Thy dukedom I resign; and do entreat
Thou pardon me my wrongs:— But how should
Be living, and be here?
[Prospero
Pro.
First, noble friend,
Let me embrace thine age: whose honour cannot
Be measur'd or confined.

Gon.

Or be not, I'll not swear.

Whether this be,

Pro.
You do yet taste
Some subtilties o' the isle, that will not let you
Believe things certain :-Welome, my friends all:-
But you, my brace of lords, were I so minded,
[Aside to SEBAS. and ÁNT.
I here could pluck his highness' frown upon you,
And justify you traitors; at this time
I'll tell no tales.

Seb.
Pro.
For you, most wicked sir, whom to call brother
Would even infect my mouth, I do forgive
Thy rankest fault; all of them; and require
My dukedom of thee, which, perforce, I know
Thou must restore.

The devil speaks in him. [Aside.
No:-

Alon.

If thou beest Prospero,

Give us particulars of thy preservation:
How thou hast met us here, who three hours since
Were wrack'd upon this shore; where I have lost
(How sharp the point of this remembrance is!)
My dear son Ferdinand.

Pro.

I am woe for 't, sir. Alom. Irreparable is the loss; and patience Says it is past her cure.

Pro.

I rather think,

O heavens! that they were living both in Naples,
The king and queen there! that they were, I wish
Myself were mudded in that oozy bed [daughter?
Where my son lies. When did you lose your
Pro. In this last tempest. I perceive these lords
At this encounter do so much admire,

That they devour their reason; and scarce think
Their eyes do offices of truth, their words
Are natural breath: but howsoe'er you have
Been justled from your senses, know for certain
That I am Prospero, and that very duke
Which was thrust forth of Milan; who most
strangely
[landed,

Upon this shore, where you were wrack'd, was
To be the lord on 't. No more yet of this;
For 't is a chronicle of day by day,
Not a relation for a breakfast, nor
Befitting this first meeting. Welcome, sir;
This cell's my court: here have I few attendants,
And subjects none abroad: pray you, look in,
My dukedom since you have given me again,
I will requite you with as good a thing;
At least, bring forth a wonder to content ye,
As much as me my dukedom.

The entrance of the Cell opens, and discovers FERDI-
NAND anul MIRANDA playing at chess.
Mira. Sweet lord, you play me false.
Fer.
No, my dearest love,
[wrangle,
Mira. Yes. for a score of kingdoms you should

I would not for the world.

There, sir, stop;

Let us not burthen our remembrances with A heaviness that's gone.

Gon.

I have inly wept,

Or should have spoke ere this. Look down, you gods,
And on this couple drop a blessed crown;
For it is you that have chalk'd forth the way
Which brought us hither!

Alon.
I say, amen, Gonzalo!
Gon. Was Milan thrust from Milan, that his issue
Should become kings of Naples? O, rejoice
Beyond a cominon joy; and set it down
With gold on lasting pillars: In one voyage
Did Claribel her husband find at Tunis:
And Ferdinand, her brother, found a wife
Where he himself was lost; Prospero, his dukedom,
In a poor isle; and all of us, ourselves,
When no man was his own.
Alon.

Give me your hands:

[To FER and MIR. embrace his heart

Be 't so! Amen!

Let grief and sorrow still
That doth not wish you joy!
Gon.
Re-enter ARIEL, with the Master and Boatswain
amazedly following.

O look, sir, look, sir; here are more of us!
I prophesied if a gallows were on land,
That swear'st grace o'erboard, not an oath on shore?
This fellow could not drown; now, blasphemy,
Hast thou no mouth by land? What is the news?

Boats. The best news is that we have safely found
Our king, and company: the next our ship,-
Which, but three glasses since, we gave out split,-
Is tight, and yare, and bravely rigg'd, as when
We first put out to sea.
Ari.
Sir, all this service
Have I done since I went.

Pro.

-Aside

My tricksy spirit!

Alon. These are not natural events; they

strengthen.

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;
Set Caliban and his companions free:

Untie the spell. [Exit ARIEL.] How fares my gracious sir?

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.

Seb.

Ha, ha!

What things are these, my Lord Antomo? 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 wine? Alon. And Trinculo is reeling ripe: Where should they 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. Stc. O, touch me not; I am not Stephano but a Pro. You'd be king o' the isle, sirrah? Ste. I should have been a sore one then. Alon. This is as strange thing as e'er I look'd on. [Pointing to CAL 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 ny 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!

Seb. Or stole it, rather.

[Exeunt CAL, STE., and TRIN. 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-belov'd solemnized; 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!-[asile.] Please you draw near. [Exeunt

EPILOGUE.

Spoken by PROSPERO.

Now my charms are all o'erthrown,
And what strength I have 's mine own;
Which is most faint: now 't is true,
I must be here contin'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.
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't be,
Let your indulgence set me free.

DUKE OF MILAN, father to Silvia. VALENTINE and PROTEUS, gentlemen of Verona.

ANTONIO, father to Proteus.
THUR 0, a foolish riva! to Valentine.
EGL MOUR, agent for Silvia in her escape.
SPEED, a clownish servant to Valentine.
LAUNCE, servant to Proteus.

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: Wer't 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 beadsman, 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.

Val. "Tis true; for you are over boots in love; And yet you never swam the Hellespont.

Pro. Over the boots? nay, give me not the boots.
Val. No, I'll not, for it boots thee not.
Pro. What?

[groans; Val. To be in love, where scorn is bought with 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 fool, 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. Of Milan, let us hear from thee by letters, At 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. [Exit VALENTINE. Pro. He after honour hunts, I after love: He leaves his friends, to dignify them more; leave myself, my friends, and all for love. Made me neglect my studies, lose my time, Thou, Julia, thou hast metamorphos'd me; 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 [Milan.

