“Whether thou be he or not, or some enchanted trifle to torment me, I do not know,” said the bewildered King. “Thy pulse beats like flesh and blood, and since I have seen thee my madness has abated. I resign thy dukedom, and entreat thy pardon for my wrong-doing. But how can Prospero be living and be here?” “Welcome, my friends all!” said Prospero. “But you, my brace of lords,” he added, aside to Sebastian and Antonio, “if I were so minded, I could make his Highness frown on you and prove you traitors. At this time I will tell no tales.” “The devil speaks in him,” muttered Sebastian, conscious of his guilt. “No,” replied Prospero quietly. “For you, most wicked sir,” he said to his brother Antonio, “I forgive all your faults, and require my dukedom of thee, which perforce I know thou must restore.” “If you are Prospero, tell us how you were saved, and how you have met us here,” said the King of Naples. “Three hours ago we were wrecked upon this shore--alas, where I have lost--how bitter is the remembrance!--my dear son Ferdinand.” “I am sorry for it, sir,” said Prospero. “The loss can never be made up, and is past the cure of patience.” “I rather think you have not sought the help of patience,” said Prospero. “For the like loss I have its sovereign aid, and rest myself content.” “You the like loss?” “As great to me; for I have lost my daughter.” “A daughter?” cried Alonso. “Oh, would that they were both living in Naples as King and Queen! When did you lose your daughter?” “In this last tempest,” said Prospero, smiling to himself. “But come, no more of this. Welcome, sir; this cell is my court. I have few attendants here, and no subjects abroad. Pray you, look in. Since you have given me back my dukedom, I will reward you with something equally good, or, at least, show you a wonder which will content you as much as my dukedom does me.” And, drawing aside the curtain which veiled the entrance to his cell, Prospero disclosed to view Ferdinand and Miranda playing at chess. “Sweet lord, you play me false,” said Miranda. “No, my dearest love, I would not for the world,” said Ferdinand. “If this prove a vision of the island, I shall lose my dear son a second time,” murmured Alonso. “A most high miracle!” exclaimed Sebastian. “Though the seas threaten, they are merciful,” cried Ferdinand, springing from his seat at the sight of his father, and falling on his knees before him. “Now all the blessings of a glad father compass thee about,” said Alonso, overcome with joy to see his dear son again. Miranda in the meanwhile was gazing in wonder at all these strange visitors who had come to the island. “Oh, brave new world that has such people in it!” she cried in delight. “Who is this maiden?” Alonso asked his son. “Is she some goddess?” “Sir, she is mortal, and she is mine,” answered Ferdinand. “I chose her when I thought I had no father. She is daughter to the famous Duke of Milan, of whose renown I have so often heard.”