Enter MIRANDA; and PROSPERO at a distance. Mira. He's safe for these three hours. Fer. O most dear mistress, The sun will set, before I shall discharge What I must strive to do. Mira. If you'll sit down, I'll bear your logs the while: Pray, give me that; I'll carry it to the pile. Fer. No, precious creature: I had rather crack my sinews, break my back, Fer. No, noble mistress; 'tis fresh morning with me, When you are by at night. I do beseech you, (Chiefly that I might set it in my prayers,) What is your name? Mira. Miranda :-O my father, I have broke your hest to say so! Fer. Admir'd Miranda! Indeed, the top of admiration; worth I do not know Mira. One of my sex; no woman's face remember, Save, from my glass, mine own; nor have I seen More that I may call men, than you, good friend, And my dear father: how features are abroad, I am skill-less of; but, by my modesty, (The jewel in my dower,) I would not wish Any companion in the world but you; Nor can imagination form a shape, Besides yourself, to like of: But I prattle Something too wildly, and my father's precepts Fer. I am, in my condition, A prince, Miranda; I do think, a king; (I would, not so!) and would no more endure This wooden slavery, than I would suffer The flesh-fly blow my mouth.-Hear my soul speak;- My heart fly to your service; there resides, Am I this patient log-man. Mira. Do you love me? Fer. O heaven, O earth, bear witness to this sound, And crown what I profess with kind event, If I speak true; if hollowly, invert What best is boded me, to mischief! I, Beyond all limit of what else i' the world, Mira. I am a fool, To weep at what I am glad of 35. Pro. Fair encounter Of two most rare affections! Heavens rain grace Fer. Wherefore weep you? Mira. At mine unworthiness, that dare not offer What I desire to give; and much less take, What I shall die to want: But this is trifling; And all the more it seeks to hide itself, The bigger bulk it shews. Hence, bashful cunning! And prompt me, plain and holy innocence! I am your wife, if you will marry me; If not, I'll die your maid: to be your fellow Fer. And I thus humble ever. My mistress, dearest, |