The Tempest: Act 2, Scene 1
Enter ALONSO, SEBASTIAN, ANTONIO,
GONZALO, ADRIAN, FRANCISCO, and others.
GONZALO
1 Beseech you, sir, be merry; you have cause, 2 So have we all, of joy; for our escape 3 Is much beyond our loss. Our hint of woe
3. Our hint of woe: the reason for our woe (being shipwrecked).
4 Is common; every day some sailor's wife, 5 The masters of some merchant and the merchant
5. The masters . . . merchant: the officers of some merchant vessel and the merchant who owns the cargo.
6 Have just our theme of woe; but for the miracle, 7 I mean our preservation, few in millions 8 Can speak like us: then wisely, good sir, weigh
8-9. weigh / Our sorrow with our comfort: balance our sorrow against our comfort.
9 Our sorrow with our comfort. ALONSO
9 Prithee, peace.
9. Prithee, peace: please stop talking.
SEBASTIAN
10 He receives comfort like cold porridge.10. porridge: soup thickened with peas, beans, lentils, etc. Since "peas" and "peace" sound the same, perhaps Sebastian is punning.
ANTONIO
11 The visitor will not give him o'er so.
11. visitor: one bringing nourishment and comfort to the sick, as Gonzalo is doing. give him o'er so: abandon him.
SEBASTIAN
12 Look, he's winding up the watch of his wit;
12. watch: chiming clock.
13 by and by it will strike.
13. strike: chime, sound.
GONZALO
14 Sir,— SEBASTIAN
15 One: tell.15. tell: count. This is Sebastian's way of saying "I told you so."
GONZALO
16 When every grief is entertain'd that's offer'd,
16. When . . . offer'd: When every sorrow that comes is accepted without resistance.
17 Comes to the entertainer—
17. the entertainer: i.e., the person who is grieving.
SEBASTIAN
18 A dollar.
18. dollar: a coin. Sebastian is sarcastically pretending that when Gonzalo said "entertainer," he meant "innkeeper."
GONZALO
19 Dolour comes to him, indeed: you
19. Dolour: sorrow. Here Gonzalo retorts to Sebastian's pun with one of his own.
20 have spoken truer than you purposed. SEBASTIAN
Alan Cuming as Sebastian
21 You have taken it wiselier than I meant you 22 should.
GONZALO
23 Therefore, my lord,— ANTONIO
24 Fie, what a spendthrift is he of his tongue! ALONSO
25 I prithee, spare.
25. I prithee, spare: please stop talking.
GONZALO
26 Well, I have done: but yet,— SEBASTIAN
27 He will be talking. ANTONIO
28 Which, of he or Adrian, for a good 29 wager, first begins to crow?
28-29. Which, of he or Adrian, for a good wager, first begins to crow?: Which of the two, Gonzalo or Adrian, do you bet will speak ("crow") first?
SEBASTIAN
30 The old cock.
30. old cock: i.e., Gonzalo.
ANTONIO
31 The cock'rel.
31. cock'rel: i.e., Adrian.
SEBASTIAN
32 Done. The wager? ANTONIO
33 A laughter.
33. laughter: (1) burst of laughter (2) clutch of eggs.
SEBASTIAN
34 A match!34. A match!: A bargain; agreed!
ADRIAN
35 Though this island seem to be desert,—
35. desert: uninhabited.
SEBASTIAN
36 Ha, ha, ha!
36. Ha, ha, ha!: Sebastian loses the bet since Adrian speaks first, and so Sebastian pays Antonio with a laugh.
37 So, you're paid. ADRIAN
38 Uninhabitable and almost inaccessible,— SEBASTIAN
39 Yet,— ADRIAN
40 Yet,— ANTONIO
41 He could not miss't.
41. miss't: (1) avoid saying "yet"; (2) miss the island.
ADRIAN
42 It must needs be of subtle, tender and delicate
42. must needs be: has to be. subtle: finely constructed. tender: fresh. delicate: charming, pleasant.
