 | The Tempest, or The Enchanted Island |  |
ACT V.
Enter Prospero and Miranda.Prosp.
You beg in vain; I cannot pardon him,
He has offended Heaven.
Mir.
Then let Heaven punish him.
Prosp.
It will by me.
Mir.
Grant him at least some respite for my sake.
Prosp.
I by deferring Justice should incense the Deity
Against my self and you.
Mir.
Yet I have heard you say, The Powers above are slow
In punishing, and shou'd not you resemble them?
Prosp.
The Argument is weak, but I want time
To let you see your errours; retire, and, if you love him,
Pray for him.
[He's going.
Mir.
And can you be his Judge and Executioner?
Prosp.
I cannot force Gonzalo or my Brother, much
Less the Father to destroy thee Son, it must
Be then the Monster Caliban, and he's not here;
But Ariel strait shall fetch him.
Enter Ariel.
Ariel.
My Potent Lord, before thou call'st, I come,
To serve thy will.
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Then, Spirit, fetch me here my salvage Slave.
Ariel.
My Lord, it does not need.
Prosp.
Art thou then prone to mischief, wilt thou be thy self
the Executioner?
Ariel.
Think better of thy Aiery Minister, who,
For thy sake, unbidden, this night has flown
O'r almost all the habitable World.
Prosp.
But to what purpose was all thy diligence?
Ariel.
When I was chidden by my mighty Lord for my
Neglect of young Hippolito, I went to view
His Body, and soon found his Soul was but retir'd,
Not sally'd out: then I collected
The best of Simples underneath the Moon,
The best of Balms, and to the wound apply'd
The healing juice of vulnerary Herbs.
His onely danger was his loss of bloud, but now
He's wak'd, my Lord, and just this hour
He must be dress'd again, as I have done it.
Anoint the Sword which pierc'd him with this
Weapon-Salve, and wrap it close from Air till
I have time to visit him again.
Prosp.
Thou art my faithful Servant,
It shall be done, be it your task, Miranda, because your
Sister is not present here, while I go visit your
Dear Ferdinand, from whom I will a while conceal
This news, that it may be more welcome.
Mir.
I obey you, and with a double duty, Sir: for now
You twice have given me life.
Prosp.
My Ariel, follow me.
[Exeunt severally.
[Hippolito discover'd on a Couch, Dorinda by him.
Dor.
How do you find your self?
Hip.
I'm somewhat cold, can you not draw me nearer
To the Sun? I am too weak to walk.
Dor.
My Love, I'll try.
[She draws the Chair nearer the Audience.
I thought you never would have walk'd agen,
They told me you were gone away to Heaven;
Have you been there?
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I know not where I was.
Dor.
I will not leave till you promise me you
Will not die agen.
Hip.
Indeed I will not.
Dor.
You must not go to Heav'n, unless we go together;
For I've heard my Father say, that we must strive
To be each others guide, the way to it will else
Be difficult, especially to those who are so young.
But I much wonder what it is to die.
Hip.
Sure 'tis to dream, a kind of breathless sleep,
When once the Soul's gone out.
Dor.
What is the Soul?
Hip.
A small blew thing, that runs about within us.
Dor.
Then I have seen it in a frosty morning run
Smoaking from my mouth.
Hip.
But, dear Dorinda,
What is become of him who fought with me?
Dor.
O, I can tell you joyful news of him,
My Father means to make him die to day,
For what he did to you.
Hip.
That must not be, my dear Dorinda; go and beg your
Father, he may not die; it was my fault he hurt me,
I urg'd him to it first.
Dor.
But if he live, he'll never leave killing you.
Hip.
O no! I just remember when I fell asleep, I heard
Him calling me a great way off, and crying over me as
You wou'd do; besides we have no cause of quarrel now.
Dor.
Pray how began your difference first?
Hip.
I fought with him for all the Women in the World.
Dor.
That hurt you had was justly sent from Heaven,
For wishing to have any more but me.
Hip.
Indeed I think it was, but I repent it, the fault
Was onely in my bloud, for now 'tis gone, I find
I do not love so many.
Dor.
In confidence of this, I'l beg my Father, that he
May live; I'm glad the naughty bloud, that made
You love so many, is gone out.
Hip.
My dear, go quickly, lest you come too late.
[Exit Dor.
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Hip.
Who's this who looks so fair and beautiful, as
Nothing but Dorinda can surpass her? O!
I believe it is that Angel, Woman,
Whom she calls sister.
Mir.
Sir, I am sent hither to dress your wound;
How do you find your strength?
Hip.
Fair Creature, I am faint with loss of bloud.
Mir.
I'm sorry for't.
Hip.
Indeed and so am I, for if I had that bloud, I then
Should find a great delight in loving you.
Mir.
But, Sir, I am another's, and your love is given
Already to my Sister.
