CALIBAN        And that most deeply to consider is The beauty of his daughter; he himself Calls her a nonpareil. I never saw a woman But only Sycorax my dam, and she; But she as far surpasseth Sycorax As great’st does least. STEPHANO                                        Is it so brave a lass? CALIBAN        Ay, lord, she will become thy […]

CALIBAN        Why, as I told thee, ’tis a custom with him I’th’afternoon to sleep. There thou mayst brain him, Having first seized his books, or with a log Batter his skull, or paunch him with a stake, Or cut his wezand with thy knife. Remember First to possess his books, for without them He’s but […]

STEPHANO    Trinculo, run into no further danger. Interrupt the monster one word further, and by this hand I’ll turn my mercy out o’doors and make a stockfish of thee. TRINCULO      Why, what did I? I did nothing. I’ll go farther off. STEPHANO    Didst thou not say he lied? ARIEL             [in Trinculo’s voice] Thou liest. STEPHANO    […]

CALIBAN        I say, by sorcery he got this isle. From me he got it. If thy greatness will Revenge it on him—for I know thou dar’st, But this thing dare not— STEPHANO    That’s most certain. CALIBAN        Thou shalt be lord of it, and I’ll serve thee. STEPHANO    How now shall this be compassed? Canst thou […]

Enter ARIEL, invisible. CALIBAN        As I told thee before, I am subject to a tyrant, A sorcerer, that by his cunning hath Cheated me of the island. ARIEL             [in Trinculo’s voice]   Thou liest. CALIBAN        Thou liest, thou jesting monkey, thou. I would my valiant master would destroy thee. I do not lie. STEPHANO    Trinculo, if […]

STEPHANO    Mooncalf, speak once in thy life, if thou be’st a good mooncalf. CALIBAN        How does thy honour? Let me lick thy shoe. I’ll not serve him, he is not valiant. TRINCULO      Thou liest, most ignorant monster. I am in case to jostle a constable. Why thou deboshed fish, thou, was there ever man a […]

Enter CALIBAN, STEPHANO and TRINCULO. STEPHANO    Tell not me. When the butt is out, we will drink water; not a drop before. Therefore bear up and board ’em. Servant monster, drink to me. TRINCULO      Servant monster? The folly of this island! They say there’s but five upon this isle; we are three of them. If th’other two […]

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 […]

FERDINAND                                       Wherefore weep you? MIRANDA      At mine unworthiness that dare not offer What I desire to give, and much less take What I shall die to want. But this is trifling, And all the more it seeks to hide itself, The bigger bulk it shows. Hence, bashful cunning, And prompt me, plain and holy […]

MIRANDA                                                      Do you love me? FERDINAND   O heaven, O earth, bear witness to this sound, And crown what I profess with kind event If I speak true; if hollowly, invert What best is boded me to mischief! I, Beyond all limit of what else i’th’ world, Do love, prize, honour you. MIRANDA                                                      I am […]