Reading Help THE TEMPEST
SEBASTIAN. Please you, sir, `
` Do not omit the heavy offer of it: `
` It seldom visits sorrow; when it doth, `
` It is a comforter. `
` ANTONIO. We two, my lord, `
` Will guard your person while you take your rest, `
` And watch your safety. `
` ALONSO. Thank you-wondrous heavy! `
` [ALONSO sleeps. Exit ARIEL] `
` SEBASTIAN. What a strange drowsiness possesses them! `
` ANTONIO. It is the quality o' th' climate. `
` SEBASTIAN. Why `
` Doth it not then our eyelids sink? I find not `
` Myself dispos'd to sleep. `
` ANTONIO. Nor I; my spirits are nimble. `
` They fell together all, as by consent; `
` They dropp'd, as by a thunder-stroke. What might, `
` Worthy Sebastian? O, what might! No more! `
` And yet methinks I see it in thy face, `
` What thou shouldst be; th' occasion speaks thee; and `
` My strong imagination sees a crown `
` Dropping upon thy head. `
` SEBASTIAN. What, art thou waking? `
` ANTONIO. Do you not hear me speak? `
` SEBASTIAN. I do; and surely `
` It is a sleepy language, and thou speak'st `
` Out of thy sleep. What is it thou didst say? `
` This is a strange repose, to be asleep `
` With eyes wide open; standing, speaking, moving, `
` And yet so fast asleep. `
` ANTONIO. Noble Sebastian, `
` Thou let'st thy fortune sleep-die rather; wink'st `
` Whiles thou art waking. `
` SEBASTIAN. Thou dost snore distinctly; `
` There's meaning in thy snores. `
` ANTONIO. I am more serious than my custom; you `
` Must be so too, if heed me; which to do `
` Trebles thee o'er. `
` SEBASTIAN. Well, I am standing water. `
` ANTONIO. I'll teach you how to flow. `
` SEBASTIAN. Do so: to ebb, `
` Hereditary sloth instructs me. `
` ANTONIO. O, `
` If you but knew how you the purpose cherish, `
` Whiles thus you mock it! how, in stripping it, `
` You more invest it! Ebbing men indeed, `
` Most often, do so near the bottom run `
` By their own fear or sloth. `
` SEBASTIAN. Prithee say on. `
` The setting of thine eye and cheek proclaim `
` A matter from thee; and a birth, indeed, `
` Which throes thee much to yield. `
` ANTONIO. Thus, sir: `
` Although this lord of weak remembrance, this `
` Who shall be of as little memory `
` When he is earth'd, hath here almost persuaded- `
` For he's a spirit of persuasion, only `
` Professes to persuade-the King his son's alive, `
` 'Tis as impossible that he's undrown'd `
` As he that sleeps here swims. `
` SEBASTIAN. I have no hope `
` That he's undrown'd. `
` ANTONIO. O, out of that 'no hope' `
` What great hope have you! No hope that way is `
` Another way so high a hope, that even `
` Ambition cannot pierce a wink beyond, `
` But doubt discovery there. Will you grant with me `
` That Ferdinand is drown'd? `
` SEBASTIAN. He's gone. `
` ANTONIO. Then tell me, `
` Who's the next heir of Naples? `
` SEBASTIAN. Claribel. `
` ANTONIO. She that is Queen of Tunis; she that dwells `
` Ten leagues beyond man's life; she that from Naples `
` Can have no note, unless the sun were post, `
` The Man i' th' Moon's too slow, till newborn chins `
` Be rough and razorable; she that from whom `
` We all were sea-swallow'd, though some cast again, `
` And by that destiny, to perform an act `
` Whereof what's past is prologue, what to come `
` In yours and my discharge. `
` SEBASTIAN. What stuff is this! How say you? `
` 'Tis true, my brother's daughter's Queen of Tunis; `
` So is she heir of Naples; 'twixt which regions `
` There is some space. `
` ANTONIO. A space whose ev'ry cubit `
` Seems to cry out 'How shall that Claribel `
` Measure us back to Naples? Keep in Tunis, `
` And let Sebastian wake.' Say this were death `
` That now hath seiz'd them; why, they were no worse `
` Than now they are. There be that can rule Naples `
` As well as he that sleeps; lords that can prate `
` As amply and unnecessarily `
` As this Gonzalo; I myself could make `
` A chough of as deep chat. O, that you bore `
` The mind that I do! What a sleep were this `
` For your advancement! Do you understand me? `
