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The TempestModern English

The Tempest, Act 5, Scene 1

Before the cell of Prospero.

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  1. Enter Prospero in his magic robes, and Ariel.

    Prospero comes in wearing his magic robes, with Ariel.

  2. Prospero1

    Now does my project gather to a head: My charms crack not; my spirits obey, and time Goes upright with his carriage. How’s the day?

    Now my plan is coming to its climax. My spells hold firm; my spirits obey, and time carries its load upright. What time of day is it?

  3. Ariel4

    On the sixth hour; at which time, my lord, You said our work should cease.

    Just on the sixth hour — the time, my lord, when you said our work should stop.

  4. Prospero6

    I did say so, When first I rais’d the tempest. Say, my spirit, How fares the King and ’s followers?

    I did say that, when I first raised the storm. Tell me, my spirit, how are the King and his followers doing?

  5. Ariel9

    Confin’d together In the same fashion as you gave in charge, Just as you left them; all prisoners, sir, In the line grove which weather-fends your cell; They cannot budge till your release. The King, His brother, and yours, abide all three distracted, And the remainder mourning over them, Brimful of sorrow and dismay; but chiefly Him you term’d, sir, “the good old lord, Gonzalo”. His tears run down his beard, like winter’s drops From eaves of reeds; your charm so strongly works ’em, That if you now beheld them, your affections Would become tender.

    Shut up together, exactly in the way you ordered, just as you left them — all prisoners, sir, in the grove of lime trees that shelters your cell from the weather. They cannot move until you release them. The King, his brother, and yours, all three stay out of their minds, and the rest are mourning over them, filled to the brim with sorrow and dismay; but above all the man you called, sir, "the good old lord, Gonzalo". His tears run down his beard like winter drops from a thatched roof's eaves. Your spell works on them so powerfully that if you saw them now your feelings would turn tender.

  6. Prospero22

    Dost thou think so, spirit?

    Do you think so, spirit?

  7. Ariel23

    Mine would, sir, were I human.

    Mine would, sir, if I were human.

  8. Prospero24

    And mine shall. Hast thou, which art but air, a touch, a feeling Of their afflictions, and shall not myself, One of their kind, that relish all as sharply Passion as they, be kindlier mov’d than thou art? Though with their high wrongs I am struck to th’ quick, Yet with my nobler reason ’gainst my fury Do I take part: the rarer action is In virtue than in vengeance: they being penitent, The sole drift of my purpose doth extend Not a frown further. Go release them, Ariel. My charms I’ll break, their senses I’ll restore, And they shall be themselves.

    And mine shall. If you, who are nothing but air, have a touch, a feeling of their sufferings, shall I not — one of their own kind, who feel passion as keenly as they do — be moved more kindly than you are? Though I am cut to the quick by the great wrongs they did me, still I side with my nobler reason against my fury. The finer action lies in virtue rather than in revenge. Since they are sorry, the whole aim of my plan goes not one frown further. Go and release them, Ariel. I will break my spells, restore their senses, and they shall be themselves again.

  9. Ariel37

    I’ll fetch them, sir.

    I'll bring them, sir.

  10. Exit.

    He leaves.

  11. Prospero38

    Ye elves of hills, brooks, standing lakes, and groves; And ye that on the sands with printless foot Do chase the ebbing Neptune, and do fly him When he comes back; you demi-puppets that By moonshine do the green sour ringlets make, Whereof the ewe not bites; and you whose pastime Is to make midnight mushrooms, that rejoice To hear the solemn curfew; by whose aid, Weak masters though ye be, I have bedimm’d The noontide sun, call’d forth the mutinous winds, And ’twixt the green sea and the azur’d vault Set roaring war: to the dread rattling thunder Have I given fire, and rifted Jove’s stout oak With his own bolt; the strong-bas’d promontory Have I made shake, and by the spurs pluck’d up The pine and cedar: graves at my command Have wak’d their sleepers, op’d, and let ’em forth By my so potent art. But this rough magic I here abjure; and, when I have requir’d Some heavenly music,—which even now I do,— To work mine end upon their senses that This airy charm is for, I’ll break my staff, Bury it certain fathoms in the earth, And deeper than did ever plummet sound I’ll drown my book.

