_Ay, every inch a King! When I do stare, see, how the subject quakes! I pardon that man's life; what was thy cause? Adultery;-- Thou shalt not die; die for adultery! No! The wren goes to it; and the small gilded fly Does lecher in my sight. Let copulation thrive, for Gloster's bastard son Was kinder to his father than my daughters Got between the lawful sheets; To it luxury, pell-mell, for I lack soldiers.-- Behold yon simpering dame, Whose face between her forks presageth snow; That minceth virtue, and does shake the head To hear of pleasure's name; The fitchew, nor the soiled horse, goes to it With more riotous appetite. Down from the waist they are centaurs, Though women all above; But to the girdle do the gods inherit, Beneath is all the fiends._ * * * * * _Through tattered clothes small vices do appear Robes and furred gowns hide all. Plate sin with gold And the strong lance of justice breaks; Arm it in rags, a pigmy's straw doth pierce it!"_ Prospero, the Duke philosopher and magician of the "Tempest," is my greatest conception, where I command invisible spirits to work out the fate of man, and show that love and forgiveness are the greatest attributes. Prospero is blessed with a pure and faithful daughter--Miranda, and an honorable son-in-law--Ferdinand. _"If I have too austerely punished you, Your compensation makes amends; for I Have given you here a thread of mine own life, Or that for which I live; whom once again I tender to thy hand; all thy vexations were but my trials of thy love, and thou Hast strangely stood the test; here afore heaven I ratify this my rich gift. O, Ferdinand, Do not smile at me, that I boost her off, For thou shall find she will outstrip all praise, And make it halt behind her. Then, as my gift, and thine own acquisition, Worthily purchased, take my daughter; But If thou dost break her virgin knot before All sanctimonious ceremonies may With full and holy rites be ministered, No sweet sprinkling shall the heavens let fall To make this contract grow; but barren hate, Sour-eyed disdain, and discord, shall beshrew The union of your bed with weeds so loathly That you shall hate it both; therefore, take heed As Hymen's lamps shall light you!_ * * * * *