Untie the spell. [Ex. ARI.]-How fares my gracious sir? There are yet missing of your company Some few odd lads, that you remember not. Re-enter ARIEL, driving in CALIBAN, STEPHANO, and TRINCULO, in their stolen apparel. Ste. Every man shift for all the rest, and let no man take care for himself; for all is but fortune :-Coragio, bully-monster, Coragio! Trin. If these be true spies which I wear in my head, here's a goodly sight. Cal. O Setebos, these be brave spirits, indeed! How fine my master is! I am afraid He will chastise me. Seb. Ha, ha; What things are these, my lord Antonio ! Ant. Very like; one of them Is a plain fish, and, no doubt, marketable. Pro. Mark but the badges of these men, my lords, Cal. I shall be pinch'd to death. Alon. Is not this Stephano, my drunken butler? Alon. And Trinculo is reeling ripe: Where should they [1] This was the phraseology of the times. After the statute against witches, revenge or ignorance frequently induced people to charge those against whom they harboured resentment, or entertained prejudices, with the crime of witchcraft, which had just then been declared a capital offence. In our ancient reports are several cases where persons charged in this manner sought redress in the courts of law. And it is remarkable in all of them, to the scandalous imputation of being witches, the term-a strong one, is constantly added. In Michaelmas term, 9 Car. I. the point was settled that no action could be supported on so general a charge, and that the epithet strong did not enforce the other words. In this instance, I believe, the opinion of the people at large was not in unison with the sages of Westminster-Hall. Several of these cases are collected together in I Viner, 422. REED. # 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, As in his shape :-Go, sirrah, to my cell; Cal. Ay, that I will; and I'll be wise hereafter, And worship this dull fool? Pro. Go to; away! Alon. Hence, and bestow your luggage where you found it. Seb. Or stole it, rather. [Exe. CAL. STE. & TRIN. To hear the story of your life, which must Pro. I'll deliver all; And promise you calm seas, auspicious gales, And sails so expeditious, that shall catch Your royal fleet far off.-My Ariel ;-chick, That is thy charge; then to the elements Be free, and fare thou well!-[Aside.] Please you draw near. 12 VOL. I. H 2 [Exeunt. EPILOGUE, SPOKEN BY PROSPERO. NOW my charms are all o'erthrown, As you from crimes would pardon'd be; [1] By your applause, by clapping hands. Noise was supposed to dissolve & spell. STEEV. [2] This alludes to the old stories told of the despair of necromancers in their last moments, and of the efficacy of the prayers of their friends for them. WARB. |