The winds did sing it to me; and the thunder, Seb. I'll fight their legions o'er. Ant. [Exit. But one fiend at a time, I'll be thy second. [Exeunt SEB. and ANT. Gon. All three of them are desperate; their great guilt, Like poison given to work a great time after, Now 'gins to bite the spirits.—I do beseech you That are of suppler joints, follow them swiftly, And hinder them from what this ecstacy May now provoke them to. Adr. Follow, I pray you. [Exeunt. ACT IV. SCENE I.-Before PROSPERO'S Cell. Enter PROSPERO, FERDINAND, and MIRANDA. I tender to thy hand: all thy vexations Hast strangely stood the test: here, afore Heaven, For thou shalt find she will outstrip all praise, Fer. Against an oracle. I do believe it, Pro. Then, as my gift, and thine own acquisition The union of your bed with weeds so loathly Fer. As I hope For quiet days, fair issue, and long life, With such love as 'tis now; the murkiest den, The most opportune place, the strong'st suggestion Mine honour into lust; to take away The edge of that day's celebration, When I shall think, or Phœbus' steeds are founder'd, Pro. Fairly spoke: Sit, then, and talk with her; she is thine own.— Enter ARIEL. Ari. What would my potent master? here I am. Pro. Thou and thy meaner fellows your last service Did worthily perform; and I must use you In such another trick: go, bring the rabble, O'er whom I give thee power, here, to this place: Ari. Pro. Ay, with a twink. Presently? Ari. Before you can say, Come and go, And breathe twice, and cry, so, so, Each one, tripping on his toe, Will be here with mop and mow: Do not approach [Exit. Well, I conceive. Pro. Look thou be true: do not give dalliance Fer. Pro. Well. Now come, my Ariel: bring a corollary, Rather than want a spirit: appear, and pertly. A Masque. Enter IRIS. [Soft music. Iris. Ceres, most bounteous lady, thy rich leas To make cold nymphs chaste crowns; and thy broom groves, Being lass-lorn; thy pole-clipt vineyard; Where thou thyself dost air;-the queen o' the sky, Bids thee leave these; and with her sovereign grace, Enter CERES. Cer. Hail, many-colour'd messenger, that ne'er Who, with thy saffron wings, upon my flowers Rich scarf to my proud earth;-why hath thy queen 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, Do now attend the queen? since they did plot Iris. Of her society Be not afraid. I met her deity Cutting the clouds towards Paphos; and her son Some wanton charm upon this man and maid, Whose vows are that no bed-rite shall be paid Till Hymen's torch be lighted; but in vain; Her waspish-headed son has broke his arrows, Swears he will shoot no more, but play with sparrows, Cer. Highest queen of state, Great Juno comes; I know her by her gait. Enter JUNO. Jun. How does my bounteous sister? Go with me To bless this twain, that they may prosperous be, And honour'd in their issue. SONG. Jun. Honour, riches, marriage-blessing, Cer. Earth's increase, and foison plenty, Vines with clust'ring bunches growing; Scarcity and want shall shun you; Fer. This is a most majestic vision, and Pro. Spirits, which by mine art I have from their confines called to enact Fer. Let me live here ever; So rare a wonder'd father and a wise Makes this place Paradise. [JUNO and CERES whisper, and send IRIS on employment. Pro. Sweet, now, silence; Juno and Ceres whisper seriously; There's something else to do: hush, and be mute, Iris. You nymphs, call'd Naiads, of the winding brooks, Enter certain NYMPHS. You sun-burn'd sicklemen, of August weary, Make holiday: your rye-straw hats put on, 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 strange: your father's in some passion Mira. Bear with my weakness; my old brain is troubled. If you be pleased, 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 pleasure? Pro. Spirit, We must prepare to meet with Caliban. Ari. Ay, my commander; when I presented Ceres, I thought to have told thee of it; but I fear'd Lest I might anger thee. Pro. Say again where didst thou leave these varlets? |