Dost disobey the wife of Jupiter; And some donation freely to estate On the bless'd lovers. Cer. Tell me, heavenly bow, If Venus, or her son, as thou dost know, Iris. Of her society Be not afraid: I met her deity Cutting the clouds towards Paphos; and her son Dove-drawn with her: here thought they to have done Some wanton charm upon this man and maid, rows, And be a boy right out. Highest queen of state, Great Juno comes; I know her by her gait. Enter Juno. Juno. How does my bounteous sister? Go with me To bless this twain, that they may prosperous be, And honour'd in their issue. SONG. Juno. Honour, riches, marriage-blessing, Cer. Earth's increase, and foizon plenty; Fer. This is a most majestic vision, and To think these spirits? Pro. Spirits, which by mine art I have from their confines call'd to enact My present fancies. Fer. Let me live here ever; So rare a wonder'd2 father, and a wife, Make this place Paradise. [Juno and Ceres whisper, and send Iris on Pro. employment. Sweet now, silence; Juno and Ceres whisper seriously; Iris. You nymphs, call'd Naiads, of the wand'ring brooks, With your sedg'd crowns, and ever harmless looks, Leave your crisp channels, and on this green land Answer your summons; Juno does command: (1) Abundance. (2) Able to produce such wonders, Come, temperate nymphs, and help to celebrate A contract of true love; be not too late. Enter certain Nymphs. You sun-burn'd sicklemen, of August weary, Enter certain Reapers, properly habited; they join with the Nymphs in a graceful dance; towards the end whereof Prospero starts suddenly, and speaks; after which, to a strange, hollow, and confused noise, they heavily vanish. Pro. [Aside.] I had forgot that foul conspiracy Of the beast Caliban, and his confederates, Against my life; the minute of their plot Is almost come.-[To the Spirits.] Well done ; avoid; no more. Fer. This is most strange: your father's in some passion That works him strongly. Mira. Never till this day, Saw I him touch'd with anger so distemper'd. (1) Vanished, Leave not a rack1 behind: We are such stuff If you be pleas'd, retire into my cell, And there repose; a turn or two I'll walk, To still my beating mind. Fer. Mira. We wish your peace. [Exeunt. Pro. Come with a thought:-I thank you: Ariel, come. Enter Ariel. Ari. Thy thoughts I cleave to; What's thy Pro. pleasure? We must prepare to meet with Caliban. Spirit, Ari. Ay, my commander: when I presented Ceres, I thought to have told thee of it; but I fear'd, Pro. Say again, where didst thou leave these varlets? Ari. I told you, sir, they were red-hot with drinking; So full of valour, that they smote the air ears, Advanc'd their eye-lids, lifted up their noses, (1) A body of clouds in motion; but it is most probable that the author wrote track, Tooth'd briers, sharp furzes, pricking goss, and thorns, Which entered their frail shins: at last I left them O'er-stunk their feet Pro. This was well done, my bird: Thy shape invisible retain thou still : For stale, to catch these thieves. Ari. I go, I go. [Exit. Pro. A devil, a born devil, on whose nature Re-enter Ariel loaden with glistering apparel, &c. Cal. Pray, you, tread softly, that the blind mole may not Hear a foot fall: we now are near his cell. Ste. Monster, your fairy, which, you say, is a harmless fairy, has done little better than played the Jack with us. Trin. Monster, I do smell all horse-piss; at which my nose is in great indignation. Ste. So is mine. Do you hear, monster? If I should take a displeasure against you; look you, Trin. Thou wert but a lost monster. Be patient, for the prize I'll bring thee to softly, (1) Bait. (2) Education. (3) Jack with a lantern. |