The Tempest: Act 1, Scene 2
Enter PROSPERO and MIRANDA.
MIRANDA
1. art: magic.
1 If by your art, my dearest father, you have2. allay: pacify.
2 Put the wild waters in this roar, allay them. 3 The sky, it seems, would pour down stinking pitch,4. welkin's cheek: sky's face? >>>
4 But that the sea, mounting to the welkin's cheek,5. Dashes the fire out: i.e., instantly extinguishes the fire.
6. brave: splendid.
6. brave: splendid.
5 Dashes the fire out. O, I have suffered 6 With those that I saw suffer: a brave vessel, 7 Who had, no doubt, some noble creature in her, 8 Dash'd all to pieces. O, the cry did knock 9 Against my very heart. Poor souls, they perish'd. 10 Had I been any god of power, I would11. or ere: before.
11 Have sunk the sea within the earth or ere 12 It should the good ship so have swallow'd and13. fraughting souls: cargo of souls.
13 The fraughting souls within her. PROSPERO
13. collected: composed, calm.
14. amazement: terror. piteous: pitying.
14. amazement: terror. piteous: pitying.
13 Be collected: 14 No more amazement: tell your piteous heart 15 There's no harm done. MIRANDA
15 O, woe the day! PROSPERO
15 No harm.16. but: except.
16 I have done nothing but in care of thee, 17 Of thee, my dear one, thee, my daughter, who 18 Art ignorant of what thou art, nought knowing19. more better: of higher rank. —Miranda doesn't know that her father was a Duke. 20. full: very.
21. no greater: i.e., of no loftier position than is implied by his "full poor cell."
21. no greater: i.e., of no loftier position than is implied by his "full poor cell."
19 Of whence I am, nor that I am more better 20 Than Prospero, master of a full poor cell, 21 And thy no greater father. MIRANDA
21 More to know22. meddle with: mingle with, enter.
22 Did never meddle with my thoughts. PROSPERO
22 'Tis time 23 I should inform thee farther. Lend thy hand, 24 And pluck my magic garment from me. So: [Lays down his mantle.]
25. my art: i.e., source of my magical powers.
26. wreck: shipwreck.
26. wreck: shipwreck.
25 Lie there, my art. Wipe thou thine eyes; have comfort. 26 The direful spectacle of the wreck, which touch'd27. virtue: essence.
27 The very virtue of compassion in thee,28. provision: foresight.
28 I have with such provision in mine art29. safely ordered: arranged everything safely.
29 So safely ordered that there is no soul—30. perdition: loss.
30 No, not so much perdition as an hair31. Betid: happened.
31 Betid to any creature in the vessel32. which: whom.
32 Which thou heard'st cry, which thou saw'st sink. Sit down; 33 For thou must now know farther. MIRANDA
33 You have often 34 Begun to tell me what I am, but stopp'd 35 And left me to a bootless inquisition,
35. bootless inquisition: futile inquiry.
36 Concluding 'Stay: not yet.'
36. Stay: wait, be patient.
PROSPERO
36 The hour's now come;38. ope: open.
37 The very minute bids thee ope thine ear;38. Obey: i.e., listen.
38 Obey and be attentive. Canst thou remember 39 A time before we came unto this cell? 40 I do not think thou canst, for then thou wast not41. Out: fully.
41 Out three years old. MIRANDA
41 Certainly, sir, I can. PROSPERO
42 By what? by any other house or person? 43 Of any thing the image tell me that 44 Hath kept with thy remembrance. MIRANDA
44 'Tis far off45. assurance: certainty.
45 And rather like a dream than an assurance46. remembrance warrants: memory guarantees.
46 That my remembrance warrants. Had I not 47 Four or five women once that tended me? PROSPERO
48 Thou hadst, and more, Miranda. But how is it 49 That this lives in thy mind? What seest thou else50. backward and abysm of time: abyss of the past.
50 In the dark backward and abysm of time?51. aught: anything. ere: before.
52. How thou camest here thou mayst: i.e., you may remember how you came here.
52. How thou camest here thou mayst: i.e., you may remember how you came here.
51 If thou remember'st aught ere thou camest here, 52 How thou camest here thou mayst. MIRANDA
52 But that I do not. PROSPERO
53 Twelve year since, Miranda, twelve year since, 54 Thy father was the Duke of Milan and 55 A prince of power. MIRANDA
55 Sir, are not you my father? PROSPERO
56. piece: masterpiece. virtue: chastity.
She . . . daughter: This a version of a joke about how a wife will always be unfaithful, but will always lie about it and assure her husband that the children are really his.
59. no worse issued: no less noble in birth.
She . . . daughter: This a version of a joke about how a wife will always be unfaithful, but will always lie about it and assure her husband that the children are really his.
59. no worse issued: no less noble in birth.
56 Thy mother was a piece of virtue, and 57 She said thou wast my daughter; and thy father 58 Was Duke of Milan; and thou his only heir 59 And princess no worse issued. MIRANDA
59 O the heavens! 60 What foul play had we, that we came from thence? 61 Or blessed was't we did? PROSPERO
61 Both, both, my girl: 62 By foul play, as thou say'st, were we heaved thence,63. blessedly holp: providentially helped.
