The Plays of William Shakespeare

Indeed, the top of admiration; worth
What's dearest to the world! Full many a lady
I have ey'd with best regard; and many a time
The 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.
Mir.

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 skill-less 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
Therein forget.

Do you love me?

Ste. Drink, servant-monster, when I bid thee; thy eyes are almost set in thy head.

Trin. Where should they be set else? he were a brave monster indeed, if they were set in his tail.

Ste. My man-monster hath drowned 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.

Trin. Your lieutenant, if you list; he's no standard. Ste. We'll not run, monsieur monster.

Trin. Nor go neither: but you'll lie, like dogs; and yet say nothing neither.

Ste. Moon-calf, speak once in thy life, if thou beest a good moon-calf.

Cal. How does thy honour? Let me lick thy shoe : I'll not serve him, he is not valiant.

Trin. Thou liest, most ignorant monster; I am in case to justle a constable: Why, thou deboshed fish thou, was there ever man a coward, that hath drunk so much sack as I to-day? Wilt thou tell a monstrous lie,

Fer. O heaven, O earth, bear witness to this sound, being but half a fish, and half a monster?

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' the world,

Do love, prize, honour you.

Wherefore weep you?

Mir. 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 shews. 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.

Fer.

My mistress, dearest,

Cal. Lo, how he mocks me! wilt thou let him, my lord?

Trin. Lord, quoth he!-that a monster should be such a natural!

Cal. Lo, lo, again! bite him to death, I pr'ythee.

Ste. 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.

Cal. I thank my noble lord. Wilt thou be pleas'd To hearken once again the suit I made thee?

Ste. Marry will I: kneel and repeat it; I will stand,

Cal. Thou shalt be lord of it, and I'll serve thee. Ste. How now shall this be compassed? Canst thou bring me to the party?

Cal. Yea, yea, my lord; I'll yield him thee asleep, Where thou may'st knock a nail into his head.

Ari. Thou liest, thou canst not.

Cal. What a pied ninny's this? Thou scurvy patch!I do beseech thy greatness, give him blows,

And take his bottle from him: when that's gone,
He shall drink nought but brine; for I'll not shew him
Where the quick freshes are.

Ste. Trinculo, run into no further danger: interrupt the monster one word further, and, by this hand, I'll turn my merey out of doors, and make a stock-fish of

thee.

Trin. Why, what did I ? I did nothing; I'll go further off.

Ste. Didst thou not say, he lied?

Ari. Thou liest.

Ste. Do I so? Take thou that.

[Ariel plays the tune on a tabor and pipe.

Ste. What is this same?

Trin. This is the tune of our catch, play'd by the picture of No-body.

Ste. If thou beest a man, shew thyself in thy likeness; if thou beest a devil, take't as thou list.

Trin. O, forgive me my sins!

Ste. He that dies, pays all debts: I defy thee :

Mercy upon us!

Cal. Art thou afeard?

Ste. No, monster, not I.

Cal. Be not afeard; the isle is full of noises.
Sounds, and sweet airs, that give delight, and hurt not.
Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments
Will hum about mine ears; and sometimes voices,
That, if I then had wak'd after long sleep,

Will make me sleep again: and then, in dreaming,
The clouds, methought, would open, and shew riches
Ready to drop upon me; that, when I wak'd,

[Strikes him. I cry'd to dream again.

As you like this, give me the lie another time.

Trin. I did not give the lie :-Out o' your wits, and hearing too?-A pox o' your bottle! this can sack, and drinking do.-A murrain on your monster, and the devil take your fingers!

Cal. Ha, ha, ha!

Ste. Now, forward with your tale.-Pry'thee, stand further off.

Cal. Beat him enough: after a little time, I'll beat him too.

Ste. Stand further.-Come, proceed.

Cal. Why, as I told thee, 'tis a custom with him
I' the afternoon to sleep: there thou may'st brain him,
Having first seiz'd his books or with a log
Batter his skull, or paunch him with a stake,
Or cut his wezand with thy knife: Remember,
First to possess his books; for without them
He's but a sot, as I am, nor hath not
One spirit to command: They all do hate him,
As rootedly as I: burn but his book;

He has brave utensils, (for so he calls them,)
Which, when he has a house, he'll deck withal.
And that most deeply to consider, is

The beauty of his daughter; he himself

Calls her a non-pareil: I ne'er saw woman,
But only Sycorax my dam, and she;

But she as far surpasseth Sycorax,

As greatest does least.

Ste. Is it so brave a lass?

