University of Virginia Library

SCENE 2.

The Cypress-trees and Cave.
Enter Prospero and Miranda.
Prosp.

Excuse it not, Miranda, for to you (the elder, and I
thought the more discreet) I gave the conduct of your Sisters
actions.

Mir.

Sir, when you call'd me thence, I did not fail to mind
her of her duty to depart.

Prosp.

How can I think you did remember hers, when you
forgot your own? did you not see the man whom I commanded
you to shun?

Mir.
I must confess I saw him at a distance.

Prosp.
Did not his Eyes infect and poison you?
What alteration found you in your self?

Mir.
I onely wondred at a sight so new.

Prosp.
But have you no desire once more to see him?
Come, tell me truly what you think of him?

Mir.

As of the gayest thing I ever saw, so fine, that it appear'd
more fit to be belov'd than feard, and seem'd so near
my kind, that I did think I might have call'd it Sister.

Prosp.

You do not love it?

Mir.

How is it likely that I should, except the thing had first
lov'd me?

Prosp.
Cherish those thoughts: you have a gen'rous soul;
And since I see your mind not apt to take the light
Impressions of a sudden love, I will unfold
A secret to your knowledge.
That Creature which you saw, is of a kind which
Nature made a prop and guide to yours.

Mir.

Why did you then propose him as an object of terrour
to my mind? you never us'd to teach me any thing but God-like
truths, and what you said, I did believe as sacred.

Prosp.
I fear'd the pleasing form of this young man
Might unawares possess your tender breast,
Which for a nobler guest I had design'd;
For shortly, my Miranda, you shall see another of this kind,
The full-blown Flower, of which this Youth was but the
Op'ning Bud. Go in, and send your Sister to me.

Mir.
Heav'n still preserve you, Sir.
[Exit Miranda.

Prosp.
And make thee fortunate.
Enter Dorinda.
O, Come hither, you have seen a man to day,
Against my strict command.

Dor.
Who I? indeed I saw him but a little, Sir.

Prosp.
Come, come, be clear. Your Sister told me all.

Dor.
Did she? truly she would have seen him more then I,
But that I would not let her.

Prosp.
Why so?

Dor.
Because, methought, he would have hurt me less
Then he would her. But if I knew you'd not be angry
With me, I could tell you, Sir, that he was much to blame.

Prosp.
Hah! was he to blame?

Tell me, with that sincerity I taught you, how you became so
bold to see the man?

Dor.

I hope you will forgive me, Sir, because I did not see
him much till he saw me. Sir, he would needs come in my way,
and star'd, and star'd upon my face; and so I thought I would
be reveng'd of him, and therefore I gaz'd on him as long; but
if I e'r come near a man again—

Prosp.

I told you he was dangerous; but you would not be
warn'd.

Dor.

Pray be not angry, Sir, if I tell you, you are mistaken in
him; for he did me no great hurt.

Prosp.

But he may do you more harm hereafter.

Dor.
No, Sir, I'm as well as e'r I was in all my life,
But that I cannot eat nor drink for thought of him.
That dangerous man runs ever in my mind.

Prosp.
The way to cure you, is no more to see him.

Dor.
Nay pray, Sir, say not so, I promis'd him
To see him once agen; and you know, Sir,
You charg'd me I should never break my promise.

Prosp.
Wou'd you see him who did you so much mischief?

Dor.
I warrant you I did him as much harm as he did me;
For when I left him, Sir, he sigh'd so, as it griev'd
My heart to hear him.

Prosp.
Those sighs were poisonous, they infected you:
You say, they griev'd you to the heart.

Dor.
'Tis true; but yet his looks and words were gentle.

Prosp.
These are the Day-dreams of a Maid in Love.
But still I fear the worst.

Dor.
O fear not him, Sir.

Prosp.
You speak of him with too much passion; tell me
(And on your duty tell me true, Dorinda)
What past betwixt you and that horrid creature?

Dor.

How, horrid, Sir? if any else but you should call it so,
indeed I should be angry.

Prosp.

Go too! you are a foolish Girl; but answer to what
I ask, what thought you when you saw it?

