Alon. These are not natural events; they strengthen

From strange to stranger. Say, how came you hither? Boats. If I did think, sir, I were well awake,

Ari.

I'ld strive to tell you. We were dead of sleep, 230
And how we know not-all clapp'd under hatches;
Where, but even now, with strange and several noises
Of roaring, shrieking, howling, jingling chains,
And mo diversity of sounds, all horrible,
We were awaked; straightway, at liberty;
Where we, in all her trim, freshly beheld
Our royal, good, and gallant ship; our master
Capering to eye her :-on a trice, so please you,
Even in a dream, were we divided from them,
And were brought moping hither.

[Aside to Pros.] Was 't well done? 240 Pros. [Aside to Ari.] Bravely, my diligence. Thou shalt

be free.

Alon. This is as strange a maze as e'er men trod;

Pros.

And there is in this business more than nature

Was ever conduct of: some oracle

Must rectify our knowledge.

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. [Aside to Ari.] Come

hither, spirit:

251

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!

Seb.

Ant.

How fine my master is! I am afraid
He will chastise me.

Ha, ha!

What things are these, my lord Antonio?
Will money buy 'em?

260

Very like; one of them Is a plain fish, and, no doubt, marketable. Pros. 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

271

Find this grand liquor that hath gilded 'em ?— 280
How camest 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!

Ste. O, touch me not;-I am not Stephano, but a cramp.

Pros. You'ld be king o' the isle, sirrah?

Ste. I should have been a sore one, then.

Alon. This is a strange thing as e'er I look'd on.

[Pointing to Caliban.

Pros. 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 my pardon, trim it handsomely.
Cal. Ay, that I will; and I'll be wise hereafter,

Pros.

And seek for grace. What a thrice-double ass
Was I, to take this drunkard for a god,

And worship this dull fool!

Go to; away!

290

Alon. Hence, and bestow your luggage where you found it. Seb. Or stole it, rather.

[Exeunt Cal., Ste., and Trin.

Pros. 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

300

Alon.

Pros.

Of these our dear-beloved solemnized;
And thence retire me to my Milan, where
Every third thought shall be my grave.

I long

To hear the story of your life, which must
Take the ear strangely.

I'll deliver all;

And promise you calm seas, auspicious gales,
And sail so expeditious, that shall catch

Your royal fleet far off. [Aside to Ari.] My
Ariel, chick,

That is thy charge: then to the elements

Be free, and fare thou well! Please you, draw

near.

[Exeunt.

310

EPILOGUE.

Spoken by Prospero.

Now my charms are all o'erthrown,
And what strength I have's mine own,
Which is most faint: now, 'tis true,
I must be here confined 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.

ΙΟ

Which was to please. Now I want
Spirits to enforce, art to enchant;
And my ending is despair,
Unless I be relieved by prayer,
Which pierces so, that it assaults
Mercy itself, and frees all faults.
As you from crimes would pardon'd be,
Let your indulgence set me free.

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