43 temperance.
43. temperance: climate.
ANTONIO
44 Temperance was a delicate wench. SEBASTIAN
45 Ay, and a subtle; as he most learnedly
45. subtle: Here it means "sexually crafty."
46 delivered.
46. delivered: proclaimed.
ADRIAN
47 The air breathes upon us here most sweetly. SEBASTIAN
48 As if it had lungs and rotten ones. ANTONIO
49 Or as 'twere perfumed by a fen.
49. fen: evil-smelling marshland.
GONZALO
50 Here is everything advantageous to life. ANTONIO
51 True; save means to live.
51. save: except.
SEBASTIAN
52 Of that there's none, or little. GONZALO
53 How lush and lusty the grass looks! how
53. lusty: healthy.
54 green! ANTONIO
55 The ground indeed is tawny.
55. tawny: parched tan or yellow.
SEBASTIAN
56 With an eye of green in't.
56. eye: tinge, or spot.
ANTONIO
57 He misses not much. SEBASTIAN
58 No; he doth but mistake the truth totally.
58. he doth but mistake the truth totally: i.e., his only mistake is that he is 100% wrong.
GONZALO
59 But the rarity of it is,—which is indeed almost 60 beyond credit,— SEBASTIAN
61 As many vouched rarities are.
61. vouched: guaranteed true. Sebastian is, of course, being sarcastic.
GONZALO
62 That our garments, being, as they were, drenched in 63 the sea, hold notwithstanding their freshness and 64 glosses, being rather new-dyed than stained with 65 salt water. ANTONIO
66 If but one of his pockets could speak, would it not 67 say he lies?
66-67. If . . . lies: Antonio and Sebastian, the sarcastic realists, are wrong. See Ariel's report on the condition of the survivors of the ship wreck.
SEBASTIAN
68 Ay, or very falsely pocket up his report
68. pocket up: conceal, suppress.
GONZALO
69 Methinks our garments are now as fresh as when we 70 put them on first in Afric, at the marriage of 71 the king's fair daughter Claribel to the King of 72 Tunis. SEBASTIAN
73 'Twas a sweet marriage, and we prosper well
74. we prosper well: Sebastian is being sarcastic again.
74 in our return.
ADRIAN
75 Tunis was never graced before with such a paragon to
75. to: for.
76 their queen. GONZALO
77 Not since widow Dido's time.
77. widow Dido: This is an odd way to refer to Dido, legendary Queen of Carthage. >>>
ANTONIO
78 Widow! a pox o' that! How came that widow in? 79 widow Dido! SEBASTIAN
80 What if he had said 'widower Æneas' too? Good Lord,80. widower Æneas: Æneas was a widower, but that is not significant in the story of his love affair with Dido.
81 how you take it!
81. take: understand, interpret.
ADRIAN
82 'Widow Dido' said you? you make me study of that:
82. study of: think about.
83 she was of Carthage, not of Tunis. GONZALO
84 This Tunis, sir, was Carthage.
84. This Tunis, sir, was Carthage:Tunis and Carthage were separate cities, though not far apart. After the Muslim conquest of Northern Africa, Tunis displaced Carthage as the leading city of the area.
ADRIAN
85 Carthage? GONZALO
86 I assure you, Carthage. SEBASTIAN
87 His word is more than the miraculous harp; he hath
87. miraculous harp: the legendary harp of Amphion, which raised the walls of Thebes. Sebastian is saying that Gonzalo's error has created a whole new city.
88 raised the wall and houses too. ANTONIO
89 What impossible matter will he make easy 90 next? SEBASTIAN
91 I think he will carry this island home in his pocket 92 and give it his son for an apple. ANTONIO
93 And, sowing the kernels of it in the sea, bring
93.kernels: seeds.