63 But blessedly holp hither. MIRANDA
63 O, my heart bleeds64. teen: sorrow, trouble. turn'd you to: reminded you of.
65. from: out of.
65. from: out of.
64 To think o' the teen that I have turn'd you to, 65 Which is from my remembrance! Please you, farther. PROSPERO
66 My brother and thy uncle, call'd Antonio— 67 I pray thee, mark me—that a brother should68. next: next to.
68 Be so perfidious!—he whom next thyself 69 Of all the world I loved and to him put70. manage: management, administration.
70 The manage of my state; as at that time71. signories: domains held by feudal lords. the first: most prestigious. prime: chief, first in rank.
73. liberal arts: studies which liberate the mind, such as logic, music, and astronomy.
73. liberal arts: studies which liberate the mind, such as logic, music, and astronomy.
71 Through all the signories it was the first 72 And Prospero the prime duke, being so reputed 73 In dignity, and for the liberal arts 74 Without a parallel; those being all my study, 75 The government I cast upon my brother76. to my state grew stranger: i.e., withdrew from my responsibilities as duke.
77. secret studies: studies of the occult, such as magic, sorcery, and mysticism.
77. secret studies: studies of the occult, such as magic, sorcery, and mysticism.
76 And to my state grew stranger, being transported 77 And rapt in secret studies. Thy false uncle— 78 Dost thou attend me? MIRANDA
78 Sir, most heedfully. PROSPERO
79. perfected: grown skillful.
79 Being once perfected how to grant suits, 80 How to deny them, who to advance and who81. trash for overtopping: restrain from becoming too powerful. 82. creatures that were mine: i.e., officials who I appointed to office. 82‑83. or . . . Or: either . . . or.
83. key: (1) key to a lock; (2) key of a tune.
83. key: (1) key to a lock; (2) key of a tune.
81 To trash for over-topping, new created 82 The creatures that were mine, I say, or changed 'em, 83 Or else new form'd 'em; having both the key 84 Of officer and office, set all hearts i' the state 85 To what tune pleased his ear; that now he was 86 The ivy which had hid my princely trunk,87. verdure: vigor, vitality. on't: of it.
87 And suck'd my verdure out on't. Thou attend'st not. MIRANDA
88 O, good sir, I do. PROSPERO
88 I pray thee, mark me.89. ends: goals, concerns.
90. closeness: seclusion.
91. but by being so retired: i.e., except for the drawback of being so isolated.
92. O'er-prized all popular rate: had greater worth than any popular evaluation would place upon it.
94. good parent: Perhaps this is an echo of the English proverb, "Many a good father has a bad son." of: in.
90. closeness: seclusion.
91. but by being so retired: i.e., except for the drawback of being so isolated.
92. O'er-prized all popular rate: had greater worth than any popular evaluation would place upon it.
94. good parent: Perhaps this is an echo of the English proverb, "Many a good father has a bad son." of: in.
89 I, thus neglecting worldly ends, all dedicated 90 To closeness and the bettering of my mind 91 With that which, but by being so retired, 92 O'er-prized all popular rate, in my false brother 93 Awaked an evil nature; and my trust, 94 Like a good parent, did beget of him 95 A falsehood in its contrary as great 96 As my trust was; which had indeed no limit,97. sans: without. lorded: i.e., established in a position of power.
97 A confidence sans bound. He being thus lorded, 98 Not only with what my revenue yielded,99. else: otherwise, additionally.
100. Who . . . it: i.e., who drives out truth by repeating a lie.
100. Who . . . it: i.e., who drives out truth by repeating a lie.
99 But what my power might else exact, like one100 Who having into truth, by telling of it,101 Made such a sinner of his memory,102. To: as to.
103-105. out . . . prerogative: as a result of his making himself my substitute and carrying out all the visible functions of royalty with all its rights and privileges.
103-105. out . . . prerogative: as a result of his making himself my substitute and carrying out all the visible functions of royalty with all its rights and privileges.
102 To credit his own lie, he did believe103 He was indeed the duke; out o' the substitution104 And executing the outward face of royalty,105 With all prerogative: hence his ambition growing—106 Dost thou hear? MIRANDA
106 Your tale, sir, would cure deafness. PROSPERO
107 To have no screen between this part he play'd108. him he play'd it for: i.e., himself.
109. Absolute Milan: actual Duke of Milan.
110. temporal royalties: practical administration.
109. Absolute Milan: actual Duke of Milan.
110. temporal royalties: practical administration.
108 And him he play'd it for, he needs will be109 Absolute Milan. Me, poor man, my library110 Was dukedom large enough: of temporal royalties111. confederates: makes alliance.
111 He thinks me now incapable; confederates—112. dry . . . for sway: thirsty for power.
112 So dry he was for sway—wi' th' King of Naples113. him: i.e., the King of Naples.
113 To give him annual tribute, do him homage,114. Subject his coronet to his crown: i.e., make the Duke of Milan subservient to the King of Naples.
114-116. bend . . . stooping: i.e.make the dukedom of Milan, which never before had bowed down, stoop like a slave.
