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The tempest

An opera
  
  
  
  

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SCENE VI.
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SCENE VI.

Enter Trincalo (with a Bottle) half drunk.
TRINCALO.
I shall no more to sea;
Here I shall die on shore.

VENTOSO.
The ghost of Trincalo, our brave boatswain!
Be not afraid, 'tis very Trincalo.
How got you on shore?

TRINCALO.
On a butt of sack.
My cellar is a rock, by the sea-side.

STEPHANO.
Welcome, subject, to our dominion.

TRINCALO.
What subject? what dominion? Here, boys,
Here's old sack: I'll be old Simon the king.
But are you all alive?—for Trincalo
Will tipple with no ghosts, till he be dead.
Stephano, thy Hand.—


15

VENTOSO.
You must kiss it then.
He is chosen duke, in full assembly.

TRINCALO.
A duke! where? what's he duke of?

MUSTACHO.
This island.
Oh, Trincalo, we are all made for ever,
The island's empty, and all is our own.

VENTOSO.
We two are viceroys o'er all the isle.

TRINCALO.
What, were matters carried thus against me
In my absence? but I oppose it all.

MUSTACHO.
Art thou mad, Trincalo? will you disturb
A settled government? where you don't know
The laws of the country?

TRINCALO.
I'll have no laws.

MUSTACHO.
Then civil war begins.


16

DUETT.
TRINCALO.
Whilst blood does flow within these veins,
Or any spark of life remains,
My right I will maintain.

MUSTACHO.
Whilst I this temper'd steel can weild,
I'll ne'er to thee, thou braggard, yield;
Thy threats are all in vain.

TRINCALO.
I deny thee.

MUSTACHO.
I'll not fly thee.

TRINCALO.
Braggard, come.

MUSTACHO.
—Braggard?
Thy boasted courage now I'll try;
I see thou art afraid to die.

TRINCALO.
Not I.

MUSTACHO.
That's a lye.


17

TRINCALO.
Lye, Sir?

MUSTACHO.
Ay, Sir.

Both.
Behold, I conquer, or I die.

STEPHANO.
Hold, loving subjects, we'll have no civil
Wars in this our reign; I here appoint
Both you and him my viceroys o'er this isle.

MUSTACHO and TRINCALO.
Agreed.

TRINCALO
sings.
Then since no state's completely blest,
Let's learn the bitter to allay,
Inspir'd with this, let's dance and play
[striking the bottle.
Enjoy at least the present day,
And leave to fate the rest.