 | The tempest |  |
SCENE VI.
Enter Miranda.—Prospero, at a distance, unseen.MIRANDA.
Sir, my lord; where are you?
FERDINAND.
Is it your voice, my love; or do I dream?
MIRANDA.
Speak softly, it is I.
FERDINAND.
O heavenly creature!
Ten times more gentle than your father's cruel.
MIRANDA.
How do you bear your prison?
26
'Tis my palace,
Whilst you are here.
Admir'd Miranda, many a lady
I've ey'd with best regard; but you. O you,
So perfect, and so peerless, are created
Of every creature best.
AIR.
In some defect each grace was lost,
Which touch'd my heart: in thee are join'd
The noblest form the earth can boast,
With heavenly innocence of mind.
Which touch'd my heart: in thee are join'd
The noblest form the earth can boast,
With heavenly innocence of mind.
MIRANDA.
I do not know one of my sex, nor have I
Seen more men than you, and my dear father;
How features are abroad, I'm skilless of:
I wish not any companion but you;
Nor can imagination form a shape,
Besides yourself, to like of.
FERDINAND.
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.
27
Do you love me?
FERDINAND.
O heav'n! O earth! bear witness to this sound,
And crown what I profess with kind event;
Beyond all limit of ought else i' th' world,
I do love you.
AIR.
MIRANDA.
How can I speak my secret pain?
Yet how that secret pain conceal?
Alas! my silence is in vain!
My looks my inmost thoughts reveal.
O, mighty-love! thy power is divine;
I own its force, and thus my heart resign.
Then hence with bashful cunning,
And prompt me, plain and holy innocence:
I am your wife, sir, if you approve it.
FERDINAND.
Ay, with a heart so willing,
As bondage e'er of freedom: here's my hand.
MIRANDA.
And mine with my heart in't: now farewell.
[Exe.
| The tempest | |