Mira. Sir, most heedfully. Pro. Being once perfected how to grant suits, The creatures that were mine; I say, or chang'd them, To what tune pleas'd his ear; that now he was And suck'd my verdure out on't.-Thou attend'st not: Mira. O good sir, I do. Pro. I thus neglecting worldly ends, all dedicate As my trust was; which had, indeed, no limit, But what my power might else exact, like one, Mira. Your tale, sir, would cure deafness. Pro. 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) with the 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. Mira. O the heavens! Pro. Mark his condition, and the event; then tell me, If this might be a brother. I should sin Mira. Pro. Now the condition. This king of Naples, being an enemy To me inveterate, hearkens my brother's suit; Out of the dukedom; and confer fair Milan, The gates of Milan; and, i'the dead of darkness, Mira. Alack, for pity! That wrings mine eyes. Pro. Hear a little further, And then I'll bring thee to the present business Which now's upon us; without the which, this story Were most impertinent. Mira. That hour destroy us? Pro. Wherefore did they not 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. Bore us some leagues to sea; where they prepar'd To cry to the sea that roar'd to us; to sigh Mira. Was I then to you! Pro. Alack! what trouble O! a cherubim Thou wast, that did preserve me! Thou didst smile, When I have deck'd the sea with drops full salt; An undergoing stomach, to bear up Against what should ensue. Mira. Pro. By Providence divine. How came we ashore? Some food we had, and some fresh water, that Out of his charity (who being then appointed Rich garments, linens, stuffs, and necessaries, I prize above my dukedom. Mira. But ever see that man! Pro. 'Would I might Now I arise: Sit still, and hear the last of our sea-sorrow. Here in this island we arriv'd; and here Have I, thy school-master, made thee more profit Than other princes can, that have more time For vainer hours, and tutors not so careful. [you, sir, Mira. Heavens thank you for't! And now, I pray (For still 'tis beating in my mind,) your reason For raising this sea-storm? Know thus far forth. Pro. If now I court not, but omit, my fortunes Enter ARIEL. Ari. 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 Pro. Hast thou, spirit, I boarded the king's ship; now on the beak, Pro. Ari. Some tricks of desperation: all, but mariners, Pro. Why, that's my spirit! But was not this nigh shore? Ari. Close by, my master. Pro. But are they, Ariel, safe? Not a hair perish'd; On their sustaining garments not a blemish, Pro. Of the king's ship, The mariners, say, how thou hast dispos'd, Ari. Whom, with a charm join'd to their suffer'd labour, Supposing that they saw the king's ship wreck'd, Ariel, thy charge Pro. Past the mid season. Ari. Pro. At least two glasses: the time 'twixt six and now, Must by us both be spent most preciously. Ari. Is there more toil? Since thou dost give me pains, Let me remember thee what thou hast promis'd, Which is not yet perform'd me. Pro. How now? moody? My liberty. I pray thee Pro. Before the time be out? no more. Ari. |