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

Pro. Indeed a sheep doth very often stray, An if the shepherd be a while away. Speed. You conclude that my master is a shopherd then, and I a sheep?

Pro. I do. [whether I wake or sleep. Speed. Why, then, my horns are his horns. 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 ny 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. [best stick her. Speed. If the ground be overcharg'd, you were Pro. Nay, in that you are astray; 'twere best pound you. [for carrying your letter. Speed. Nay, sir, less than a pound shall serve me Pro. You mistake; I mean the pound, a pinfold. Speed. From a pound to a pin? fold it over and [lover. "Tis threefold too little for carrying a letter to your Pro. But what said she? did she nod? Speed. I. 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.

over,

[SPEED nods.

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. [with you. Speed. Well, I perceive, I must be fain to bear Pro. Why, sir, how do you bear with me? 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. [said she? Pro. Come, come, open the matter in brief; what Speed. Open your purse, that the money and the matter may be both at once deliver'd [said she? Pro. Well, sir, here is for your pains: What 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, I thank you, you have testern'd me; in requital whereof, henceforth carry your letters yourself: and so, sir, I'll commend you to my master. [wreck: Pro. Go, go, be gone, to save your ship from Which cannot perish, having thee aboard, Being destined to a drier death on shore :I must go send some better messenger; I fear my Julia would not deign my lines, Receiving them from such a worthless post.

SCENE II.-The same.

[Exeunt.

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 unheed

fully.

Jul. Of all the fair resort of gentlemen,

That every day with parle encounter me, In thy opinion, which is worthiest love?"

According to my shallow simple skill.
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 means this passion at his
name?

Luc. Pardon, dear madam; 'tis a passing shame,
That I, unworthy body as I am,
Should censure thus on lovely gentlemen.
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. I think him so, because I think him so. [himi Jul. And would'st thou have me cast my love or 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 shows his love but small Luc. Fire, that is closest kept, burns most of all Jul. They do not love, that do not show their love Luc. Oh! 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 show.
Jul. Say, say; who gave it thee?
Luc. Sir Valentine's page; and sent, I think
from Proteus:

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 Jul. Will you be gone?

[hate

[Exit

Luc. That you may ruminate. Jul. And yet I would I had o'erlooked 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, Ay Fie, fie! how wayward is this foolish love, That, like a testy babe, will scratch the nurse, And presently, all humbled, kiss the rod! How churlishly I chid Lucetta hence, When willingly I would have had her here! How angrily I taught my brow to frown, When inward joy enforc'd my heart to smile! My penance is, to call Lucetta back, And ask remission for my folly past :What ho! Lucetta!

my mind

Luc. Nothing.

Jul. Why did'st 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. [rhyme. Jul. Some love of your's hath writ to you in 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?

Luc. I cannot reach so high.

Jul. Let's see your song;-How, now, minion?
Luc. Keep tune there still, so ou will 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.

[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,

I throw thy name against the bruising stones,
Trampling contemptuously on thy disdain.
Look, here is writ-"love-wounded Proteus:"—
Poor wounded name! my bosom, as a bed, [heal'd;
Shall lodge thee, till thy wound be thoroughly
And thus I search it with a sovereign kiss.
But twice, or thrice, was Proteus written down?
Be calm, good wind, blow not a word away,
Till I have found each letter in the letter, [bear
Except mine own name; that some whirlwind
Unto a ragged, fearful, hanging rock,
And throw it thence into the raging sea!
Lo, here in one line is his name twice writ,—
"Poor forlorn Proteus, passionate Proteus,
To the sweet Julia;" that I'll tear away;
And yet I will not, sith so prettily
He couples it to his complaining names:
Thus will I fold them one upon another;
Now kiss, embrace, contend, do what you will.
Reenter LUCETTA.

Luc. Madam, dinner's ready, and your father stays.
Jul. Well, let us go.
[here?
Luc. What, shall these papers lie like tell-tales
Jul. If you respect them, best to take them up!
Luc. Nay, I was taken up for laying them down:
Yet here they shall not lie, for catching cold.

Jul. I see, you have a month's mind to them. Luc. Ay, madam, you may say what sights you see;

I see things too, although you judge I wink.

SCENE III.-The same.-A Room in
Antonio's House.

Enter ANTONIO and PANTIIINO.
Ant. Tell me, Panthino, what sad talk was that,
Wherewith my brother held you in the cloister?
Pan. "Twas of his nephew Proteus, your son.
Ant. Why, what of him?

Pan. He wonder'd that your lordship
Would suffer him to spend his youth at home.
While other men, of slender reputation,
Put forth their sons to seek preferment out:
Some to the wars, to try their fortune there;
Some to discover islands far away;
Some to the studious universities.
For any, or for all these exercises,
He said that Proteus, your son, was meet;
And did request me to importune you,
To let him spend his time no more at home,
Which would be great impeachment to his age,
In having known no travel in his youth.

Ant. Nor need'st thou much importune me to that
Whereon this month I have been hammering.
I have consider'd well his loss of time;
And how he cannot be a perfect man,
Not being try'd and tutor'd in the world:
Experience is by industry achiev'd,
And perfected by the swift course of time:
Then, tell me, whither were I best to send him?
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.

[him thither:

Pan. "Twere good, I think, your lordship sent 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 advised;
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 despatch him to the emperor's court.
Pant. To-morrow, may it please you, Don
Alphonso,

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 go. 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:
Oh! that our fathers would applaud our loves,
To seal our happiness with their consents!
Oh, 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