    You elves of the hills, brooks, still lakes and groves; and you who on the sands chase the retreating Neptune with feet that leave no print, and run from him when he comes back; you half-sized puppets who by moonlight make the green sour rings in the grass that the ewe will not eat; and you whose sport is to make mushrooms at midnight, and who delight to hear the solemn curfew bell — with your help, weak spirits though you are, I have dimmed the noonday sun, called out the rebellious winds, and set roaring war between the green sea and the blue sky. I have set fire to the dreadful rattling thunder, and split Jove's sturdy oak with his own thunderbolt. I have made the firm-based headland shake, and pulled up the pine and the cedar by their roots. At my command graves have woken their sleepers, opened, and let them come out, by my art, which is so powerful. But this crude magic I renounce here; and when I have called for some heavenly music — which I am doing right now — to work my purpose on the senses of those this airy spell is meant for, I will break my staff, bury it some fathoms deep in the earth, and deeper than any weighted line ever reached I will drown my book.

  12. Solemn music.

    Solemn music plays.

  13. Re-enter Ariel: after him, Alonso with a frantic gesture, attended by Gonzalo, Sebastian and Antonio in like manner, attended by Adrian and Francisco: they all enter the circle which Prospero had made, and there stand charmed; which Prospero observing, speaks.

    Ariel comes back in; after him comes Alonso, making wild gestures, attended by Gonzalo; then Sebastian and Antonio, behaving in the same wild way, attended by Adrian and Francisco. They all step into the circle that Prospero has drawn, and stand there under his spell. Prospero, watching this, speaks.

  14. Prospero64

    A solemn air, and the best comforter To an unsettled fancy, cure thy brains, Now useless, boil’d within thy skull! There stand, For you are spell-stopp’d. Holy Gonzalo, honourable man, Mine eyes, e’en sociable to the show of thine, Fall fellowly drops. The charm dissolves apace; And as the morning steals upon the night, Melting the darkness, so their rising senses Begin to chase the ignorant fumes that mantle Their clearer reason. O good Gonzalo! My true preserver, and a loyal sir To him thou follow’st, I will pay thy graces Home, both in word and deed. Most cruelly Didst thou, Alonso, use me and my daughter: Thy brother was a furtherer in the act. Thou art pinch’d for ’t now, Sebastian. Flesh and blood, You, brother mine, that entertain’d ambition, Expell’d remorse and nature, who, with Sebastian,— Whose inward pinches therefore are most strong, Would here have kill’d your King; I do forgive thee, Unnatural though thou art. Their understanding Begins to swell, and the approaching tide Will shortly fill the reasonable shores That now lie foul and muddy. Not one of them That yet looks on me, or would know me. Ariel, Fetch me the hat and rapier in my cell.

    Let solemn music, the best comfort for a disturbed mind, cure your brains, now useless and boiled inside your skull! Stand there, for you are stopped by my spell. Holy Gonzalo, honourable man, my eyes, sharing in the sight of yours, let fall tears in sympathy. The spell is dissolving fast; and as morning creeps over the night, melting the darkness, so their reviving senses begin to drive off the ignorant mists that cloud their clearer reason. Oh, good Gonzalo! My true rescuer, and a loyal gentleman to the man you serve, I will repay your kindnesses fully, both in words and in deeds. Alonso, you treated me and my daughter most cruelly; your brother helped you do it. You are being pinched for it now, Sebastian. And you, my own flesh and blood, my brother, who welcomed ambition and drove out pity and natural feeling — you who, with Sebastian, whose inner pinches are therefore the sharpest, would have killed your King here — I forgive you, unnatural as you are. Their understanding begins to swell, and the incoming tide will soon cover the shores of reason that now lie foul with mud. Not one of them yet looks at me or would recognise me. Ariel, bring me the hat and sword from my cell.

  15. Exit Ariel.

    Ariel leaves.

  16. Prospero91

    I will discase me, and myself present As I was sometime Milan. Quickly, spirit; Thou shalt ere long be free.

    I'll take off these robes and present myself as I once was, the Duke of Milan. Quickly, spirit; before long you will be free.

  17. Ariel re-enters, singing, and helps to attire Prospero.

    Ariel comes back in, singing, and helps to dress Prospero.

  18. Prospero94

    ARIEL Where the bee sucks, there suck I: In a cowslip’s bell I lie; There I couch when owls do cry. On the bat’s back I do fly After summer merrily. Merrily, merrily shall I live now Under the blossom that hangs on the bough.

