PROSPERO     So glad of this as they I cannot be,

Who are surprised withal, but my rejoicing

At nothing can be more. I’ll to my book,

For yet ere suppertime must I perform

Much business appertaining.           Exit. (3.1.92-96)

A touch of the Yodas in the syntax here, perhaps, but Prospero’s point is a neat and heartfelt one: I simply can’t be as happy as Ferdinand and Miranda are, because this has come as such a thunderbolt to them; the way they’re feeling is new and strange and wonderful. But at the same time, I couldn’t be happier than I am, even if such heights of joy are beyond me; this is the best thing that could happen, and I rejoice at it. And they were surprised (in the sense, perhaps, of shocked, overcome, and ambushed) by their falling for each other – but it was all my plan, I aimed at this all along – so it wasn’t really a surprise to me. Now, back to my book – some quiet time with silent reading, perhaps? It seems not – ere suppertime (following swiftly upon Miranda’s mention of a time half an hour hence, another reminder of the urgent passage of time in this play, and in particular Prospero’s earlier statement to Ariel that much needs to be done by six o’clock) he must perform much business appertaining, that is, in relation to the relationship – and now the marriage – between Ferdinand and Miranda – but also, more generally, in relation to his plans regarding his brother Antonio, Alonso the king of Naples, and the dukedom of Milan. And that’s the end of the scene…