up Why did'st thou stoop then? Luc. To take a paper up that I let fall. Jul. And is that paper nothing? Luc. Nothing concerning me. Jul. Then let it lie for those that it concerns. Luc. Madam, it will not lie where it concerns, Unless it have a false interpreter. Jul. Some love of yours hath writ to you in rhyme. Luc. That I might sing it, madam, to a tune: Give me a note: your ladyship can set Jul. As little by such toys as may be possible: Best sing it to the tune of Light o' love. Luc. It is too heavy for so light a tune. Jul. Heavy? belike it hath some burden then. Luc. Ay; and melodious were it, would you sing it. Jul. You do not? Lac. No, madam; it is too sharp. And mar the concord with too harsh a descant :3 (1) A matchmaker. (2) Passion or obstinacy. And thus I search it with a sovereign kiss. He couples it to his complaining names: Luc. Madam, dinner's ready, and your father SCENE III.-The same. A room in Antonio's Pan. (5) A challenge. (6) Bustle, stir. (7) Since. (8) Serious. (9) Little consequence. Pant. 'Twere good, I think, your lordship sent him thither: There shall he practise tilts and tournaments, Worthy his youth and nobleness of birth. Ant. I like thy counsel; well hast thou advis'd:] And, that thou may'st perceive how well I like it, The execution of it shall make known; Even with the speediest execution I will despatch him to the emperor's court. Pant. To-morrow, may it please you, Don Al- SCENE I-Milan. An apartment in the phonso, With other gentlemen of good esteem, Ant. Good company; with them shall Proteus go And, in good time, now will we break with him.2 How happily he lives, how well belov'd, Ant. My will is something sorted with his wish: Pro. My lord, I cannot be so soon provided; Please you, deliberate a day or two. Ant. Look, what thou want'st, shall be sent after thee: No more of stay; to-morrow thou must go.- (1) Reproach. (2) Break the matter to him. (3) Wonder. (4) Allowance. Duke's palace. Enter Valentine and Speed. Speed. Sir, your glove. Val. Not mine; my gloves are on. Speed. Why then this may be yours, for this is but one. Val. Ha! let me see: ay, give it me, it's mine :- Speed. Madam Silvia! madam Silvia ! Speed. She is not within hearing, sir. Speed. And yet was last chidden for being too slow. Val. Go to, sir; tell me, do you know madam Silvia? Speed. She that your worship loves? Val. Why, how know you that I am in love? Speed. Marry, by these special marks: First, you have learned, like Sir Proteus, to wreath your arms like a male-content; to relish a love-song, like a robin-red-breast; to walk alone, like one that had the pestilence; to sigh, like a school-boy that had lost his A. B. C.; to weep, like a young wench that had buried her grandam; to fast, like one that takes diet; to watch, like one that fears robbing; to speak puling, like a beggar at Hallowmas.6 You were wont, when you laugh'd, to crow like a cock; when you walked, to walk like one of the lions; when you fasted, it was presently after dinner; when you looked sadly, it was for want of money and now you are metamorphosed with a mistress, that, when I look on you, I can hardly think you my master. Val. Are all these things perceived in me? Speed. Without you? nay, that's certain, for, without you were so simple, none else would: but you are so without these follies, that these follies are within you, and shine through you like the water in a urinal; that not an eye, that sees you, (5) Under a regimen. (6) Allhallowmas. |