Prospero, who had enjoined Ferdinand this task merely as a trial of his love, was not at his books, as his daughter supposed, but was standing by them invisible, to overhear what they said. Here are the very words he heard, and even though Miranda told Ferdinand her name (it was against her father's express command she did so), yet Prospero only smiled at this first instance of his daughter's disobedience, for having by his magic art caused his daughter to fall in love so suddenly, he was not angry that she showed her love by forgetting to obey his commands. And he listened well pleased to the sweet speech of Ferdinand, in which he professed to love her above all the ladies he ever saw : Mir. Alas, now, pray you, Work not so hard: I would the lightning had Burnt up those logs that you're enjoin'd to pile ! Pray, set it down, and rest you: when this burns, "Twill weep for having wearied you. My father Is hard at study; pray now, rest yourself: Ferd. Mir. The sun will set before I shall discharge O most dear mistress, If you'll sit down, I'll bear your logs the while: pray, give me that; I'll carry it to the pile. Ferd. Mir. No, precious creature ; I'd rather crack my sinews, break my back, Than you should such dishonour undergo, While I sit lazy by. It would become me As well as it does you: and I should do it With much more ease; for my good will You look wearily. Ferd. 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,- Mir. Miranda. O my father, I've broke your hest to say so! Ferd. Admired Miranda! Indeed the top of admiration; worth What's dearest to the world! Mir. a lady Full many I've eyed with best regard; and many a time bondage Brought my too diligent ear. virtues For several Have I liked several women; never any I do not know More that I may call men, than you, And my dear father: how features are abroad, Nor can imagination form a shape, But I prattle Besides yourself, to like of. precepts I therein do forget. Ferd. Mir. I am, in my condition, A prince, Miranda; I do think, a king; This wooden slavery than to suffer soul speak : Hear my The very instant that I saw you, did My heart fly to your service: there resides, Am I this patient log-man. your sake Do you love me? Ferd. O heaven, O earth, bear witness to this Mir. sound, And crown what I profess with kind event, Beyond all limit of what else i' the world, To weep at what I'm glad of. Ferd. I am a fool Wherefore weep you? 35 |