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The Tempest - Act 3, scene 1
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The Tempest - Act 3, scene 1Act 3, scene 1
Scene 1
Synopsis:
Ferdinand is visited by Miranda. Prospero observes them unseen as they exchange marriage vows and clasp hands.
Enter Ferdinand bearing a log.FERDINAND
1256 There be some sports are painful, and their labor
1257 Delight in them ⌜sets⌝ off; some kinds of baseness
1258 Are nobly undergone; and most poor matters
1259 Point to rich ends. This my mean task
1260 5 Would be as heavy to me as odious, but
1261 The mistress which I serve quickens what’s dead
1262 And makes my labors pleasures. O, she is
1263 Ten times more gentle than her father’s crabbed,
1264 And he’s composed of harshness. I must remove
1265 10 Some thousands of these logs and pile them up,
1266 Upon a sore injunction. My sweet mistress
1267 Weeps when she sees me work, and says such
1268 baseness
1269 Had never like executor. I forget;
1270 15 But these sweet thoughts do even refresh my labors,
1271 Most ⌜busiest⌝ when I do it.
Enter Miranda; and Prospero ⌜at a distance, unobserved.⌝
MIRANDA 1272 Alas now, pray you,
1273 Work not so hard. I would the lightning had
1274 Burnt up those logs that you are enjoined to pile.
1275 20 Pray, set it down and rest you. When this burns
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93
1276
’Twill weep for having wearied you. My father1277 Is hard at study. Pray now, rest yourself.
1278 He’s safe for these three hours.
FERDINAND 1279 O most dear mistress,
1280 25 The sun will set before I shall discharge
1281 What I must strive to do.
MIRANDA 1282 If you’ll sit down,
1283 I’ll bear your logs the while. Pray, give me that.
1284 I’ll carry it to the pile.
FERDINAND 1285 30 No, precious creature,
1286 I had rather crack my sinews, break my back,
1287 Than you should such dishonor undergo
1288 While I sit lazy by.
MIRANDA 1289 It would become me
1290 35 As well as it does you, and I should do it
1291 With much more ease, for my good will is to it,
1292 And yours it is against.
PROSPERO, ⌜aside⌝ 1293 Poor worm, thou art infected.
1294 This visitation shows it.
MIRANDA 1295 40 You look wearily. FERDINAND
1296 No, noble mistress, ’tis fresh morning with me
1297 When you are by at night. I do beseech you,
1298 Chiefly that I might set it in my prayers,
1299 What is your name?
MIRANDA 1300 45 Miranda.—O my father,
1301 I have broke your hest to say so!
FERDINAND 1302 Admired Miranda!
1303 Indeed the top of admiration, worth
1304 What’s dearest to the world! Full many a lady
1305 50 I have eyed with best regard, and many a time
1306 Th’ harmony of their tongues hath into bondage
1307 Brought my too diligent ear. For several virtues
1308 Have I liked several women, never any
1309 With so full soul but some defect in her
1310 55 Did quarrel with the noblest grace she owed,
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95
1311
And put it to the foil. But you, O you,1312 So perfect and so peerless, are created
1313 Of every creature’s best.
MIRANDA 1314 I do not know
1315 60 One of my sex, no woman’s face remember,
1316 Save, from my glass, mine own. Nor have I seen
1317 More that I may call men than you, good friend,
1318 And my dear father. How features are abroad
1319 I am skilless of, but by my modesty,
1320 65 The jewel in my dower, I would not wish
1321 Any companion in the world but you,
1322 Nor can imagination form a shape
1323 Besides yourself to like of. But I prattle
1324 Something too wildly, and my father’s precepts
1325 70 I therein do forget.
FERDINAND 1326 I am in my condition
1327 A prince, Miranda; I do think a king—
1328 I would, not so!—and would no more endure
1329 This wooden slavery than to suffer
1330 75 The flesh-fly blow my mouth. Hear my soul speak:
1331 The very instant that I saw you did
1332 My heart fly to your service, there resides
1333 To make me slave to it, and for your sake
1334 Am I this patient log-man.
MIRANDA 1335 80 Do you love me?
FERDINAND
1336 O heaven, O Earth, bear witness to this sound,
1337 And crown what I profess with kind event
1338 If I speak true; if hollowly, invert
1339 What best is boded me to mischief. I,
1340 85 Beyond all limit of what else i’ th’ world,
1341 Do love, prize, honor you.
MIRANDA 1342 I am a fool
1343 To weep at what I am glad of.
PROSPERO, ⌜aside⌝ 1344 Fair encounter
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1345
90 Of two most rare affections. Heavens rain grace1346 On that which breeds between ’em!
FERDINAND 1347 Wherefore
1348 weep you?
MIRANDA
1349 At mine unworthiness, that dare not offer
1350 95 What I desire to give, and much less take
1351 What I shall die to want. But this is trifling,
1352 And all the more it seeks to hide itself,
1353 The bigger bulk it shows. Hence, bashful cunning,
1354 And prompt me, plain and holy innocence.
1355 100 I am your wife if you will marry me.
1356 If not, I’ll die your maid. To be your fellow
1357 You may deny me, but I’ll be your servant
1358 Whether you will or no.
FERDINAND
1359 My mistress, dearest, and I thus humble ever.
MIRANDA
1360 105 My husband, then?
FERDINAND 1361 Ay, with a heart as willing
1362 As bondage e’er of freedom. Here’s my hand.
MIRANDA, ⌜clasping his hand⌝
1363 And mine, with my heart in ’t. And now farewell
1364 Till half an hour hence.
FERDINAND 1365 110 A thousand thousand.
They exit.
PROSPERO
1366 So glad of this as they I cannot be,
1367 Who are surprised withal; but my rejoicing
1368 At nothing can be more. I’ll to my book,
1369 For yet ere suppertime must I perform
1370 115 Much business appertaining.
He exits.