Reading Help THE TEMPEST
MIRANDA. Certainly, sir, I can. `
` PROSPERO. By what? By any other house, or person? `
` Of any thing the image, tell me, that `
` Hath kept with thy remembrance? `
` MIRANDA. 'Tis far off, `
` And rather like a dream than an assurance `
` That my remembrance warrants. Had I not `
` Four, or five, women once, that tended me? `
` PROSPERO. Thou hadst, and more, Miranda. But how is it `
` That this lives in thy mind? What seest thou else `
` In the dark backward and abysm of time? `
` If thou rememb'rest aught, ere thou cam'st here, `
` How thou cam'st here thou mayst. `
` MIRANDA. But that I do not. `
` PROSPERO. Twelve year since, Miranda, twelve year since, `
` Thy father was the Duke of Milan, and `
` A prince of power. `
` MIRANDA. Sir, are not you my father? `
` PROSPERO. Thy mother was a piece of virtue, and `
` She said thou wast my daughter; and thy father `
` Was Duke of Milan, and his only heir `
` And princess no worse issued. `
` MIRANDA. O, the heavens! `
` What foul play had we that we came from thence? `
` Or blessed was't we did? `
` PROSPERO. Both, both, my girl. `
` By foul play, as thou say'st, were we heav'd thence; `
` But blessedly holp hither. `
` MIRANDA. O, my heart bleeds `
` To think o' th' teen that I have turn'd you to, `
` Which is from my remembrance. Please you, farther. `
` PROSPERO. My brother and thy uncle, call'd Antonio- `
` I pray thee, mark me that a brother should `
` Be so perfidious. He, whom next thyself `
` Of all the world I lov'd, and to him put `
` The manage of my state; as at that time `
` Through all the signories it was the first, `
` And Prospero the prime duke, being so reputed `
` In dignity, and for the liberal arts `
` Without a parallel, those being all my study- `
` The government I cast upon my brother `
` And to my state grew stranger, being transported `
` And rapt in secret studies. Thy false uncle- `
` Dost thou attend me? `
` MIRANDA. Sir, most heedfully. `
` PROSPERO. Being once perfected how to grant suits, `
` How to deny them, who t' advance, and who `
` To trash for over-topping, new created `
` The creatures that were mine, I say, or chang'd 'em, `
` Or else new form'd 'em; having both the key `
` Of officer and office, set all hearts i' th' state `
` To what tune pleas'd his ear; that now he was `
` The ivy which had hid my princely trunk `
` And suck'd my verdure out on't. Thou attend'st not. `
` MIRANDA. O, good sir, I do! `
` PROSPERO. I pray thee, mark me. `
` I thus neglecting worldly ends, all dedicated `
` To closeness and the bettering of my mind `
` With that which, but by being so retir'd, `
` O'er-priz'd all popular rate, in my false brother `
` Awak'd an evil nature; and my trust, `
` Like a good parent, did beget of him `
` A falsehood, in its contrary as great `
` As my trust was; which had indeed no limit, `
` A confidence sans bound. He being thus lorded, `
` Not only with what my revenue yielded, `
` But what my power might else exact, like one `
` Who having into truth, by telling of it, `
` Made such a sinner of his memory, `
` To credit his own lie-he did believe `
` He was indeed the Duke; out o' th' substitution, `
` And executing th' outward face of royalty `
` With all prerogative. Hence his ambition growing- `
` Dost thou hear? `
` MIRANDA. Your tale, sir, would cure deafness. `
` PROSPERO. To have no screen between this part he play'd `
` And him he play'd it for, he needs will be `
` Absolute Milan. Me, poor man-my library `
` Was dukedom large enough-of temporal royalties `
` He thinks me now incapable; confederates, `
` So dry he was for sway, wi' th' King of Naples, `
` To give him annual tribute, do him homage, `
` Subject his coronet to his crown, and bend `
` The dukedom, yet unbow'd-alas, poor Milan!- `
` To most ignoble stooping. `
` MIRANDA. O the heavens! `
` PROSPERO. Mark his condition, and th' event, then tell me `
` If this might be a brother. `
` MIRANDA. I should sin `
` To think but nobly of my grandmother: `
` Good wombs have borne bad sons. `
` PROSPERO. Now the condition: `
` This King of Naples, being an enemy `
` To me inveterate, hearkens my brother's suit; `
` Which was, that he, in lieu o' th' premises, `
` Of homage, and I know not how much tribute, `
` Should presently extirpate me and mine `