Hip.
Yet I find that, if you please, I can love still a little.
Mir.
I cannot be unconstant, nor shou'd you.
Hip.
O my wound pains me.
Mir.
I am come to ease you.
[She unwraps the Sword.
Hip.
Alas! I feel the cold Air come to me,
My wound shoots worse then ever.
[She wipes and anoints the Sword.
Mir.
Does it still grieve you?
Hip.
Now methinks there's something laid just upon it.
Mir.
Do you find no ease?
Hip.
Yes, yes, upon the sudden all the pain
Is leaving me: Sweet Heaven, how I am eas'd!
Enter Ferdinand and Dorinda to them.
Ferd.
(to Dor.)
Madam, I must confess my life is yours,
I owe it to your generosity.
Dor.
I am o'rjoy'd my Father lets you live, and proud
Of my good fortune, that he gave your life to me.
Mir.
How? gave his life to her!
Hip.
Alas! I think she said so, and he said he ow'd it
To her generosity.
Ferd.
But is not that your Sister with Hippolito?
Dor.
So kind already?
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I came to welcome life, and I have met the
Cruellest of deaths.
Hip.
My dear Dorinda with another man?
Dor.
Sister, what bus'ness have you here?
Mir.
You see I dress Hippolito.
Dor.
Y' are very charitable to a Stranger.
Mir.
You are not much behind in charity, to beg a pardon
For a man, whom you scarce ever saw before.
Dor.
Henceforward let your Surgery alone, for I had
Rather he should die, than you should cure his wound.
Mir.
And I wish Ferdinand had dy'd before
He ow'd his life to your entreaty.
Ferd.
(to Hip.)
Sir, I'm glad you are so well recover'd, you
Keep your humour still to have all Women.
Hip.
Not all, Sir, you except one of the number,
Your new Love there, Dorinda.
Mir.
Ah Ferdinand! can you become inconstant?
If I must lose you, I had rather death should take
You from me, than you take your self.
Ferd.
And if I might have chosen, I would have wish'd
That death from Prospero, and not this from you.
Dor.
I, now I find why I was sent away,
That you might have my Sisters company.
Hip.
Dorinda, kill me not with your unkindness,
This is too much, first to be false your self,
And then accuse me too.
Ferd.
We all accuse each other, and each one denies their guilt,
I should be glad it were a mutual errour.
And therefore first to clear my self from fault,
Madam, I beg your pardon, while I say I onely love
Your Sister.
[To Dorinda.
Mir.
O blest word!
I'm sure I love no man but Ferdinand.
Dor.
Nor I, Heaven knows, but my Hippolito.
Hip.
I never knew I lov'd so much; before I fear'd
Dorinda's constancy, but now I am convinc'd that
I lov'd none but her, because none else can
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Ferd.
'Twas happy then we had this little trial.
But how we all so much mistook, I know not.
Mir.
I have onely this to say in my defence: my Father sent
Me hither, to attend the wounded Stranger.
Dor.
And Hippolito sent me to beg the life of Ferdinand.
Ferd.
From such small errours left at first unheeded,
Have often sprung sad accidents in love:
But see, our Fathers and our Friends are come
To mix their joys with ours.
Enter Prospero, Alonzo, Antonio, Gonzalo.
Alon.
(to Prosp.)
Let it no more be thought of, your purpose,
Though it was severe, was just. In losing Ferdinand
I should have mourn'd, but could not have complain'd.
Prosp.
Sir, I am glad kind Heaven decreed it otherwise.
Dor.
O wonder!
How many goodly Creatures are there here!
How beauteous Mankind is!
Hip.
O brave new world, that has such People in't!
Alon.
(to Ferd.)
Now all the blessings of a glad Father
Compass thee about,
And make thee happy in thy beauteous choice.
Gonz.
I've inward wept, or should have spoken ere this.
Look down, sweet Heaven, and on this Couple drop
A blessed Crown, For it is you chalk'd out the
Way which brought us hither.
Ant.
Though penitence forc'd by necessity can scarce
Seem real, yet, dearest Brother, I have hope
My bloud may plead for pardon with you; I resign
Dominion, which, 'tis true, I could not keep,
But Heaven knows too, I would not.
Prosp.
All past crimes I bury in the joy of this
Blessed day.
Alonz.
And that I may not be behind in Justice, to this
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And as the Duke of Mantua thus salute him.
Hip.
What is it that you render back, methinks
You give me nothing.
Prosp.
You are to be Lord of a great People,
And o're Towns and Cities.
Hip.
And shall these People be all Men and Women?
Gonz.
Yes, and shall call you Lord.
Hip.
Why then I'll live no longer in a Prison, but
Have a whole Cave to my self hereafter.
Prosp.
And that your happiness may be compleat,
I give you my Dorinda for your Wife, she shall
Be yours for ever, when the Priest has made you one.