    ARIEL: Where the bee sucks, I suck too. I lie inside a cowslip's bell; there I lie low when owls cry out. I fly on the bat's back, chasing summer merrily. Merrily, merrily I shall live now, under the blossom that hangs on the branch.

  19. Prospero102

    Why, that’s my dainty Ariel! I shall miss thee; But yet thou shalt have freedom; so, so, so. To the King’s ship, invisible as thou art: There shalt thou find the mariners asleep Under the hatches; the master and the boatswain Being awake, enforce them to this place, And presently, I prithee.

    Why, that's my delicate Ariel! I shall miss you; but still, you shall have your freedom. There, there, there. Go to the King's ship, invisible as you are. There you will find the sailors asleep below the hatches. Wake the master and the boatswain, and make them come to this place — and right away, please.

  20. Ariel109

    I drink the air before me, and return Or ere your pulse twice beat.

    I'll swallow the air in front of me, and be back before your pulse beats twice.

  21. Exit.

    He leaves.

  22. Gonzalo111

    All torment, trouble, wonder and amazement Inhabits here. Some heavenly power guide us Out of this fearful country!

    Every kind of torment, trouble, wonder and amazement lives here. May some heavenly power lead us out of this terrifying country!

  23. Prospero114

    Behold, sir King, The wronged Duke of Milan, Prospero. For more assurance that a living prince Does now speak to thee, I embrace thy body; And to thee and thy company I bid A hearty welcome.

    Look, sir King: here is the wronged Duke of Milan, Prospero. To assure you further that a living prince is speaking to you now, I embrace your body; and to you and your company I give a warm welcome.

  24. Alonso120

    Whe’er thou be’st he or no, Or some enchanted trifle to abuse me, As late I have been, I not know: thy pulse Beats, as of flesh and blood; and, since I saw thee, Th’ affliction of my mind amends, with which, I fear, a madness held me: this must crave, An if this be at all, a most strange story. Thy dukedom I resign, and do entreat Thou pardon me my wrongs. But how should Prospero Be living and be here?

    Whether you are he or not, or some magical trick to deceive me as I have lately been deceived, I do not know. Your pulse beats like that of flesh and blood; and since I saw you, the trouble in my mind is easing — the trouble that, I fear, was madness holding me. If this is real at all, it must call for a most strange story. I give up your dukedom, and beg you to pardon me for my wrongs. But how can Prospero be alive and be here?

  25. Prospero130

    First, noble friend, Let me embrace thine age, whose honour cannot Be measur’d or confin’d.

    First, noble friend, let me embrace your old age, whose honour cannot be measured or limited.

  26. Gonzalo133

    Whether this be Or be not, I’ll not swear.

    Whether this is real or not, I won't swear.

  27. Prospero135

    You do yet taste Some subtleties o’ the isle, that will not let you Believe things certain. Welcome, my friends all. [Aside to Sebastian and Antonio.] But you, my brace of lords, were I so minded, I here could pluck his highness’ frown upon you, And justify you traitors: at this time I will tell no tales.

    You are still tasting some of the island's illusions, which won't let you believe in things that are certain. Welcome, all my friends. [Aside to Sebastian and Antonio.] But you, my pair of lords, if I chose to, I could bring his highness's anger down on you here, and prove you traitors. For now I will tell no tales.

  28. Sebastian143

    [Aside.] The devil speaks in him.

    [Aside.] The devil is speaking through him.

  29. Prospero144

    No. For you, most wicked sir, whom to call brother Would even infect my mouth, I do forgive Thy rankest fault, all of them; and require My dukedom of thee, which perforce I know Thou must restore.

    No. As for you, most wicked sir, whom calling brother would infect my mouth, I forgive your foulest offence — all of them; and I demand my dukedom back from you, which I know you must return whether you like it or not.

  30. Alonso150

    If thou beest Prospero, Give us particulars of thy preservation; How thou hast met us here, whom three hours since Were wrack’d upon this shore; where I have lost,— How sharp the point of this remembrance is!— My dear son Ferdinand.

    If you are Prospero, give us the details of how you survived; how you have met us here, who were shipwrecked on this shore three hours ago — where I have lost, and how sharp the sting of this memory is, my dear son Ferdinand.

