While they were talking, Ariel entered, invisible. He listened to their plots, and amused himself by speaking a few words every now and then, which soon set the conspirators quarrelling, for they none of them knew where the voice came from, and thought it was one of themselves mocking the others. Finally Ariel began to play mysterious music on a pipe and tabor. Stephano and Trinculo were greatly alarmed, but Caliban soothed them, saying that the island was full of noises and sweet sounds which gave delight and did no hurt. “Sometimes a thousand instruments will hum about mine ears,” he said, “and sometimes voices, which, if I awake after a long sleep, will make me sleep again. Then in dreams the clouds seem to open and show riches ready to drop on me, so that when I awake I cry to dream again.” “This will prove a brave kingdom to me, where I shall have my music for nothing,” said Stephano. “When Prospero is destroyed,” put in Caliban. “That shall be at once,” replied Stephano. “The sound is going away; let us follow it, and do our work afterwards,” said Trinculo. “Go on, monster; we will follow,” said Stephano to Caliban. “I would I could see this taborer; he plays bravely.” So with his mysterious music Ariel lured the three villains away. He led them a pretty dance, through briars, sharp furze, prickly gorse, and thorns, which ran into their poor shins; and finally he left them in the filthy water of a stagnant pool, not far from Prospero’s cell. * * * * * In the meanwhile Alonso, King of Naples, and his party were still wandering about the island; but by-and-by they grew so weary that poor old Gonzalo declared he could go no further. “I cannot blame you,” said King Alonso, “for I myself am dull with weariness. Sit down and rest. Now here I give up hope that I shall ever see my son again. He is drowned, and the sea mocks our useless search on land.” The traitor Antonio was delighted to see that the King had lost all hope, and he begged Sebastian not to give up their wicked scheme because it had been once repulsed. “The next advantage we will take thoroughly,” Sebastian whispered back to Antonio. “Let it be to-night,” said Antonio, “for now they are so worn out with travel they will not and cannot use such vigilance as when they are fresh.” “I say to-night,” agreed Sebastian. “No more.” At that moment strange and solemn music was heard. “What harmony is this?” said the King. “Hark, my good friends!” “Marvellous sweet music!” said Gonzalo. Unseen by them, Prospero entered, and by his magic art he caused a number of strange and grotesque figures to appear, who brought in a banquet. After dancing round it with gentle actions of greeting, and inviting the King and his companions to eat, they disappeared. “Give us kind keepers, heaven! What were these?” exclaimed the startled King.