Reading Help THE TEMPEST
`
` Before PROSPERO'S cell `
` `
` Enter FERDINAND, hearing a log `
` `
` FERDINAND. There be some sports are painful, and their `
` labour `
` Delight in them sets off; some kinds of baseness `
` Are nobly undergone, and most poor matters `
` Point to rich ends. This my mean task `
` Would be as heavy to me as odious, but `
` The mistress which I serve quickens what's dead, `
` And makes my labours pleasures. O, she is `
` Ten times more gentle than her father's crabbed; `
` And he's compos'd of harshness. I must remove `
` Some thousands of these logs, and pile them up, `
` Upon a sore injunction; my sweet mistress `
` Weeps when she sees me work, and says such baseness `
` Had never like executor. I forget; `
` But these sweet thoughts do even refresh my labours, `
` Most busy, least when I do it. `
` `
` Enter MIRANDA; and PROSPERO at a distance, unseen `
` `
` MIRANDA. Alas, now; pray you, `
` Work not so hard; I would the lightning had `
` Burnt up those logs that you are enjoin'd to pile. `
` Pray, set it down and rest you; when this burns, `
` 'Twill weep for having wearied you. My father `
` Is hard at study; pray, now, rest yourself; `
` He's safe for these three hours. `
` FERDINAND. O most dear mistress, `
` The sun will set before I shall discharge `
` What I must strive to do. `
` MIRANDA. If you'll sit down, `
` I'll bear your logs the while; pray give me that; `
` I'll carry it to the pile. `
` FERDINAND. No, precious creature; `
` I had rather crack my sinews, break my back, `
` Than you should such dishonour undergo, `
` While I sit lazy by. `
` MIRANDA. It would become me `
` As well as it does you; and I should do it `
` With much more ease; for my good will is to it, `
` And yours it is against. `
` PROSPERO. [Aside] Poor worm, thou art infected! `
` This visitation shows it. `
` MIRANDA. You look wearily. `
` FERDINAND. No, noble mistress; 'tis fresh morning with me `
` When you are by at night. I do beseech you, `
` Chiefly that I might set it in my prayers, `
` What is your name? `
` MIRANDA. Miranda-O my father, `
` I have broke your hest to say so! `
` FERDINAND. Admir'd Miranda! `
` What's dearest to the world! Full many a lady `
` I have ey'd with best regard; and many a time `
` Th' harmony of their tongues hath into bondage `
` Brought my too diligent ear; for several virtues `
` Have I lik'd several women, never any `
` With so full soul, but some defect in her `
` Did quarrel with the noblest grace she ow'd, `
` And put it to the foil; but you, O you, `
` So perfect and so peerless, are created `
` Of every creature's best! `
` MIRANDA. I do not know `
` One of my sex; no woman's face remember, `
` Save, from my glass, mine own; nor have I seen `
` More that I may call men than you, good friend, `
` And my dear father. How features are abroad, `
` I am skilless of; but, by my modesty, `
` The jewel in my dower, I would not wish `
` Any companion in the world but you; `
` Nor can imagination form a shape, `
` Besides yourself, to like of. But I prattle `
` Something too wildly, and my father's precepts `
` I therein do forget. `
` FERDINAND. I am, in my condition, `
` A prince, Miranda; I do think, a king- `
` I would not so!-and would no more endure `
` This wooden slavery than to suffer `
` The flesh-fly blow my mouth. Hear my soul speak: `
` The very instant that I saw you, did `
` My heart fly to your service; there resides `
` To make me slave to it; and for your sake `
` Am I this patient log-man. `
` MIRANDA. Do you love me? `
` FERDINAND. O heaven, O earth, bear witness to this sound, `
` And crown what I profess with kind event, `
` If I speak true! If hollowly, invert `
` What best is boded me to mischief! I, `
` Beyond all limit of what else i' th' world, `
` Do love, prize, honour you. `
` MIRANDA. I am a fool `
` To weep at what I am glad of. `
` PROSPERO. [Aside] Fair encounter `
` Of two most rare affections! Heavens rain grace `
` On that which breeds between 'em! `
` FERDINAND. Wherefore weep you? `
` MIRANDA. At mine unworthiness, that dare not offer `
` What I desire to give, and much less take `
` What I shall die to want. But this is trifling; `
