No Fear Shakespeare: The Tempest: Act 4, scene i

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Enter PROSPERO, FERDINAND, and MIRANDA

PROSPERO, FERDINAND, and MIRANDA enter.

	PROSPERO
	(to FERDINAND) If I have too austerely punished you,
	Your compensation makes amends, for I
	Have given you here a third of mine own life—
	Or that for which I live—who once again
5	I tender to thy hand. All thy vexations
	Were but my trials of thy love and thou
	Hast strangely stood the test. Here, afore heaven,
	I ratify this my rich gift. O Ferdinand,
	Do not smile at me that I boast of her,
10	For thou shalt find she will outstrip all praise
	And make it halt behind her.

PROSPERO

(to FERDINAND) If I've punished you too harshly, I'm ready to make it up to you now, since I've given you a third of my life—everything I live for—my daughter Miranda. I put her in your hands. All the trouble I put you through was to test your love for her, and you've passed the test remarkably well. As heaven is my witness, I give you this valuable gift. Oh Ferdinand, don't smile at me for bragging about Miranda, for you'll see soon enough that she outshines any praise of her.

	FERDINAND

	I do believe it
	Against an oracle.

FERDINAND

I'd believe it even if oracles told me differently.

	PROSPERO
	Then as my gift and thine own acquisition
	Worthily purchased, take my daughter. But
15	If thou dost break her virgin knot before
	All sanctimonious ceremonies may
	With full and holy rite be ministered,
	No sweet aspersion shall the heavens let fall
	To make this contract grow, but barren hate,
20	Sour-eyed disdain, and discord shall bestrew
	The union of your bed with weeds so loathly
	That you shall hate it both. Therefore take heed,
	As Hymen's lamps shall light you.

PROSPERO

Then take my daughter, both as my gift to you and as something you have earned. But if you have sex with her before the marriage ceremony takes place, the heavens will not bless your relationship, but will overwhelm you with hate, contempt, and discord, and will poison your marriage bed so that you both grow to loathe it. So be careful, and make sure you respect the holy institution of marriage.


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