The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 03Dryden, John
General
The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 03
Dryden, John
English drama -- 17th century
_Calib._ I'll shew thee every fertile inch in the isle, and kiss thy
foot: I pr'ythee be my god, and let me drink.
[_Drinks again._
_Trinc._ Well drawn, monster, in good faith!
_Calib._ I'll shew thee the best springs; I'll pluck thee berries; I'll
fish for thee, and get thee wood enough.--A curse upon the tyrant whom I
serve! I'll bear him no more sticks, but follow thee.
_Trinc._ The poor monster is loving in his drink.
_Calib._ I pr'ythee let me bring thee where crabs grow; and I, with my
long nails, will dig thee pig-nuts, shew thee a jay's nest, and instruct
thee how to snare the marmozet: I'll bring thee to clustered filberts.
Wilt thou go with me?
_Trinc._ This monster comes of a good-natured race.--Is there no more of
thy kin in this island?
_Calib._ Divine, here is but one besides myself; my lovely sister,
beautiful and bright as the full moon!
_Trinc._ Where is she?
_Calib._ I left her clambering up a hollow oak, and plucking thence the
dropping honey-combs.--Say, my king, shall I call her to thee?
_Trinc._ She shall swear upon the bottle too. If she proves handsome,
she is mine.--Here, monster, drink again for thy good news; thou shalt
speak a good word for me.
[_Gives him the bottle._
_Calib._ Farewell, old master, farewell, farewell!
SINGS.
_No more dams I'll make for fish;
Nor fetch in firing, at requiring;
Nor scrape trencher, nor wash dish:
Ban, ban, Ca-caliban,
Has a new master, get a new man._
Hey-day! freedom, freedom!
_Trinc._ Here's two subjects got already, the monster, and his sister:
Well, duke Stephano, I say, and say again, wars will ensue, and so I
drinks. [_Drinks_.] From this worshipful monster, and mistress monster,
his sister, I'll lay claim to this island by alliance.--Monster, I say,
thy sister shall be my spouse; come away, brother monster; I'll lead
thee to my butt, and drink her health.
[_Exeunt._
SCENE II.--_Cypress trees and a Cave._
_Enter_ PROSPERO _alone_.
_Prosp._ 'Tis not yet fit to let my daughters know,
I keep the infant duke of Mantua
So near them in this isle;
Whose father, dying, bequeathed him to my care;
Till my false brother (when he designed to usurp
My dukedom from me) exposed him to that fate,
He meant for me.
By calculation of his birth, I saw
Death threat'ning him, if, till some time were past,
He should behold the face of any woman:
And now the danger's nigh.--Hippolito!
_Enter_ HIPPOLITO.
_Hip._ Sir, I attend your pleasure.
_Prosp._ How I have loved thee, from thy infancy,
Heaven knows, and thou thyself canst bear me witness;
Therefore accuse not me of thy restraint.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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