Alon. This is as strange a maze as e'er men trod : And there is in this business more than nature Was ever conduct of: some oracle

Must rectify our knowledge.

Pro.

Sir, my liege,

Do not infest your mind with beating on
The strangeness of this business: at pick'd leisure,
Which shall be shortly, single I'll resolve you
(Which to you shall seem probable), of every
These happen'd accidents; till when, be cheerful,
And think of each thing well.-Come hither, spirit;
[Aside.
Set Caliban and his companions free: [cious sir?
Untie the spell. [Erit ARIEL.] How fares my gra-
There are yet missing of your company
Some few odd lads that you remember not.
Re-enter ARIEL, driving in CALIBAN, STEPHANO, and
TRINCULO, in their stolen Apparel.

Ste. Every man shift for all the rest, and let no man take care for himself; for all is but fortune :Coragio, bully-monster, Coragio!

Trin. If these be true spies which I wear in my head, here's a goodly sight.

Cal. O Setebos, these be brave spirits, indeed! How fine my master is! I am afraid

He will chastise me.

What things are these, my lord Antonio!
Will money buy them?

Ant. Very like; one of them

Is a plain fish, and, no doubt, marketable.
Pro. Mark but the badges of these men, my lords,
Then say, if they be true:-This mis-shapen knave,
His mother was a witch; and one so strong
That could control the moon, make flows and ebbs,
And deal in her command, without her power:
These three have robb'd me: and this demi-devil
(For he's a bastard one) had plotted with them
To take my life: two of these fellows you
Must know, and own; this thing of darkness I
Acknowledge mine.

Cal.
I shall be pinch'd to death.
Alon. Is not this Stephano, my drunken butler?
Seb. He is drunk now: where had he the wine?

Alon. And Trinculo is reeling ripe: W Find this grand liquor that hath gilded them How cam'st thou in this pickle?

Trin. I have been in such a pickle since I saw you last, that, I fear me, will never out of my bones. I shall not fear fly-blowing.

Seb. Why, how now, Stephano?

[cramp.

Ste. O, touch me not; I am not Stephano, but a Pro. You'd be king of the isle, sirrah? Ste. I should have been a sore one then. Alon. This is as strange a thing as e'er I look'd on. [Pointing to Caliban. Pro. He is as disproportion'd in his manners, As in his shape :-Go, sirrah, to my cell; Take with you your companions; as you look To have my pardon, trim it handsomely.

Cal. Ay, that I will; and I'll be wise hereafter,
And seek for grace: What a thrice-double ass
Was I, to take this drunkard for a god,
And worship this dull fool?
Pro. Go to; away!
[found it.
Alon. Hence, and bestow your luggage where you
Seb. Or stole it, rather. [Exeunt CAL. STE. and Tan
Pro. Sir, I invite your highness, and your train,
To my poor cell where you shall take your rest
For this one night; which (part of it) I'll waste
With such discourse, as, I not doubt, shall make it
Go quick away: the story of my life,
And the particular accidents, gone by,
Since I came to this isle: And in the morn,
I'll bring you to your ship, and so to Naples,
Where I have hope to see the nuptial
Of these our dear-beloved solemniz'd;
And thence retire me to my Milan, where
Every third thought shall be my grave.

Alon.
I long
To hear the story of your life, which must
Take the ear strangely.

Pro.

I'll deliver all;

And promise you calm seas, auspicious gales,
And sail so expeditious, that shall catch
Your royal fleet far off.-My Ariel ;-chick,-
That is thy charge; then to the elements

Be free, and fare thou well!-[aside.] Please you
draw near.
[Exeunt.

Now my charms are all o'erthrown,
And what strength I have's mine own;
Which is most faint: now 'tis true,
I must be here confin'd by you,
Or sent to Naples: Let me not,
Since I have my dukedom got,
And pardon'd the deceiver, dwell
In this bare island, by your spell;
But release me from my bands,
With the help of your good hands.