` SEBASTIAN. Methinks I do. `
` ANTONIO. And how does your content `
` Tender your own good fortune? `
` SEBASTIAN. I remember `
` You did supplant your brother Prospero. `
` ANTONIO. True. `
` And look how well my garments sit upon me, `
` Much feater than before. My brother's servants `
` Were then my fellows; now they are my men. `
` SEBASTIAN. But, for your conscience- `
` ANTONIO. Ay, sir; where lies that? If 'twere a kibe, `
` 'Twould put me to my slipper; but I feel not `
` This deity in my bosom; twenty consciences `
` That stand 'twixt me and Milan, candied be they `
` And melt, ere they molest! Here lies your brother, `
` No better than the earth he lies upon, `
` If he were that which now he's like-that's dead; `
` Whom I with this obedient steel, three inches of it, `
` Can lay to bed for ever; whiles you, doing thus, `
` To the perpetual wink for aye might put `
` This ancient morsel, this Sir Prudence, who `
` Should not upbraid our course. For all the rest, `
` They'll take suggestion as a cat laps milk; `
` They'll tell the clock to any business that `
` We say befits the hour. `
` SEBASTIAN. Thy case, dear friend, `
` Shall be my precedent; as thou got'st Milan, `
` I'll come by Naples. Draw thy sword. One stroke `
` Shall free thee from the tribute which thou payest; `
` And I the King shall love thee. `
` ANTONIO. Draw together; `
` And when I rear my hand, do you the like, `
` To fall it on Gonzalo. `
` SEBASTIAN. O, but one word. [They talk apart] `
` `
` Re-enter ARIEL, invisible, with music and song `
` `
` ARIEL. My master through his art foresees the danger `
` That you, his friend, are in; and sends me forth- `
` For else his project dies-to keep them living. `
` [Sings in GONZALO'S ear] `
` While you here do snoring lie, `
` Open-ey'd conspiracy `
` His time doth take. `
` If of life you keep a care, `
` Shake off slumber, and beware. `
` Awake, awake! `
` `
` ANTONIO. Then let us both be sudden. `
` GONZALO. Now, good angels `
` Preserve the King! [They wake] `
` ALONSO. Why, how now?-Ho, awake!-Why are you drawn? `
` Wherefore this ghastly looking? `
` GONZALO. What's the matter? `
` SEBASTIAN. Whiles we stood here securing your repose, `
` Even now, we heard a hollow burst of bellowing `
` Like bulls, or rather lions; did't not wake you? `
` It struck mine ear most terribly. `
` ALONSO. I heard nothing. `
` ANTONIO. O, 'twas a din to fright a monster's ear, `
` To make an earthquake! Sure it was the roar `
` Of a whole herd of lions. `
` ALONSO. Heard you this, Gonzalo? `
` GONZALO. Upon mine honour, sir, I heard a humming, `
` And that a strange one too, which did awake me; `
` I shak'd you, sir, and cried; as mine eyes open'd, `
` I saw their weapons drawn-there was a noise, `
` That's verily. 'Tis best we stand upon our guard, `
` Or that we quit this place. Let's draw our weapons. `
` ALONSO. Lead off this ground; and let's make further `
` search `
` For my poor son. `
` GONZALO. Heavens keep him from these beasts! `
` For he is, sure, i' th' island. `
` ALONSO. Lead away. `
` ARIEL. Prospero my lord shall know what I have done; `
` So, King, go safely on to seek thy son. Exeunt `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` SCENE 2 `
` `
` Another part of the island `
` `
` Enter CALIBAN, with a burden of wood. A noise of thunder heard `
` `
` CALIBAN. All the infections that the sun sucks up `
` From bogs, fens, flats, on Prosper fall, and make him `
` By inch-meal a disease! His spirits hear me, `
` And yet I needs must curse. But they'll nor pinch, `
` Fright me with urchin-shows, pitch me i' th' mire, `
` Nor lead me, like a firebrand, in the dark `
` Out of my way, unless he bid 'em; but `
` For every trifle are they set upon me; `
` Sometime like apes that mow and chatter at me, `
` And after bite me; then like hedgehogs which `
` Lie tumbling in my barefoot way, and mount `
` Their pricks at my footfall; sometime am I `
` All wound with adders, who with cloven tongues `
` Do hiss me into madness. `