94 forth more islands. GONZALO [To Adrian]
95 Ay. ANTONIO
96 Why, in good time.
96.Why, in good time: i.e., and there it is, right on time! Antonio's point is that Gonzalo's "Ay" to Adrian is another example of Gonzalo's foolishness.
GONZALO [To Alonso]
97 Sir, we were talking that our garments seem now 98 as fresh as when we were at Tunis at the marriage 99 of your daughter, who is now queen. ANTONIO
100 And the rarest that e'er came there.
100. rarest: most remarkable, beautiful.
SEBASTIAN
101 Bate, I beseech you, widow Dido.
101. Bate: except.
ANTONIO
102 O, widow Dido! ay, widow Dido. GONZALO
103 Is not, sir, my doublet as fresh as the first day I
103. doublet: common type of close-fitting jacket.
104 wore it? I mean, in a sort.
104. in a sort: in a way. —I don't think that Gonzalo means that his doublet is stained with sea water, but that's the way Antonio interprets it.
ANTONIO
105 That sort was well fished for. GONZALO
106 When I wore it at your daughter's marriage? ALONSO
107 You cram these words into mine ears against108 The stomach of my sense. Would I had never
108. stomach of my sense: my appetite for hearing them.
109 Married my daughter there! for, coming thence,
109. Married: given in marriage.
110 My son is lost and, in my rate, she too,
110. rate: opinion.
111 Who is so far from Italy removed112 I ne'er again shall see her. O thou mine heir113 Of Naples and of Milan, what strange fish114-115. O thou . . . Milan: Alonso is speaking to his son, Ferdinand, who he believes is drowned. —The phrase "heir / Of Naples and Milan" seems to indicate that Alonso, when he made his bargain to help Antonio oust Prospero from Milan, received in return the right to give the rule of Milan to his son.
114 Hath made his meal on thee? FRANCISCO
114 Sir, he may live:115 I saw him beat the surges under him,
115. surges: waves.
116 And ride upon their backs; he trod the water,117 Whose enmity he flung aside, and breasted118 The surge most swoll'n that met him; his bold head119 'Bove the contentious waves he kept, and oar'd
119. oar'd: propelled as by an oar.
120 Himself with his good arms in lusty stroke
120. lusty: vigorous.
121 To the shore, that o'er his wave-worn basis bow'd,121. that o'er his wave-worn basis bow'd: that projected out over its surf-eroded base, bending down toward the sea.
122 As stooping to relieve him: I not doubt
122. As: as if.
123 He came alive to land. ALONSO
123 No, no, he's gone. SEBASTIAN
124 Sir, you may thank yourself for this great loss,125 That would not bless our Europe with your daughter,
125. That: you who.
126 But rather lose her to an African;127 Where she at least is banish'd from your eye,
127-128. Where . . . on't: where at the very least she is out of the sight of your eye, which has good reason to weep for the grief of losing her.
128 Who hath cause to wet the grief on't. ALONSO
128 Prithee, peace.
128. Prithee, peace: please stop talking.
SEBASTIAN
129 You were kneel'd to and importuned otherwise
129. importuned otherwise: implored to do otherwise.
130 By all of us, and the fair soul herself131 Weigh'd between loathness and obedience, at132 Which end o' the beam should bow. We have lost your son
130-132. the fair soul . . . should bow: Claribel herself was poised uncertainly, like a balance scale, between loathing the African she was to marry and wishing to obey her father.
133 I fear, for ever: Milan and Naples have134 More widows in them of this business' making
134. of this business' making: on account of this marriage and the subsequent shipwreck.
135 Than we bring men to comfort them:136 The fault's your own. ALONSO
136 So is the dear'st o' the loss.
136. dear'st: heaviest, most costly.
GONZALO
137 My lord Sebastian,138 The truth you speak doth lack some gentleness139 And time to speak it in: you rub the sore,
139. time: appropriate occasion.
