Journeys Through Bookland, Vol. 8Sylvester, Charles Herbert
General
Journeys Through Bookland, Vol. 8
Sylvester, Charles Herbert
Children's literature; Literature -- Collections
_Steph._ What's the matter? Have we devils here? Do you put tricks
upon's with savages and men of Inde,[413-15] ha? I have not 'scaped
drowning, to be afeared now of your four legs; for it hath been said, As
proper a man as ever went on four legs cannot make him give ground; and
it shall be said so again, while Stephano breathes at's nostrils.
_Cal._ The spirit torments me:--O!
_Steph._ This is some monster of the isle with four legs, who hath got,
as I take it, an ague. Where the Devil should he learn our language? I
will give him some relief, if it be but for that. If I can recover him,
and keep him tame, and get to Naples with him, he's a present for any
emperor that ever trod on neat's-leather.[413-16]
_Cal._ Do not torment me, pr'ythee:
I'll bring my wood home faster.
_Steph._ He's in his fit now, and does not talk after the wisest. He
shall taste of my bottle: if he have never drunk wine afore, it will go
near to remove his fit. If I can recover him, and keep him tame, I will
not take too much for him;[413-17] he shall pay for him that hath him,
and that soundly.
_Cal._ Thou dost me yet but little hurt;
Thou wilt anon, I know it by thy trembling:
Now Prosper works upon thee.
_Steph._ Come on your ways; open your mouth; here is that which will
give a language to you, cat:[413-18] open your mouth; this will shake
your shaking, I can tell you, and that soundly: [_Gives him drink._] you
cannot tell who's your friend; open your chops again. [_Gives him more
drink._
_Trin._ I should know that voice: it should be--but he is drown'd; and
these are devils:--O, defend me!
_Steph._ Four legs, and two voices--a most delicate monster? His forward
voice now is to speak well of his friend; his backward voice is to utter
foul speeches and to detract. If all the wine in my bottle will recover
him, I will help his ague: [_Gives him drink._]--Come,--Amen![414-19] I
will pour some in thy other mouth.
_Trin._ Stephano!
_Steph._ Doth thy other mouth call me?--Mercy, mercy! This is a devil
and no monster: I will leave him; I have no long spoon.[414-20]
_Trin._ Stephano!--If thou be'st Stephano, touch me, and speak to me;
for I am Trinculo,--be not afeared,--thy good friend Trinculo.
_Steph._ If thou be'st Trinculo, come forth: I'll pull thee by the
lesser legs: if any be Trinculo's legs, these are they. [_Pulls
TRINCULO out._] Thou art very Trinculo indeed! How earnest thou to be
the siege[414-21] of this moon-calf?[414-22]
_Trin._ I took him to be kill'd with a thunder-stroke. But art thou not
drown'd, Stephano? I hope, now, thou art not drown'd?[415-23] Is the
storm overblown? I hid me under the dead moon-calf's gaberdine for fear
of the storm. And art thou living, Stephano? O Stephano, two Neapolitans
'scaped!
_Steph._ Pr'ythee, do not turn me about; my stomach is not
constant.[415-24]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account