  31. Prospero156

    I am woe for ’t, sir.

    I am sorry for it, sir.

  32. Alonso157

    Irreparable is the loss, and patience Says it is past her cure.

    The loss cannot be repaired, and patience says it is beyond her curing.

  33. Prospero159

    I rather think You have not sought her help, of whose soft grace, For the like loss I have her sovereign aid, And rest myself content.

    I rather think you have not asked for her help. By her gentle favour I have her sovereign aid for a loss just like yours, and I stay content.

  34. Alonso163

    You the like loss!

    You, a loss like mine!

  35. Prospero164

    As great to me, as late; and, supportable To make the dear loss, have I means much weaker Than you may call to comfort you, for I Have lost my daughter.

    As great to me, and as recent; and to make the painful loss bearable I have far weaker means than you can call on to comfort you, for I have lost my daughter.

  36. Alonso168

    A daughter? O heavens, that they were living both in Naples, The King and Queen there! That they were, I wish Myself were mudded in that oozy bed Where my son lies. When did you lose your daughter?

    A daughter? Oh heavens, if only they were both living in Naples, as King and Queen there! If they were, I would wish myself sunk in the muddy, slimy bed where my son lies. When did you lose your daughter?

  37. Prospero173

    In this last tempest. I perceive, these lords At this encounter do so much admire That they devour their reason, and scarce think Their eyes do offices of truth, their words Are natural breath; but, howsoe’er you have Been justled from your senses, know for certain That I am Prospero, and that very duke Which was thrust forth of Milan; who most strangely Upon this shore, where you were wrack’d, was landed To be the lord on’t. No more yet of this; For ’tis a chronicle of day by day, Not a relation for a breakfast nor Befitting this first meeting. Welcome, sir. This cell’s my court: here have I few attendants, And subjects none abroad: pray you, look in. My dukedom since you have given me again, I will requite you with as good a thing; At least bring forth a wonder, to content ye As much as me my dukedom.

    In this last storm. I see that these lords are so astonished at this meeting that they are swallowing up their reason and can hardly believe that their eyes are telling them the truth, or that their words are natural breath. But however you have been shaken out of your senses, know for certain that I am Prospero, that very duke who was driven out of Milan, and who most strangely came ashore on this island where you were wrecked, to be its lord. No more of this for now, for it is a chronicle that takes days to tell, not a tale for breakfast, nor suitable for this first meeting. Welcome, sir. This cell is my court; here I have few attendants, and no subjects outside it. Please, look inside. Since you have given me back my dukedom, I will repay you with something just as good — at the least I will bring out a wonder to please you as much as my dukedom pleases me.

  38. Prospero192

    Here Prospero discovers Ferdinand and Miranda playing at chess.

    Here Prospero opens the entrance to reveal Ferdinand and Miranda playing chess.

  39. Miranda193

    Sweet lord, you play me false.

    Sweet lord, you are cheating me.

  40. Ferdinand194

    No, my dearest love, I would not for the world.

    No, my dearest love, I wouldn't do that for anything in the world.

  41. Miranda196

    Yes, for a score of kingdoms you should wrangle, And I would call it fair play.

    Yes, for twenty kingdoms you would cheat and argue about it, and I would call it fair play.

  42. Alonso198

    If this prove A vision of the island, one dear son Shall I twice lose.

    If this turns out to be one of the island's visions, I shall lose one dear son twice.

  43. Sebastian201

    A most high miracle!

    A miracle of the highest kind!

  44. Ferdinand202

    Though the seas threaten, they are merciful. I have curs’d them without cause.

    Though the seas make threats, they are merciful. I have cursed them without reason.

  45. Kneels to Alonso.

    He kneels to Alonso.

  46. Alonso204

    Now all the blessings Of a glad father compass thee about! Arise, and say how thou cam’st here.

    Now may all the blessings of a happy father surround you! Get up, and tell how you came here.

  47. Miranda207

    O, wonder! How many goodly creatures are there here! How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world That has such people in ’t!

    Oh, wonderful! How many fine creatures there are here! How beautiful mankind is! Oh splendid new world that has such people in it!

  48. Prospero211

    ’Tis new to thee.

    It's new to you.

  49. Alonso212

    What is this maid, with whom thou wast at play? Your eld’st acquaintance cannot be three hours: Is she the goddess that hath sever’d us, And brought us thus together?