It is observed of The Tempest, that its plan is regular; this the author of The Revisal thinks, what I think too, an accidental effect of the story, not intended or regarded by our author. But, whatever might be Shakspeare's intention in forming or adopting the plot, he has made it instrumental to the production of many characters, diversified with boundless invention, and preserved with profound skill in nature, extensive knowledge of opinions, and accurate observation of life. In a single drama are here exhibited princes, courtiers, and sailors, all speaking in their real characters. There is the agency of airy spirits, and of an earthly goblin. The operations of magic, the tumults of a storm, the adventures of a desert island, the native effusion of antaught affection, the punishment of guilt, and the final happiness of the pair for whom our passions and reason are equally interested.-JOHNSON.

The unity of time is strictly observed in this play. The fable scarcely takes up a greater number of hours than are employed in the representation: and from the very particular care which ear author takes to point out this circumstance in so many pasges, it should seem that it was not accidental, but designed to ahew the cavillers of the time, that he too could write a play within all the strictest laws of regularity, when he chose to load

by PROSPERO.

Gentle breath of yours my sails
Must fill, or else my project fails,
Which was to please: Now I want
Spirits to enforce, art to enchant;
And my ending is despair,

Unless I be reliev'd by prayer;

Which pierces so, that it assaults
Mercy itself, and frees all faults.
As you from crimes would pardon'd be,
Let your indulgence set me free.

himself with the critic's fetters.-Alonso says,
"If thou beest Prospero,
Give us particulars of thy preservation:
How thou hast met us here, who three hours since
Were wreck'd upon this shore."-

The

boatswain marks the progress of the day again; "Which but three glasses since,"-&c.

At the beginning of the fifth act the duration of the time em ployed on the stage is particularly ascertained; Pro. How's the day!

Ari, On the sixth hour."

And they again refer to a passage in the first act: "Pro. What is the time of the day?

Ari. Past the mid season, at least two glasses.”—STEEVENS, It may be farther added to the above observation of Steevens, that the unities of action and of place are as exactly observed as the unity of time. "In this play," says Dr. Warton, Adven turer, Number 97," the action is one, great, and entire, the re storation of Prospero to his dukedom; this business is trans acted in the compass of a small island, and in or near the cav of Prose

CHERE was no edition of this play, till that of the year 1623; but it must have been written much earlier, as it is mentioned by Meres, in his Wir's Treasury, which was published in 1598. Mr. Malone considers this play as Shakspeare's first production. The internal evidence is against such a supposition. It has neither the beauties or the faults-the exuberance or the inequalities-that generally distinguish the inexperienced efforts of a rich and original genius.-The general tone of the comedy, though occasionally relieved by passages of much grace and sweetness, is that of smooth, elegant, dull medioerity. It is rejected as entirely spurious by Hanmer and Upton: and though the quibbles of Speed, the folly of Launce, and some delightful lines scattered here and there in the serious scenes of the play, are so perfectly in the manner of Shakspeare, as to convince the reader that it had undergone his revision and improvement, I cannot help believing it impossible that our great Dramatist could have been the author of a work, in which the characters are so entirely devoid of individuality, the dialogue so elaborately heavy, so smoothly tame, and so little varied with the changes of situation. Dr. John

son thinks differently, and says, "When I read this play I cannot but think that 1 find, both in the serious and ludicrous scenes, the language and sentiments of Shakspeare. It is not, indeed, one of his most powerful effusions; it has neither many diversities of character, nor striking delineations of life; but it abounds in youa, beyond most of his plays, and few have more lines or passages, which, singly considered, are eminently beautiful. I am yet inclined to believe that it was not very successful, and suspect that it has escaped corruption, only because, being seldom played, it was less exposed to the hazards of transcription.

The story of Proteus and Julia, has been resembled to a story in the Diana of George of Montemayor, which, according to Mrs. Lenox, was translated in Shakspeare's time.-The incident of Valentine's joining the robbers is also supposed to be taken from the Arcadia of Sir Philip Sidney, book 1. chap. 6. where Py. rocles consents to head the Helots.-Both these adventures are common in tale and history, and, if not already prepared to the author's hand, might have been invented without any great stretch of imagination.

PERSONS REPRESENTED.