` And all the more it seeks to hide itself, `
` The bigger bulk it shows. Hence, bashful cunning! `
` And prompt me, plain and holy innocence! `
` I am your wife, if you will marry me; `
` If not, I'll die your maid. To be your fellow `
` You may deny me; but I'll be your servant, `
` Whether you will or no. `
` FERDINAND. My mistress, dearest; `
` And I thus humble ever. `
` MIRANDA. My husband, then? `
` FERDINAND. Ay, with a heart as willing `
` As bondage e'er of freedom. Here's my hand. `
` MIRANDA. And mine, with my heart in't. And now farewell `
` Till half an hour hence. `
` FERDINAND. A thousand thousand! `
` Exeunt FERDINAND and MIRANDA severally `
` PROSPERO. So glad of this as they I cannot be, `
` Who are surpris'd withal; but my rejoicing `
` At nothing can be more. I'll to my book; `
` For yet ere supper time must I perform `
` Much business appertaining. Exit `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` SCENE 2 `
` `
` Another part of the island `
` `
` Enter CALIBAN, STEPHANO, and TRINCULO `
` `
` STEPHANO. Tell not me-when the butt is out we will drink `
` water, not a drop before; therefore bear up, and board `
` 'em. Servant-monster, drink to me. `
` TRINCULO. Servant-monster! The folly of this island! They `
` say there's but five upon this isle: we are three of `
` them; if th' other two be brain'd like us, the state `
` totters. `
` STEPHANO. Drink, servant-monster, when I bid thee; thy `
` eyes are almost set in thy head. `
` TRINCULO. Where should they be set else? He were a brave `
` monster indeed, if they were set in his tail. `
` STEPHANO. My man-monster hath drown'd his tongue in `
` sack. For my part, the sea cannot drown me; I swam, ere `
` I could recover the shore, five and thirty leagues, off `
` and on. By this light, thou shalt be my lieutenant, `
` monster, or my standard. `
` TRINCULO. Your lieutenant, if you list; he's no standard. `
` STEPHANO. We'll not run, Monsieur Monster. `
` TRINCULO. Nor go neither; but you'll lie like dogs, and `
` yet say nothing neither. `
` STEPHANO. Moon-calf, speak once in thy life, if thou beest `
` a good moon-calf. `
` CALIBAN. How does thy honour? Let me lick thy shoe. `
` I'll not serve him; he is not valiant. `
` TRINCULO. Thou liest, most ignorant monster: I am in case `
` to justle a constable. Why, thou debosh'd fish, thou, `
` was there ever man a coward that hath drunk so much sack `
` as I to-day? Wilt thou tell a monstrous lie, being but `
` half fish and half a monster? `
` CALIBAN. Lo, how he mocks me! Wilt thou let him, my `
` lord? `
` TRINCULO. 'Lord' quoth he! That a monster should be such `
` a natural! `
` CALIBAN. Lo, lo again! Bite him to death, I prithee. `
` STEPHANO. Trinculo, keep a good tongue in your head; if `
` you prove a mutineer-the next tree! The poor monster's `
` my subject, and he shall not suffer indignity. `
` CALIBAN. I thank my noble lord. Wilt thou be pleas'd to `
` hearken once again to the suit I made to thee? `
` STEPHANO. Marry will I; kneel and repeat it; I will stand, `
` and so shall Trinculo. `
` `
` Enter ARIEL, invisible `
` `
` CALIBAN. As I told thee before, I am subject to a tyrant, `
` sorcerer, that by his cunning hath cheated me of the `
` island. `
` ARIEL. Thou liest. `
` CALIBAN. Thou liest, thou jesting monkey, thou; `
` I would my valiant master would destroy thee. `
` I do not lie. `
` STEPHANO. Trinculo, if you trouble him any more in's tale, `
` by this hand, I will supplant some of your teeth. `
` TRINCULO. Why, I said nothing. `
` STEPHANO. Mum, then, and no more. Proceed. `
` CALIBAN. I say, by sorcery he got this isle; `
` From me he got it. If thy greatness will `
` Revenge it on him-for I know thou dar'st, `
` But this thing dare not- `
` STEPHANO. That's most certain. `
` CALIBAN. Thou shalt be lord of it, and I'll serve thee. `
` STEPHANO. How now shall this be compass'd? Canst thou `
` bring me to the party? `
` CALIBAN. Yea, yea, my lord; I'll yield him thee asleep, `
` Where thou mayst knock a nail into his head. `
` ARIEL. Thou liest; thou canst not. `
` CALIBAN. What a pied ninny's this! Thou scurvy patch! `
` I do beseech thy greatness, give him blows, `
