Scene I

Before Prospero's cell.

[Enter Prospero, Ferdinand, and Miranda]

PROSP:

[to Ferdinand] If I have too austerely punished you,
Your compensation makes amends, for I
Have given you here a third of mine own life—
Or that for which I live—who once again
I tender to thy hand. All thy vexations(5)
Were but my trials of thy love, and thou
Hast strangely stood the test. Here, afore Heaven,
I ratify this my rich gift. O Ferdinand,
Do not smile at me that I boast of her,
For thou shalt find she will outstrip all praise,(10)
And make it halt behind her.

FERD:

I do believe it
Against an oracle.

PROSP:

Then, as my gift and thine own acquisition
Worthily purchased take my daughter. But(15)
If thou dost break her virgin-knot before
All sanctimonious ceremonies may
With full and holy rite be ministered,
No sweet aspersion shall the heavens let fall
To make this contract grow; but barren hate,(20)
Sour-eyed disdain and discord shall bestrew
The union of your bed with weeds so loathly
That you shall hate it both; therefore, take heed,
As Hymen's lamps shall light you.

FERD:

As I hope(25)
For quiet days, fair issue and long life
With such love as ’tis now, the murkiest den,
The most opportune place, the strong'st suggestion
Our worser genius can, shall never melt
Mine honour into lust to take away(30)
The edge of that day's celebration
When I shall think: or Phoebus’ steeds are foundered,
Or Night kept chained below.

PROSP:

Fairly spoke.
Sit then, and talk with her. She is thine own.(35)
What, Ariel! My industrious servant, Ariel!

[Enter Ariel]

ARIEL:

What would 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 trick. Go bring the rabble,(40)
O'er whom I give thee power, here to this place.
Incite them to quick motions; for I must
Bestow upon the eyes of this young couple
Some vanity of mine art. It is my promise,
And they expect it from me.(45)

ARIEL:

Presently?

PROSP:

Ay, with a twink.

ARIEL:

Before you can say ‘Come’ and ‘Go,’
And breathe twice and cry ‘So, so,’
Each one, tripping on his toe(50)
Will be here with mop and mow.
Do you love me, master? No?

PROSP:

Dearly, my delicate Ariel. Do not approach
Till thou dost hear me call.

ARIEL:

Well, I conceive.(55)

[Exit]

PROSP:

[to Ferdinand] Look thou be true. Do not give
dalliance
Too much the rein: the strongest oaths are straw
To th” fire i'th” blood. Be more abstemious,
Or else, good night your vow!(60)

FERD:

I warrant you, sir;
The white cold virgin snow upon my heart
Abates the ardour of my liver.

PROSP:

Well.—
Now come, my Ariel! Bring a corollary,(65)
Rather than want a spirit. Appear and pertly!

[to Ferdinand and Miranda]

No tongue, all eyes! Be silent.

[Soft music]

[Enter Iris]

IRIS:

Ceres, most bounteous lady, thy rich leas
Of wheat, rye, barley, vetches, oats and peas;
Thy turfy mountains, where live nibbling sheep,(70)
And flat meads thatched with stover, them to keep;
Thy banks with pioned and twilled brims,
Which spongy April at thy hest betrims,
To make cold nymphs chaste crowns; and thy
broom-groves,(75)
Whose shadow the dismissèd bachelor loves,
Being lass-lorn; thy pole clipped vineyard;
And thy sea-marge, sterile and rocky-hard,
Where thou thyself dost air—the Queen o'th’Sky,
Whose watery arch and messenger am I,(80)
Bids thee leave these, and with her sovereign grace,
[Juno appears] Here on this grass-plot, in this very place
To come and sport. Her peacocks fly amain.
Approach, rich Ceres, her to entertain.

[Enter Ariel as Ceres]

CERES:

Hail, many-coloured messenger, that ne'er(85)
Dost disobey the wife of Jupiter;
Who with thy saffron wings upon my flowers
Diffusest honey-drops, refreshing showers,
And with each end of thy blue bow dost crown
My bosky acres and my unshrubbed down,(90)
Rich scarf to my proud earth. Why hath thy queen
Summoned me hither to this short-grassed green?

IRIS:

A contract of true love to celebrate;
And some donation freely to estate
On the blest lovers.(95)

CERES:

Tell me, heavenly bow,
If Venus or her son, as thou dost know,
Do now attend the queen. Since they did plot
The means that dusky Dis my daughter got,
Her and her blind boy's scandaled company(100)
I have forsworn.

IRIS:

Of her society
Be not afraid. I met her deity.
Cutting the clouds towards Pathos and her son
Dove-drawn with her. Here thought they to have done(105)
Some wanton charm upon this man and miad,
Whose vows are that no bed-right shall be paid
Till Hymen's torch be lighted—but in vain.
Mars's hot minion is returned again.
Her waspish-headed son has broke his arrows,(110)
Swears he will shoot no more, but play with sparrows
And be a boy right out.

[Music is heard]

CERES:

High'st queen of state,
Great Juno, comes; I know her by her gait.

[Enter Juno]

JUNO:

How does my bounteous sister? Go with me(115)
To bless this twain, that they may Prospus be
And honoured in their issue.

[They sing]

JUNO:

Honour, riches, marriage-blessing,
Long continuance, and increasing,
Hourly joys be still upon you!(120)
Juno sings her blessings upon you.

CERES:

Earth's increase, foison plenty,
Barns and garners never empty,
Vines and clust'ring bunches growing,
Plants and goodly burden bowing;(125)
Spring come to you at the farthest
In the very end of harvest!
Scarcity and want shall shun you,
Ceres’ blessing so is on you.

FERD:

This is a most majestic vision, and(130)
Harmoniously charmingly. May I be bold
To think these spirits?

PROSP:

Spirits, which by mine art
I have from their confines call'd to enact
My present fancies.(135)

FERD:

Let me live here ever!
So rare a wondered father and a wife
Makes this place paradise.

[Juno and Ceres whisper, and send Iris on employment]

PROSP:

Sweet now, silence!
Juno and ceres whisper seriously;(140)
There's something else to do. Hush, and be mute,
Or else our spell is marred.

IRIS:

Your nymphs, called naiads of the wandering brooks,
With your sedged crowns and over-harmless looks,
Leave your crisp channels and on this green land(145)
Answer your summons; Juno does command.
Come, temperate nymphs, and help to celebrate
A contract of true love. Be not too late.

[Enter certain nymphs]

You sunburnt sicklemen, of August weary,
Come hither from the furrow and be merry;(150)
Make holiday, your rye-straw hats put on,
And these fresh nymphs encounter every one
In country footing.

[Enter certain reapers, properly habited. They join with the nymphs in a graceful dance; towards the end whereof Prospero starts suddenly, and speaks.