DUKE OF MILAN, father to Silvia.
VALENTINE, PROTEUS, Gentlemen of Verona.
ANTONIO, father to Proteus.

THURIO, a foolish rival to Valentine.

EGLAMOUR, agent for Silvia, in her escape.
SPEED, a clownish servant to Valentine.
LAUNCE, servant to Proteus.

PANTHINO, servant to Antonio,

Host, where Julia lodges in Milan.
Out-laws.

JULIA, a lady of Verona, beloved by Proteus.
SILVIA, the duke's daughter, beloved by Valentine.
LUCETTA, waiting-woman to Julia.

Servants, Musicians.

SCENE, sometimes in VERONA; sometimes in MILAN; and on the Frontiers of Mantua.

ACT I.

SCENE I.-An open place in Verona.

Enter VALENTINE and PROTeus. Val. Cease to persuade, my loving Proteus; Home-keeping youth have ever homely wits; Weret not, affection chains thy tender days To the sweet glances of thy honour'd love, I rather would entreat thy company, To see the wonders of the world abroad, Than living dully sluggardiz'd at home, Wear out thy youth with shapeless idleness. But, since thou lov'st, love still, and thrive therein, Even as I would, when I to love begin.

Pro. Wilt thou be gone? Sweet Valentine, adieu!
Think on thy Proteus, when thou, haply, seest
Some rare note-worthy object in thy travel:
Wish me partaker in thy happiness,

When thou dost meet good hap: and, in thy danger,
If ever danger do environ thee,
Commend thy grievance to my holy prayers,
For I will be thy bead's-man, Valentine.

Val. And on a love-book pray for my success. Pro. Upon some book I love, I'll pray for thee. Val. That's on some shallow story of deep love, How young Leander cross'd the Hellespont.

Pro. That's a deep story of a deeper love; For he was more than over shoes in love.

In love, where scorn is bought with groans; coy looks,
With heart-sore sighs; one fading moment's mirth,
With twenty watchful, weary, tedious nights.

If haply won, perhaps, a hapless gain;
If lost, why then a grievous labour won;
However, but a folly bought with wit,
Or else a wit by folly vanquished.

Pro. So, by your circumstance, you call me fool.
Val. So, by your circumstance, I fear, you'll prove.
Pro. 'Tis love you cavil at; I am not love.
Val. Love is your master, for he masters you.
And he that is so yoked by a foc1,
Methinks should not be chronicled for wise.

Pro. Yet writers say, As in the sweetest bud The eating canker dwells, so eating love Inhabits in the finest wits of all.

Val. And writers say, As the most forward bud
Is eaten by the canker ere it blow,
Even so by love the young and tender wit
Is turn'd to folly; blasting in the bud,
Losing his verdure even in the prime,
And all the fair effects of future hopes.
But wherefore waste I time to counsel thee,
That art a votary to fond desire ?

Once more adieu: my father at the road
Expects my coming, there to see me shipp'd.

Pro. And thither will I bring thee, Valentine.
Val. Sweet Proteus, no; now let us take our leave.
At Milan, let me hear from thee by letters,
Of thy success in love, and what news else
Betideth here in absence of thy friend;
And I likewise will visit thee with mine.
Pro. All happiness bechance to thee in Milan!
Val. As much to you at home! and so, farewell.
[Eait VALENTINE.

Pro. He after honour hunts, I after love : He leaves his friends to dignify them more; I leave myself, my friends, and all for love. Thou, Julia, thou hast metamorphos'd me; Made me neglect my studies, lose my time, War with good counsel, set the world at nought; Made wit with musing weak, heart sick with thought.

Enter SPEED.

Speed. Sir Proteus, save you: Saw you my master

Pro. But now he parted hence, to embark for Milan. Speed. Twenty to one then he is shipp'd already; And I have play'd the sheep, in losing him.

Pro. Indeed 4 sheep doth very often stray, An if the snepnerd be awhile away. Speed. You conclude that my master is a shepherd Pro. I do. [then, and I a sheep? Speed. Why then my horns are his horns, whether I wake or sleep.