` `
` Enter TRINCULO `
` `
`
` Do not omit the heavy offer of it: `
` It seldom visits sorrow; when it doth, `
` It is a comforter. `
` ANTONIO. We two, my lord, `
` Will guard your person while you take your rest, `
` And watch your safety. `
` ALONSO. Thank you-wondrous heavy! `
` [ALONSO sleeps. Exit ARIEL] `
` SEBASTIAN. What a strange drowsiness possesses them! `
` ANTONIO. It is the quality o' th' climate. `
` SEBASTIAN. Why `
` Doth it not then our eyelids sink? I find not `
` Myself dispos'd to sleep. `
` ANTONIO. Nor I; my spirits are nimble. `
` They fell together all, as by consent; `
` They dropp'd, as by a thunder-stroke. What might, `
` Worthy Sebastian? O, what might! No more! `
` And yet methinks I see it in thy face, `
` What thou shouldst be; th' occasion speaks thee; and `
` My strong imagination sees a crown `
` Dropping upon thy head. `
` SEBASTIAN. What, art thou waking? `
` ANTONIO. Do you not hear me speak? `
` SEBASTIAN. I do; and surely `
` It is a sleepy language, and thou speak'st `
` Out of thy sleep. What is it thou didst say? `
` This is a strange repose, to be asleep `
` With eyes wide open; standing, speaking, moving, `
` And yet so fast asleep. `
` ANTONIO. Noble Sebastian, `
` Thou let'st thy fortune sleep-die rather; wink'st `
` Whiles thou art waking. `
` SEBASTIAN. Thou dost snore distinctly; `
` There's meaning in thy snores. `
` ANTONIO. I am more serious than my custom; you `
` Must be so too, if heed me; which to do `
` Trebles thee o'er. `
` SEBASTIAN. Well, I am standing water. `
` ANTONIO. I'll teach you how to flow. `
` SEBASTIAN. Do so: to ebb, `
` Hereditary sloth instructs me. `
` ANTONIO. O, `
` If you but knew how you the purpose cherish, `
` Whiles thus you mock it! how, in stripping it, `
` You more invest it! Ebbing men indeed, `
` Most often, do so near the bottom run `
` By their own fear or sloth. `
` SEBASTIAN. Prithee say on. `
` The setting of thine eye and cheek proclaim `
` A matter from thee; and a birth, indeed, `
` Which throes thee much to yield. `
` ANTONIO. Thus, sir: `
` Although this lord of weak remembrance, this `
` Who shall be of as little memory `
` When he is earth'd, hath here almost persuaded- `
` For he's a spirit of persuasion, only `
` Professes to persuade-the King his son's alive, `
` 'Tis as impossible that he's undrown'd `
` As he that sleeps here swims. `
` SEBASTIAN. I have no hope `
` That he's undrown'd. `
` ANTONIO. O, out of that 'no hope' `
` What great hope have you! No hope that way is `
` Another way so high a hope, that even `
` Ambition cannot pierce a wink beyond, `
` But doubt discovery there. Will you grant with me `
` That Ferdinand is drown'd? `
` SEBASTIAN. He's gone. `
` ANTONIO. Then tell me, `
` Who's the next heir of Naples? `
` SEBASTIAN. Claribel. `
` ANTONIO. She that is Queen of Tunis; she that dwells `
` Ten leagues beyond man's life; she that from Naples `
` Can have no note, unless the sun were post, `
` The Man i' th' Moon's too slow, till newborn chins `
` Be rough and razorable; she that from whom `
` We all were sea-swallow'd, though some cast again, `
` And by that destiny, to perform an act `
` Whereof what's past is prologue, what to come `
` In yours and my discharge. `
` SEBASTIAN. What stuff is this! How say you? `
` 'Tis true, my brother's daughter's Queen of Tunis; `
` So is she heir of Naples; 'twixt which regions `
` There is some space. `
` ANTONIO. A space whose ev'ry cubit `
` Seems to cry out 'How shall that Claribel `
` Measure us back to Naples? Keep in Tunis, `
` And let Sebastian wake.' Say this were death `
` That now hath seiz'd them; why, they were no worse `
` Than now they are. There be that can rule Naples `
` As well as he that sleeps; lords that can prate `
` As amply and unnecessarily `
` As this Gonzalo; I myself could make `
` A chough of as deep chat. O, that you bore `
` The mind that I do! What a sleep were this `
` For your advancement! Do you understand me? `
` SEBASTIAN. Methinks I do. `
