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
_Trinc._ I pr'ythee, sweet baby, do not play the wanton, and cry for my
goods ere I'm dead. When thou art my widow, thou shalt have the devil
and all.
_Syc._ May I not have the other fine thing?
_Trinc._ This is a sucking-bottle for young Trincalo.
_Calib._ Shall she not taste of that immortal liquor?
_Trinc._ Umph! that's another question: For if she be thus flippant in
her water, what will she be in her wine?
_Enter_ ARIEL _(invisible) and changes the Bottle which stands upon the
Ground._
_Ariel._ There's water for your wine.
[_Exit_ ARIEL.
_Trinc._ Well! since it must be so.
[_Gives her the bottle._
How do you like it now, my queen that must be?
[_She drinks._
_Syc._ Is this your heav'nly liquor? I'll bring you to a river of the
same.
_Trinc._ Wilt thou so, Madam Monster? What a mighty prince shall I be
then! I would not change my dukedom to be great Turk Trincalo.
_Syc._ This is the drink of frogs.
_Trinc._ Nay, if the frogs of this island drink such, they are the
merriest frogs in Christendom.
_Calib._ She does not know the virtue of this liquor: I pr'ythee, let me
drink for her.
[Caliban _drinks_.
_Trinc._ Well said, Subject Monster!
_Calib._ My lord, this is mere water.
_Trinc._ 'Tis thou hast changed the wine then, and drunk it up, like a
debauched fish as thou art. Let me see't, I'll taste it myself--Element!
mere element, as I live! It was a cold gulp, such as this, which killed
my famous predecessor, old Simon the king[F].
_Calib._ How does thy honour? pr'ythee, be not angry, and I will lick
thy shoe.
_Trinc._ I could find in my heart to turn thee out of my dominions, for
a liquorish monster.
_Calib._ O, my lord, I have found it out; this must be done by one of
Prospero's spirits.
_Trinc._ There's nothing but malice in these devils;
I would it had been holy-water for their sakes!
_Syc._ 'Tis no matter, I will cleave to thee.
_Trinc._ Lovingly said, in troth: Now cannot I hold out against her.
This wife-like virtue of her's has overcome me.
_Syc._ Shall I have thee in my arms?
_Trinc._ Thou shalt have Duke Trincalo in thy arms: But, pr'ythee, be
not too boisterous with me at first; do not discourage a young beginner.
[_They embrace_.] Stand to your arms, my spouse, and subject monster,--
_Enter_ STEPHANO, MUSTACHO, _and_ VENTOSO.
The enemy is come to surprise us in our quarters.
You shall know, rebels, that I am married to a
witch, and we have a thousand spirits of our party.
_Steph._ Hold! I ask a truce; I and my viceroys (finding no food, and
but a small remainder of brandy,) are come to treat a peace betwixt us,
which may be for the good of both armies; therefore, Trincalo, disband.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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