Mira. 'Tis far off; And rather like a dream than an assurance Pro. Thou had'st, and more, Miranda: But how is it, That this lives in thy mind? What seest thou else Mira. But that I do not. Pro. Twelve years since, Miranda, twelve years since, Thy father was the duke of Milan, and A prince of power. Prince Mira. Sir, are not you my father? Pro. Thy mother was a piece of virtue, and She said - thou wast my daughter; and thy father Was duke of Milan; and his only heir A princess; - no worse issued. Mira. O, the heavens! What foul play had we, that we came from thence? Or blessed was't, we did? Pro. Both, both, my girl: By foul play, as thou say'st, were we heav'd thence; But blessedly holp hither. O, my heart bleeds To think o'the teen & that I have turn'd you to, Which is from my remembrance! Please you, fur Mira. ther. Pro. My brother, and thy uncle, call'd AntonioI pray thee, mark me, that a brother should Be so perfidious! - he whom, next thyself, 7 Abyss. 8 Sorrow. Of all the world I lov'd, and to him put Without a parallel; those being all my study, Mira. Sir, most heedfully. Pro. Being once perfected how to grant suits, How to deny them; whom to advance, and whom To trash 9 for over-topping; new created The creatures that were mine; I say, or chang'd them, Or else new form'd them: having both the key Of officer and office, set all hearts To what tune pleas'd his ear; that now he was And suck'd my verdure out on't. - Thou attend'st O good sir, I do. Pro. I thus neglecting worldly ends, all dedicate To closeness, and the bettering of my mind Not only with what my revenue yielded, 9 Cut away. 1 Without. But what my power might else exact, -like one, Mira. Your tale, sir, would cure deafness. play'd And him he play'd it for, he needs will be Mira. O the heavens! Pro. Mark his condition, and the event; then tell me, If this might be a brother. Mira. I should sin To think but nobly of my grandmother: Good wombs have borne bad sons. Pro. Now the condition. This king of Naples, being an enemy Should presently extirpate me and mine Out of the dukedom; and confer fair Milan, 2 Thirsty. 3 Consideration. With all the honours, on my brother: Whereon, The gates of Milan; and, i'the dead of darkness, Me, and thy crying self. Mira. Alack, for pity! I, not rememb'ring how I cried out then, That wrings mine eyes. Pro. Hear a little further, And then I'll bring thee to the present business Which now's upon us; without the which, this story Were most impertinent. Mira. That hour destroy us? Wherefore did they not Well demanded, wench; My tale provokes that question. Dear, they durst not; (So dear the love my people bore me) nor set Did us but loving wrong. Mira. Was I then to you! Alack! what trouble O! a cherubim 4 Suggestion. Thou wast, that did preserve me! Thou didst smile, Infused with a fortitude from heaven, When I have deck'd the sea with drops full salt; Under my burden groan'd; which rais'd in me An undergoing stomach 6, to bear up Against what should ensue. Mira. How came we ashore ? Pro. By Providence divine. Some food we had, and some fresh water, that ness, Knowing I lov'd my books, he furnish'd me, I prize above my dukedom. Mira. But ever see that man! 'Would I might Now I arise: Sit still, and hear the last of our sea-sorrow. Have I, thy school-master, made thee more profit Mira. Heavens thank you for't! And now, I pray you, sir, (For still 'tis beating in my mind,) your reason For raising this sea-storm? Pro. Know thus far forth. By accident most strange, bountiful fortune, 5 Sprinkled. 6 Stubborn resolution. |