Over these spirits a power might be obtained by certain rites performed or charms learned. This power was called _The Black Art_, or _Knowledge of Enchantment_. The enchanter being (as king James observes in his _Demonology_) one _who commands the devil, whereas the witch serves him_. Those who thought best of this art, the existence of which was, I am afraid, believed very seriously, held, that certain sounds and characters had a physical power over spirits, and compelled their agency; others who condemned the practice, which in reality was surely never practised, were of opinion, with more reason, that the power of charms arose _only_ from compact, and was no more than the spirits voluntary allowed them for the seduction of man. The art was held by all, though not equally criminal, yet unlawful, and therefore Causabon, speaking of one who had commerce with spirits, blames him, though he imagines him _one of the best kind who dealt with them by way of command_. Thus Prospero repents of his art in the last scene. The spirits were always considered as in some measure enslaved to the enchanter, at least for a time, and as serving with unwillingness, therefore Ariel so often begs for liberty; and Caliban observes, that the spirits serve Prospero with no good will, but _hate him rootedly_.--Of these trifles enough. I.ii.306 (22,1) [_Mira._ The strangeness of your story put _Heaviness in me_.] Why should a wonderful story produce sleep? I believe experience will prove, that any violent agitation of the mind easily subsides in slumber, especially when, as in Prospero's relation, the last images are pleasing. I.ii.321 (23,2) [As wicked dew, as e'er my mother brush'd With raven's feather from unwholsome fen, Drop on you both!] [Some critics, Bentley among them, had spoken of Caliban's new language.] Whence these critics derived the notion of a new language appropriated to Caliban, I cannot find: they certainly mistook brutality of sentiment for uncouthness of words. Caliban had learned to speak of Prospero and his daughter, he had no names for the sun and moon before their arrival, and could not have invented a language of his own without more understanding than Shakespeare has thought it proper to bestow upon him. His diction is indeed somewhat clouded by the gloominess of his temper, and the malignity of his purposes; but let any other being entertain the same thoughts, and he will find them easily issue in the same expressions. [_As wicked dew_,]--_Wicked_; having baneful qualities. So Spenser says, _wicked weed_; so, in opposition, we say herbs or medicines have _virtues_. Bacon mentions _virtuous Bezoar_, and Dryden _virtuous herbs_. I.ii.351 (25,4) [Abhorred slave] This speech, which the old copy gives to Miranda, is very judiciously bestowed by Mr. Theobald on Prospero. I.ii.364 (27,7) [the red plague] I suppose from the redness of the body universally inflamed.