Ste. This will prove a brave kingdom to me, where I shall have my music for nothing.

Cal. When Prospero is destroyed.

Ste. That shall be by and by: I remember the story. Trin. The sound is going away: let's follow it, and after, do our work.

Ste. Lead, monster; we'll follow. I would, I could see this taborer: he lays it on.

Trin. Wilt come? I'll follow, Stephano. [Exeunt.

SCENE III. Another part of the island. Enter Alonso, Sebastian, Antonio, Gonzalo, Adrian, Francisco, and others.

Gon. By'r lakin, I can go no further, sir; My old bones ache: here's a maze trod, indeed, Through forth-rights and meanders! By your patience,

I needs must rest me.

Alon.

Old lord, I cannot blame thee,

Who am myself attach'd with weariness,
To the dulling of my spirits: sit down, and rest.
Even here, I will put off my hope, and keep it
No longer for my flatterer: he is drown'd,
Whom thus we stray to find; and the sea mocks
Our frustrate search on land: Well, let him go.

Ant. [Aside to Seb.] I am right glad that he's so out of hope.

Do not, for one repulse, forego the purpose

That you resolv'd to effect.
Seb.

Will we take thoroughly.
Ant.

The next advantage

Let it be to-night;

I will stand too, and feed,

Although my last: no matter, since I feel
The best is past:-Brother, my lord the duke,
Stand to, and do as we.

Thunder and lightning. Enter Ariel, like a harpy; claps his wings upon the table, and, with a quaint device, the banquet vanishes.

Ari. You are three men of sin, whom destiny That hath to instrument this lower world, And what is in't.) the never-surfeited sea Hath caused to beleh up; and on this island Where man doth not inhabit; you 'mongst men Being most unfit to live. I have made you mad; And even with such like valour, men hang and drown Their proper selves. You fools! I and my fellows

[Seeing Alon. Seb. &c. draw their swords. Are ministers of fate; the elements, Of whom your swords are temper'd, may as well Wound the loud wine, or with bemock'd-at stabs Kill the still-closing waters, as diminish

One dowle that's in my plume; my fellow ministers
Are like invulnerable: if you could hurt,

Your swords are now too massy for your strengths,
And will not be uplifted: But, remember,
(For that's my business to you.) that you three
From Milan did supplant good Prospero;
Expor'd unto the sea, which hath requit it,
Him, and his innocent child: for which foul deed
The powers, delaying, not forgetting, have
Ineens'd the seas and shores, yea, all the creatures,
Against your peace: Thee, of thy son, Alonso,
They have bereft and do pronounce by me,
Ling'ring perdition (worse than any death
Can be at once.) shall step by step attend/

Perform'd, my Ariel; a grace it had, devouring:
Of my instruction hast thou nothing 'bated
In what thou hadst to say: so, with good life,
And observation strange, my meaner ministers
Their several kinds have done: my high charans work
And these, mine enemies, are all knit up

In their distractions: they now are in my power;
And in these fits I leave them, whilst I visit
Young Ferdinand, (whom they suppose is drown'd.)
And his and my lov'd darling. [Exit Pro. from above.
Gon. I' the name of something holy, sir, why stand

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IF I have too austerely punished you,
Your compensation makes amends; for I
Have given you here a thread of mine own life,
Or that for which I five; whom once again
I tender to thy hand: all thy vexations
Were but my trials of thy love, and thou
Hast strangely stood the test: here, afore heaven,
I ratify this my rich gift. O Ferdinand,
Do not smile at me, that I boast her off,

For thou shalt find she will outstrip all praise,
And make it halt behind her.

Juno. Honour, riches, marriage-blessing,
Long continuance, and increasing,
Hourly joys be still upon you!
Juno sings her blessings on you.
Cer. Earth's increase, and foizon plenty,
Barns, and garners never empty;
Vines, with clust'ring bunches growing;
Plants, with goodly burden bowing;
Spring come to you, at the farthest,
In the very end of harvest!
Scarcity, and want, shall shun you;
Ceres blessing so is on you.

Fer. This is a most majestic vision, and
Harmonious charmingly: May I be bold
To think these spirits?
Pro.

I have from

Spirits, which by mine art

confines call'd to enact

A contract of true love; be not too late.
Enter certain Nymphs.

You sun-burn'd sicklemen, of August weary,
Come hither from the furrow, and be merry;
Make holy-day: your rye-straw hats put on,
And these fresh nymphs encounter every one
In country footing.

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.