` Out of the dukedom, and confer fair Milan `
` With all the honours on my brother. Whereon, `
` A treacherous army levied, one midnight `
` Fated to th' purpose, did Antonio open `
` The gates of Milan; and, i' th' dead of darkness, `
` The ministers for th' purpose hurried thence `
` Me and thy crying self. `
` MIRANDA. Alack, for pity! `
` I, not rememb'ring how I cried out then, `
` Will cry it o'er again; it is a hint `
` That wrings mine eyes to't. `
` PROSPERO. Hear a little further, `
` And then I'll bring thee to the present busines `
` Which now's upon 's; without the which this story `
` Were most impertinent. `
` MIRANDA. Wherefore did they not `
` That hour destroy us? `
` PROSPERO. Well demanded, wench! `
` My tale provokes that question. Dear, they durst not, `
` So dear the love my people bore me; nor set `
` A mark so bloody on the business; but `
` With colours fairer painted their foul ends. `
` In few, they hurried us aboard a bark; `
` Bore us some leagues to sea, where they prepared `
` A rotten carcass of a butt, not rigg'd, `
` Nor tackle, sail, nor mast; the very rats `
` Instinctively have quit it. There they hoist us, `
` To cry to th' sea, that roar'd to us; to sigh `
` To th' winds, whose pity, sighing back again, `
` Did us but loving wrong. `
` MIRANDA. Alack, what trouble `
` Was I then to you! `
` PROSPERO. O, a cherubin `
` Thou wast that did preserve me! Thou didst smile, `
` Infused with a fortitude from heaven, `
` When I have deck'd the sea with drops full salt, `
` Under my burden groan'd; which rais'd in me `
` An undergoing stomach, to bear up `
` Against what should ensue. `
` MIRANDA. How came we ashore? `
` PROSPERO. By Providence divine. `
` Some food we had and some fresh water that `
` A noble Neapolitan, Gonzalo, `
` Out of his charity, who being then appointed `
` Master of this design, did give us, with `
` Rich garments, linens, stuffs, and necessaries, `
` Which since have steaded much; so, of his gentleness, `
` Knowing I lov'd my books, he furnish'd me `
` From mine own library with volumes that `
` I prize above my dukedom. `
` MIRANDA. Would I might `
` But ever see that man! `
` PROSPERO. Now I arise. [Puts on his mantle] `
` Sit still, and hear the last of our sea-sorrow. `
` Here in this island we arriv'd; and here `
` Have I, thy schoolmaster, made thee more profit `
` Than other princess' can, that have more time `
` For vainer hours, and tutors not so careful. `
` MIRANDA. Heavens thank you for't! And now, I pray you, `
` sir, `
` For still 'tis beating in my mind, your reason `
` For raising this sea-storm? `
` PROSPERO. Know thus far forth: `
` By accident most strange, bountiful Fortune, `
` Now my dear lady, hath mine enemies `
` Brought to this shore; and by my prescience `
` I find my zenith doth depend upon `
` A most auspicious star, whose influence `
` If now I court not, but omit, my fortunes `
` Will ever after droop. Here cease more questions; `
` Thou art inclin'd to sleep; 'tis a good dullness, `
` And give it way. I know thou canst not choose. `
` [MIRANDA sleeps] `
` Come away, servant; come; I am ready now. `
` Approach, my Ariel. Come. `
` `
` Enter ARIEL `
` `
` ARIEL. All hail, great master! grave sir, hail! I come `
` To answer thy best pleasure; be't to fly, `
` To swim, to dive into the fire, to ride `
` On the curl'd clouds. To thy strong bidding task `
` Ariel and all his quality. `
` PROSPERO. Hast thou, spirit, `
` Perform'd to point the tempest that I bade thee? `
` ARIEL. To every article. `
` I boarded the King's ship; now on the beak, `
` Now in the waist, the deck, in every cabin, `
` I flam'd amazement. Sometime I'd divide, `
` And burn in many places; on the topmast, `
` The yards, and bowsprit, would I flame distinctly, `
` Then meet and join Jove's lightning, the precursors `
` O' th' dreadful thunder-claps, more momentary `
` And sight-outrunning were not; the fire and cracks `
` Of sulphurous roaring the most mighty Neptune `
` Seem to besiege, and make his bold waves tremble, `
` Yea, his dread trident shake. `
` PROSPERO. My brave spirit! `
` Who was so firm, so constant, that this coil `
` Would not infect his reason? `
` ARIEL. Not a soul `
` But felt a fever of the mad, and play'd `
` Some tricks of desperation. All but mariners `