114-116. bend . . . stooping: i.e.make the dukedom of Milan, which never before had bowed down, stoop like a slave.
114 Subject his coronet to his crown and bend115 The dukedom yet unbow'd—alas, poor Milan!—116 To most ignoble stooping. MIRANDA
116 O the heavens! PROSPERO
117-118. Mark . . . brother: i.e., Take note of the servile agreement he made and the shameful outcome, then tell me if he was really my brother.
117 Mark his condition and the event; then tell me118 If this might be a brother. MIRANDA
118 I should sin119 To think but nobly of my grandmother:120. but: other than.
120 Good wombs have borne bad sons. PROSPERO
Now the condition: i.e., Now I will tell you the details of the pact he made.
120 Now the condition.121 The King of Naples, being an enemy122. hearkens: listens to. suit: proposal.
122 To me inveterate, hearkens my brother's suit;123. he: the King of Naples. in lieu o' the premises: in return for the pledge.
123 Which was, that he, in lieu o' the premises124 Of homage and I know not how much tribute,125. presently extirpate: immediately remove.
125 Should presently extirpate me and mine126 Out of the dukedom and confer fair Milan127 With all the honours on my brother: whereon,128 A treacherous army levied, one midnight129 Fated to the purpose did Antonio open130 The gates of Milan, and, i' the dead of darkness,131. ministers for the purpose: agents employed to do this. hurried thence: swiftly carried away.
131 The ministers for the purpose hurried thence132 Me and thy crying self. MIRANDA
132 Alack, for pity!133 I, not remembering how I cried out then,134-135. it is a hint / That wrings mine eyes to't: i.e., it is something that wrings tears out of my eyes.
134 Will cry it o'er again: it is a hint135 That wrings mine eyes to't. PROSPERO
135 Hear a little further136 And then I'll bring thee to the present business137 Which now's upon's; without the which this story138. impertinent: irrelevant.
138 Were most impertinent. MIRANDA
138. Wherefore: why.
138 Wherefore did they not139 That hour destroy us? PROSPERO
139. demanded: asked. wench: girl, young woman. —Here it is a term of endearment. 140. durst: dared.
139 Well demanded, wench:140 My tale provokes that question. Dear, they durst not,141-142. set / A mark so bloody: i.e., make obvious their murderous intent.
141 So dear the love my people bore me, nor set142 A mark so bloody on the business, but143. With colours . . . ends: i.e., tried to make what they were doing look much better than what they actually intended.
144. In few: in short. bark: ship.
143 With colours fairer painted their foul ends.144 In few, they hurried us aboard a bark,145 Bore us some leagues to sea; where they prepared146. butt: tub; an old run-down ship.
146 A rotten carcass of a butt, not rigg'd,147 Nor tackle, sail, nor mast; the very rats148 Instinctively had quit it: there they hoist us,149 To cry to the sea that roar'd to us, to sigh150 To the winds whose pity, sighing back again,151 Did us but loving wrong. MIRANDA
151 Alack, what trouble152 Was I then to you! PROSPERO
152 O, a cherubim153 Thou wast that did preserve me. Thou didst smile,154. Infused: filled, suffused.
154 Infused with a fortitude from heaven,155. deck'd: (1) adorned; (2) covered. drops full salt: i.e., tears.
156-157. which . . . stomach: i.e., your smile, Miranda, gave me the courage to endure.
156-157. which . . . stomach: i.e., your smile, Miranda, gave me the courage to endure.
155 When I have deck'd the sea with drops full salt,156 Under my burden groan'd, which raised in me157 An undergoing stomach, to bear up158 Against what should ensue. MIRANDA
158 How came we ashore? PROSPERO
159 By Providence divine.160 Some food we had and some fresh water that161 A noble Neapolitan, Gonzalo,162 Out of his charity, being then appointed163 Master of this design, did give us, with164. stuffs and necessaries: supplies and necessities.
165. steaded much: done a great deal to sustain us. so, of his gentleness: similarly, out of his [Gonzalo's] gentlemanly character.
165. steaded much: done a great deal to sustain us. so, of his gentleness: similarly, out of his [Gonzalo's] gentlemanly character.
164 Rich garments, linens, stuffs and necessaries,165 Which since have steaded much; so, of his gentleness,166 Knowing I loved my books, he furnish'd me167 From mine own library with volumes that168 I prize above my dukedom. MIRANDA
168-169. Would . . . man!: i.e., I wish I could meet that man someday!
168 Would I might169 But ever see that man! PROSPERO
169 Now I arise: [Puts on his robe.]
170 Sit still, and hear the last of our sea-sorrow.171 Here in this island we arrived; and here172-173. made . . . can: i.e., made you profit more from your education than other princes [members of the ruling class] are able to.
174. vainer hours: i.e. time spent on trifles.
174. vainer hours: i.e. time spent on trifles.
172 Have I, thy schoolmaster, made thee more profit173 Than other princes can that have more time174 For vainer hours and tutors not so careful. MIRANDA
175 Heavens thank you for't! And now, I pray you, sir,176 For still 'tis beating in my mind, your reason177 For raising this sea-storm? PROSPERO
177 Know thus far forth.178 By accident most strange, bountiful Fortune179 (Now my dear lady) hath mine enemies180. prescience: foreknowledge.
