Original Text | Modern Text | |
Enter PROSPERO,
FERDINAND, and MIRANDA
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PROSPERO, FERDINAND,
and MIRANDA enter. | |
5 10 |
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
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,
For thou shalt find she will outstrip all praise
And make it halt behind her.
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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.
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FERDINAND
I do believe it
Against an oracle.
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FERDINAND
I’d believe it even if
oraclesAn oracle is someone who delivers messages from the gods. oracles told me differently. | |
15 20 |
PROSPERO
Then as my gift and thine own acquisition
Worthily purchased, take my daughter. But
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,
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.
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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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