Before PROSPERO'S cell
[Enter FERDINAND, bearing a log]
FERDINAND.There be some sports are painful, and their labour Delight in them sets off; some kinds of baseness Are nobly undergone, and most poor matters Point to rich ends.This my mean task Would be as heavy to me as odious, but The mistress which I serve quickens what's dead, And makes my labours pleasures.O, she is Ten times more gentle than her father's crabbed; And he's compos'd of harshness.I must remove Some thousands of these logs, and pile them up, Upon a sore injunction; my sweet mistress Weeps when she sees me work, and says such baseness Had never like executor.I forget; But these sweet thoughts do even refresh my labours, Most busy, least when I do it.[Enter MIRANDA; and PROSPERO at a distance, unseen]
MIRANDA.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.FERDINAND.O most dear mistress, The sun will set before I shall discharge What I must strive to do.MIRANDA.If you'll sit down, I'll bear your logs the while; pray give me that; I'll carry it to the pile.FERDINAND.No, precious creature; I had rather crack my sinews, break my back, Than you should such dishonour undergo, While I sit lazy by.MIRANDA.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.PROSPERO.[Aside] Poor worm, thou art infected! This visitation shows it.MIRANDA.You look wearily.FERDINAND.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? MIRANDA.Miranda-O my father, I have broke your hest to say so! FERDINAND.Admir'd Miranda! What's dearest to the world! Full many a lady I have ey'd with best regard; and many a time Th' harmony of their tongues hath into bondage Brought my too diligent ear; for several virtues Have I lik'dseveral women, never any With so full soul, but some defect in her Did quarrel with the noblest grace she ow'd, And put it to the foil; but you, O you, So perfect and so peerless, are created Of every creature's best! MIRANDA.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 skilless 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.FERDINAND.I am, in my condition, 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.MIRANDA.Do you love me? FERDINAND.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' th' world, Do love, prize, honour you.MIRANDA.I am a fool To weep at what I am glad of.PROSPERO.[Aside] Fair encounter Of two most rare affections! Heavens rain grace On that which breeds between 'em! FERDINAND.Wherefore weep you? MIRANDA.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.FERDINAND.My mistress, dearest; And I thus humble ever.MIRANDA.My husband, then? FERDINAND.Ay, with a heart as willing As bondage e'er of freedom.Here's my hand.MIRANDA.And mine, with my heart in't.And now farewell Till half an hour hence.FERDINAND.A thousand thousand! [Exeunt FERDINAND and MIRANDA severally] PROSPERO.So glad of this as they I cannot be, Who are surpris'd withal; but my rejoicing At nothing can be more.I'll to my book; For yet ere supper timemust I perform Much business appertaining.[Exit]