181. zenith: height of fortune (astrological term).
181. zenith: height of fortune (astrological term).
180 Brought to this shore; and by my prescience181 I find my zenith doth depend upon182. influence: astrological power.
182 A most auspicious star, whose influence183. omit: ignore.
183 If now I court not but omit, my fortunes184 Will ever after droop. Here cease more questions:185. dullness: sleepiness.
185 Thou art inclined to sleep; 'tis a good dullness,186. give it way: let it have its way; i.e., don't fight it.
187. Come away: come here, away from where you are.
187. Come away: come here, away from where you are.
186 And give it way: I know thou canst not choose. [Miranda sleeps.]
187 Come away, servant, come. I am ready now.188 Approach, my Ariel, come. Enter ARIEL.
ARIEL
189 All hail, great master! grave sir, hail! I come190 To answer thy best pleasure; be't to fly,191 To swim, to dive into the fire, to ride192-193. to . . . quality: This is the last item in the series that began at line 190, with "be't to fly." Here Ariel is saying that he will use all of his abilities to accomplish whatever task Prospero commands him to do.
192 On the curl'd clouds, to thy strong bidding task193 Ariel and all his quality. PROSPERO
193 Hast thou, spirit,194. Perform'd . . . thee: i.e., created the tempest exactly as I told you to.
194 Perform'd to point the tempest that I bade thee? ARIEL
195 To every article.196. beak: prow.
196 I boarded the king's ship; now on the beak,197. waist: midship. deck: poop deck at the stern.
197 Now in the waist, the deck, in every cabin,198. flam'd amazement: struck terror by appearing as the flamelike phenomenon called St. Elmo's fire.
198 I flamed amazement: sometime I'ld divide,199 And burn in many places; on the topmast,200. distinctly: in separate places.
200 The yards and bowsprit, would I flame distinctly,201 Then meet and join. Jove's lightnings, the precursors202 O' the dreadful thunder-claps, more momentary
203. sight-outrunning: swifter than sight. were not: could not have been.204. Neptune: Roman god of the sea.
206. trident: three-pronged weapon.
206. brave: splendid.
207. coil: uproar.
203 And sight-outrunning were not; the fire and cracks204 Of sulphurous roaring the most mighty Neptune205 Seem to besiege and make his bold waves tremble,206 Yea, his dread trident shake. PROSPERO
206 My brave spirit!207 Who was so firm, so constant, that this coil208 Would not infect his reason? ARIEL
208 Not a soul209. of the mad: such as madmen have.
209-210. played . . . desperation: i.e., did irrational things in a panic.
209-210. played . . . desperation: i.e., did irrational things in a panic.
209 But felt a fever of the mad and play'd210 Some tricks of desperation. All but mariners211 Plunged in the foaming brine and quit the vessel,212 Then all afire with me. The king's son, Ferdinand,213. up-staring: standing on end.
213 With hair up-staring,—then like reeds, not hair,—214 Was the first man that leap'd; cried, 'Hell is empty215 And all the devils are here.' PROSPERO
215 Why that's my spirit!216 But was not this nigh shore? ARIEL
216 Close by, my master. PROSPERO
217 But are they, Ariel, safe? ARIEL
217 Not a hair perish'd;218. sustaining garments: clothes that bore them up in the water. 219. badest: ordered.
220. troops: separate groups.
220. troops: separate groups.
218 On their sustaining garments not a blemish,219 But fresher than before: and, as thou badest me,220 In troops I have dispersed them 'bout the isle.221 The king's son have I landed by himself;222. cooling of: cooling.
222 Whom I left cooling of the air with sighs223. angle: corner.
223 In an odd angle of the isle and sitting,224. in this sad knot: i.e., crossed thus (Ariel illustrates with a gesture).
224 His arms in this sad knot. PROSPERO
224 Of the king's ship225 The mariners say how thou hast disposed226 And all the rest o' the fleet. ARIEL
226 Safely in harbour227. nook: inlet, small bay.
227 Is the king's ship; in the deep nook, where once228. dew: (Collected for magical purposes.)
228 Thou call'dst me up at midnight to fetch dew229 From the still-vex'd Bermoothes, there she's hid:
229. still-vex'd Bermoothes: always stormy Bermuda islands.
230 The mariners all under hatches stow'd;231 Who, with a charm join'd to their suffer'd labor,
231. with a charm: by means of a magic spell. their suff'red labor: the labor they have endured.
232 I have left asleep; and for the rest o' the fleet233 Which I dispersed, they all have met again234 And are upon the Mediterranean float,234. float: flood, sea.
235 Bound sadly home for Naples,236 Supposing that they saw the king's ship wreck'd237 And his great person perish. PROSPERO
237 Ariel, thy charge238 Exactly is perform'd: but there's more work.239 What is the time o' the day? ARIEL
239 Past the mid season.
239. mid season: noon.
PROSPERO
240 At least two glasses. The time 'twixt six and now
240. glasses: hourglasses.
241 Must by us both be spent most preciously.
241. preciously: with meticulous workmanship. —It is never explained exactly why everything must be accomplished in less than four hours.
