The Tempest: Epilogue




SPOKEN BY PROSPERO


  1   Now my charms are all o'erthrown,
1. o'erthrown: discarded, renounced.

  2   And what strength I have's mine own,
  3   Which is most faint: now, 'tis true,
  4   I must be here confined by you,
4. here confined: imprisoned here on this island.

  5   Or sent to Naples. Let me not,
  6   Since I have my dukedom got
  7   And pardon'd the deceiver, dwell
  8   In this bare island by your spell;
  9   But release me from my bands
9. bands: bonds.

 10   With the help of your good hands:
10. hands: i.e., applause.

 11   Gentle breath of yours my sails
11. Gentle breath: a favorable breeze (produced by hands clapping).

 12   Must fill, or else my project fails,
 13   Which was to please. Now I want
13. want: lack.

 14   Spirits to enforce, art to enchant,
 15   And my ending is despair,
 16   Unless I be relieved by prayer,
16. prayer: (1) this petition from me to you. (2) holy prayer.

 17   Which pierces so that it assaults
17. assaults: storms the ear of.

 18   Mercy itself and frees all faults.
18. frees: cancels the punishment for.

 19   As you from crimes would pardon'd be,
19. crimes: sins.

 20   Let your indulgence set me free.
20. indulgence: (1) kindness. (2) forgiveness.



           Exit.