TPTT The Tempest: ACT II
Introduction
ACT I
ACT II
SCENE I. Another part of the island.
SCENE II. Another part of the island.
ACT III
ACT IV
ACT V
About the Play
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SCENE I. Another part of the island.
Enter ALONSO, SEBASTIAN, ANTONIO, GONZALO, ADRIAN, FRANCISCO, and others
GONZALO
      Beseech you, sir, be merry; you have cause,
      So have we all, of joy; for our escape
      Is much beyond our loss. Our hint of woe
      Is common; every day some sailor's wife,
5     The masters of some merchant and the merchant
      Have just our theme of woe; but for the miracle,
      I mean our preservation, few in millions
      Can speak like us: then wisely, good sir, weigh
      Our sorrow with our comfort.
ALONSO
10    Prithee, peace.
SEBASTIAN
      He receives comfort like cold porridge.
ANTONIO
      The visitor will not give him o'er so.
SEBASTIAN
      Look he's winding up the watch of his wit;
      by and by it will strike.
GONZALO
15    Sir,--
SEBASTIAN
      One: tell.
GONZALO
      When every grief is entertain'd that's offer'd,
      Comes to the entertainer--
SEBASTIAN
      A dollar.
GONZALO
20    Dolour comes to him, indeed: you
      have spoken truer than you purposed.
SEBASTIAN
      You have taken it wiselier than I meant you should.
GONZALO
      Therefore, my lord,--
ANTONIO
      Fie, what a spendthrift is he of his tongue!
ALONSO
25    I prithee, spare.
GONZALO
      Well, I have done: but yet,--
SEBASTIAN
      He will be talking.
ANTONIO
      Which, of he or Adrian, for a good
      wager, first begins to crow?
SEBASTIAN
30    The old cock.
ANTONIO
      The cockerel.
SEBASTIAN
      Done. The wager?
ANTONIO
      A laughter.
SEBASTIAN
      A match!
ADRIAN
35    Though this island seem to be desert,--
SEBASTIAN
      Ha, ha, ha! So, you're paid.
ADRIAN
      Uninhabitable and almost inaccessible,--
SEBASTIAN
      Yet,--
ADRIAN
      Yet,--
ANTONIO
40    He could not miss't.
ADRIAN
      It must needs be of subtle, tender and delicate
      temperance.
ANTONIO
      Temperance was a delicate wench.
SEBASTIAN
      Ay, and a subtle; as he most learnedly delivered.
ADRIAN
45    The air breathes upon us here most sweetly.
SEBASTIAN
      As if it had lungs and rotten ones.
ANTONIO
      Or as 'twere perfumed by a fen.
GONZALO
      Here is everything advantageous to life.
ANTONIO
      True; save means to live.
SEBASTIAN
50    Of that there's none, or little.
GONZALO
      How lush and lusty the grass looks! how green!
ANTONIO
      The ground indeed is tawny.
SEBASTIAN
      With an eye of green in't.
ANTONIO
      He misses not much.
SEBASTIAN
55    No; he doth but mistake the truth totally.
GONZALO
      But the rarity of it is,--which is indeed almost
      beyond credit,--
SEBASTIAN
      As many vouched rarities are.
GONZALO
      That our garments, being, as they were, drenched in
60    the sea, hold notwithstanding their freshness and
      glosses, being rather new-dyed than stained with
      salt water.
ANTONIO
      If but one of his pockets could speak, would it not
      say he lies?
SEBASTIAN
65    Ay, or very falsely pocket up his report
GONZALO
      Methinks our garments are now as fresh as when we
      put them on first in Afric, at the marriage of
      the king's fair daughter Claribel to the King of Tunis.
SEBASTIAN
      'Twas a sweet marriage, and we prosper well in our return.
ADRIAN
70    Tunis was never graced before with such a paragon to
      their queen.
GONZALO
      Not since widow Dido's time.
ANTONIO
      Widow! a pox o' that! How came that widow in?
      widow Dido!
SEBASTIAN
75    What if he had said 'widower AEneas' too? Good Lord,
      how you take it!
ADRIAN
      'Widow Dido' said you? you make me study of that:
      she was of Carthage, not of Tunis.
GONZALO
      This Tunis, sir, was Carthage.
ADRIAN
80    Carthage?
GONZALO
      I assure you, Carthage.
