MIRANDA.

Miranda.

Alack, for pity!

I, not rememb'ring how I cried out then,

Will cry it o'er again; it is a hint,

That wrings mine eyes to 't.-Wherefore did they not
That hour destroy us?

Prospero.

Well demanded, wench;

My tale provokes that question. Dear, they durst not;
So dear the love my people bore me; nor set

A mark so bloody on the business; but

With colours fairer painted their foul ends.

In few, they hurried us aboard a bark;

Bore us some leagues to sea; where they prepar'd
A rotten carcase of a boat, not rigg'd,

Nor tackle, sail, nor mast; the very rats

Instinctively had quit it: there they hoist us,
Το
cry
to the sea that roar'd to us; to sigh
To the winds, whose pity, sighing back again,

Did us but loving wrong.

Miranda.

Was I then to you!

Prospero.

Alack! what trouble

O! a cherubim

Thou wast, that did preserve me! Thou didst smile,

Infused with a fortitude from heaven,

When I have deck'd the sea with drops full salt;

Under my burden groan'd; which rais'd in me

An undergoing stomach, to bear up

Against what should ensue.

Miranda.

How came we ashore ?

Prospero. By Providence divine,

Some food we had, and some fresh water, that

A noble Neapolitan, Gonzalo,

Out of his charity, (who being then appointed

Master of this design,) did give us; with

Rich garments, linens, stuffs, and necessaries,

Which since have steaded much; so, of his gentleness,

Knowing I loved my books, he furnish'd me,

From my own library, with volumes that

I prize above my dukedom.

Miranda.

But ever see that man!

'Would, I might

TEMPEST. Act I. Scene II.

JULIA.

Julia. I would, I knew his mind.

Lucetta.

Peruse this paper, madam.

That the contents will show.

Julia. (To Julia.) Say, from whom?
Lucetta.

Julia. Say, say; who gave it thee?

Lucetta. Sir Valentine's page; and sent, I think, from

Proteus ;

He would have given it you, but I, being in the way,
Did in your name receive it; pardon the fault, I pray.
Julia. 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.

Lucetta. To plead for love deserves more fee than hate.
Julia. Will you begone?

Lucetta.

Julia. And yet, I would, I had o'erlook'd the letter.

That you may ruminate.

It were a shame to call her back again,

And pray her to a fault for which I chid her,

[Exit.

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 angerly 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!

Two GENTLEMEN OF VERONA.-Act 1. Scene 11.