Pro. A silly answer, and fitting well a sheep. Speed. This proves me still a sheep. Pro. True; and thy master a shepherd. Speed. Nay, that I can deny by a circumstance. Pro. It shall go hard, but I'll prove it by another. Speed. The shepherd seeks the sheep, and not the sheep the shepherd; but I seek my master, and my master seeks not me: therefore, I am no sheep.

Pro. The sheep for fodder follow the shepherd, the shepherd for food follows not the sheep; thou for wages followest thy master, thy master for wages follows not thee: therefore, thou art a sheep.

Speed. Such another proof will make me cry baa. Pro. But dost thou hear? gav'st thou my letter to Julia?

Speed. Ay, sir; I, a lost mutton, gave your letter to her, a laced mutton; and she, a laced mutton, gave me, a lost mutton, nothing for my labour!

Pro. Here's too small a pasture for such a store of muttons.

Speed. If the ground be overcharged, you were best stick her.

Pro. Nay, in that you are astray; 'twere best pound you.

Speed. Nay, sir, less than a pound shall serve me for carrying your letter.

Pro. You mistake; I mean the pound, a pinfold. Speed. From a pound to a pin? fold it over and over, "Tis threefold too little for carrying a letter to your Pro. But what said she? did she nod? [lover. [SPEED nods.

Speed. 1.

Pro. Nod, I; why, that's noddy. Speed. You mistook, sir; I say, she did nod: and you ask me, if she did nod; and I say, I.

Pro. And that set together, is-noddy. Speed. Now you have taken the pains to set it together, take it for your pains.

Pro. No, no, you shall have it for bearing the letter. Speed. Well, I perceive, I must be fain to bear with Pro. Why, sir, how do you bear with me? [you. Speed. Marry, sir, the letter very orderly; having nothing but the word, noddy, for my pains.

Pro. Beshrew me, but you have a quick wit. Speed. And yet it cannot overtake your slow purse. Pro. Come, come, open the matter in brief: What said she?

Speed. Open your purse, that the money, and the matter, may be both at once delivered.

Pro. Well, sir, here is for your pains: What said she?

Speed. Truly, sir, I think you'll hardly win her. Pro. Why? Could'st thou perceive so much from her?

Speed. Sir, I could perceive nothing at all from her; no, not so much as a ducat for delivering your letter: And being so hard to me that brought your mind, I fear, she 'll prove as hard to you in telling her mind. Give her no token but stones; for she's as hard as steel.

Pro. What, said she nothing?

Speed. No, not so much as-take this for thy pains. To testify your bounty, 1 thank you, you have tes

SCENE II.-The same. Garden of Julia's House. Enter JULIA and LUCETTA.

Jul. But say, Lucetta, now we are alone, Would'st thou then counsel me to fall in love? Luc. Ay, madam; so you stumble not unheedfully. Jul. Of all the fair resort of gentlemen, That every day with parle encounter me, In thy opinion, which is worthiest love? Luc. Please you, repeat their names, I'll shew my According to my shallow simple skill. [mind Jul. What think'st thou of the fair Sir Eglamour? Luc. As of a knight well-spoken, neat and fine; But, were I you, he never should be mine.

Jul. What think'st thou of the rich Mercatio? Luc. Well, of his wealth; but of himself, so, so. Jul. What think'st thou of the gentle Proteus? Luc. Lord, lord! to see what folly reigns in us! Jul. How now! what mean. his passion at his name? Luc. Pardon, dear madam; ás a passing shame, That I, unworthy body as I am,

Should censure thus on lovely gentlemen.

I

Jul. Why not on Proteus, as of all the rest?
Luc. Then thus,—————of many good I think him best.
Jul. Your reason?

Luc. I have no other but a woman's reason;
think him so, because I think him so.

Jul. And would'st thou have me cast my love on him?
Luc. Ay, if you thought your love not cast away.
Jul. Why, he of all the rest hath never mov'd me.
Luc. Yet he of all the rest, I think, best loves ye.
Jul. His little speaking shews his love but small
Luc. Fire, that is closest kept, burns most of all.
Jul. They do not love, that do not shew their love
Luc. O, they love least, that let men know their love.
Jul. I would, I knew his mind.