` Plung'd in the foaming brine, and quit the vessel, `
`
` PROSPERO. By what? By any other house, or person? `
` Of any thing the image, tell me, that `
` Hath kept with thy remembrance? `
` MIRANDA. 'Tis far off, `
` And rather like a dream than an assurance `
` That my remembrance warrants. Had I not `
` Four, or five, women once, that tended me? `
` PROSPERO. Thou hadst, and more, Miranda. But how is it `
` That this lives in thy mind? What seest thou else `
` In the dark backward and abysm of time? `
` If thou rememb'rest aught, ere thou cam'st here, `
` How thou cam'st here thou mayst. `
` MIRANDA. But that I do not. `
` PROSPERO. Twelve year since, Miranda, twelve year since, `
` Thy father was the Duke of Milan, and `
` A prince of power. `
` MIRANDA. Sir, are not you my father? `
` PROSPERO. Thy mother was a piece of virtue, and `
` She said thou wast my daughter; and thy father `
` Was Duke of Milan, and his only heir `
` And princess no worse issued. `
` MIRANDA. O, the heavens! `
` What foul play had we that we came from thence? `
` Or blessed was't we did? `
` PROSPERO. Both, both, my girl. `
` By foul play, as thou say'st, were we heav'd thence; `
` But blessedly holp hither. `
` MIRANDA. O, my heart bleeds `
` To think o' th' teen that I have turn'd you to, `
` Which is from my remembrance. Please you, farther. `
` PROSPERO. My brother and thy uncle, call'd Antonio- `
` I pray thee, mark me that a brother should `
` Be so perfidious. He, whom next thyself `
` Of all the world I lov'd, and to him put `
` The manage of my state; as at that time `
` Through all the signories it was the first, `
` And Prospero the prime duke, being so reputed `
` In dignity, and for the liberal arts `
` Without a parallel, those being all my study- `
` The government I cast upon my brother `
` And to my state grew stranger, being transported `
` And rapt in secret studies. Thy false uncle- `
` Dost thou attend me? `
` MIRANDA. Sir, most heedfully. `
` PROSPERO. Being once perfected how to grant suits, `
` How to deny them, who t' advance, and who `
` To trash for over-topping, new created `
` The creatures that were mine, I say, or chang'd 'em, `
` Or else new form'd 'em; having both the key `
` Of officer and office, set all hearts i' th' state `
` To what tune pleas'd his ear; that now he was `
` The ivy which had hid my princely trunk `
` And suck'd my verdure out on't. Thou attend'st not. `
` MIRANDA. O, good sir, I do! `
` PROSPERO. I pray thee, mark me. `
` I thus neglecting worldly ends, all dedicated `
` To closeness and the bettering of my mind `
` With that which, but by being so retir'd, `
` O'er-priz'd all popular rate, in my false brother `
` Awak'd an evil nature; and my trust, `
` Like a good parent, did beget of him `
` A falsehood, in its contrary as great `
` As my trust was; which had indeed no limit, `
` A confidence sans bound. He being thus lorded, `
` Not only with what my revenue yielded, `
` But what my power might else exact, like one `
` Who having into truth, by telling of it, `
` Made such a sinner of his memory, `
` To credit his own lie-he did believe `
` He was indeed the Duke; out o' th' substitution, `
` And executing th' outward face of royalty `
` With all prerogative. Hence his ambition growing- `
` Dost thou hear? `
` MIRANDA. Your tale, sir, would cure deafness. `
` PROSPERO. To have no screen between this part he play'd `
` And him he play'd it for, he needs will be `
` Absolute Milan. Me, poor man-my library `
` Was dukedom large enough-of temporal royalties `
` He thinks me now incapable; confederates, `
` So dry he was for sway, wi' th' King of Naples, `
` To give him annual tribute, do him homage, `
` Subject his coronet to his crown, and bend `
` The dukedom, yet unbow'd-alas, poor Milan!- `
` To most ignoble stooping. `
` MIRANDA. O the heavens! `
` PROSPERO. Mark his condition, and th' event, then tell me `
` If this might be a brother. `
` MIRANDA. I should sin `
` To think but nobly of my grandmother: `
` Good wombs have borne bad sons. `
` PROSPERO. Now the condition: `
` This King of Naples, being an enemy `
` To me inveterate, hearkens my brother's suit; `
` Which was, that he, in lieu o' th' premises, `
` Of homage, and I know not how much tribute, `
` Should presently extirpate me and mine `
` Out of the dukedom, and confer fair Milan `