ARIEL
242 Is there more toil? Since thou dost give me pains,
242. pains: duties, chores.
243 Let me remember thee what thou hast promised,
243. remember thee: remind you.
244 Which is not yet perform'd me.
244. performed me: done for me as promised.
PROSPERO
244 How now? moody?245 What is't thou canst demand? ARIEL
245 My liberty. PROSPERO
246 Before the time be out? no more! ARIEL
246 I prithee,247 Remember I have done thee worthy service;248 Told thee no lies, made thee no mistakings, served249 Without or grudge or grumblings: thou didst promise
250 To bate me a full year.
250. bate me a full year: take an entire year off of my term of service.
PROSPERO
250 Dost thou forget251 From what a torment I did free thee? ARIEL
251 No. PROSPERO
252 Thou dost, and think'st it much to tread the ooze
252. ooze: muddy sea floor.
253 Of the salt deep,254 To run upon the sharp wind of the north,255 To do me business in the veins o' the earth
255. do me: do for me.
256 When it is baked with frost.256. baked: hardened.
ARIEL
256 I do not, sir. PROSPERO
257 Thou liest, malignant thing! Hast thou forgot258. envy: malice.
258 The foul witch Sycorax, who with age and envy259 Was grown into a hoop? hast thou forgot her?259. grown into a hoop: i.e., so bent over with age as to resemble a hoop.
ARIEL
260 No, sir. PROSPERO
260 Thou hast. Where was she born? speak; tell me. ARIEL
261 Sir, in Argier.
261. Argier: Algiers.
PROSPERO
261 O, was she so? I must262 Once in a month recount what thou hast been,263 Which thou forget'st. This damn'd witch Sycorax,264 For mischiefs manifold and sorceries terrible265 To enter human hearing, from Argier,266 Thou know'st, was banish'd: for one thing she did
266. one thing she did: Perhaps that "one thing" was to become pregnant with Caliban. In Shakespeare's time pregnant women were not executed.
267 They would not take her life. Is not this true? ARIEL
268 Ay, sir. PROSPERO
269 This blue-eyed hag was hither brought with child
269. blue-ey'd: with dark circles around the eyes. with child: pregnant.
270 And here was left by the sailors. Thou, my slave,271 As thou report'st thyself, wast then her servant;272 And, for thou wast a spirit too delicate272. for: because.
273 To act her earthy and abhorr'd commands,274 Refusing her grand hests, she did confine thee,274. hests: commands.
275 By help of her more potent ministers276 And in her most unmitigable rage,277 Into a cloven pine; within which rift278 Imprison'd thou didst painfully remain279 A dozen years; within which space she died280 And left thee there; where thou didst vent thy groans281 As fast as mill-wheels strike. Then was this island—281. As . . . strike: as fast as mill wheels strike the water.
282 Save for the son that she did litter here,
282. Save: except.
litter: drop, in the sense of "give birth to."
283 A freckled whelp hag-born—not honour'd with
282. whelp: offspring of a dog. Both "litter" and "whelp" strongly suggest that Caliban is beastly.
284 A human shape. ARIEL
284 Yes, Caliban her son. PROSPERO
285 Dull thing, I say so; he, that Caliban
285. Dull thing, I say so: i.e., Exactly, that's what I said, you dullard.
286 Whom now I keep in service. Thou best know'st287 What torment I did find thee in; thy groans288 Did make wolves howl and penetrate the breasts289 Of ever angry bears: it was a torment290 To lay upon the damn'd, which Sycorax291 Could not again undo: it was mine art,292 When I arrived and heard thee, that made gape
292. gape: open wide.
293 The pine and let thee out. ARIEL
293 I thank thee, master. PROSPERO
294 If thou more murmur'st, I will rend an oak295 And peg thee in his knotty entrails till295. his: its.
296 Thou hast howl'd away twelve winters. ARIEL
296 Pardon, master;297 I will be correspondent to command297. correspondent: obedient.
298 And do my spiriting gently.298. do my spriting gently: perform my tasks as a spirit ungrudgingly.
PROSPERO
298 Do so, and after two days299 I will discharge thee. ARIEL
299 That's my noble master!300 What shall I do? say what; what shall I do? PROSPERO
301 Go make thyself like a nymph o' the sea: be subject302 To no sight but thine and mine, invisible303 To every eyeball else. Go take this shape304 And hither come in't: go, hence with diligence! [Exit Ariel.]
305 Awake, dear heart, awake! thou hast slept well;306 Awake! MIRANDA
306 The strangeness of your story put307 Heaviness in me.
307. Heaviness: drowsiness.
PROSPERO
307 Shake it off. Come on;308 We'll visit Caliban my slave, who never309 Yields us kind answer. MIRANDA
309 'Tis a villain, sir,310 I do not love to look on. PROSPERO
310 But, as 'tis,311 We cannot miss him: he does make our fire,311. miss: do without.
312 Fetch in our wood and serves in offices312. offices: functions, duties.
313 That profit us. What, ho! slave! Caliban!313. profit us: benefit us.
314 Thou earth, thou! speak. CALIBAN [Within.]
314 There's wood enough within. PROSPERO
315 Come forth, I say! there's other business for thee:316 Come, thou tortoise! when?
316. when: This is a common expression of impatience.