Luc.
Peruse this paper, madam.
Jul. To Julia;-Say, from whom?
Luc.

That the contents will shew.
[Proteus:

Jul. Say, say; who gave it thee?
Luc. Sir Valentine's page; and sent, I think, from
He would have given it you, but I, being in the way,
Did in your name receive it; pardon the fault, I pray.

Jul. 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.

Luc. To plead for love deserves more fee than hate
Jul. Will you be gone?

Luc. [aside.] That you may ruminate. [Erit. Jul. And yet, I would, I had o'erlook'd the letter It were a shame to call her back again, And pray her to a fault for which I chid her. 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, ▲ Fie, fie! how wayward is the foolish love,

What would your ladyship?

Jul. Is it near dinner time?
Luc.

I would it were; That you might kill your stomach on your meat, And not upon your maid.

Jul.

So gingerly?

Luc.

Jul.

Nothing.

What is 't you took up

Why didst thou stoop then?
Luc. To take a paper up that I let fall.
Jul. And is that paper nothing?

Luc.
Nothing concerning me.
Jul. Then let it lie for those that it concerns.
Luc. Madam, it will not lie where it concerns,
Unless it have a false interpreter.

Jul. Some love of yours hath writ to you in rhyme.
Luc. That I might sing it, madam, to a tune:
Give me a note: your ladyship can set.

Jul. As little by such toys as may be possible · Best sing it to the tune of Light o'Love.

Luc. It is too heavy for so light a tune.
Jul. Heavy? belike, it hath some burden then.
Luc. Ay; and melodious were it, would you sing it.
Jul. And why not you?
I cannot reach so high.
Lue.
Jul. Let's see your song;-How now, minion?
Luc. Keep tune there still, so you vill sing it out:
And yet, methinks, I do not like this tune.
Jul. You do not?

Luc. No, madam; it is too sharp.
Jul. You, minion, are too saucy.
Luc. Nay, now you are too flat,

And mar the concord with too harsh a descant:
There wanteth but a mean to fill your song.
Jul. The mean is drown'd with your unruly base.

Luc. Indeed, I bid the base for Proteus.
Jul. This babble shall not henceforth trouble me.
Here is a coil with protestation !-[Tears the letter.
Go, get you gone; and let the papers lie:
You would be fingering them, to anger me.
Luc. She makes it strange; but she would be best
pleas'd

To be so anger'd with another letter.

[aside. [Exit.

Jul. Nay, would I were so anger'd with the same! O hateful hands, to tear such loving words! Injurious wasps! to feed on such sweet honey, And kill the bees, that yield it, with your stings! I'll kiss each several paper for amends. And, here is writ-kind Julia ;- unkind Julia' As in revenge of thy ingratitude,

Pan.

[thither

Pan. I think, your lordship is not ignorant, How his companion, youthful Valentine, Attends the emperor in his royal court. Ant. I know it well. Pan. "Twere good, I think, your lordship sent him There shall he practise tilts and tournaments, Hear sweet discourse, converse with noblemen, And be in eye of every exercise,

Worthy his youth and nobleness of birth.

Ant. I like thy counsel; well hast thou advis'd
And, that thou may'st perceive how well I like it,
The execution of it shall make known;
Even with the speediest execution

I will dispatch him to the emperor's court.
Pan. To-morrow, may it please you, Don Alphonse,
With other gentlemen of good esteem,
Are journeying to salute the emperor,
And to commend their service to his will.

Ant. Good company; with them shall Proteus ge And, in good time,-now will we break with him. Enter PROTEUS.

Pro. Sweet love! sweet lines! sweet life! Here is her hand, the agent of her heart;

Here is her oath for love, her honour's pawn
9, that our fathers would applaud our loves,
To seal our nappiness with their consents!
O heavenly Julia!

Ant. How now? what letter are you reading there?
Pro. May't please your lordship, 'tis a word or two
Of commendation sent from Valentine,
Deliver'd by a friend that came from him.

Ant. Lend me the letter; let me see what news. Pro. There is no news, my lord; but that he writes How happily he lives, how well-belov'd, And daily graced by the emperor; Wishing me with him, partner of his fortune.