SEBASTIAN
      His word is more than the miraculous harp; he hath
      raised the wall and houses too.
ANTONIO
      What impossible matter will he make easy next?
SEBASTIAN
85    I think he will carry this island home in his pocket
      and give it his son for an apple.
ANTONIO
      And, sowing the kernels of it in the sea, bring
      forth more islands.
GONZALO
      Ay.
ANTONIO
90    Why, in good time.
GONZALO
      Sir, we were talking that our garments seem now
      as fresh as when we were at Tunis at the marriage
      of your daughter, who is now queen.
ANTONIO
      And the rarest that e'er came there.
SEBASTIAN
95    Bate, I beseech you, widow Dido.
ANTONIO
      O, widow Dido! ay, widow Dido.
GONZALO
      Is not, sir, my doublet as fresh as the first day I
      wore it? I mean, in a sort.
ANTONIO
      That sort was well fished for.
GONZALO
100   When I wore it at your daughter's marriage?
ALONSO
      You cram these words into mine ears against
      The stomach of my sense. Would I had never
      Married my daughter there! for, coming thence,
      My son is lost and, in my rate, she too,
105   Who is so far from Italy removed
      I ne'er again shall see her. O thou mine heir
      Of Naples and of Milan, what strange fish
      Hath made his meal on thee?
FRANCISCO
      Sir, he may live:
110   I saw him beat the surges under him,
      And ride upon their backs; he trod the water,
      Whose enmity he flung aside, and breasted
      The surge most swoln that met him; his bold head
      'Bove the contentious waves he kept, and oar'd
115   Himself with his good arms in lusty stroke
      To the shore, that o'er his wave-worn basis bow'd,
      As stooping to relieve him: I not doubt
      He came alive to land.
ALONSO
      No, no, he's gone.
SEBASTIAN
120   Sir, you may thank yourself for this great loss,
      That would not bless our Europe with your daughter,
      But rather lose her to an African;
      Where she at least is banish'd from your eye,
      Who hath cause to wet the grief on't.
ALONSO
125   Prithee, peace.
SEBASTIAN
      You were kneel'd to and importuned otherwise
      By all of us, and the fair soul herself
      Weigh'd between loathness and obedience, at
      Which end o' the beam should bow. We have lost your
130   son,
      I fear, for ever: Milan and Naples have
      More widows in them of this business' making
      Than we bring men to comfort them:
      The fault's your own.
ALONSO
135   So is the dear'st o' the loss.
GONZALO
      My lord Sebastian,
      The truth you speak doth lack some gentleness
      And time to speak it in: you rub the sore,
      When you should bring the plaster.
SEBASTIAN
140   Very well.
ANTONIO
      And most chirurgeonly.
GONZALO
      It is foul weather in us all, good sir,
      When you are cloudy.
SEBASTIAN
      Foul weather?
ANTONIO
145   Very foul.
GONZALO
      Had I plantation of this isle, my lord,--
ANTONIO
      He'ld sow't with nettle-seed.
SEBASTIAN
      Or docks, or mallows.
GONZALO
      And were the king on't, what would I do?
SEBASTIAN
150   'Scape being drunk for want of wine.
GONZALO
      I' the commonwealth I would by contraries
      Execute all things; for no kind of traffic
      Would I admit; no name of magistrate;
      Letters should not be known; riches, poverty,
155   And use of service, none; contract, succession,
      Bourn, bound of land, tilth, vineyard, none;
      No use of metal, corn, or wine, or oil;
      No occupation; all men idle, all;
      And women too, but innocent and pure;
160   No sovereignty;--
SEBASTIAN
      Yet he would be king on't.
ANTONIO
      The latter end of his commonwealth forgets the
      beginning.
GONZALO
      All things in common nature should produce
165   Without sweat or endeavour: treason, felony,
      Sword, pike, knife, gun, or need of any engine,
      Would I not have; but nature should bring forth,
      Of its own kind, all foison, all abundance,
      To feed my innocent people.
SEBASTIAN
170   No marrying 'mong his subjects?
ANTONIO
      None, man; all idle: whores and knaves.
GONZALO
      I would with such perfection govern, sir,
      To excel the golden age.
SEBASTIAN
      God save his majesty!
ANTONIO
175   Long live Gonzalo!
GONZALO
      And,--do you mark me, sir?