`
` Before PROSPERO'S cell `
` `
` Enter FERDINAND, hearing a log `
` `
` FERDINAND. There be some sports are painful, and their `
` labour `
` Delight in them sets off; some kinds of baseness `
` Are nobly undergone, and most poor matters `
` Point to rich ends. This my mean task `
` Would be as heavy to me as odious, but `
` The mistress which I serve quickens what's dead, `
` And makes my labours pleasures. O, she is `
` Ten times more gentle than her father's crabbed; `
` And he's compos'd of harshness. I must remove `
` Some thousands of these logs, and pile them up, `
` Upon a sore injunction; my sweet mistress `
` Weeps when she sees me work, and says such baseness `
` Had never like executor. I forget; `
` But these sweet thoughts do even refresh my labours, `
` Most busy, least when I do it. `
` `
` Enter MIRANDA; and PROSPERO at a distance, unseen `
` `
` MIRANDA. Alas, now; pray you, `
` Work not so hard; I would the lightning had `
` Burnt up those logs that you are enjoin'd to pile. `
` Pray, set it down and rest you; when this burns, `
` 'Twill weep for having wearied you. My father `
` Is hard at study; pray, now, rest yourself; `
` He's safe for these three hours. `
` FERDINAND. O most dear mistress, `
` The sun will set before I shall discharge `
` What I must strive to do. `
` MIRANDA. If you'll sit down, `
` I'll bear your logs the while; pray give me that; `
` I'll carry it to the pile. `
` FERDINAND. No, precious creature; `
` I had rather crack my sinews, break my back, `
` Than you should such dishonour undergo, `
` While I sit lazy by. `
` MIRANDA. It would become me `
` As well as it does you; and I should do it `
` With much more ease; for my good will is to it, `
` And yours it is against. `
` PROSPERO. [Aside] Poor worm, thou art infected! `
` This visitation shows it. `
` MIRANDA. You look wearily. `
` FERDINAND. No, noble mistress; 'tis fresh morning with me `
` When you are by at night. I do beseech you, `
` Chiefly that I might set it in my prayers, `
` What is your name? `
` MIRANDA. Miranda-O my father, `
` I have broke your hest to say so! `
` FERDINAND. Admir'd Miranda! `
` What's dearest to the world! Full many a lady `
` I have ey'd with best regard; and many a time `
` Th' harmony of their tongues hath into bondage `
` Brought my too diligent ear; for several virtues `
` Have I lik'd several women, never any `
` With so full soul, but some defect in her `
` Did quarrel with the noblest grace she ow'd, `
` And put it to the foil; but you, O you, `
` So perfect and so peerless, are created `
` Of every creature's best! `
` MIRANDA. I do not know `
` One of my sex; no woman's face remember, `
` Save, from my glass, mine own; nor have I seen `
` More that I may call men than you, good friend, `
` And my dear father. How features are abroad, `
` I am skilless of; but, by my modesty, `
` The jewel in my dower, I would not wish `
` Any companion in the world but you; `
` Nor can imagination form a shape, `
` Besides yourself, to like of. But I prattle `
` Something too wildly, and my father's precepts `
` I therein do forget. `
` FERDINAND. I am, in my condition, `
` A prince, Miranda; I do think, a king- `
` I would not so!-and would no more endure `
` This wooden slavery than to suffer `
` The flesh-fly blow my mouth. Hear my soul speak: `
` The very instant that I saw you, did `
` My heart fly to your service; there resides `
` To make me slave to it; and for your sake `
` Am I this patient log-man. `
` MIRANDA. Do you love me? `
` FERDINAND. O heaven, O earth, bear witness to this sound, `
` And crown what I profess with kind event, `
` If I speak true! If hollowly, invert `
` What best is boded me to mischief! I, `
` Beyond all limit of what else i' th' world, `
` Do love, prize, honour you. `
` MIRANDA. I am a fool `
` To weep at what I am glad of. `
` PROSPERO. [Aside] Fair encounter `
` Of two most rare affections! Heavens rain grace `
` On that which breeds between 'em! `
` FERDINAND. Wherefore weep you? `
` MIRANDA. At mine unworthiness, that dare not offer `
` What I desire to give, and much less take `
` What I shall die to want. But this is trifling; `
