The Tempest (Dover Thrift Editions: Plays)

If you but knew how you the purpose cherish Whiles thus you mock it! how, in stripping it, You more invest it!

FER. Sir, she is mortal; But by immortal Providence she ’s mine:

what a sleep were this For your advancement!

PROS. Look thou be true; do not give dalliance Too much the rein: the strongest oaths are straw To the fire i’ the blood: be more abstemious, Or else, good night your vow!

None that I more love than myself. You are a counsellor; if you can command these elements to silence, and work the peace of the present, we will not hand a rope more; use your authority: if you cannot, give thanks you have lived so long, and make yourself ready in your cabin for the mischance of the hour, if it so hap.

Nor can imagination form a shape, Besides yourself, to like of.

CAL. Be not afeard; the isle is full of noises, Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight, and hurt not. Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments Will hum about mine ears; and sometimes voices, That, if I then had waked after long sleep, Will make me sleep again: and then, in dreaming, The clouds methought would open, and show riches Ready to drop

And by that destiny, to perform an act Whereof what ’s past is prologue; what to come, In yours and my discharge.

MIR. I should sin To think but nobly of my grandmother: Good wombs have borne bad sons.