Alon. What, all so soon asleep! I wish mine eyes Would, with themselves, shut up my thoughts: I find, They are inclined to do so. Seb. Please you, sir, Do not omit the heavy offer of it: It seldom visits sorrow; when it doth, It is a comforter. Ant. We two, my lord, Will guard your person, while you take your rest, And watch your safety. Alon. Seb. What a strange drowsiness possesses them! Thank you: wondrous heavy. [Alonso sleeps. Exit Ariel. Why Ant. It is the quality o' the climate. Seb. Myself dispos'd to sleep. Ant. Nor I; my spirits are nimble. They fell together all, as by consent; They dropp'd, as by a thunder-stroke. What might, Worthy Sebastian ?-O, what might?--No more :And yet, methinks, I see it in thy face, What thou should'st be: the occasion speaks thee; and My strong imagination sees a crown Dropping upon thy head. Seb. What, art thou waking? I do; and, surely, Ant. Do you not hear me speak? It is a sleepy language; and thou speak'st This is a strange repose, to be asleep With eyes wide open; standing, speaking, moving, And yet so fast asleep. Ant. Noble Sebastian, Thou let'st thy fortune sleep-die rather; wink'st Whiles thou art waking. Thou dost snore distinctly; Seb. Ant. I am more serious than my custom: you Must be so too, if heed me; which to do, If you but knew, how you the purpose cherish, By their own fear, or sloth. Seb. Pr'ythee, say on: The setting of thine eye, and cheek, proclaim Ant. Thus, sir: Although this lord of weak remembrance, this (Who shall be of as little memory, When he is earth'd), hath here almost persuaded (For he's a spirit of persuasion only), The king, his son's alive; 'tis as impossible That he's undrown'd, as he that sleeps here swims. Seb. I have no hope That he's undrown'd. Ant. O, out of that no hope, What great hope have you! no hope, that way, is Another way so high an hope, that even Ambition cannot pierce a wink beyond, But doubts discovery there. Will you graht, with Ant. She that is queen of Tunis; she that dwells Ten leagues beyond man's life; she that from Na ples Can have no note, unless the sun were post, (The man i' the moon's too slow), till new-born chins Be rough and razorable: she, from whom We were all sea-swallow'd, though some cast again; Whereof what's past is prologue; what to come, Seb. What stuff is this?-How say you? "Tis true, my brother's daughter's queen of Tunis; So is she heir of Naples; 'twixt which regions There is some space. Ant. A space whose every cubit Seems to cry out, How shall that Claribel worse Than now they are: there be, that can rule Naples, As this Gonzalo; I myself could make A chough of as deep chat. O, that you bore Ant. Tender Do you understand me? And how does your content your own good fortune? I remember, Seb. True: Ant. Seb. But, for your conscience Ant. Ay, sir; where lies that? if it were a kibe, "Twould put me to my slipper; but I feel not This deity in my bosom: twenty consciences, That stand 'twixt me and Milan, candied be they, * A bird of the jack-daw kind. And melt, ere they molest! Here lies your brother, If he were that which now he's like; whom I, Seb. Thy case, dear friend, Shall be my precedent; as thou got'st Milan, I'll come by Naples. Draw thy sword: one stroke Shall free thee from the tribute which thou pay'st; And I the king shall love thee. Ant. Draw together: Seb. O, but one word. [They converse apart. Music. Re-enter Ariel, invisible. Ari. My master through his art foresees the danger That these, his friends, are in; and sends me forth, (For else bis project dies), to keep them living. [Sings in Gonzalo's ear." While you here do snoring lie, Open-ey'd Conspiracy His time doth take: If of life you keep a care, Ant. Then let us both be sudden. • Ever. + Any hint. Gon. Now, good angels, preserve the king! [They wake. Alon. Why, how now, ho! awake! Why are you drawn? Wherefore this ghastly looking? Gon. What's the matter? Seb. Whiles we stood here securing your repose, Even now, we heard a hollow burst of bellowing Like bulls, or rather lions; did it not wake you? It struck mine ear most terribly. Alon. I heard nothing. Ant. O, 'twas a din to fright a monster's ear; To make an earthquake! sure it was the roar Of a whole herd of lions. Alon. Heard you this, Gonzalo ? Gon. Upon mine honour, sir, I heard a hum ming, And that a strange one too, which did awake me : I shak'd you, sir, and cry'd; as mine eyes open'd, I saw their weapons drawn :-there was a noise, That's verity: 'best stand upon our guard; Or that we quit this place: let's draw our weapons. Alon. Lead off this ground; and let's make further search For my poor son. Gon. Heavens keep him from these beasts! For he is, sure, i' the island. Alon. Lead away. Ari. Prospero my lord shall know what I have done : So, king, go safely on to seek thy son. [Aside. [Exeunt. C 2 |