    Who is this girl you were playing with? Your oldest acquaintance with her can't be three hours. Is she the goddess who parted us and brought us together again like this?

  50. Ferdinand216

    Sir, she is mortal; But by immortal Providence she’s mine. I chose her when I could not ask my father For his advice, nor thought I had one. She Is daughter to this famous Duke of Milan, Of whom so often I have heard renown, But never saw before; of whom I have Receiv’d a second life; and second father This lady makes him to me.

    Sir, she is mortal; but by immortal Providence she is mine. I chose her when I could not ask my father for his advice, and did not think I still had one. She is the daughter of this famous Duke of Milan, whose fame I have heard of so often, though I never saw him before; from whom I have received a second life; and this lady makes him a second father to me.

  51. Alonso225

    I am hers: But, O, how oddly will it sound that I Must ask my child forgiveness!

    I am hers, too. But oh, how strange it will sound that I must ask my own child's forgiveness!

  52. Prospero228

    There, sir, stop: Let us not burden our remembrances with A heaviness that’s gone.

    Stop there, sir. Let us not load our memories with a sorrow that is over.

  53. Gonzalo231

    I have inly wept, Or should have spoke ere this. Look down, you gods, And on this couple drop a blessed crown; For it is you that have chalk’d forth the way Which brought us hither.

    I have been weeping inside, or I would have spoken before this. Look down, you gods, and drop a blessed crown on this couple; for it is you who marked out the path that brought us here.

  54. Alonso236

    I say, Amen, Gonzalo!

    I say Amen to that, Gonzalo!

  55. Gonzalo237

    Was Milan thrust from Milan, that his issue Should become Kings of Naples? O, rejoice Beyond a common joy, and set it down With gold on lasting pillars: in one voyage Did Claribel her husband find at Tunis, And Ferdinand, her brother, found a wife Where he himself was lost; Prospero his dukedom In a poor isle; and all of us ourselves, When no man was his own.

    Was the Duke of Milan driven out of Milan so that his descendants should become Kings of Naples? Oh, rejoice beyond ordinary joy, and record it in gold on lasting pillars: on one voyage Claribel found her husband at Tunis, and Ferdinand, her brother, found a wife where he himself was lost; Prospero found his dukedom on a poor island; and all of us found ourselves, when no man was his own master.

  56. Alonso246

    [To Ferdinand and Miranda.] Give me your hands: Let grief and sorrow still embrace his heart That doth not wish you joy!

    [To Ferdinand and Miranda.] Give me your hands. May grief and sorrow cling forever to the heart of anyone who does not wish you joy!

  57. Gonzalo249

    Be it so. Amen!

    So be it. Amen!

  58. Re-enter Ariel with the Master and Boatswain amazedly following.

    Ariel comes back in, with the Master and the Boatswain following in astonishment.

  59. Gonzalo250

    O look, sir, look, sir! Here are more of us. I prophesied, if a gallows were on land, This fellow could not drown. Now, blasphemy, That swear’st grace o’erboard, not an oath on shore? Hast thou no mouth by land? What is the news?

    Oh look, sir, look! Here are more of our party. I predicted that if there were a gallows on land, this fellow could not drown. Now then, you blasphemer, you who swore grace right off the ship — not a single oath now you're on shore? Have you no mouth on dry land? What's the news?

  60. Boatswain255

    The best news is that we have safely found Our King and company. The next, our ship,— Which but three glasses since, we gave out split, Is tight and yare, and bravely rigg’d as when We first put out to sea.

    The best news is that we have safely found our King and his company. The next is that our ship — which only three hourglasses ago we reported as split open — is watertight and trim, and as finely rigged as when we first put out to sea.

  61. Ariel260

    [Aside to Prospero.] Sir, all this service Have I done since I went.

    [Aside to Prospero.] Sir, I have done all this work since I left you.

  62. Prospero262

    [Aside to Ariel.] My tricksy spirit!

    [Aside to Ariel.] My clever spirit!

  63. Alonso263

    These are not natural events; they strengthen From strange to stranger. Say, how came you hither?

    These are not natural happenings; they grow from strange to stranger. Tell me, how did you get here?

