There be some sports are painful, and their labourDelight in them sets off: some kinds of basenessAre nobly undergone; and most poor mattersPoint to rich ends. This my mean taskWould be as heavy to me as odious, butThe mistress which I serve quickens what’s dead,And makes my labours pleasures: O, she isTen times more gentle than her father’s crabbed,And he’s compos’d of harshness. I must removeSome thousands of these logs, and pile them up,Upon a sore injunction: my sweet mistressWeeps when she sees me work, and says such basenessHad never like executor. I forget:But these sweet thoughts do even refresh my labours,Most busy, least when I do it.
Enter Miranda and Prospero behind.
MIRANDA
Alas now, pray you,Work not so hard: I would the lightning hadBurnt up those logs that you are enjoin’d to pile!Pray, set it down and rest you. When this burns,’Twill weep for having wearied you. My fatherIs hard at study; pray, now, rest yourself:He’s safe for these three hours.
FERDINAND
O most dear mistress,The sun will set, before I shall dischargeWhat I must strive to do.
MIRANDA
If you’ll sit down,I’ll bear your logs the while. Pray give me that;I’ll carry it to the pile.
FERDINAND
No, precious creature;I had rather crack my sinews, break my back,Than you should such dishonour undergo,While I sit lazy by.
MIRANDA
It would become meAs well as it does you: and I should do itWith much more ease; for my good will is to it,And yours it is against.
PROSPERO
Poor worm! thou art infected.This visitation shows it.
MIRANDA
You look wearily.
FERDINAND
No, noble mistress; ’tis fresh morning with meWhen you are by at night. I do beseech you—Chiefly that I might set it in my prayers—What is your name?
MIRANDA
Miranda—O my father!I have broke your hest to say so.
FERDINAND
Admir’d Miranda!Indeed, the top of admiration; worthWhat’s dearest to the world! Full many a ladyI have ey’d with best regard, and many a timeTh’ harmony of their tongues hath into bondageBrought my too diligent ear: for several virtuesHave I lik’d several women; never anyWith so full soul but some defect in herDid quarrel with the noblest grace she ow’d,And put it to the foilto defeat or overcome.: but you, O you,So perfect and so peerless, are createdOf every creature’s best.
MIRANDA
I do not knowOne of my sex; no woman’s face remember,Save, from my glass, mine own; nor have I seenMore that I may call men than you, good friend,And my dear father: how features are abroad,I am skilless of; but, by my modesty,The jewel in my dower, I would not wishAny companion in the world but you;Nor can imagination form a shape,Besides yourself, to like of. But I prattleSomething too wildly, and my father’s preceptsI therein do forget.
FERDINAND
I am, in my condition,A prince, Miranda; I do think, a King;I would not so!—and would no more endureThis wooden slavery than to sufferThe flesh-fly blow my mouth. Hear my soul speak:The very instant that I saw you, didMy heart fly to your service; there resides,To make me slave to it; and for your sakeAm I this patient log-man.
MIRANDA
Do you love me?
FERDINAND
O heaven, O earth, bear witness to this sound,And crown what I profess with kind event,If I speak true; if hollowly, invertWhat best is boded me to mischief! I,Beyond all limit of what else i’ the world,Do love, prize, honour you.
MIRANDA
I am a foolTo weep at what I am glad of.
PROSPERO
Fair encounterOf two most rare affections! Heavens rain graceOn that which breeds between ’em!
FERDINAND
Wherefore weep you?
MIRANDA
At mine unworthiness, that dare not offerWhat I desire to give; and much less takeWhat I shall die to want. But this is trifling;And all the more it seeks to hide itself,The bigger bulk it shows. 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 fellowYou may deny me; but I’ll be your servant,Whether you will or no.
FERDINAND
My mistress, dearest;And I thus humble ever.
MIRANDA
My husband, then?
FERDINAND
Ay, with a heart as willingAs bondage e’er of freedom: here’s my hand.
MIRANDA
And mine, with my heart in ’t: and now farewellTill half an hour hence.
FERDINAND
A thousand thousand!
Exeunta stage direction meaning that two or more characters leave the stage. Ferdinand and Miranda severally.
PROSPERO
So glad of this as they, I cannot be,Who are surpris’d withal; but my rejoicingAt nothing can be more. I’ll to my book;For yet, ere supper time, must I performMuch business appertaining.