` With all the honours on my brother. Whereon, `
` A treacherous army levied, one midnight `
` Fated to th' purpose, did Antonio open `
` The gates of Milan; and, i' th' dead of darkness, `
` The ministers for th' purpose hurried thence `
` Me and thy crying self. `
` MIRANDA. Alack, for pity! `
` I, not rememb'ring how I cried out then, `
` Will cry it o'er again; it is a hint `
` That wrings mine eyes to't. `
` PROSPERO. Hear a little further, `
` And then I'll bring thee to the present busines `
` Which now's upon 's; without the which this story `
` Were most impertinent. `
` MIRANDA. Wherefore did they not `
` That hour destroy us? `
` PROSPERO. Well demanded, wench! `
` My tale provokes that question. Dear, they durst not, `
` So dear the love my people bore me; nor set `
` A mark so bloody on the business; but `
` With colours fairer painted their foul ends. `
` In few, they hurried us aboard a bark; `
` Bore us some leagues to sea, where they prepared `
` A rotten carcass of a butt, not rigg'd, `
` Nor tackle, sail, nor mast; the very rats `
` Instinctively have quit it. There they hoist us, `
` To cry to th' sea, that roar'd to us; to sigh `
` To th' winds, whose pity, sighing back again, `
` Did us but loving wrong. `
` MIRANDA. Alack, what trouble `
` Was I then to you! `
` PROSPERO. O, a cherubin `
` Thou wast that did preserve me! Thou didst smile, `
` Infused with a fortitude from heaven, `
` When I have deck'd the sea with drops full salt, `
` Under my burden groan'd; which rais'd in me `
` An undergoing stomach, to bear up `
` Against what should ensue. `
` MIRANDA. How came we ashore? `
` PROSPERO. By Providence divine. `
` Some food we had and some fresh water that `
` A noble Neapolitan, Gonzalo, `
` Out of his charity, who being then appointed `
` Master of this design, did give us, with `
` Rich garments, linens, stuffs, and necessaries, `
` Which since have steaded much; so, of his gentleness, `
` Knowing I lov'd my books, he furnish'd me `
` From mine own library with volumes that `
` I prize above my dukedom. `
` MIRANDA. Would I might `
` But ever see that man! `
` PROSPERO. Now I arise. [Puts on his mantle] `
` Sit still, and hear the last of our sea-sorrow. `
` Here in this island we arriv'd; and here `
` Have I, thy schoolmaster, made thee more profit `
` Than other princess' can, that have more time `
` For vainer hours, and tutors not so careful. `
` MIRANDA. Heavens thank you for't! And now, I pray you, `
` sir, `
` For still 'tis beating in my mind, your reason `
` For raising this sea-storm? `
` PROSPERO. Know thus far forth: `
` By accident most strange, bountiful Fortune, `
` Now my dear lady, hath mine enemies `
` Brought to this shore; and by my prescience `
` I find my zenith doth depend upon `
` A most auspicious star, whose influence `
` If now I court not, but omit, my fortunes `
` Will ever after droop. Here cease more questions; `
` Thou art inclin'd to sleep; 'tis a good dullness, `
` And give it way. I know thou canst not choose. `
` [MIRANDA sleeps] `
` Come away, servant; come; I am ready now. `
` Approach, my Ariel. Come. `
` `
` Enter ARIEL `
` `
` ARIEL. All hail, great master! grave sir, hail! I come `
` To answer thy best pleasure; be't to fly, `
` To swim, to dive into the fire, to ride `
` On the curl'd clouds. To thy strong bidding task `
` Ariel and all his quality. `
` PROSPERO. Hast thou, spirit, `
` Perform'd to point the tempest that I bade thee? `
` ARIEL. To every article. `
` I boarded the King's ship; now on the beak, `
` Now in the waist, the deck, in every cabin, `
` I flam'd amazement. Sometime I'd divide, `
` And burn in many places; on the topmast, `
` The yards, and bowsprit, would I flame distinctly, `
` Then meet and join Jove's lightning, the precursors `
` O' th' dreadful thunder-claps, more momentary `
` And sight-outrunning were not; the fire and cracks `
` Of sulphurous roaring the most mighty Neptune `
` Seem to besiege, and make his bold waves tremble, `
` Yea, his dread trident shake. `
` PROSPERO. My brave spirit! `
` Who was so firm, so constant, that this coil `
` Would not infect his reason? `
` ARIEL. Not a soul `
` But felt a fever of the mad, and play'd `
` Some tricks of desperation. All but mariners `
` Plung'd in the foaming brine, and quit the vessel, `
`