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PROSPERO.

The fringed curtains of thine eye advance,

And say what thou seest yond.

MIRANDA.

What is't? a spirit?

Lord, how it looks about! Believe me, sir,

It carries a brave form. But 'tis a spirit.

PROSPERO.

No, wench; it eats and sleeps and hath such senses

As we have, such. This gallant which thou seest

Was in the wreck; and but he's something stain'd

With grief, that's beauty's canker, thou mightst call him

A goodly person. He hath lost his fellows,

And strays about to find 'em.

MIRANDA.

I might call him

A thing divine; for nothing natural

I ever saw so noble.

PROSPERO.

[Aside] It goes on, I see,

As my soul prompts it. Spirit, fine spirit! I'll free thee

Within two days for this.

FERDINAND.

Most sure, the goddess

On whom these airs attend! Vouchsafe my pray'r

May know if you remain upon this island;

And that you will some good instruction give

How I may bear me here. My prime request,

Which I do last pronounce, is, O you wonder!

If you be maid or no?

MIRANDA.

No wonder, sir;

But certainly a maid.

FERDINAND.

My language? Heavens!

I am the best of them that speak this speech,

Were I but where 'tis spoken.

PROSPERO.

How? the best?

What wert thou, if the King of Naples heard thee?

FERDINAND.

A single thing, as I am now, that wonders

To hear thee speak of Naples. He does hear me;

And that he does I weep. Myself am Naples,

Who with mine eyes, never since at ebb, beheld

The King my father wreck'd.

MIRANDA.

Alack, for mercy!

FERDINAND.

Yes, faith, and all his lords, the Duke of Milan

And his brave son being twain.

PROSPERO.

[Aside] The Duke of Milan

And his more braver daughter could control thee,

If now 'twere fit to do't. At the first sight

They have chang'd eyes. Delicate Ariel,

I'll set thee free for this. [To FERDINAND] A word, good sir;

I fear you have done yourself some wrong; a word.

MIRANDA.

Why speaks my father so ungently? This

Is the third man that e'er I saw; the first

That e'er I sigh'd for. Pity move my father

To be inclin'd my way!

FERDINAND.

O, if a virgin,

And your affection not gone forth, I'll make you

The Queen of Naples.

PROSPERO.

Soft, Sir! one word more.

[Aside] They are both in either's pow'rs; but this swift busines

I must uneasy make, lest too light winning

Make the prize light. [To FERDINAND] One word more; I

charge thee

That thou attend me; thou dost here usurp

The name thou ow'st not; and hast put thyself

Upon this island as a spy, to win it

From me, the lord on't.

FERDINAND.

No, as I am a man.

MIRANDA.

There's nothing ill can dwell in such a temple.

If the ill spirit have so fair a house,

Good things will strive to dwell with't.

PROSPERO.

Follow me.

Speak not you for him; he's a traitor. Come;

I'll manacle thy neck and feet together.

Sea-water shalt thou drink; thy food shall be

The fresh-brook mussels, wither'd roots, and husks

Wherein the acorn cradled. Follow.

FERDINAND.

No;

I will resist such entertainment till

Mine enemy has more power.

[He draws, and is charmed from moving]

MIRANDA.

O dear father,

Make not too rash a trial of him, for

He's gentle, and not fearful.

PROSPERO.

What, I say,

My foot my tutor? Put thy sword up, traitor;

Who mak'st a show but dar'st not strike, thy conscience

Is so possess'd with guilt. Come from thy ward;

For I can here disarm thee with this stick

And make thy weapon drop.

MIRANDA.

Beseech you, father!

PROSPERO.

Hence! Hang not on my garments.

MIRANDA.

Sir, have pity;

I'll be his surety.

PROSPERO.

Silence! One word more

Shall make me chide thee, if not hate thee. What!

An advocate for an impostor! hush!

Thou think'st there is no more such shapes as he,

Having seen but him and Caliban. Foolish wench!

To th' most of men this is a Caliban,

And they to him are angels.

MIRANDA.

My affections

Are then most humble; I have no ambition

To see a goodlier man.

PROSPERO.

Come on; obey.

Thy nerves are in their infancy again,

And have no vigour in them.