Enter MIRANDA; and prospero at a distance.

Mir.

Alas, now! pray you,

Work not so hard: I would the lightning had Burnt up those logs, that you are enjoin'd to pile! Pray, set it down, and rest you: when this burns, Twill weep for having wearied you. My father Is hard at study; pray, now, rest yourself;

He's safe for these three hours.

Fer.

O most dear mistress

The sun will set, before I shall discharge

What I must strive to do.

Mir.

If you 'll sit down,

I'll bear your logs the while: pray, give me that;

I'll carry it to the pile.

Fer.

No, precious creature ;

I had rather crack my sinews, break my back,

Than you should such dishonor undergo,

While I sit lazy by.

Mir.

It would become me

As well as it does you and I should do it

With much more ease; for my good will is to it,

And yours it is against.

Pro.

Poor worm! thou art infected;

This visitation shows it.
Mir.

You look wearily.

Fer. No, noble mistress; 'tis fresh morning with

me,

When you are by at night. I do beseech you, (Chiefly that I might set it in my prayers) What is your name?

Mir.

Miranda :-O my father,

I have broke your hest1 to say so!

Fer.

Admired Miranda!

Indeed, the top of admiration; worth
What's dearest to the world! Full many a lady
I have eyed with best regard; and many a time
The harmony of their tongues hath into bondage
Brought my too diligent ear: for several virtues
Have I liked several women; never any
With so full soul, but some defect in her
Did quarrel with the noblest grace she owed,
And put it to the foil : 3 But you, O you,

So perfect, and so peerless are created

Of every creature's best.

Mir.

I do not know

One of my sex; no woman's face remember,
Save, from my glass, mine own; nor have I seen
More that I may call men, than you, good friend,
And my dear father: how features are abroad,
I am skill-less of; but, by my modesty,
The jewel in my dower, I would not wish
Any companion in the world but you;
Nor can imagination form a shape,
Besides yourself, to like of: but I prattle
Something too wildly, and my father's precepts
I therein do forget.

A prince, Miranda; I do think, a king;
(I would, not so!) and would no more endure

This wooden slavery, than to suffer

The flesh-fly blow my mouth. Hear my soul

speak :

The very instant that I saw you, did

My heart fly to your service; there resides,

To make me slave to it; and, for your sake,

Am I this patient log-man.

Mir.

Do you love me?

Fer. 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' the world,

Do love, prize, honor you.

Mir.

I am a fool,

To weep at what I am glad of.
Pro.

Fair encounter

Of two most rare affections! Heavens rain grace

On that which breeds between them!

Fer.

Wherefore weep you?

Mir. 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 innocence !
I am your wife, if you will marry me;

If not, I'll die your maid: to be your fellow
You may deny me; but I'll be your servant,

Whether you will or no.

Fer.

My mistress, dearest;

And I thus humble ever.
Mir.

My husband then?

Fer. Ay, with a heart as willing

As bondage e'er of freedom: here's my hand,

Mir. And mine, with my heart in 't: and now

farewell,

Till half an hour hence.
Fer.

A thousand! thousand!

[Exeunt Fer. and Mir.

Pro. So glad of this as they, I cannot be, Who are surprised with all; but my rejoicing At nothing can be more. I'll to my book; For yet, ere supper time, must I perform Much business appertaining.

[Exit.

SCENE II.

Another part of the island.

Enter STEPHANO and TRINCULO; CALIBAN following with a bottle.

Ste. 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.