Dor.
At first it star'd upon me, and seem'd wild,
And then I trembled, yet it look'd so lovely, that when
I would have fled away, my feet seem'd fasten'd to the ground,
Then it drew near, and with amazement ask'd
To touch my hand; which, as a ransome for my life,
I gave: but when he had it, with a furious gripe
He put it to his mouth so eagerly, I was afraid he
Would have swallow'd it.

Prosp.
Well, what was his behaviour afterwards?

Dor.
He on a sudden grew so tame and gentle,
That he became more kind to me than you are;
Then, Sir, I grew I know not how, and touching his hand
Agen my heart did beat so strong, as I lack'd breath
To answer what he ask'd.

Prosp.
You have been too fond, and I should chide you for it.

Dor.
Then send me to that Creature to be punish d.

Prosp.
Poor Child! thy passion, like a lazy Ague,
Has seiz'd thy bloud, instead of striving, thou humour'st
And feed st thy languishing disease: thou fight'st
The Battels of thy Enemy, and 'tis one part of what
I threatn'd thee, not to perceive thy danger.

Dor.
Danger, Sir?
If he would hurt me, yet he knows not how:
He hath no Claws, nor Teeth, nor Horns to hurt me,
But look, about him like a Callow-bird,
Just straggl'd from the Nest: pray trust me, Sir,
To go to him agen.

Prosp.
Since you will venture,
I charge you bear your self reserv'dly to him,
Let him not dare to touch your naked hand,
But keep at distance from him.

Dor.
This is hard.

Prosp.
It is the way to make him love you more;
He will despise you if you grow too kind.

Dor.
I'l struggle with my heart to follow this,
But if I lose him by it, will you promise
To bring him back agen?

Prosp.
Fear not, Dorinda;
But use him ill, and he'l be yours for ever.

Dor.
I hope you have not couzen'd me agen.
[Exit Dor.

Prosp.
Now my designs are gathering to a head.
My spirits are obedient to my charms.
What, Ariel! my servant Ariel, where art thou?

Enter Ariel.
Ariel.
What wou'd my potent Master? Here I am.

Prosp.
Thou and thy meaner fellows your last service
Did worthily perform, and I must use you in such another
Work: how goes the day?

Ariel.

On the fourth, my Lord, and on the sixth, you said our
work should cease.

Prosp.
And so it shall;
And thou shalt have the open air at freedom.

Ariel.
Thanks, my great Lord.

Prosp.
But tell me first, my Spirit,
How fares the Duke, my Brother, and their followers?

Ariel.
Confin'd together, as you gave me order,
In the Lime-grove, which weather-fends your Cell;
Within that Circuit up and down they wander,
But cannot stir one step beyond their compass.

Prosp.
How do they bear their sorrows?

Ariel.
The two Dukes appear like men distracted, their
Attendants brim full of sorrow mourning over 'em;
Put chiefly, he you term'd the good Gonzalo:
His Tears run down his Beard, like Winter-drops
From Eaves of Reeds, your Vision did so work 'em,
That if you now beheld 'em, your affections
Would become tender.

Prosp.
Do'st thou think so, Spirit?

Ariel.
Mine would, Sir, were I humane.

Prosp.
And mine shall:
Hast thou, who art but air, a touch a feeling of their
Afflictions, and shall not I (a man like them, one
Who as sharply rellish passions as they) be kindlier
Mov'd then thou art? though they have pierc'd
Me to the quick with injuries, yet with my nobler
Reason 'gainst my fury I will take part;
The rarer action is in vertue than in vengeance.
Go, my Ariel, refresh with needful food their
Famish'd bodies. With shows and cheerful
Musick comfort 'em.

Ariel.
Presently, Master.

Prosp.
With a twinkle, Ariel, But stay, my Spirit;
What is become of my Slave Caliban,
And Sycorax his Sister?

Ariel.
Potent Sir!
They have cast off your service, and revolted
To the wrack'd Marriners, who have already
Parcell'd your Island into Governments.

Prosp.
No matter I have now no need of 'em.
But, Spirit, now I stay thee on the Wing;
Hast to perform what I have given in charge:
But see they keep within the bounds I set 'em.

Ariel.
I'l keep 'em in with Walls of Adamant,
Invisible as air to mortal eyes,
But yet unpassable.

Prosp.
Make hast then.

[Exeunt severally.