` ANTONIO. And how does your content `
` Tender your own good fortune? `
` SEBASTIAN. I remember `
` You did supplant your brother Prospero. `
` ANTONIO. True. `
` And look how well my garments sit upon me, `
` Much feater than before. My brother's servants `
` Were then my fellows; now they are my men. `
` SEBASTIAN. But, for your conscience- `
` ANTONIO. Ay, sir; where lies that? If 'twere a kibe, `
` 'Twould put me to my slipper; but I feel not `
` This deity in my bosom; twenty consciences `
` That stand 'twixt me and Milan, candied be they `
` And melt, ere they molest! Here lies your brother, `
` No better than the earth he lies upon, `
` If he were that which now he's like-that's dead; `
` Whom I with this obedient steel, three inches of it, `
` Can lay to bed for ever; whiles you, doing thus, `
` To the perpetual wink for aye might put `
` This ancient morsel, this Sir Prudence, who `
` Should not upbraid our course. For all the rest, `
` They'll take suggestion as a cat laps milk; `
` They'll tell the clock to any business that `
` We say befits the hour. `
` SEBASTIAN. Thy case, dear friend, `
` Shall be my precedent; as thou got'st Milan, `
` I'll come by Naples. Draw thy sword. One stroke `
` Shall free thee from the tribute which thou payest; `
` And I the King shall love thee. `
` ANTONIO. Draw together; `
` And when I rear my hand, do you the like, `
` To fall it on Gonzalo. `
` SEBASTIAN. O, but one word. [They talk apart] `
` `
` Re-enter ARIEL, invisible, with music and song `
` `
` ARIEL. My master through his art foresees the danger `
` That you, his friend, are in; and sends me forth- `
` For else his project dies-to keep them living. `
` [Sings in GONZALO'S ear] `
` While you here do snoring lie, `
` Open-ey'd conspiracy `
` His time doth take. `
` If of life you keep a care, `
` Shake off slumber, and beware. `
` Awake, awake! `
` `
` ANTONIO. Then let us both be sudden. `
` GONZALO. Now, good angels `
` Preserve the King! [They wake] `
` ALONSO. Why, how now?-Ho, awake!-Why are you drawn? `
` Wherefore this ghastly looking? `
` GONZALO. What's the matter? `
` SEBASTIAN. Whiles we stood here securing your repose, `
` Even now, we heard a hollow burst of bellowing `
` Like bulls, or rather lions; did't not wake you? `
` It struck mine ear most terribly. `
` ALONSO. I heard nothing. `
` ANTONIO. O, 'twas a din to fright a monster's ear, `
` To make an earthquake! Sure it was the roar `
` Of a whole herd of lions. `
` ALONSO. Heard you this, Gonzalo? `
` GONZALO. Upon mine honour, sir, I heard a humming, `
` And that a strange one too, which did awake me; `
` I shak'd you, sir, and cried; as mine eyes open'd, `
` I saw their weapons drawn-there was a noise, `
` That's verily. 'Tis best we stand upon our guard, `
` Or that we quit this place. Let's draw our weapons. `
` ALONSO. Lead off this ground; and let's make further `
` search `
` For my poor son. `
` GONZALO. Heavens keep him from these beasts! `
` For he is, sure, i' th' island. `
` ALONSO. Lead away. `
` ARIEL. Prospero my lord shall know what I have done; `
` So, King, go safely on to seek thy son. Exeunt `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` SCENE 2 `
` `
` Another part of the island `
` `
` Enter CALIBAN, with a burden of wood. A noise of thunder heard `
` `
` CALIBAN. All the infections that the sun sucks up `
` From bogs, fens, flats, on Prosper fall, and make him `
` By inch-meal a disease! His spirits hear me, `
` And yet I needs must curse. But they'll nor pinch, `
` Fright me with urchin-shows, pitch me i' th' mire, `
` Nor lead me, like a firebrand, in the dark `
` Out of my way, unless he bid 'em; but `
` For every trifle are they set upon me; `
` Sometime like apes that mow and chatter at me, `
` And after bite me; then like hedgehogs which `
` Lie tumbling in my barefoot way, and mount `
` Their pricks at my footfall; sometime am I `
` All wound with adders, who with cloven tongues `
` Do hiss me into madness. `
` `
` Enter TRINCULO `
` `
`