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? hush!

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