140 When you should bring the plaster.140. plaster: bandage.
SEBASTIAN
140 Very well.140. Very well: i.e., Nice speech—not!
ANTONIO
141 And most chirurgeonly.
141. chirurgeonly: like a skilled surgeon. —Antonio is also being sarcastic.
GONZALO
142 It is foul weather in us all, good sir,143 When you are cloudy. SEBASTIAN
143 Foul weather? ANTONIO
143 Very foul. GONZALO
144 Had I plantation of this isle, my lord,—
144. Had I plantation of this isle: i.e. If I were in charge of establishing a settlement on this island.
ANTONIO
145 He'd sow't with nettle-seed.
145. sow't: sow it. —Antonio pretends that Gonzalo used the word "plantation" to mean the action of sowing seeds in the ground.
SEBASTIAN
145 Or docks, or mallows.145. docks, or mallows: Both are, like nettles, noxious weeds.
GONZALO
146 And were the king on't, what would I do? SEBASTIAN
147 'Scape being drunk for want of wine.
147. 'Scape: Escape. want: lack.
GONZALO
148 I' the commonwealth I would by contraries
148. contraries: The opposites of everything that is customary.
149 Execute all things; for no kind of traffic
149. traffic: business, trade.
150 Would I admit; no name of magistrate;151 Letters should not be known; riches, poverty,
151. Letters: reading, writing, learning.
152 And use of service, none; contract, succession,
152. use of service: custom of employing servants. succession: holding of property by right of inheritance.
153 Bourn, bound of land, tilth, vineyard, none;153. Bourn: boundary; i.e., division of land among various owners. tilth: tillage, agriculture.
154. corn: grain, such as wheat, barley, and oats.
154. corn: grain, such as wheat, barley, and oats.
154 No use of metal, corn, or wine, or oil;
155 No occupation; all men idle, all;156 And women too, but innocent and pure;157 No sovereignty;—
157. sovereignty: rule of one person by another.
SEBASTIAN
157 Yet he would be king on't. ANTONIO
158 The latter end of his commonwealth forgets the159 beginning. GONZALO
160 All things in common nature should produce161 Without sweat or endeavour: treason, felony,162 Sword, pike, knife, gun, or need of any engine,
162. pike: spear. engine: instrument of war.
163 Would I not have; but nature should bring forth,164 Of its own kind, all foison, all abundance,
164. Of its own kind: by its own nature. foison: plenty.
165 To feed my innocent people. SEBASTIAN
166 No marrying 'mong his subjects? ANTONIO
167 None, man; all idle: whores and knaves. GONZALO
168 I would with such perfection govern, sir,169 To excel the golden age. SEBASTIAN
169 God save his majesty! ANTONIO
170 Long live Gonzalo! GONZALO
170 And,—do you mark me, sir? ALONSO
171 Prithee, no more: thou dost talk nothing to me. GONZALO
172 I do well believe your highness; and173 did it to minister occasion to these gentlemen,
173. minister occasion: give opportunity.
174 who are of such sensible and nimble lungs that
174. sensible and nimble: sensitive and lively.
175 they always use to laugh at nothing.175. they always use to: they are accustomed to.
ANTONIO
176 'Twas you we laughed at. GONZALO
177 Who in this kind of merry fooling am nothing178 to you: so you may continue and laugh at179 nothing still. ANTONIO
180 What a blow was there given! SEBASTIAN
181 An it had not fallen flat-long.181. An: if. flat-long: with the sword blade flat, not on edge; i.e., harmlessly.
GONZALO
182 You are gentlemen of brave metal; you would lift
182. brave metal: impudent temperament.
183 the moon out of her sphere, if she would continue
183. sphere: orbit. —Gonzalo's point is that Antonio and Sebastian are punk know-it-alls.
184 in it five weeks without changing. Enter ARIEL, [invisible], playing solemn.
music.
SEBASTIAN
185 We would so, and then go a bat-fowling.185. bat-fowling: hunting birds at night with lantern, net, and bat (a stick). —"Bat-fowling" was also a slang term for misleading and mocking a stupid person.
