Before PROSPERO'S cell
[Enter PROSPERO, FERDINAND, and MIRANDA]
PROSPERO.If I have too austerely punish'd you, Your compensation makes amends; for Have given you here a third of mine own life, Or that for which I live; who once again I tender to thy hand.All thy vexations Were but my trials of thy love, and thou Hast strangely stood the test; here, afore heaven, I ratify this my rich gift.O Ferdinand! Do not smile at me that I boast her off, For thou shalt find she will outstrip all praise, And make it halt behind her.FERDINAND.I do believe it Against an oracle.PROSPERO.Then, as my gift, and thine own acquisition Wort'hily purchas'd, take my daughter.But If thou dost break her virgin-knot before All sanctimonious ceremonies may With full and holy rite be minist'red, No sweet aspersion shall the heavens let fall To make this contract grow; but barren hate, Sour-ey'd disdain, and discord, shall bestrew The union of your bed with weeds so loathly That you shall hate it both.Therefore take heed, As Hymen's lamps shall light you.FERDINAND.As I hope For quiet days, fair issue, and long life, With such love as 'tis now, the murkiest den, The most opportune place, the strong'st suggestion Our worser genius can, shall never melt Mine honour into lust, to take away The edge of that day's celebration, When I shall think or Phoebus' steeds are founder'd Or Night kept chain'd below.PROSPERO.Fairly spoke.Sit, then, and talk with her; she is thine own.What, Ariel! my industrious servant, Ariel! [Enter ARIEL]
ARIEL.What would my potent master? Here I am.PROSPERO.Thou and thy meaner fellows your last service Did worthily perform; and I must use you In such another trick.Go bring the rabble, O'er whom I give thee pow'r, here to this place.Incite them to quick motion; for I must Bestow upon the eyes of this young couple Some vanity of mine art; it is my promise, And they expect it from me.ARIEL.Presently? PROSPERO.Ay, with a twink.ARIEL.Before you can say 'come' and 'go,' And breathe twice, and cry 'so, so,' Each one, tripping on his toe, Will be here with mop and mow.Do you love me, master? No? PROSPERO.Dearly, my delicateAriel.Do not approach Till thou dost hear me call.ARIEL.Well! I conceive.[Exit] PROSPERO.Look thou be true; do not give dalliance Too much the rein; the strongest oaths are straw To th' fire i' th' blood.Be more abstemious, Or else good night your vow! FERDINAND.I warrant you, sir, The white cold virgin snow upon my heart Abates the ardour of my liver.PROSPERO.Well! Now come, my Ariel, bring a corollary, Rather than want a spirit; appear, and pertly.No tongue! All eyes! Be silent.[Soft music]
[Enter IRIS]
IRIS.Ceres, most bounteous lady, thy rich leas Of wheat, rye, barley, vetches, oats, and pease; Thy turfy mountains, where live nibbling sheep, And flat meads thatch'd with stover, them to keep; Thy banks with pioned and twilled brims, Which spongy April at thy hest betrims, To make cold nymphs chaste crowns; and thy broom groves, Whose shadow the dismissed bachelor loves, Being lass-lorn; thy pole-clipt vineyard; And thy sea-marge, sterile and rocky hard, Where thou thyself dost air-the Queen o' th' sky, Whose wat'ry arch and messenger am I, Bids thee leave these; and with her sovereign grace, Here on this grass-plot, in this very place, To come and sport.Her peacocks fly amain.[JUNO descends in her car] Approach, rich Ceres, her to entertain.
[Enter CERES]
CERES.Hail, many-coloured messenger, that ne'er Dost disobey the wife of Jupiter; Who, with thy saffron wings, upon my flow'rs Diffusest honey drops, refreshing show'rs; And with each end of thy blue bow dost crown My bosky acres and my unshrubb'd down, Rich scarf to my proud earth-why hath thy Queen Summon'd me hither to this short-grass'd green? IRIS.A contract of true love to celebrate, And some donation freely to estate On the blest lovers.CERES.Tell me, heavenly bow, If Venus or her son, as thou dost know, Do now attend the Queen? Since they did plot The means that dusky Dis my daughter got, Her and her blind boy's scandal'd company I have forsworn.IRIS.Of her society Be not afraid.I met her Deity Cutting the clouds towards Paphos, and her son Dove-drawn with her.Here thought they to have done Some wanton charm upon this man and maid, Whose vows are that no bed-rite shall be paid Till Hymen'storch be lighted; but in vain.Mars's hot minion is return'd again; Her waspish-headed son has broke his arrows, Swears he will shoot no more, but play with sparrows, And be a boy right out.[JUNO alights] CERES.Highest Queen of State, Great Juno, comes; I know her by her gait.JUNO.How does my bounteous sister? Go with me To bless this twain, that they may prosperous be, And honour'd in their issue.[They sing] JUNO.Honour, riches, marriage-blessing, Long continuance, and increasing, Hourly joys be still upon you! Juno sings her blessings on you.CERES.Earth's increase, foison plenty, Barns and gamers never empty; Vines with clust'ring bunches growing, Plants with goodly burden bowing; Spring come to you at the farthest, In the very end of harvest! Scarcity and want shall shun you, Ceres' blessing so is on you.FERDINAND.This is a most majestic vision, and Harmonious charmingly.May I be bold To think these spirits? PROSPERO.Spirits, which by mine art I have from their confines call'd to enact My present fancies.FERDINAND.Let me live here ever; So rare a wond'red father and a wise Makes this place Paradise.[JUNO and CERES whisper, and send IRIS on employment] PROSPERO.Sweet now, silence; Juno and Ceres whisper seriously.There's something else to do; hush, and be mute, Or else our spell is marr'd.IRIS.You nymphs, call'd Naiads, of the wind'ring brooks, With your sedg'd crowns and ever harmless looks, Leave your crisp channels, and on this green land Answer your summons; Juno does command.Come, temperate nymphs, and help to celebrate A contract of true love; be not too late.
[Enter certain NYMPHS]