  64. Boatswain265

    If I did think, sir, I were well awake, I’d strive to tell you. We were dead of sleep, And,—how, we know not,—all clapp’d under hatches, Where, but even now, with strange and several noises Of roaring, shrieking, howling, jingling chains, And mo diversity of sounds, all horrible, We were awak’d; straightway, at liberty: Where we, in all her trim, freshly beheld Our royal, good, and gallant ship; our master Cap’ring to eye her. On a trice, so please you, Even in a dream, were we divided from them, And were brought moping hither.

    If I thought, sir, that I were properly awake, I would try to tell you. We were dead asleep, and — how, we don't know — all shut up under the hatches. There, just a moment ago, we were woken by strange and various noises of roaring, shrieking, howling, chains jingling, and more kinds of sound, all horrible. Straight away we were free, and there we saw afresh our royal, fine, splendid ship in full trim, with our master leaping about at the sight of her. In an instant, if you please, as if in a dream, we were separated from them and brought here in a daze.

  65. Ariel277

    [Aside to Prospero.] Was’t well done?

    [Aside to Prospero.] Was that well done?

  66. Prospero278

    [Aside to Ariel.] Bravely, my diligence. Thou shalt be free.

    [Aside to Ariel.] Splendidly, my hard-working one. You shall be free.

  67. Alonso279

    This is as strange a maze as e’er men trod; And there is in this business more than nature Was ever conduct of: some oracle Must rectify our knowledge.

    This is as strange a maze as men ever walked in; and there is more in this business than nature ever directed. Some oracle must set our knowledge right.

  68. Prospero283

    Sir, my liege, Do not infest your mind with beating on The strangeness of this business. At pick’d leisure, Which shall be shortly, single I’ll resolve you, Which to you shall seem probable, of every These happen’d accidents; till when, be cheerful And think of each thing well. [Aside to Ariel.] Come hither, spirit; Set Caliban and his companions free; Untie the spell.

    Sir, my lord, don't trouble your mind by hammering away at the strangeness of this business. At a chosen quiet time, which will come soon, I will explain to you privately — and it will seem believable to you — every one of these things that have happened. Until then, be cheerful and think well of everything. [Aside to Ariel.] Come here, spirit; set Caliban and his companions free; undo the spell.

  69. Exit Ariel.

    Ariel leaves.

  70. Prospero292

    How fares my gracious sir? There are yet missing of your company Some few odd lads that you remember not.

    How is my gracious lord? There are still some of your company missing — a few odd fellows you have forgotten.

  71. Re-enter Ariel driving in Caliban, Stephano and Trinculo in their stolen apparel.

    Ariel comes back in, driving in Caliban, Stephano and Trinculo, who are wearing the clothes they stole.

  72. Stephano295

    Every man shift for all the rest, and let no man take care for himself, for all is but fortune.—Coragio! bully-monster, coragio!

    Every man look out for everyone else, and let no man look out for himself, since it's all just luck.—Coragio! my brave monster, coragio!

  73. Trinculo297

    If these be true spies which I wear in my head, here’s a goodly sight.

    If these eyes I carry in my head are reliable scouts, this is a fine sight.

  74. Caliban298

    O Setebos, these be brave spirits indeed. How fine my master is! I am afraid He will chastise me.

    O Setebos, these are splendid spirits indeed. How grand my master looks! I'm afraid he'll punish me.

  75. Sebastian301

    Ha, ha! What things are these, my lord Antonio? Will money buy them?

    Ha, ha! What kind of creatures are these, my lord Antonio? Can they be bought with money?

  76. Antonio304

    Very like; one of them Is a plain fish, and, no doubt, marketable.

    Very likely; one of them is simply a fish, and no doubt could be sold at market.

  77. Prospero306

    Mark but the badges of these men, my lords, Then say if they be true. This mis-shapen knave, His mother was a witch; and one so strong That could control the moon, make flows and ebbs, And deal in her command without her power. These three have robb’d me; and this demi-devil, For he’s a bastard one, had plotted with them To take my life. Two of these fellows you Must know and own; this thing of darkness I Acknowledge mine.

    Just look at the uniforms these men are wearing, my lords, and then say whether they're honest. This deformed rascal—his mother was a witch, and one so powerful that she could control the moon, make the tides rise and fall, and exercise the moon's authority even beyond the moon's own power. These three have robbed me, and this half-devil—for he is a bastard son of one—had plotted with them to kill me. Two of these men you must recognise as your own; this creature of darkness I admit is mine.

