PROSPERO     [aside] I had forgot that foul conspiracy Of the beast Caliban and his confederates Against my life. The minute of their plot Is almost come. [to the Spirits] Well done. Avoid, no more! [Spirits depart.] FERDINAND   [to Miranda] This is strange. Your father’s in some passion That works him strongly. MIRANDA                                                      Never till this […]

IRIS                 You nymphs, called naiads, of the windring brooks, With your sedged 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.   You sunburned […]

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 called to enact My present fancies. FERDINAND                                       Let me live here ever! So rare a wondered father and a wise Makes this place paradise. Juno and […]

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 honoured in their issue.                                     […]

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 scandaled company I have forsworn. IRIS                                         Of her society Be not afraid. I met her deity Cutting the clouds […]

Enter CERES. CERES             Hail, many-coloured messenger, that ne’er Dost disobey the wife of Jupiter; Who, with thy saffron wings, upon my flowers Diffusest honey-drops, refreshing showers, And with each end of thy blue bow dost crown My bosky acres and my unshrubbed down, Rich scarf to my proud earth. Why hast thy queen Summoned me hither […]

Enter IRIS. IRIS                 Ceres, most bounteous lady, thy rich leas Of wheat, rye, barley, vetches, oats and peas; Thy turfy mountains where live nibbling sheep, And flat meads thatched 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 […]

PROSPERO     [to Ferdinand] 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!— […]

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 power) here to this place. Incite them to quick motion, for I must Bestow upon […]

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 […]