Then Alonso gave his blessing to the young couple, and the good Gonzalo breathed a hearty “Amen!” At this moment Ariel appeared, followed by the astonished master of the King’s ship and the boatswain. They were overjoyed to see the King and his companions again, and brought word that the ship was as safe and bravely rigged as when they first put out to sea. “Sir, all this service have I done since I left you,” whispered Ariel to Prospero. “Was it well done?” “Bravely, good spirit,” said Prospero. “Thou shalt soon be free.” Then he commanded him to go and take off the spell from Caliban and his companions, and after a few minutes’ absence Ariel returned driving in the three men, clad in their stolen apparel. “Mark these men, my lords,” said Prospero. “These three have robbed me, and this witch’s son had plotted with the others to take my life. Two of these fellows you must know and own; this thing of darkness I acknowledge mine.” “Is not this Stephano, my drunken butler?” said the King of Naples. “Why, how now, Stephano?” said Sebastian mockingly. “You would be King of the isle, sirrah?” demanded Prospero. “I should have been a sore one, then,” groaned Stephano, for he and his worthless friends were still aching all over from the punishment inflicted on them. “That is as strange a thing as ever I looked on,” said Alonso, pointing to Caliban. “His manners are as ugly as his appearance,” answered Prospero. “Go, sirrah, to my cell. Take your companions with you, and if you hope to have my pardon, behave properly.” “Ay, that I will,” said Caliban; “and I will be wise hereafter, and try to be better. What a thrice-double ass I was to take that drunkard for my master!” And he departed with his companions, glad to have escaped so lightly. Then Prospero invited the King and his other guests into his cell, where they were to rest for one night. The next morning they were all to set sail for Naples, where the marriage between Prince Ferdinand and Miranda was to take place, after which Prospero would retire to his own dukedom of Milan. Finally he gave his last charge to Ariel, and bade him see that the King’s ship should have calm seas and fair winds to waft it quickly on its way. “My Ariel, chick, that is thy charge,” said Prospero. “Then be free as the elements, and fare thee well!” Two Gentlemen of Verona [Illustration] “Now let us take our Leave” There lived once in Verona two friends who loved each other dearly; their names were Valentine and Proteus. They were both young and gallant gentlemen, but they were very different in character, as you will presently see. Valentine was simple and honest, a loyal and devoted friend, and too candid and sincere himself to think of treachery in others. Proteus had warm affections, but he was fickle and changeable, carried away by impulse, and always so desperately eager for what he happened to want at the moment that he stopped at no means to gain his ends.