nothing to you; so you may continue, and laugh at nothing still. Antonio. What a blow was there given! Sebastian. An it had not fallen flat-long. Gonzalo. You are gentlemen of brave metal: you would lift the moon out of her sphere, if she would continue in it five weeks without changing. Enter ARIEL invisible, playing solemn music. Sebastian. We would so, and then go a bat-fowling. Antonio. Nay, good my lord, be not angry. Gonzalo. No, I warrant you; I will not adventure my discretion so weakly. Will you laugh me asleep, for I am very heavy? Antonio. Go sleep, and hear us. [All sleep but ALONSO, SEBASTIAN, and ANTONIO. Alonso. What, all so soon asleep! I wish mine eyes Would, with themselves, shut up my thoughts: I find They are inclin❜d to do so. Sebastian. Please you, sir, Do not admit the heavy offer of it: It seldom visits sorrow: when it doth, It is a comforter. Antonio. We two, my lord, Will guard your person, while you take your rest, And watch your safety. Alonso. Thank you: wondrous heavy. [ALONSO sleeps. Exit ARIEL. Sebastian. What a strange drowsiness possesses them! Antonio. It is the quality o' the climate. Sebastian. Doth it not then our eyelids sink? I find not Myself dispos'd to sleep. Antonio. Why Nor I; my spirits are nimble. What might, They fell together all, as by consent; They dropp'd as by a thunder-stroke. 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 Sebastian. What, art thou waking? Antonio. Do you not hear me speak? I do; and surely, It is a sleepy language; and thou speak'st With eyes wide open; standing, speaking, moving, Antonio. Noble Sebastian, Thou let'st thy fortune sleep-die rather; wink'st Sebastian. Thou dost snore distinctly; There's meaning in thy snores. Antonio. I am more serious than my custom: you Must be so too, if heed me; which to do, Trebles thee o'er. If you but knew, how you the purpose cherish, Most often do so near the bottom run, By their own fear, or sloth. Sebastian. Pr'ythee, say on: The setting of thine eye, and cheek, proclaim Antonio. 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 undrowned as he that sleeps here, swims. Sebastian. I have no hope That he's undrown'd. Antonio. O, out of that no hope, What great hope have you! no hope, that way, is But doubts discovery there. That Ferdinand is drown'd? Sebastian. Will you grant, with me, Who's the next heir of Naples? Sebastian. Antonio. She that is queen of Tunis; she that dwells Ten leagues beyond man's life; she that from Naples 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, In Sebastian. 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. Antonio. A space whose every cubit Seems to cry out, How shall that Claribel Measure us back to Naples?-Keep in Tunis, And let Sebastian wake!-Say, this were death That now hath seiz'd them; why, they were no worse As this Gonzalo; I myself could make 6 A bird of the jackdaw kind. Antonio. And how does your content Tender your own good fortune? True: I remember, Antonio. Ay, sir; where lies that? if it were a kybe, If he were that which now he's like; whom I, Sebastian. Thy case, dear friend, Shall be my precedent; as thou got'st Milan, I'll come by Naples. Draw thy sword: one stroke Antonio. Draw together: And when I rear my hand, do you the like, Sebastian. O, but one word! [They converse apart. Music. Re-enter ARIEL, invisible. Ariel. My master through his art foresees the danger That these, his friends, are in; and sends me forth, (For else his project dies,) to keep them living. [Sings in GONZALO's ear. While you here do snoring lie, His time doth take: If of life you keep a care, Shake off slumber, and beware: Antonio. Then let us both be sudden. Gonzalo. Now, good angels, preserve the king! [They wake. Alonso. Why, how now, ho! awake! Why are you drawn? Wherefore this ghastly looking? Gonzalo. What's the matter? Sebastian. 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. Alonso. I heard nothing. Antonio. O, 'twas a din to fright a monster's ear; Heard you this, Gonzalo? Alonso. Gonzalo. Upon mine honour, sir, I heard a humming, 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. Alonso. Lead off this ground; and let's make further search For my poor son. Gonzalo. Heavens keep him from these beasts! For he is, sure, i' the island. Alonso. Lead away. Ariel. Prospero my lord shall know what I have done: So, king, go safely on to seek thy son. [Aside. [Exeunt. |