ALONSO
      Prithee, no more: thou dost talk nothing to me.
GONZALO
      I do well believe your highness; and
      did it to minister occasion to these gentlemen,
180   who are of such sensible and nimble lungs that
      they always use to laugh at nothing.
ANTONIO
      'Twas you we laughed at.
GONZALO
      Who in this kind of merry fooling am nothing
      to you: so you may continue and laugh at
185   nothing still.
ANTONIO
      What a blow was there given!
SEBASTIAN
      An it had not fallen flat-long.
GONZALO
      You are gentlemen of brave metal; you would lift
      the moon out of her sphere, if she would continue
190   in it five weeks without changing.
Enter ARIEL, invisible, playing solemn music
SEBASTIAN
      We would so, and then go a bat-fowling.
ANTONIO
      Nay, good my lord, be not angry.
GONZALO
      No, I warrant you; I will not adventure
      my discretion so weakly. Will you laugh
195   me asleep, for I am very heavy?
ANTONIO
      Go sleep, and hear us.
All sleep except ALONSO, SEBASTIAN, and ANTONIO
ALONSO
      What, all so soon asleep! I wish mine eyes
      Would, with themselves, shut up my thoughts: I find
      They are inclined to do so.
SEBASTIAN
200   Please you, sir,
      Do not omit the heavy offer of it:
      It seldom visits sorrow; when it doth,
      It is a comforter.
ANTONIO
      We two, my lord,
205   Will guard your person while you take your rest,
      And watch your safety.
ALONSO
      Thank you. Wondrous heavy.
ALONSO sleeps. Exit ARIEL
SEBASTIAN
      What a strange drowsiness possesses them!
ANTONIO
      It is the quality o' the climate.
SEBASTIAN
210   Why
      Doth it not then our eyelids sink? I find not
      Myself disposed to sleep.
ANTONIO
      Nor I; my spirits are nimble.
      They fell together all, as by consent;
215   They dropp'd, as by a thunder-stroke. What might,
      Worthy Sebastian? O, what might?--No more:--
      And yet me thinks I see it in thy face,
      What thou shouldst be: the occasion speaks thee, and
      My strong imagination sees a crown
220   Dropping upon thy head.
SEBASTIAN
      What, art thou waking?
ANTONIO
      Do you not hear me speak?
SEBASTIAN
      I do; and surely
      It is a sleepy language and thou speak'st
225   Out of thy sleep. What is it thou didst say?
      This is a strange repose, to be asleep
      With eyes wide open; standing, speaking, moving,
      And yet so fast asleep.
ANTONIO
      Noble Sebastian,
230   Thou let'st thy fortune sleep--die, rather; wink'st
      Whiles thou art waking.
SEBASTIAN
      Thou dost snore distinctly;
      There's meaning in thy snores.
ANTONIO
      I am more serious than my custom: you
235   Must be so too, if heed me; which to do
      Trebles thee o'er.
SEBASTIAN
      Well, I am standing water.
ANTONIO
      I'll teach you how to flow.
SEBASTIAN
      Do so: to ebb
240   Hereditary sloth instructs me.
ANTONIO
      O,
      If you but knew how you the purpose cherish
      Whiles thus you mock it! how, in stripping it,
      You more invest it! Ebbing men, indeed,
245   Most often do so near the bottom run
      By their own fear or sloth.
SEBASTIAN
      Prithee, say on:
      The setting of thine eye and cheek proclaim
      A matter from thee, and a birth indeed
250   Which throes thee much to yield.
ANTONIO
      Thus, sir:
      Although this lord of weak remembrance, this,
      Who shall be of as little memory
      When he is earth'd, hath here almost persuade,--
255   For he's a spirit of persuasion, only
      Professes to persuade,--the king his son's alive,
      'Tis as impossible that he's undrown'd
      And he that sleeps here swims.
SEBASTIAN
      I have no hope
260   That he's undrown'd.
ANTONIO
      O, out of that 'no hope'
      What great hope have you! no hope that way is
      Another way so high a hope that even
      Ambition cannot pierce a wink beyond,
265   But doubt discovery there. Will you grant with me
      That Ferdinand is drown'd?
SEBASTIAN
      He's gone.
ANTONIO
      Then, tell me,
      Who's the next heir of Naples?
