With such love as 'tis now; the murkiest den, The edge of that day's celebration, When I shall think, or Phoebus' steeds are foun der'd, Or night kept chain'd below. Pro. Fairly spoke: Sit then, and talk with her, she is thine own. Enter ARIEL. Ariel. What would my potent Master? here I am. Thou and thy meaner fellows your last service Pro. Did worthily perform; and I must use you 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? Pro. 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 mowe: Do you love me, Master? no. Pro. Dearly, my delicate Ariel: Do not approach, Till thou dost hear me call. Ariel, Well I conceive. [Exit. Pro. Look, thou be true; do not give dalliance Too much the reign; the strongest oaths are straw To the fire i'the blood; be more abstemious, Or else, good night, your vow! Fer. I warrant you, Sir; The white-cold virgin snow upon my heart Pro. Well. Now come, my Ariel; bring a corollary, Rather than want a spirit; appear, and pertly, A Masque. Enter IRIS. Soft musick. 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 peonied and lilied brims, Which spungy April at thy hest betrims, To make cold nymphs chaste crowns; broom groves, and thy Whose shadow the dismissed bachelor loves, Enter CERES. Cer. Hail, many colour'd messenger, that ne'er Dost disobey the wife of Jupiter; Who, with thy saffron wings, upon my flowers Queen Summond me hither, to this short-grass'd green? Iris. Iris. A contract of true love to celebrate;" And some donation freely to estate On the bless'd lovers. Cer. Tell me, heavenly bow, If Venus, or her son, as thou dost know, 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 have done to Some wanton charm upon this man and maid, Her waspish-headed son has broke his arrows, And be a boy right out. sparrows, Cer. Highest Queen of state, Great Juno comes; I know her by her gait Enter JUNO. Juno. How does my bounteous sister? Go with. me, To bless this twain, that they may prosperous be, And honour'd in their issue. SONG. JUNO. Honour, riches, marriage-blessing, VOL. I. 6 CER. -Earth's increase, and foison plenty; Scarcity, and want, shall shun you; Fer. This is a most majestic vision, and Pro. Spirits, which by mine art I have from their confines call'd to enact Fer. Let me live here ever; So rare a wonder'd father, and a wife, [Juno and Ceres whisper and send IRIS on employment.] Pro. 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 wandr ing 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 celebrateA contract of true love; be not too late. Enter certain Nymphs. You sun burn'd sicklemen, of August weary, .i And these, fresh nymphs, encounter, every one Enter certain Reapers, properly habited: they join with the Nymphs in a graceful dance; towards the end whereof PROSPERO starts suddenly, and speaks; after which, to a strange, hollow, and confused noise, they heavily vanish. Pro. [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.. Fer. This is most strange; That works him strongly. your father's in some passion Mira. Never till this day, Saw I him touch'd with anger so distemper'd. If you be pleas'd, retire into my cell, And, there repose; a turn or two I'll walk, To still my beating mind. Fer. Mira. We wish your peace. [Exeunt. |