ANTONIO [To Gonzalo.]
186 Nay, good my lord, be not angry. GONZALO
187 No, I warrant you; I will not adventure
187-188. adventure my discretion so weakly: i.e., risk my reputation for discretion by getting angry at you, because you are not worth it.
188 my discretion so weakly. Will you laugh
189 me asleep, for I am very heavy?
189. heavy: drowsy.
ANTONIO
190 Go sleep, and hear us.
190. hear us: i.e., listen to our laughter.
[All sleep except Alonso, Sebastian, and
Antonio.]
ALONSO
191 What, all so soon asleep! I wish mine eyes
191-192. I wish . . . thoughts: I wish my eyes would close and shut off my sad thoughts.
192 Would, with themselves, shut up my thoughts: I find
193 They are inclined to do so. SEBASTIAN
193 Please you, sir,194 Do not omit the heavy offer of it:
194. Do not omit the heavy offer of it: do not decline the drowsy invitation to sleep.
195 It seldom visits sorrow; when it doth,196 It is a comforter. ANTONIO
196 We two, my lord,197 Will guard your person while you take your rest,198 And watch your safety. ALONSO
198 Thank you. Wondrous heavy. [Alonso sleeps. Exit Ariel.]
SEBASTIAN
199 What a strange drowsiness possesses them! ANTONIO
200 It is the quality o' the climate. SEBASTIAN
200 Why201 Doth it not then our eyelids sink? I find not202 Myself disposed to sleep. ANTONIO
202 Nor I; my spirits are nimble.203 They fell together all, as by consent;203. They fell together all, as by consent: The others all fell asleep simultaneously, as if by common agreement.
204 They dropp'd, as by a thunder-stroke. What might,205 Worthy Sebastian? O, what might?—No more:—206 And yet me thinks I see it in thy face,207 What thou shouldst be: the occasion speaks thee, and
207. the occasion speaks thee: the opportunity of the moment calls upon you.
208 My strong imagination sees a crown209 Dropping upon thy head. SEBASTIAN
209 What, art thou waking? ANTONIO
210 Do you not hear me speak? SEBASTIAN
210 I do; and surely211 It is a sleepy language and thou speak'st
211. sleepy: dreamlike, fantastic.
212 Out of thy sleep. What is it thou didst say?
212. Out of thy sleep: while you are sleeping.
213 This is a strange repose, to be asleep214 With eyes wide open; standing, speaking, moving,215 And yet so fast asleep. ANTONIO
215 Noble Sebastian,216 Thou let'st thy fortune sleep—die, rather; wink'st
216. wink'st: are keeping your eyes shut.
217 Whiles thou art waking. SEBASTIAN
217 Thou dost snore distinctly;218 There's meaning in thy snores. ANTONIO
219 I am more serious than my custom: you220 Must be so too, if heed me; which to do
220. if heed me: if you heed me.
221 Trebles thee o'er.
221. Trebles thee o'er: makes you three time what you are now.
SEBASTIAN
221 Well, I am standing water.
221. standing water: slack tide, neither rising nor ebbing. —Sebastian means that he's not ready to commit to anything, but he's listening.
ANTONIO
222 I'll teach you how to flow. SEBASTIAN
222 Do so: to ebb
222. ebb: recede, decline.
223 Hereditary sloth instructs me.
223. Hereditary sloth: i.e., natural laziness.
ANTONIO
223 O,224 If you but knew how you the purpose cherish
224-225. If you . . . mock it!: If you only knew how much you secretly cherish ambition even while your words mock it!
225 Whiles thus you mock it! how, in stripping it,
225-226. how . . . invest it!: How the more you speak flippantly of ambition, the more you, in effect, affirm it, clothing what you have stripped!
227. the bottom: i.e., on which unadventurous men may go aground and miss the tide of fortune.
