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ACT III.

SCENE I.-Before Prospero's cell. Enter Ferdinand, bearing a log.

Fer. There be some sports are painful; but their labour

Delight in them sets off: some kinds of baseness
Are nobly undergone; and most poor matters
Point to rich ends. This my mean task would be
As heavy to me, as 'tis 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;
And he's compos'd 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 ne'er like executor.

I forget: But these sweet thoughts do even refresh my la

bours;

Most busy-less, when I do it.

Enter Miranda; and Prospero at a distance.
Mira.

Alas, now! pray you,
Work not so hard: I would, the lightning had
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.

Fer.

O most dear mistress, The sun will set, before I shall discharge What I must strive to do.

Mira.

If you'll sit down,

I'll bear your logs the while: pray give me that; I'll carry it to the pile.

Fer.

No, precious creature: I had rather crack my sinews, break my back,

VOL. I.

C

Than you should such dishonour undergo,
While I sit lazy by.

Mira.

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 against.

Pro.

Poor worm! thou art infected;

This visitation shows it.

Mira.

You look wearily.

Fer. 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,) What is your name?

Mira.

Miranda :-O my father,

I have broke your hest1 to say so!

Fer. Admir'd Miranda! Indeed, the top of admiration; worth What's dearest to the world. Full many a lady I have ey'd 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 lik'd several women; never any With so full soul, but some defect in her Did quarrel with the noblest grace she ow'd,2 And put it to the foil: but you, O you, So perfect, and so peerless, are created Of every creature's best.

Mira. 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, I am skill-less 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

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Something too wildly, and my father's precepts

Therein forget.
Fer.

I am, in my condition, A prince, Miranda; I do think, a king ;

(I would, not so!) and would no more endure This wooden slavery, than I would 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,
Am I this patient log-man.

Mira.

Do you love me?

Fer. O heaven, O earth, bear witness to this

sound,

And crown what I profess with kind event,
If I speak true; if hollowly, invert

What best is boded me, to mischief! I,
Beyond all limit of what elsel i' the world,
Do love, prize, honour you.

Mira.

To weep at what I am glad of.

I am a fool,

Fair encounter

Pro. Of two most rare affections! Heavens rain grace On that which breeds between them!

Fer.

Wherefore weep you?
Mira. At mine unworthiness, that dare not offer
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!
I am your wife, if 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.

Fer.

And I thus humble ever.
Mira.

My mistress, dearest,

My husband then?

(1) Whatsoever.

Fer. Ay, with a heart as willing

As bondage e'er of freedom: here's my hand. Mira. And mine, with my heart in't: And now farewell,

Till half an hour hence.

Fer.

A thousand! thousand! [Exeunt Fer. and Mir.

Pro. So glad of this as they, I cannot be, Who are surpris'd with all; but my rejoicing At nothing can be more. I'll to my book; For yet, ere supper time, must I perform Much business appertaining.

[Exit.

SCENE II.-Another part of the Island. Enter Stephano and Trinculo; Caliban following with a bottle.

Ste 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.

Trin. Servant-monster? the folly of this island! They say, there's but five upon this isle: we are three of them; if the other two be brained like us, the state totters.

Ste. Drink, servant-monster, when I bid thee: thy eyes are almost set in thy head.

Trin. Where should they be set else? he were a brave monster indeed, if they were set in his tail. Ste. My man-monster hath drowned 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, monster, or my standard.

:

Trin. Your lieutenant, if you list; he's no standard.

Ste. We'll not run, monsieur monster.

Trin. Nor go neither: but you'll lie, like dogs; and yet say nothing neither.

Ste. Moon-calf, speak once in thy life, if thou beest a good moon-calf.

Cal. How does thy honour? Let me lick thy shoe;

I'll not serve him, he is not valiant.

Trin. Thou liest, most ignorant monster; I am in case to 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?

Cal. Lo, how he mocks me! wilt thou let him, my lord?

Trin. Lord, quoth he!--that a monster should be such a natural!

if

Cal. Lo, lo, again! bite him to death, I pr'ythee. Ste. Trinculo, keep a good tongue in your head; you prove a mutineer, the next tree-The poor monster's my subject, and he shall not suffer indig nity.

Cal. I thank my noble lord. Wilt thou be pleas'd To hearken once again the suit I made thee? Ste. Marry will I kneel, and repeat it; I will stand, and so shall Trinculo.

Enter Ariel, invisible.

Cal. As I told thee

Before, I am subject to a tyrant;

A sorcerer, that by his cunning hath
Cheated me of this island.

Ari.

Thou liest.

Cal. Thou liest, thou jesting monkey, thou:
I would, my valiant master would destroy thee;
I do not lie.

Ste. Trinculo, if you trouble him any more in his tale, by this hand, I will supplant some of your teeth.

Trin. Why, I said nothing.

Ste. Mum then, and no more.-[To Caliban.] Proceed.

(1) Debauched.

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