Calib. I'll shew thee the best springs; I'll pluck thee berries; I'll fish for thee, and get thee wood enough. A curse upon the tyrant whom I serve! I'll bear him no more sticks, but follow thee. Trinc. The poor monster is loving in his drink. Calib. I pr'ythee let me bring thee where crabs grow; and I, with my long nails, will dig thee pignuts, shew thee a jay's nest, and instruct thee how to snare the marmozet: I'll bring thee to clustered filberts. Wilt thou go with me? Trinc. This monster comes of a good-natured race. Is there no more of thy kin in this island? Calib. Divine, here is but one besides myself; my lovely sister, beautiful and bright as the full moon! Trinc. Where is she? Calib. I left her clambering up a hollow oak, and plucking thence the dropping honey-combs.-Say, my king, shall I call her to thee? Trine. She shall swear upon the bottle too. If she proves handsome, she is mine.-Here, monster, drink again for thy good news; thou shalt speak a good word for me. [Gives him the bottle. Calib. Farewell, old master, farewell, farewell! SINGS. No more dams I'll make for fish; Has a new master, get a new man. Hey-day! freedom, freedom! and Trinc. Here's two subjects got already, the monster, and his sister: Well, duke Stephano, I say, say again, wars will ensue, and so I drinks. [Drinks.] From this worshipful monster, and mistress monster, his sister, I'll lay claim to this island by alliance.-Monster, I say, thy sister shall be my spouse; come away, brother monster; I'll lead thee to my butt, and drink her health. [Exeunt. SCENE II.-Cypress trees and a Cave. Enter PROSPERO alone. Prosp. 'Tis not yet fit to let my daughters know, I keep the infant duke of Mantua So near them in this isle; Whose father, dying, bequeathed him to my care; Till my false brother (when he designed to usurp My dukedom from me) exposed him to that fate, He meant for me. By calculation of his birth, I saw Death threat'ning him, if, till some time were past, Enter HIPPOLITO. Hip. Sir, I attend your pleasure. Prosp. How I have loved thee, from thy infancy, Heaven knows, and thou thyself canst bear me wit ness; Therefore accuse not me of thy restraint. Hip. Since I knew life, you've kept me in a rock; And you, this day, have hurried me from thence, Only to change my prison, not to free me. I murmur not, but I may wonder at it. Prosp. O, gentle youth! fate waits for thee abroad; A black star threatens thee; and death, unseen, Hip. You taught me Not to fear him in any of his shapes :-- Let me meet death rather than be a prisoner. VOL. III. I Hip. Sir, I have often heard you say, no crea ture Lived in this isle, but those which man was lord of. Why, then, should I fear? Prosp. But here are creatures which I named not to thee, Who share man's sovereignty by nature's laws, Hip. What are those creatures, sir? Prosp. Those dangerous enemies of men, called women. Hip. Women! I never heard of them before.What are women like? Prosp. Imagine something between young men and angels; Fatally beauteous, and have killing eyes; They are all enchantment: Those, who once behold them, Are made their slaves for ever. Hip. Then I will wink, and fight with them. They'll haunt you in your very sleep. Hip. Then I'll revenge it on them when I wake. Prosp. You are without all possibility of revenge; They are so beautiful, that you can ne'er attempt, Nor wish, to hurt them. Hip. Are they so beautiful? Prosp. Calm sleep is not so soft; nor winter suns, Nor summer shades, so pleasant. Hip. Can they be fairer than the plumes of swans? Or more delightful than the peacock's feathers? Or than the gloss upon the necks of doves? Or have more various beauty than the rainbow?--These I have seen, and, without danger, wondered at. Prosp. All these are far below them: Nature made Nothing but woman dangerous and fair. Hip. Well, since you say they are so dangerous, I shall not then forbear them. Prosp. Go in, and read the book I gave you last. To-morrow I may bring you better news. Hip. I shall obey you, sir. [Exit HIP. Prosp. So, so; I hope this lesson has secured him, For I have been constrained to change his lodging For hitherto he hath been all obedience: And yet there is one sullen cloud behind: I would it were dispersed! Enter MIRANDA and DORInda. How, my daughters! I thought I had instructed them enough: Mir. It is within our bounds, sir. Prosp. But both take heed, that path is very dangerous; remember what I told Dor. Is the man that way, sir? you. Prosp. All that you can imagine ill is there. The curled lion, and the rugged bear, Are not so dreadful as that man. Mir. Oh me, why stay we here then? Dor. I'll keep far enough from his den, I warrant him. Mir. But you have told me, sir, you are a man ; And yet you are not dreadful. Prosp. Ay, child; but I Am a tame man; old men are tame by nature, Dor. Do they run wild about the woods? Prosp. No, they are wild within doors, in chambers, and in closets. Dor. But, father, I would stroak them, and make them gentle; then sure they would not hurt me. Prosp. You must not trust them, child: No woman can come near them, but she feels a pain, full nine months. Well, I must in; for new affairs require my presence: Be you, Miranda, your sister's guardian. [Exit PROS. Dor. Come, sister, shall we walk the other way? The man will catch us else: We have but two legs, And he, perhaps, has four. Mir. Well, sister, though he have; yet look about you. Dor. Come back! that way is towards his den. he can Devour but one of us at once. Dor. How dare you venture? Mir. We'll find him sitting like a hare in's form, And he shall not see us. Dor. Ay, but you know my father charged us both. Mir. But who shall tell him on't? we'll keep each other's counsel. Dar. I dare not, for the world. Mir. But how shall we hereafter shun him, if we do not know him first? Dor. Nay, I confess I would fain see him too. |