227. the bottom: i.e., on which unadventurous men may go aground and miss the tide of fortune.
226 You more invest it! Ebbing men, indeed,
227 Most often do so near the bottom run228 By their own fear or sloth. SEBASTIAN
228 Prithee, say on:229 The setting of thine eye and cheek proclaim
229. setting: set expression (of earnestness).
230 A matter from thee, and a birth indeed
230. matter: matter of importance.
231 Which throes thee much to yield.
231. throes: causes labor pains. yield: give forth, speak about.
ANTONIO
231 Thus, sir:232 Although this lord of weak remembrance, this,
232-236. Although . . . alive: Although this owner of a weak memory, he who will be only weakly remembered when he is dead, has nearly persuaded - since he's a mind or soul devoted solely to persuasion - King Ansolo that Ferdinand lives.
233 Who shall be of as little memory234 When he is earth'd, hath here almost persuade,—235 For he's a spirit of persuasion, only236 Professes to persuade,—the king his son's alive,237 'Tis as impossible that he's undrown'd238 As he that sleeps here swims. SEBASTIAN
238 I have no hope239 That he's undrown'd. ANTONIO
239 O, out of that 'no hope'240 What great hope have you! no hope that way is
241 Another way so high a hope that even
241-243. that even / Ambition cannot pierce a wink beyond, / But doubt discovery there: that even ambition cannot see anything higher, and even there it doubts the reality of what it sees (because the place is so supremely high).
242 Ambition cannot pierce a wink beyond,243 But doubt discovery there. Will you grant with me244 That Ferdinand is drown'd? SEBASTIAN
244 He's gone. ANTONIO
244 Then, tell me,245 Who's the next heir of Naples? SEBASTIAN
245 Claribel. ANTONIO
246 She that is queen of Tunis; she that dwells247 Ten leagues beyond man's life; she that from Naples
247. Ten leagues beyond man's life: thirty miles farther than a lifetime's journey.
248 Can have no note, unless the sun were post—
248. note: news. post: messenger.
249 The man i' the moon's too slow—till new-born chins250 Be rough and razorable; she that from whom
250. razorable: ready for shaving. from: on our voyage from.
251 We all were sea-swallow'd, though some cast again,
251. cast: were disgorged. (With a pun on "casting" of parts for a play.)
252 And by that destiny to perform an act253 Whereof what's past is prologue, what to come254 In yours and my discharge.
254. discharge: part to play, duty to perform.
SEBASTIAN
254 What stuff is this! how say you?255 'Tis true, my brother's daughter's queen of Tunis;256 So is she heir of Naples; 'twixt which regions257 There is some space. ANTONIO
257 A space whose every cubit
257. cubit: measure of about 20 inches.
258 Seems to cry out, 'How shall that Claribel259 Measure us back to Naples? Keep in Tunis,259. Measure us: retrace our journey. Keep: You, Claribel, stay.
260 And let Sebastian wake.' Say, this were death
260. wake: i.e., realize his good luck.
261 That now hath seized them; why, they were no worse262 Than now they are. There be that can rule Naples
262. There be: There are those.
263 As well as he that sleeps; lords that can prate
263. prate: babble on.
264 As amply and unnecessarily265 As this Gonzalo; I myself could make
265-266. I myself could make / A chough of as deep chat: I could teach a jackdaw to talk as wisely.
266 A chough of as deep chat. O, that you bore267 The mind that I do! what a sleep were this268 For your advancement! Do you understand me? SEBASTIAN
269 Methinks I do. ANTONIO
269 And how does your content
269-270. And how does your content / Tender your own good fortune?: And how does your contentment with what I've just said further your good fortune?
270 Tender your own good fortune? SEBASTIAN
270 I remember271 You did supplant your brother Prospero. ANTONIO
271 True:272 And look how well my garments sit upon me;273 Much feater than before: my brother's servants
273. feater: better fitting, more elegant.