Re-enter Ariel, loaden with glistering apparel, &c. Even to roaring: -Come, hang them on this line. Prospero and Ariel remain invisible. Enter Caliban, Stephano, and Trinculo, all wet.

Cal. Pray you, tread softly, that the blind mole may

not

Hear a foot fall: we now are near his cell.

Ste. Monster, your fairy, which, you say, is a harmless fairy, has done little better than play'd the Jack with us.

Fer. This is most strange: your father's in some pas my nose is in great indignation.

Trin. Monster, I do smell all horse-piss; at which

sion

That works him strongly.

Mir.

Never till this day,

Saw I him touch'd with anger so distemper'd.
Pro. You do look, my son, in a mov'd sort,
As if you were dismay'd: be cheerful, sir:
Our revels now are ended: these our actors,
As I foretold you, were all spirits, and
Are melted into air, into thin air :

And, like the baseless fabric of this vision,
The cloud-capp'd towers, the gorgeous palaces,
The solemn temples, the great globe itself,
Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve;
And, like this insubstantial pageant faded,
Leave not a rack behind We are such stuff
As dreams are made of, and our little life

Is rounded with a sleep-Sir, I am vex'd;

Bear with my weakness; my old brain is troubled.

Be not disturb'd with my infirmity:

If you be pleased, retire into my cell,

And there repose; a turn or two I'll walk,

To still my beating mind.

Fer. Mir.

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?

Pre.

We must prepare to meet with Caliban.

Spirit,

Ari. Ay, my commander: when I presented Ceres, I thought to have told thee of it; but I fear'd,

Let I might anger thee.

Pro. Say again, where didst thou leave these varlets?
Ari. I told you, sir, they were red-hot with drinking;
So full of valour, that they smote the air

For breathing in their faces; beat the ground
For kissing of their feet: yet always bending
Towards their project: Then I beat my tabor,
At which, like unback'd colts, they prick'd their ears,
Advane'd their eye-lids, lifted up their noses,
As they smelt musie; so I charm'd their cars,
That, calf-like, they my lowing follow'd, through
Tooth'd briers, sharp furzes, pricking goss, and thorns,
Which enter'd their frail shins: at last I left them
I the filthy mantled pool beyond your cell,
There dancing up to the chins, that the foul lake

Ste. So is mine. Do you hear, monster? If I should

take a displeasure against you; look you,

Trin. Thou wert but a lost monster.

Cal. Good my lord, give me thy favour still:
Be patient, for the prize I'll bring thee to
Shall hoodwink this mischance: therefore, speak softly,
All's hush'd as midnight yet.

Trin. Ay, but to lose our bottles in the pool,

Ste. There is not only disgrace and dishonour in that, monster, but an infinite loss.

Trin. That's more to me than my wetting: yet this is your harmless fairy, monster.

Ste. I will fetch off my bottle, though I be o'er ears for my labour.

Cal. Pr'ythee, my king, be quiet: Seest thou here,
This is the mouth o' the cell: no noise, and enter:
Do that good mischief, which may make this island
Thine own for ever, and I, thy Caliban,

For aye thy foot-licker.

Ste. Give me thy hand: I do begin to have bloody thoughts.

no! Look, what a wardrobe here is for thee!
Trin. O king Stephano! O peer! O worthy Stepha

Cal. Let it alone, thou fool; it is but trash.

Trin. Oh, ho, monster; we know what belongs to a frippery:-O king Stephano!

Ste. Put off that gown, Trinculo; by this hand, I'll have that gown.

Trin. Thy grace shall have it.

Cal. The dropsy drown this fool! what do you mean,

To doat thus on such luggage? Let's along,

And do the murder first: if he awake,
From toe to crown he'll fill our skins with pinches;!
Make us strange stuff.

Ste. Be you quiet, monster.-Mistress line, is not
this my jerkin? Now is the jerkin under the line: now,
jerkin, you are like to lose your hair, and prove a bald
jerkin.

Trin. Do, do: we steal by line and level, and't like your grace.

Ste. I thank thee for that jest; here's a garment of this country: Steal by line and level, is an excellent for't: wit shall not go unrewarded, while I am king pass of pate; there's another garment for't.

Trin. Monster, come, put some lime upon your fin-
gers, and away with the rest.

Cal. I will have none on't: we shall lose our time,
And all be turn'd to barnacles, or to apes

With foreheads villanous low.

Ste. Monster, lay-to your fingers: help to bear this

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The Plays of William Shakespeare, Volume 1