Enter ARIEL like a water-nymph.
317 Fine apparition! My quaint Ariel,
317. quaint: clever, ingenious.
318 Hark in thine ear. [Prospero whispers in Ariel's ear.]
ARIEL
318 My lord it shall be done. Exit.
PROSPERO
319 Thou poisonous slave, got by the devil himself
319. got: begotten.
320 Upon thy wicked dam, come forth!320. dam: mother.
 |  |  |
Enter CALIBAN.
CALIBAN
321 As wicked dew as e'er my mother brush'd322 With raven's feather from unwholesome fen
322. fen: marsh, bog.
323 Drop on you both! a south-west blow on ye
323. south-west: southwest wind, thought to bring pestilence.
324 And blister you all o'er! PROSPERO
325 For this, be sure, tonight thou shalt have cramps,326 Side-stitches that shall pen thy breath up; urchins
326. pen thy breath up: i.e., make you gasp and hold your breath. urchins: i.e., goblins in the shape of hedgehogs.
327. for that . . . work: during that long period of darkness during which they are permitted to perform their mischief.
327. for that . . . work: during that long period of darkness during which they are permitted to perform their mischief.
327 Shall, for that vast of night that they may work,328 All exercise on thee; thou shalt be pinch'd329 As thick as honeycomb, each pinch more stinging330 Than bees that made 'em.
330. 'em: i.e., them, the cells of the honeycomb.
CALIBAN
330 I must eat my dinner.dinner: lunch.
331 This island's mine, by Sycorax my mother,332 Which thou takest from me. When thou camest first,333 Thou strokedst me and madest much of me, wouldst give me334 Water with berries in't, and teach me how
334. berries: coffee beans?
335 To name the bigger light, and how the less,335. the bigger light, and . . . the less: i.e., the sun and the moon. (See Genesis 1:16: "God then made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night.")
336 That burn by day and night: and then I loved thee337 And show'd thee all the qualities o' the isle,338 The fresh springs, brine-pits, barren place and fertile:339 Cursed be I that did so! All the charms
339. charms: spells.
340 Of Sycorax, toads, beetles, bats, light on you!341 For I am all the subjects that you have,342 Which first was mine own king: and here you sty me
342. sty: confine, as in a pigsty.
343 In this hard rock, whiles you do keep from me344 The rest o' the island. PROSPERO
344 Thou most lying slave,345 Whom stripes may move, not kindness! I have used thee,
345. stripes: whippings. move: motivate.
346 Filth as thou art, with human care, and lodged thee
346. human: humane.
347 In mine own cell, till thou didst seek to violate
347-348. violate / The honour of: rape.
348 The honour of my child. CALIBAN
349 O ho, O ho! would't had been done!350 Thou didst prevent me; I had peopled else350. I had peopled else: otherwise, I would have peopled.
351 This isle with Calibans. PROSPERO
351 Abhorred slave,352 Which any print of goodness wilt not take,
352. print: imprint, impression.
353 Being capable of all ill! I pitied thee,
353. capable of all ill: i.e., liable to pick up any bad influence.
354 Took pains to make thee speak, taught thee each hour355 One thing or other: when thou didst not, savage,356 Know thine own meaning, but wouldst gabble like357 A thing most brutish, I endow'd thy purposes
357. purposes: meanings, desires.
358 With words that made them known. But thy vile race,
358. race: nature.
359 Though thou didst learn, had that in't which good natures360 Could not abide to be with; therefore wast thou361 Deservedly confined into this rock,362 Who hadst deserved more than a prison.
362. hadst deserved more than a prison: had deserved more punishment than merely to be confined to prison.
CALIBAN
363 You taught me language; and my profit on't364 Is, I know how to curse. The red plague rid you
364. red plague: syphilis? rid you: destroy you.
365 For learning me your language!365. learning me: teaching me.
PROSPERO
365 Hag-seed, hence!
365. Hag-seed: Offspring of a female demon.
366 Fetch us in fuel; and be quick, thou'rt best,366. thou'rt best: you had better..
367 To answer other business. Shrug'st thou, malice?367. answer other business: perform other tasks.
368 If thou neglect'st or dost unwillingly369 What I command, I'll rack thee with old cramps,
369. old: innumerable.
370 Fill all thy bones with aches, make thee roar371 That beasts shall tremble at thy din.371. That: so loudly that.
CALIBAN
371 No, pray thee. [Aside.]
372 I must obey: his art is of such power,373 It would control my dam's god, Setebos,373. Setebos: Richard Eden (1521? - 1576), a translator of travel books, identified Setebos as a god of the Patagonians. Patagonia is the southern tip of South America.
374 and make a vassal of him. PROSPERO
374 So, slave; hence! Exit CALIBAN.
Enter FERDINAND; and ARIEL,
invisible, playing and singing.
ARIEL['S] SONG
375 Come unto these yellow sands,376 And then take hands:377 Courtsied when you have and kiss'd,377. Courtsied . . . kiss'd: when you have curtsied and kissed. 378. whist: being hushed.
