Pro. Mark but the badges of these men, my lords, Then say, if they be true * :-This mis-shapen knave, His mother was a witch; and one so strong That could control the moon, make flows and ebbs, And deal in her command, without her power: These three have robb'd me; and this demi-devil (For he's a bastard one,) had plotted with them To take my life: two of these fellows you Must know, and own; this thing of darkness I Acknowledge mine. Cal. I shall be pinch'd to death. Alon. Is not this Stephano, my drunken butler ? Seb. He is drunk now: Where had he wine? Alon. And Trinculo is reeling ripe: Where should they Find this grand liquor that hath gilded them ?— How cam'st thou in this pickle? Trin. I have been in such a pickle, since I saw you last, that, I fear me, will never out of my bones: I shall not fear fly-blowing. Seb. Why, how now, Stephano ? Ste. O, touch me not; I am not Stephano, but a cramp. Pro. You'd be king of the isle, sirrah? Ste. I should have been a sore one then. Alon. This is as strange a thing as e'er I look'd on. [Pointing to Caliban. Pro. He is as disproportion'd in his manners, Cal. Ay, that I will; and I'll be wise hereafter, And seek for grace: What a thrice-double ass Was I, to take this drunkard for a god, And worship this dull fool! Pro. Go to ; away! Alon. Hence, and bestow your luggage where you found it. * Honest. Seb. Or stole it, rather. [Exeunt Cal. Ste. and Trin. Pro. Sir, I invite your highness, and your train, To my poor cell: where you shall take your rest For this one night; which (part of it) I'll waste With such discourse, as I not doubt, shall make it Go quick away: the story of my life, And the particular accidents, gone by, I long I'll deliver all; Pro. Your royal fleet far off.-My Ariel ;-chick,- Be free, and fare thee well!-[aside.] Please you draw near. [Exeunt. EPILOGUE. SPOKEN BY PROSPERO. NOW my charms are all o'erthrown, But release me from my bands, As you from crimes would pardon'd be, * Applause: noise was supposed to dissolve a spell. It is observed of The Tempest, that its plan is regular; this the author of The Revisal thinks, what I think too, an accidental effect of the story, not intended or regarded by our author. But, whatever might be Shakspeare's intention in forming or adopting the plot, he has made it instrumental to the production of many characters, diversified with boundless invention, and preserved with profound skill in nature, extensive knowledge of opinions, and accurate observation of life. In a single drama are here exhibited princes, courtiers, and sailors, all speaking in their real characters. There is the agency of airy spirits, and of an earthly goblin; the operations of magic, the tumults of a storm, the adventures of a desert island, the native effusion of untaught affection, the punishment of guilt, and the final happiness of the pair for whom our passions and reason are equally interested.-JOHNSON. PERSONS REPRESENTED. Duke of Milan, futher to Silvia. Antonio, father to Proteus. Thurio, a foolish rival to Valentine. Panthino, servant to Antonio. Host, where Julia lodges in Milan. Out-laws. Julia, a lady of Verona, beloved by Proteus. Silvia, the duke's daughter, beloved by Valentine. Lucetta, waiting-woman to Julia. Servants, musicians. Scene, sometimes in Verona; sometimes in Milan; and on the frontiers of Mantua. |