The Tempest: Act 2, Scene 1






           Enter ALONSO, SEBASTIAN, ANTONIO,
Tom Conti as Gonzalo

           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
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 against
108   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 removed
112   I ne'er again shall see her. O thou mine heir
113   Of Naples and of Milan, what strange fish
114-115. 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 breasted
118   The surge most swoll'n that met him; his bold head
119   '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 herself
131   Weigh'd between loathness and obedience, at
132   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 have
134   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 gentleness
139   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   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 the
159   beginning.

      GONZALO
160   All things in common nature should produce
161   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; and
173   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 nothing
178   to you: so you may continue and laugh at
179   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                                                     Why
201   Doth it not then our eyelids sink? I find not
202   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 crown
209   Dropping upon thy head.

      SEBASTIAN
209                                         What, art thou waking?

      ANTONIO
210   Do you not hear me speak?

      SEBASTIAN
210                                         I do; and surely
211   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 asleep
214   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: you
220   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.

226   You more invest it! Ebbing men, indeed,
227   Most often do so near the bottom run
228   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 memory
234   When he is earth'd, hath here almost persuade,—
235   For he's a spirit of persuasion, only
236   Professes to persuade,—the king his son's alive,
237   'Tis as impossible that he's undrown'd
238   As he that sleeps here swims.

      SEBASTIAN
238                                                   I have no hope
239   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 me
244   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 dwells
247   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 chins
250   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 act
253   Whereof what's past is prologue, what to come
254   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 regions
257   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 Claribel
259   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 worse
262   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 unnecessarily
265   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 bore
267   The mind that I do! what a sleep were this
268   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 remember
271   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 they
280   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 and Antonio about to kill Alonso and Gonzalo.

      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 stroke
293   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 danger
298   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 conspiracy
302        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 angels
307   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 bellowing
312   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 roar
316   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 search
324   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.