274 Were then my fellows; now they are my men.
274. fellows: my equals. my men: my servants.
SEBASTIAN
275 But, for your conscience?
275. But, for your conscience?: But, what about your conscience?
ANTONIO
276 Ay, sir; where lies that? if 'twere a kibe,
276. kibe: a sore on the heel.
277 'Twould put me to my slipper: but I feel not
277. put me to: make me wear.
278 This deity in my bosom: twenty consciences,
278-280. twenty . . . molest!:
Even if there were twenty consciences between me and the dukedom of Milan, I'd have them lumped together, crystallized like candy, and then melted down before I'd let them interfere!
279 That stand 'twixt me and Milan, candied be they280 And melt ere they molest! Here lies your brother,281 No better than the earth he lies upon,282 If he were that which now he's like, that's dead;283 Whom I, with this obedient steel, three inches of it,284 Can lay to bed for ever; whiles you, doing thus,
284. thus: similarly.
285 To the perpetual wink for aye might put
285. wink: sleep, closing of eyes. for aye: forever.
286 This ancient morsel, this Sir Prudence, who
286. This ancient morsel: this old baby; i.e., Gonzalo.
287 Should not upbraid our course. For all the rest,
287. Should not: must not be allowed to.
288 They'll take suggestion as a cat laps milk;
288. take suggestion: believe what they're told.
289 They'll tell the clock to any business that
289. tell the clock: i.e., agree and chime in.
290 We say befits the hour.
SEBASTIAN
290 Thy case, dear friend,291 Shall be my precedent; as thou got'st Milan,292 I'll come by Naples. Draw thy sword: one stroke293 Shall free thee from the tribute which thou payest;294 And I the king shall love thee. ANTONIO
294 Draw together;295 And when I rear my hand, do you the like,296 To fall it on Gonzalo.
296. fall it: let it fall.
SEBASTIAN
296 O, but one word. [They talk apart.]
Enter ARIEL [invisible], with music and song.
ARIEL
297 My master through his art foresees the danger298 That you, his friend, are in; and sends me forth—299 For else his project dies—to keep them living. Sings in Gonzalo's ear.
300 While you here do snoring lie,301 Open-eyed conspiracy302 His time doth take.
302. time: opportunity.
303 If of life you keep a care,304 Shake off slumber, and beware:305 Awake, awake! ANTONIO
306 Then let us both be sudden.
306. Then let us both be sudden: So let us both be quick about it. —While Ariel has been speaking and singing, Antonio and Sebastian have been putting the finishing touches on their murderous plot.
GONZALO
[Waking.]
306 Now, good angels307 Preserve the king. [Wakes Alonso.]
ALONSO
308 Why, how now? ho, awake! Why are you drawn?309 Wherefore this ghastly looking? GONZALO
309 What's the matter? SEBASTIAN
310 Whiles we stood here securing your repose,
310. securing: guarding.
311 Even now, we heard a hollow burst of bellowing312 Like bulls, or rather lions: did't not wake you?313 It struck mine ear most terribly. ALONSO
313 I heard nothing. ANTONIO
314 O, 'twas a din to fright a monster's ear,315 To make an earthquake! sure, it was the roar316 Of a whole herd of lions. ALONSO
316 Heard you this, Gonzalo? GONZALO
317 Upon mine honour, sir, I heard a humming,318 And that a strange one too, which did awake me:319 I shaked you, sir, and cried: as mine eyes open'd,
319. cried: called out.
320 I saw their weapons drawn: there was a noise,321 That's verily. 'Tis best we stand upon our guard,
321. verily: true.
322 Or that we quit this place; let's draw our weapons. ALONSO
323 Lead off this ground; and let's make further search324 For my poor son. GONZALO
324 Heavens keep him from these beasts!325 For he is, sure, i' the island. ALONSO
325 Lead away. ARIEL
326 Prospero my lord shall know what I have done:327 So, king, go safely on to seek thy son. Exeunt.