Hip.
How can he make us one? shall I grow to her?
Prosp.
By saying holy words you shall be joyn'd in Marriage
To each other.
Dor.
I warrant you those holy words are charms.
My Father means to conjure us together.
Prosp.
to his Daughter.
My Ariel told me, when last night you quarrell'd,
You said you would for ever part your beds;
But what you threaten'd in your anger, Heaven
Has turn'd to Prophecy.
For you, Miranda, must with Ferdinand,
And you, Dorinda, with Hippolito lie in
One Bed hereafter.
Alonz.
And Heaven make those Beds still fruitful in
Producing Children, to bless their Parents
Youth, and Grandsires age.
Mir.
to Dor.
If Children come by lying in a Bed, I wonder you
And I had none between us.
Dor.
Sister, it was our fault, we meant like fools
To look 'em in the fields, and they, it seems,
Are onely found in Beds.
Hip.
I am o'rjoy'd that I shall have Dorinda in a Bed,
We'll lie all night and day together there,
And never rise again.
Ferd.
(aside to him)
Hippolito! you yet are ignorant of your great
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Your own and fair Dorinda's sake, I must instruct
You in.
Hip.
Pray teach me quickly how Men and Women in your
World make love, I shall soon learn,
I warrant you.
Enter Ariel, driving in Stephano, Trincalo, Mustacho, Ventoso, Caliban, Sycorax.
Prosp.
Why that's my dainty Ariel, I shall miss thee,
But yet thou shalt have freedom.
Gonz.
O look, Sir, look the Master and the Saylors—
The Bosen too—my Prophecy is out, that if
A Gallows were on land, that man could ne'r
Be drown'd.
Alonz.
(to Trinc.)
Now, Blasphemy, what not one Oath ashore?
Hast thou no mouth by Land? why star'st thou so?
Trinc.
What, more Dukes yet? I must resign my Dukedom;
But 'tis no matter, I was almost starv'd in't.
Must.
Here's nothing but wild Sallads, without Oyl or Vinegar.
Steph.
The Duke and Prince alive! would I had now our
gallant Ship agen, and were her Master, I'd willingly give all
my Island for her.
Vent.
And I my Vice-Roy-ship.
Trinc.
I shall need no Hangman, for I shall e'n hang
My self, now my friend Butt has shed his
Last drop of life. Poor Butt is quite departed:
Ant.
They talk like mad-men.
Prosp.
No matter, time will bring 'em to themselves, and
Now their Wine is gone, they will not quarrel.
Your Ship is safe and tight, and bravely rigg'd,
As when you first set Sail.
Alonz.
This news is wonderful.
Ariel.
Was it well done, my Lord?
Prosp.
Rarely, my Diligence.
Gonz.
But pray, Sir, what are those mishapen Creatures?
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Their Mother was a Witch, and one so strong,
She would controul the Moon, make Flows
And Ebbs, and deal in her command without
Her power.
Syc.
O Setebos! these be brave Sprights indeed.
Prosp.
(to Calib.)
Go, Sirrah, to my Cell, and as you hope for
Pardon, trim it up.
Calib.
Most carefully. I will be wise hereafter.
What a dull Fool was I, to take those Drunkards
For Gods, when such as these were in the world?
Prosp.
Sir, I invite your Highness and your Train
To my poor Cave this night; a part of which
I will employ, in telling you my story.
Alonz.
No doubt it must be strangely taking, Sir.
Prosp.
When the morn draws, I'l bring you to your Ship,
And promise you calm Seas, and happy Gales.
My Ariel, that's thy charge: then to the Elements
Be free, and fare thee well.
Ariel.
I'll do it, Master.
Prosp.
Now to make amends
For the rough treatment you have found to day,
I'll entertain you with my Magick Art:
I'll, by my power, transform this place, and call
Up those that shall make good my promise to you.
[Scene changes to the Rocks, with the Arch of Rocks, and calm Sea. Musick playing on the Rocks.
Prosp.
Neptune, and your fair Amphitrite, rise;
Oceanus, with your Tethys too, appear;
All ye Sea-Gods, and Goddesses, appear!
Come, all ye Trytons; all ye Nereides, come,
And teach your sawcy Element to obey:
For you have Princes now to entertain,
And unsoil'd Beauties, with fresh youthful Lovers.
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Alonz.
This is prodigious.
Anto.
Ah! what amazing Objects do we see?
Gonz.
This Art doth much exceed all humane skill.
SONG.
Amph.
My Lord: Great Neptune, for my sake,
Of these bright Beauties pity take:
And to the rest allow
Your mercy too.
Let this inraged Element be still,
Let Æolus obey my will:
Let him his boystrous Prisoners safely keep
In their dark Caverns, and no more
Let 'em disturb the bosome of the Deep,
Till these arrive upon their wish'd-for Shore.