SEBASTIAN
270   Claribel.
ANTONIO
      She that is queen of Tunis; she that dwells
      Ten leagues beyond man's life; she that from Naples
      Can have no note, unless the sun were post--
      The man i' the moon's too slow--till new-born chins
275   Be rough and razorable; she that--from whom?
      We all were sea-swallow'd, though some cast again,
      And by that destiny to perform an act
      Whereof what's past is prologue, what to come
      In yours and my discharge.
SEBASTIAN
280   What stuff is this! how say you?
      'Tis true, my brother's daughter's queen of Tunis;
      So is she heir of Naples; 'twixt which regions
      There is some space.
ANTONIO
      A space whose every cubit
285   Seems to cry out, 'How shall that Claribel
      Measure us back to Naples? Keep in Tunis,
      And let Sebastian wake.' Say, this were death
      That now hath seized them; why, they were no worse
      Than now they are. There be that can rule Naples
290   As well as he that sleeps; lords that can prate
      As amply and unnecessarily
      As this Gonzalo; I myself could make
      A chough of as deep chat. O, that you bore
      The mind that I do! what a sleep were this
295   For your advancement! Do you understand me?
SEBASTIAN
      Methinks I do.
ANTONIO
      And how does your content
      Tender your own good fortune?
SEBASTIAN
      I remember
300   You did supplant your brother Prospero.
ANTONIO
      True:
      And look how well my garments sit upon me;
      Much feater than before: my brother's servants
      Were then my fellows; now they are my men.
SEBASTIAN
305   But, for your conscience?
ANTONIO
      Ay, sir; where lies that? if 'twere a kibe,
      'Twould put me to my slipper: but I feel not
      This deity in my bosom: twenty consciences,
      That stand 'twixt me and Milan, candied be they
310   And melt ere they molest! Here lies your brother,
      No better than the earth he lies upon,
      If he were that which now he's like, that's dead;
      Whom I, with this obedient steel, three inches of it,
      Can lay to bed for ever; whiles you, doing thus,
315   To the perpetual wink for aye might put
      This ancient morsel, this Sir Prudence, who
      Should not upbraid our course. For all the rest,
      They'll take suggestion as a cat laps milk;
      They'll tell the clock to any business that
320   We say befits the hour.
SEBASTIAN
      Thy case, dear friend,
      Shall be my precedent; as thou got'st Milan,
      I'll come by Naples. Draw thy sword: one stroke
      Shall free thee from the tribute which thou payest;
325   And I the king shall love thee.
ANTONIO
      Draw together;
      And when I rear my hand, do you the like,
      To fall it on Gonzalo.
SEBASTIAN
      O, but one word.
They talk apart
Re-enter ARIEL, invisible
ARIEL
330   My master through his art foresees the danger
      That you, his friend, are in; and sends me forth--
      For else his project dies--to keep them living.

Sings in GONZALO's ear

      While you here do snoring lie,
      Open-eyed conspiracy
335   His time doth take.
      If of life you keep a care,
      Shake off slumber, and beware:
      Awake, awake!
ANTONIO
      Then let us both be sudden.
GONZALO
340   Now, good angels
      Preserve the king.
They wake
ALONSO
      Why, how now? ho, awake! Why are you drawn?
      Wherefore this ghastly looking?
GONZALO
      What's the matter?
SEBASTIAN
345   Whiles we stood here securing your repose,
      Even now, we heard a hollow burst of bellowing
      Like bulls, or rather lions: did't not wake you?
      It struck mine ear most terribly.
ALONSO
      I heard nothing.
ANTONIO
350   O, 'twas a din to fright a monster's ear,
      To make an earthquake! sure, it was the roar
      Of a whole herd of lions.
ALONSO
      Heard you this, Gonzalo?
GONZALO
      Upon mine honour, sir, I heard a humming,
355   And that a strange one too, which did awake me:
      I shaked you, sir, and cried: as mine eyes open'd,
      I saw their weapons drawn: there was a noise,
      That's verily. 'Tis best we stand upon our guard,
      Or that we quit this place; let's draw our weapons.
ALONSO
360   Lead off this ground; and let's make further search
      For my poor son.
GONZALO
      Heavens keep him from these beasts!
      For he is, sure, i' the island.
ALONSO
      Lead away.
ARIEL
365   Prospero my lord shall know what I have done:
      So, king, go safely on to seek thy son.
Exeunt
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