Pro. Sir, I invite your highness, and your
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 solemnized;
And thence retire me to my Milan, where
Every third thought shall be my grave.
Alon.
I long
To hear the story of your life, which must
Take the ear strangely.
I'll deliver all; And promise you calm seas, auspicious gales, And sail so expeditious, that shall catch Your royal fleet far off.-[Aside.] My Ariel;---chick,
That is thy charge; then to the elements
Be free, and fare thou well!-Please you draw
Now my charms are all o'erthrown,
And what strength I have's mine own,-
Which is most faint: now, 'tis true,
I must be here confined by you,
Or sent to Naples. Let me not,
Since I have my dukedom got,
And pardon'd the deceiver, dwell
In this bare island, by your spell;
But release me from my bands,
With the help of your good hands.
Gentle breath of yours my sails
Must fill, or else my project fails,
Which was to please. Now I want
Spirits to enforce, art to enchant;
And my ending is despair,
Unless I be relieved by prayer;
Which pierces so, that it assaults
Mercy itself, and frees all faults.
As you from crimes would pardon'd be,
Let your indulgence set me free.
DUKE OF MILAN, father of Silvia.
VALENTINE, Gentlemen of Verona.
ANTONIO, father of Proteus.
THURIO, a foolish rival to Valentine.
EGLAMOUR, agent for Silvia in her escape.
SPEED, a clownish servant to Valentine.
LAUNCE, servant to Proteus.
PANTHINO, servant to Antonio.
HOST, with whom Julia lodges in Milan.
Outlaws, with Valentine.
JULIA, a lady of Verona, beloved by Proteus.
SILVIA, beloved by Valentine.
LUCETTA, waiting-woman to Julia.
SCENE,-Sometimes in VERONA; sometimes in MILAN; and on the frontiers of MANTUA.
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