` And all the more it seeks to hide itself, `
` The bigger bulk it shows. Hence, bashful cunning! `
` And prompt me, plain and holy innocence! `
` I am your wife, if you will marry me; `
` If not, I'll die your maid. To be your fellow `
` You may deny me; but I'll be your servant, `
` Whether you will or no. `
` FERDINAND. My mistress, dearest; `
` And I thus humble ever. `
` MIRANDA. My husband, then? `
` FERDINAND. Ay, with a heart as willing `
` As bondage e'er of freedom. Here's my hand. `
` MIRANDA. And mine, with my heart in't. And now farewell `
` Till half an hour hence. `
` FERDINAND. A thousand thousand! `
` Exeunt FERDINAND and MIRANDA severally `
` PROSPERO. So glad of this as they I cannot be, `
` Who are surpris'd withal; but my rejoicing `
` At nothing can be more. I'll to my book; `
` For yet ere supper time must I perform `
` Much business appertaining. Exit `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` SCENE 2 `
` `
` Another part of the island `
` `
` Enter CALIBAN, STEPHANO, and TRINCULO `
` `
` STEPHANO. Tell not me-when the butt is out we will drink `
` water, not a drop before; therefore bear up, and board `
` 'em. Servant-monster, drink to me. `
` TRINCULO. Servant-monster! The folly of this island! They `
` say there's but five upon this isle: we are three of `
` them; if th' other two be brain'd like us, the state `
` totters. `
` STEPHANO. Drink, servant-monster, when I bid thee; thy `
` eyes are almost set in thy head. `
` TRINCULO. Where should they be set else? He were a brave `
` monster indeed, if they were set in his tail. `
` STEPHANO. My man-monster hath drown'd his tongue in `
` sack. For my part, the sea cannot drown me; I swam, ere `
` I could recover the shore, five and thirty leagues, off `
` and on. By this light, thou shalt be my lieutenant, `
` monster, or my standard. `
` TRINCULO. Your lieutenant, if you list; he's no standard. `
` STEPHANO. We'll not run, Monsieur Monster. `
` TRINCULO. Nor go neither; but you'll lie like dogs, and `
` yet say nothing neither. `
` STEPHANO. Moon-calf, speak once in thy life, if thou beest `
` a good moon-calf. `
` CALIBAN. How does thy honour? Let me lick thy shoe. `
` I'll not serve him; he is not valiant. `
` TRINCULO. Thou liest, most ignorant monster: I am in case `
` to justle a constable. Why, thou debosh'd fish, thou, `
` was there ever man a coward that hath drunk so much sack `
` as I to-day? Wilt thou tell a monstrous lie, being but `
` half fish and half a monster? `
` CALIBAN. Lo, how he mocks me! Wilt thou let him, my `
` lord? `
` TRINCULO. 'Lord' quoth he! That a monster should be such `
` a natural! `
` CALIBAN. Lo, lo again! Bite him to death, I prithee. `
` STEPHANO. Trinculo, keep a good tongue in your head; if `
` you prove a mutineer-the next tree! The poor monster's `
` my subject, and he shall not suffer indignity. `
` CALIBAN. I thank my noble lord. Wilt thou be pleas'd to `
` hearken once again to the suit I made to thee? `
` STEPHANO. Marry will I; kneel and repeat it; I will stand, `
` and so shall Trinculo. `
` `
` Enter ARIEL, invisible `
` `
` CALIBAN. As I told thee before, I am subject to a tyrant, `
` sorcerer, that by his cunning hath cheated me of the `
` island. `
` ARIEL. Thou liest. `
` CALIBAN. Thou liest, thou jesting monkey, thou; `
` I would my valiant master would destroy thee. `
` I do not lie. `
` STEPHANO. Trinculo, if you trouble him any more in's tale, `
` by this hand, I will supplant some of your teeth. `
` TRINCULO. Why, I said nothing. `
` STEPHANO. Mum, then, and no more. Proceed. `
` CALIBAN. I say, by sorcery he got this isle; `
` From me he got it. If thy greatness will `
` Revenge it on him-for I know thou dar'st, `
` But this thing dare not- `
` STEPHANO. That's most certain. `
` CALIBAN. Thou shalt be lord of it, and I'll serve thee. `
` STEPHANO. How now shall this be compass'd? Canst thou `
` bring me to the party? `
` CALIBAN. Yea, yea, my lord; I'll yield him thee asleep, `
` Where thou mayst knock a nail into his head. `
` ARIEL. Thou liest; thou canst not. `
` CALIBAN. What a pied ninny's this! Thou scurvy patch! `
` I do beseech thy greatness, give him blows, `
`