  78. Caliban316

    I shall be pinch’d to death.

    I'll be pinched to death.

  79. Alonso317

    Is not this Stephano, my drunken butler?

    Isn't this Stephano, my drunken butler?

  80. Sebastian318

    He is drunk now: where had he wine?

    He's drunk right now: where did he get wine?

  81. Alonso319

    And Trinculo is reeling-ripe: where should they Find this grand liquor that hath gilded ’em? How cam’st thou in this pickle?

    And Trinculo is so drunk he's staggering. Where could they have found this magnificent liquor that has given them such a glow? How did you get into this state?

  82. Trinculo322

    I have been in such a pickle since I saw you last that, I fear me, will never out of my bones. I shall not fear fly-blowing.

    I've been in such a pickle since I last saw you that I'm afraid it will never come out of my bones. I won't have to worry about flies laying eggs in me.

  83. Sebastian324

    Why, how now, Stephano!

    Well, what's this, Stephano!

  84. Stephano325

    O! touch me not. I am not Stephano, but a cramp.

    Oh! Don't touch me. I'm not Stephano, I'm one big cramp.

  85. Prospero326

    You’d be King o’ the isle, sirrah?

    You wanted to be King of the island, did you, fellow?

  86. Stephano327

    I should have been a sore one, then.

    I'd have been a sore one, then.

  87. Alonso328

    This is as strange a thing as e’er I look’d on.

    This is as strange a thing as I have ever laid eyes on.

  88. Pointing to Caliban.

    He points at Caliban.

  89. Prospero329

    He is as disproportioned in his manners As in his shape. Go, sirrah, to my cell; Take with you your companions. As you look To have my pardon, trim it handsomely.

    He is as misshapen in his behaviour as he is in his body. Go to my cell, fellow, and take your companions with you. If you hope to have my forgiveness, tidy it up nicely.

  90. Caliban333

    Ay, that I will; and I’ll be wise hereafter, And seek for grace. What a thrice-double ass Was I, to take this drunkard for a god, And worship this dull fool!

    Yes, I will; and I'll be sensible from now on, and try to earn favour. What a triple-double idiot I was, to take this drunkard for a god, and to worship this stupid fool!

  91. Prospero337

    Go to; away!

    Get going; off with you!

  92. Alonso338

    Hence, and bestow your luggage where you found it.

    Get out, and put your baggage back where you found it.

  93. Sebastian339

    Or stole it, rather.

    Or rather where you stole it.

  94. Exeunt Caliban, Stephano and Trinculo.

    Caliban, Stephano and Trinculo leave.

  95. Prospero340

    Sir, I invite your Highness and your train To my poor cell, where you shall take your rest For this one night; which, part of it, I’ll waste With such discourse as, I not doubt, shall make it Go quick away: the story of my life And the particular accidents gone by Since I came to this isle: and in the morn I’ll bring you to your ship, and so to Naples, Where I have hope to see the nuptial Of these our dear-belov’d solemnized; And thence retire me to my Milan, where Every third thought shall be my grave.

    Sir, I invite your Highness and your followers to my humble cell, where you shall rest for this one night; and part of that night I'll spend with such conversation as, I have no doubt, will make it pass quickly: the story of my life and the particular things that have happened since I came to this island. And in the morning I'll take you to your ship, and so to Naples, where I hope to see the marriage of these two we love so dearly performed; and from there I'll withdraw to my Milan, where every third thought will be of my grave.

  96. Alonso352

    I long To hear the story of your life, which must Take the ear strangely.

    I'm eager to hear the story of your life, which must strike the ear as remarkable.

  97. Prospero355

    I’ll deliver all; And promise you calm seas, auspicious gales, And sail so expeditious that shall catch Your royal fleet far off. [Aside to Ariel.] My Ariel, chick, That is thy charge: then to the elements Be free, and fare thou well! Please you, draw near.

    I'll tell it all; and I promise you calm seas, favourable winds, and sailing so swift that you'll overtake your royal fleet, far ahead as it is. [Aside to Ariel.] My Ariel, my chick, that is your task; then be free among the elements, and farewell! Please, come this way.

  98. Exeunt.

    They all leave.

Original text: Project Gutenberg edition #1540 (public domain, edited by the PG Shakespeare Team). Modern English rendering by Storgy.