Ant. And how stand you affected to his wish! Pro. As one relying on your lordship's will, And not depending on his friendly wish.

Ant. My will is something sorted with his wish :
Muse not that I thus suddenly proceed;
For what I will, I will, and there an end.

I am resolv'd, that thou shalt spend some time
With Valentinus in the emperor's court;
What maintenance he from his friends receives,
Like exhibition shalt thou have from me.
To-morrow be in readiness to go:
Excuse it not, for I am peremptory.

Pro. My lord, I cannot be so soon provided;

Please you, deliberate a day or two.

Ant. Look, what thou want'st, shall be sent after No more of stay; to-morrow thou must go.- [thee: Come on, Panthino; you shall be employ'd To hasten on his expedition.

[Exeunt ANT. and PAN. Pro. Thus have I shunn'd the fire, for fear of burning;

And drench'd me in the sea, where I am drown'd:
I fear'd to shew my father Julia's letter,
Lest he should take exceptions to my love;
And with the vantage of mine own excuse
Hath he excepted most against my love.
O, how this spring of love resembleth

The uncertain glory of an April day;
Which now shews all the beauty of the sun,
And by and by a cloud takes all away!
Re-enter PANTHINO.

Pan. Sir Proteus, your father calls for you;
He is in haste, therefore, I pray you, go.
Pre. Why, this it is! my heart accords thereto;
thousand times it answers, no.

And yet

ACT II.

[Exeunt.

SCENE I-Milan. An Apartment in the Duke's Palace.

Enter VALENTINE and SPEED.

Speed. Sir, your glove.

[one.

Val. Not mine; my gloves are on.
Speed. Why then this may be yours, for this is but
Val. Ha! let me see: ay, give it me, it's mine:-
Sweet ornament that decks a thing divine!
Ah Silvia! Silvia!

Speed. Madam Silvia madam Silvia !
Val. How now, sirrah?

Speed. She is not within hearing, sir.

Val. Why, sir, who bade you call her?

Speed. Your worship, sir; or else I mistook.
Val. Well, you'll still be too forward.

ן-יי

Speed. And yet I was last chidden for being too slow. Val. Go to, sir; tell me, do you know madam Silvia

:

Speed. Without you? nay, that's certain, for, without you were so simple, none else would but you are so without these follies, that these follies are within you, and shine through you like the water in an urinal; that not an eye, that sees you, but is a physician to comment on your malady.

Val. But tell me, dost thou know my lady Silvia! Speed. She, that you gaze on so, as she sits at supper?

Val. Hast thou observed that? even she I mean. Speed. Why, sir, I know her not.

Val. Dost thou know her by my gazing on her, and yet knowest her not?

Speed. Is she not hard favoured, sir?

Val. Not so fair, boy, as well favoured.
Speed. Sir, I know that well enough.
Val. What dost thou know?

Speed. That she is not so fair, as (of you) wel favoured.

Val. I mean, that her beauty is exquisite, but her favour infinite.

Speed. That's because the one is painted, and the other out of all count.

Val. How painted? and how out of count? Speed. Marry, sir, so painted, to make her fair, that no man counts of her beauty.

Val. How esteemest thou me? I account of her Ieauty.

Speed. You never saw her since she was deformed.
Val. How long hath she been deformed?
Speed. Ever since you loved her.

,,

Val. I have loved her ever since I saw her; and still I see her beautiful.

Speed. If you love her, you cannot see her.
Val. Why?

Speed. Because love is blind. O, that you had mine eyes; or your own eyes had the lights they were wont to have, when you chid at sir Proteus for going ungartered!

Val. What should I see then?

Speed. Your own present folly, and her passing deformity for he, being in love, could not see to garter his hose; and you, being in love, cannot see to put on your hose.

Val. Belike, boy, then you are in love; for last morning you could not see to wipe my shoes.

Speed. True, sir; I was in love with my bed: I thank you, you swinged me for my love, which makes me the bolder to chide you for yours.

Val. In conclusion, I stand affected to her. Speed. I would you were set; so, your affection would cease.