Enter MIRANDA; and PROSPERO at a distance. Mir. Alas, now! pray you, Work not so hard: I would the lightning had Burnt up those logs, that you are enjoin'd to pile! Pray, set it down, and rest you: when this burns, "Twill weep for having wearied you. My father Is hard at study; pray, now, rest yourself;

He's safe for these three hours.

Fer.
The sun will set, before I shall discharge

O most dear mistress

What I must strive to do.

Mir.

If you 'll sit down,

I'll bear your logs the while: pray, give me that; I'll carry it to the pile.

Fer.

No, precious creature ;

I had rather crack my sinews, break my back,
Than you should such dishonor undergo,

While I sit lazy by.

Mir.

It would become me

As well as it does you and I should do it

With much more ease; for my good will is to it,

Fer. No, noble mistress; 'tis fresh morning with

me,

When you are by at night.

I do beseech you,

(Chiefly that I might set it in my prayers) What is your name?

Mir.

Miranda :- O my father,

I have broke your hest1 to say so!

Fer.

Admired Miranda!

Indeed, the top of admiration; worth
What's dearest to the world! Full many a lady
I have eyed with best regard; and many a time
The harmony of their tongues hath into bondage
Brought my too diligent ear: for several virtues
Have I liked several women; never any

With so full soul, but some defect in her
Did quarrel with the noblest grace she owed,
And put it to the foil: But you, O you,
So perfect, and so peerless are created
Of every creature's best."

Mir.

I do not know

One of my sex; no woman's face remember,
Save, from my glass, mine own; nor have I seen
More that I may call men, than you, good friend,
And my dear father: how features are abroad,
I am skill-less of; but, by my modesty,
The jewel in my dower, I would not wish
Any companion in the world but you;
Nor can imagination form a shape,

Besides yourself, to like of: but I prattle
Something too wildly, and my father's precepts
I therein do forget.

3 Made it doubtful whether the virtue or the defect preponderated.

• Alluding to the picture of Venus by Apelles.

Fer.

I am, in my condition,

A prince, Miranda; I do think, a king;

(I would, not so!) and would no more endure This wooden slavery, than to suffer

The flesh-fly blow my mouth. Hear my soul speak:

The very instant that I saw you,

did

My heart fly to your service; there resides,

To make me slave to it; and, for your sake,
Am I this patient log-man.

Mir.

Do you love me?

Fer. O heaven, O earth, bear witness to this

sound,

And crown what I profess with kind event.

If I speak true; if hollowly, invert

What best is boded me, to mischief! I

Beyond all limit of what else 2 i' the world,
Do love, prize, honor you.

Mir.

I am a fool,

Fair encounter

To weep at what I am glad of.

Pro.

Of two most rare affections! Heavens rain grace On that which breeds between them!

Fer.

Wherefore weep you?

Mir. At mine unworthiness, that dare not offer What I desire to give; and much less take, What I shall die to want. But this is trifling ; And all the more it seeks to hide itself,

1 Swell and inflame my mouth.

2. Of aught else.

The bigger bulk it shows. Hence, bashful cunning!
And prompt me, plain and holy innocence !
I am your wife, if you will marry me ;
If not, I'll die your maid to be your fellow
You may deny me; but I'll be your servant,
Whether you will or no.

Fer.

My mistress, dearest ;

And I thus humble ever.

Mir.

My husband then ?

Fer. Ay, with a heart as willing

As bondage e'er of freedom: here's my hand,

Mir. And mine, with my heart in 't: and now

farewell,

Till half an hour hence.

Fer.

A thousand! thousand!

[Exeunt Fer. and Mir.

Pro. So glad of this as they, I cannot be, Who are surprised with all; but my rejoicing At nothing can be more. I'll to my

book;

For yet, ere supper time, must I perform
Much business appertaining.

[Exit.

SCENE II.

Another part of the island.

Enter STEPHANO and TRINCULO; CALIBAN following with a bottle.

Ste. Tell not me ;-when the butt is out, we will drink water; not a drop before: therefore bear up. and board 'em. Servant-monster, drink to me.