378 The wild waves whist,379 Foot it featly here and there;
379. featly: nimbly.
380 And, sweet sprites, the burthen bear.
380. burthen: chorus, refrain.
381 Hark, hark! Burthen, dispersedly.
Burthen, dispersedly: i.e., chorus, sung from here and there by invisible spirits.
382 Bow-wow.383 The watch-dogs bark! [Burthen, dispersedly.]
384 Bow-wow.385 Hark, hark! I hear386 The strain of strutting chanticleer Cry.
387 Cock-a-diddle-dow. FERDINAND
388 Where should this music be? i' the air or the earth?389 It sounds no more: and sure, it waits upon
389. waits upon: serves, attends.
390 Some god o' the island. Sitting on a bank,
390. bank: sandbank.
391 Weeping again the king my father's wreck,392 This music crept by me upon the waters,393 Allaying both their fury and my passion
393. passion: sorrow.
394 With its sweet air: thence I have follow'd it,
394. thence: i.e., from the bank on which I sat.
395 Or it hath drawn me rather. But 'tis gone.396 No, it begins again. ARIEL['S] SONG.
397 Full fathom five thy father lies;398 Of his bones are coral made;399 Those are pearls that were his eyes:400 Nothing of him that doth fade401 But doth suffer a sea-change402 Into something rich and strange.403 Sea-nymphs hourly ring his knell
403. knell: announcement of a death by the tolling of a bell.
Burthen.
404 Ding-dong.405 Hark! now I hear them,—Ding-dong, bell. FERDINAND
406 The ditty does remember my drown'd father.406. ditty: words of the song. remember: commemorate.
407 This is no mortal business, nor no sound408 That the earth owes. I hear it now above me.408. owes: owns.
PROSPERO
409 The fringed curtains of thine eye advance409. The fringed . . . advance: i.e., open your eyes wide and look out into the distance.
410 And say what thou seest yond. MIRANDA
410 What is't? a spirit?411 Lord, how it looks about! Believe me, sir,412 It carries a brave form. But 'tis a spirit.412. brave: excellent, splendid.
PROSPERO
413 No, wench; it eats and sleeps and hath such senses414 As we have, such. This gallant which thou seest415 Was in the wreck; and, but he's something stain'd415. something stain'd: somewhat disfigured.
416 With grief that's beauty's canker, thou mightst call him416. canker: worm that eats blossoms.
417 A goodly person: he hath lost his fellows417. fellows: friends, associates.
418 And strays about to find 'em. MIRANDA
418 I might call him419 A thing divine, for nothing natural420 I ever saw so noble. PROSPERO
[Aside.]
420 It goes on, I see,420-421. It . . . prompts it: i.e., things are working out just as I have hoped and planned.
421 As my soul prompts it. Spirit, fine spirit! I'll free thee422 Within two days for this. FERDINAND
422 Most sure, the goddess423 On whom these airs attend! Vouchsafe my prayer
423. airs: i.e., the music he has heard. Vouchsafe: Grant.
424 May know if you remain upon this island;424. remain: dwell, have your home here.
425 And that you will some good instruction give426 How I may bear me here: my prime request,
426. bear me: conduct myself. prime: first, most important.
427 Which I do last pronounce, is, O you wonder!428 If you be maid or no?428. maid: i.e., a human maiden, not a goddess. —Ferdinand wants to know if he is permitted to woo her; in a couple of minutes he will offer to marry her.
MIRANDA
428 No wonder, sir;429 But certainly a maid. FERDINAND
429 My language! heavens!430 I am the best of them that speak this speech,430. best: first in rank. —Ferdinand believes his father, the King of Naples, to be dead, which makes him the highest-ranking of all who live in Naples, where his language is spoken.
431 Were I but where 'tis spoken. PROSPERO
431 How? the best?432 What wert thou, if the King of Naples heard thee? FERDINAND
433 A single thing, as I am now, that wonders
433. single: i.e., a solitary individual.
434 To hear thee speak of Naples. He does hear me;434. Naples: the King of Naples. He does hear me: i.e., I, who am the new King of Naples, hear myself, and therefore the King of Naples hears me.
435. And that he does I weep: i.e., and I weep at this reminder that my father is dead, making me the king.
436. at ebb: dry.
435. And that he does I weep: i.e., and I weep at this reminder that my father is dead, making me the king.
436. at ebb: dry.
435 And that he does I weep: myself am Naples,436 Who with mine eyes, never since at ebb, beheld437 The king my father wreck'd. MIRANDA
437 Alack, for mercy! FERDINAND
438 Yes, faith, and all his lords; the Duke of Milan439 And his brave son being twain.439. brave son: handsome son. —This son is not mentioned elsewhere in the play.
PROSPERO [Aside.]
439 The Duke of Milan
439. The Duke of Milan: —Prospero means himself.
The person who Ferdinand refers to as the Duke of Milan is Prospero's brother, who stole the dukedom from Prospero.
440. more braver: more good-looking. control thee: correct you (about who the real Duke of Milan is.)
442. chang'd eyes: exchanged loving looks.
444. done yourself some wrong: i.e., done something unworthy of yourself.