Neptune.
So much my Amphitrite's love I prize,
That no commands of hers I can despise.
Tethys no surrows now shall wear,
Oceanus no wrinkles on his brow,
Let your serenest looks appear!
Be calm and gentle now.
Nep. & Amph.; Oceanus.
Be calm, ye great Parents of the Flouds and the Springs,
While each Nereide and Triton Plays, Revels, and Sings.
Confine the roaring Winds, and we
Will soon obey you cheerfully
Chorus of Tritons and Ner.
Tie up the Winds, and we'll obey
Upon the Flouds we'll sing and play,
And celebrate a Halcyon day.
Here the Dancers mingle with the Singers.
[Dance.
Nept.
Great Nephew Æolus make no noise,
Muzle your roaring Boys,
[Æolus appears.
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Let'em not bluster to disturb our ears,
Or strike these Noble Passengers with fears.
Nept.
Afford'em onely such an easie Gale,
As pleasantly may swell each Sail.
Amph.
While fell Sea-monsters cause intestine jars,
This Empire you invade with foreign Wars.
Nept.
But you shall now be still,
And shall obey my Amphitrites will.
Æolus
descends.
You I'll obey, who at one stroke can make,
With your dread Trident, the whole Earth to quake.
Come down, my Blusterers, swell no more,
Your stormy rage give o'r.
Let all black Tempests cease—
Winds from the four corners appear.
And let the troubled Ocean rest:
Let all the Sea enjoy as calm a peace,
As where the Halcyon builds her quiet Nest.
To your Prisons below,
Down, down you must go:
You in the Earths Entrals your Revels may keep;
But no more till I call shall you trouble the Deep.
[Winds fly down.
Now they are gone, all stormy Wars shall cease:
Then let your Trumpeters proclaim a Peace.
Amph.
Tritons, my Sons, your Trumpets sound,
And let the noise from Neighbouring Shores rebound.
Chorus.
Sound a Calm.
Sound a Calm.
Sound a Calm.
a Calm.
Sound a Calm.
[Here the Trytons, at every repeat of Sound a Calm, changing their Figure and Postures, seem to sound their wreathed Trumpets made of Shells.
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Nept.
See, see, the Heavens smile, all your troubles are past,
Your joys by black Clouds shall no more be o'rcast.
Amph.
On this barren Isle ye shall lose all your fears
Leave behind all your sorrows, and banish your cares.
Both.
And your Loves and your Lives shall in safety enjoy;
No influence of Stars shall your quiet destroy.
Chor. of all.
And your Loves, &c.
No influence, &c.
[Here the Dancers mingle with the Singers.
Oceanus.
We'll safely convey you to your own happy Shore,
And yours and your Countrey's soft peace we'll restore.
Tethys.
To treat you blest Lovers, as you sail on the Deep,
The Trytons and Sea-Nymphs their Revels shall keep.
Both.
On the swift Dolphins backs they shall sing and shall play;
They shall guard you by night, and delight you by day.
Chorus of all.
On the swift, &c.
And shall guard, &c.
[Here the Dancers mingle with the Singers.
[A Dance of twelve Tritons.
Miran.
What charming things are these?
Dor.
What heavenly power is this?
Prosp.
Now, my Ariel, be visible
And let the rest of your Aerial Train
Appear, and entertain 'em with a Song;
[Scene changes to the Rising Sun, and a number of Aerial Spirits in the Air, Ariel flying from the Sun, advances towards the Pit.
And then farewell my long lov'd Ariel.
Alon.
Heav'n! what are these we see?
Prosp.
They are Spirits, with which the Air abounds
In swarms, but that they are not subject
To poor feeble mortal Eyes.
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O wondrous skill!
Gonz.
O power Divine!
Ariel and the rest sing the following Song.
Ariel.
Where the Bee sucks, there suck I,
In a Cowslips Bed I lie;
There I couch when Owls do cry.
On the Swallows wings I fly
After Summer merrily.
Merrily, merrily shall I live now,
Under the Blossom that hangs on the Bow.
[Song ended, Ariel speaks, hovering in the Air.
Ariel.
My Noble Master!
May theirs and your blest Joys never impair.
And for the freedom I enjoy in Air,
I will be still your Ariel, and wait
On Aiery accidents that work for Fate.
What ever shall your happiness concern,
From your still faithful Ariel you shall learn.
Prosp.
Thou hast been always diligent and kind!
Farewell, my long lov'd Ariel, thou shalt find,
I will preserve thee ever in my mind.
Henceforth this Isle to the afflicted be
A place of Refuge, as it was to me:
The promises of blooming Spring live here,
And all the blessings of the ripening Year.
On my retreat, let Heav'n and Nature smile,
And ever flourish the Enchanted Isle.
[Exeunt.
| The Tempest, or The Enchanted Island | |