THE TEMPEST. ACT THE FIRST. SCENE I. The Cell of PROspero. Enter PROSPERO, meeting MIRANDA. Pro. Miranda, where's your sister? Mir. Sir, I saw her Climbing tow'rds yon high point, whence I am come Pro. Be collected; I shall do nothing but in care of thee, Of thee, my daughter, and thy pretty sister.- Nought knowing Of whence I am; nor that I am more better Mir. More to know Did never meddle with my thoughts. Pro. "Tis time, I should inform thee further.-Lend thy hand, [Lays down his Mantle and Wand. Lie there, my art.- That not so much perdition as a hair, For thou must now know further. Mir. You have often Begun to tell me what I am; but stopp'd, Pro. The hour's now come; The very minute bids thee ope thine ear; Canst thou remember [MIRANDA sits down. A time before we came unto this cell ? I do not think thou canst; for then thou wast not Mir. Certainly, sir, I can. Pro. By what? by any other house, or person? Of any thing the image tell me, that Hath kept with thy remembrance. Mir. 'Tis far off; And rather like a dream than an assurance That my remembrance warrants :-Had I not Four or five women once, that tended me? Pro. Thou hadst, and more, Miranda: But how is it, That this lives in thy mind? What see'st thou else If thou remember'st aught, ere thou cam'st here, Mir. But that I do not. |