440. more braver: more good-looking. control thee: correct you (about who the real Duke of Milan is.)
442. chang'd eyes: exchanged loving looks.
444. done yourself some wrong: i.e., done something unworthy of yourself.
440 And his more braver daughter could control thee,441 If now 'twere fit to do't. At the first sight442 They have changed eyes. Delicate Ariel,443 I'll set thee free for this. —A word, good sir;444 I fear you have done yourself some wrong: a word. MIRANDA
445 Why speaks my father so ungently? This446 Is the third man that e'er I saw, the first447 That e'er I sigh'd for: pity move my father448 To be inclined my way! FERDINAND
448 O, if a virgin,449 And your affection not gone forth, I'll make you
449. And your affection not gone forth: and if you are not pledged to another.
450 The queen of Naples. PROSPERO
450 Soft, sir! one word more. [Aside.]
451 They are both in either's powers; but this swift business
451. They . . . powers: They are in each other's power.
452 I must uneasy make, lest too light winning
452. uneasy: difficult. too light: too easy.
453 Make the prize light. —One word more; I charge thee
453. Make the prize light: make the prize cheap.
454 That thou attend me: thou dost here usurp
454. attend: follow, obey.
455 The name thou owest not; and hast put thyself
455. owest: owns.
456 Upon this island as a spy, to win it457 From me, the lord on't.
457. on't: of it.
FERDINAND
457 No, as I am a man. MIRANDA
458 There's nothing ill can dwell in such a temple:
458. temple: i.e., Ferdinand. —Miranda thinks he is the most beautiful thing she has ever seen.
459 If the ill spirit have so fair a house,460 Good things will strive to dwell with't.
460. strive to dwell with't: i.e., expel the evil and occupy the "temple," or the body.
PROSPERO
460 Follow me.461 Speak not you for him; he's a traitor. Come;462 I'll manacle thy neck and feet together:463 Sea-water shalt thou drink; thy food shall be464 The fresh-brook mussles, wither'd roots and husks465 Wherein the acorn cradled. Follow. FERDINAND
465 No;466 I will resist such entertainment till
466. entertainment: treatment.
467 Mine enemy has more power. He draws [his sword],
and is charmed from moving.
MIRANDA
467 O dear father,468 Make not too rash a trial of him, for
468. rash: harsh.
469 He's gentle and not fearful.469. gentle: of high birth. fearful: frightening.
PROSPERO
469 What? I say,470 My foot my tutor?
470. My foot my tutor?: i.e., You are out of place, as though my foot were trying to teach me how to behave.
[To Ferdinand.]
470 Put thy sword up, traitor;471 Who makest a show but darest not strike, thy conscience472 Is so possess'd with guilt: come from thy ward,
472. ward: position of defense (in fencing).
473 For I can here disarm thee with this stick
473. stick: staff, magic wand.
474 And make thy weapon drop. MIRANDA
474 Beseech you, father. PROSPERO
475 Hence! hang not on my garments. MIRANDA
475 Sir, have pity;476 I'll be his surety.
476. I'll be his surety: i.e., I will be responsible for guaranteeing his good behavior.
PROSPERO
476 Silence! one word more477 Shall make me chide thee, if not hate thee. What!478 An advocate for an imposter! hush!479 Thou think'st there is no more such shapes as he,480 Having seen but him and Caliban: foolish wench!481 To the most of men this is a Caliban
481. To: in comparison with.
482 And they to him are angels.
MIRANDA
482 My affections
482. affections: emotions, fond feelings.
483 Are then most humble; I have no ambition484 To see a goodlier man. PROSPERO [To Ferdinand.]
484 Come on; obey:485 Thy nerves are in their infancy again
485. nerves: sinews, tendons.
486 And have no vigour in them. FERDINAND
486 So they are;487 My spirits, as in a dream, are all bound up.
487. spirits: vital powers. bound up: tied up, imprisoned.
488 My father's loss, the weakness which I feel,489 The wreck of all my friends, nor this man's threats,
489. nor: not even.
490 To whom I am subdued, are but light to me,
490. are but light to me: are very easy for me to bear.
491 Might I but through my prison once a day
491. through my prison: through the bars of my prison cell.
492 Behold this maid: all corners else o' the earth
493 Let liberty make use of; space enough494 Have I in such a prison. PROSPERO
[Aside.]
494 It works.
494. It works: i.e., My plan is working; love is taking possession of these two.
[To Ferdinand.]
494 Come on.— [To Ariel.]
495 Thou hast done well, fine Ariel! [To Ferdinand.]
495 Follow me. [To Ariel.]
496 Hark what thou else shalt do me.
496. Hark what thou else shalt do me: Listen carefully to what else you are going to do for me.
MIRANDA
496 Be of comfort;497 My father's of a better nature, sir,498 Than he appears by speech: this is unwonted
498. unwonted: unusual.
499 Which now came from him. PROSPERO [To Ariel.]
499 Thou shalt be free500 As mountain winds: but then exactly do501 All points of my command. ARIEL
501 To the syllable. PROSPERO
[To Ferdinand.]
502 Come, follow. [To Miranda.]
502 Speak not for him.
502. for him: in his defense.
Exeunt.