Journeys Through Bookland Volume Viii Part 33

It sounds no more: and, sure, it waits upon Some G.o.d o' the island. Sitting on a bank, Weeping again the King my father's wreck, This music crept by me upon the waters, Allaying both their fury and my pa.s.sion[389-100]

With its sweet air: thence I have follow'd it, Or it hath drawn me rather. But 'tis gone.

No, it begins again.

_ARIEL sings._

Full fathom five thy father lies; Of his bones are coral made; Those are pearls that were his eyes: Nothing of him that doth fade But doth suffer a sea-change[389-101]

Into something rich and strange.

Sea-nymphs hourly ring his knell:

_Burden._ Ding-Dong.

Hark! now I hear them,--Ding-Dong, bell.

_Ferd._ The ditty does remember my drown'd father.

This is no mortal business, nor no sound That the earth owes.[389-102] I hear it now above me.

_Pros._ The fringed curtains of thine eyes advance,[389-103]

And say what thou see'st yond.

_Mira._ What is't? A spirit?

Lord, how it looks about! Believe me, sir, It carries a brave[389-104] form. But 'tis a spirit.

_Pros._ No, wench: it eats and sleeps, and hath such senses As we have, such. This gallant which thou see'st Was in the wreck; and, but he's something stain'd With grief, that's beauty's canker,[390-105] thou mightst call him A goodly person: he hath lost his fellows, And strays about to find 'em.

_Mira._ I might call him A thing divine; for nothing natural I ever saw so n.o.ble.[390-106]

_Pros._ [_Aside._] It goes on,[390-107] I see, As my soul prompts it.--Spirit, fine spirit! I'll free thee Within two days for this.

_Ferd._ Most sure, the G.o.ddess On whom these airs attend!--Vouchsafe my prayer May know if you remain upon this island; And that you will some good instruction give How I may bear me here: my prime request, Which I do last p.r.o.nounce, is,--O you wonder!-- If you be maid or no?[390-108]

_Mira._ No wonder,[390-109] sir; But certainly a maid.

_Ferd._ My language![390-110] Heavens!-- I am the best of them that speak this speech, Were I but where 'tis spoken.

_Pros._ How! the best?

What wert thou, if the King of Naples heard thee?

_Ferd._ A single thing,[391-111] as I am now, that wonders To hear thee speak of Naples. He does hear me; And that he does I weep: myself am Naples;[391-112]

Who with mine eyes, ne'er since at ebb, beheld The King my father wreck'd.

_Mira._ Alack, for mercy!

_Ferd._ Yes, faith, and all his lords; the Duke of Milan And his brave son[391-113] being twain.

_Pros._ [_Aside._] The Duke of Milan And his more braver daughter could control thee,[391-114]

If now t'were fit to do't. At the first sight They have changed eyes.--Delicate Ariel, I'll set thee free for this![391-115]--A word, good sir; I fear you've done yourself some wrong:[391-116] a word.

_Mira._ Why speaks my father so ungently? This Is the third man that e'er I saw; the first That e'er I sigh'd for: pity move my father To be inclined my way!

_Ferd._ O, if a virgin, And your affection not gone forth, I'll make you The Queen of Naples.

_Pros._ Soft, sir! one word more.-- [_Aside._] They're both in either's powers: but this swift business I must uneasy make, lest too light winning Make the prize light.[392-117]--One word more; I charge thee That thou attend me: Thou dost here usurp The name thou owest not; and hast put thyself Upon this island as a spy, to win it From me, the lord on't.

_Ferd._ No, as I'm a man.

_Mira._ There's nothing ill can dwell in such a temple: If the ill spirit have so fair a house, Good things will strive to dwell with't.

_Pros._ [_To FERD._] Follow me-- Speak not you for him; he's a traitor.--Come; I'll manacle thy neck and feet together: Sea-water shalt thou drink; thy food shall be The fresh-brook muscles, wither'd roots, and husks Wherein the acorn cradled: follow.

_Ferd._ No; I will resist such entertainment, till Mine enemy has more power.

[_He draws, and is charmed from moving._

_Mira._ O dear father, Make not too rash a trial of him, for He's gentle, and not fearful.[392-118]

_Pros._ What, I say, My fool my tutor!--Put thy sword up, traitor; Who makest a show, but darest not strike, thy conscience Is so possess'd with guilt: come from thy ward;[393-119]

For I can here disarm thee with this stick, And make thy weapon drop.

_Mira._ Beseech you, father!--

_Pros._ Hence! hang not on my garments.

_Mira._ Sir, have pity; I'll be his surety.

_Pros._ Silence! one word more Shall make me chide thee, if not hate thee. What!

An advocate for an impostor? hus.h.!.+

Thou think'st there are no more such shapes as he, Having seen but him and Caliban: foolish wench!

To th' most of men this is a Caliban, And they to him are angels.

_Mira._ My affections Are, then, most humble; I have no ambition To see a goodlier man.

_Pros._ [_To FERD._] Come on; obey: Thy nerves[393-120] are in their infancy again, And have no vigour in them.

_Ferd._ So they are: My spirits, as in a dream, are all bound up.

My father's loss, the weakness which I feel, The wreck of all my friends, and this man's threats To whom I am subdued, are light to me, Might I but through my prison once a day Behold this maid: all corners else o' the Earth Let liberty make use of; s.p.a.ce enough Have I in such a prison.

_Pros._ [_Aside._] It works.--[_To FERD._] Come on.-- Thou hast done well, fine Ariel!--Follow me.-- [_To ARIEL._] Hark, what thou else shalt do me.

_Mira._ Be of comfort; My father's of a better nature, sir, Than he appears by speech: this is unwonted Which now came from him.

_Pros._ [_To ARIEL._] Thou shalt be as free As mountain winds: but then exactly do All points of my command.

_Ari._ To th' syllable.

_Pros._ Come, follow.--Speak not for him. [_Exeunt._

ACT II