Page:Stories from Old English Poetry-1899.djvu/306

280 the cave, Prospero suddenly revealed himself to their astonished eyes, and accused Antonio of his crime in stealing the kingdom. He also reproached the King of Naples for having countenanced his brother in defrauding him of his duchy. Alonzo was overcome with grief and remorse, especially as he was ready to consider the loss of his son as a punishment for his misdeeds.

While he stood in grief, Prospero drew aside a curtain, and showed Ferdinand and Miranda playing chess together. They were a lovely sight, the handsome prince and young maid, as they sat there, wholly wrapt in contemplation of each other, and unconscious of the party who were gazing on them.

But when the Prince and King recognized each other, you can imagine the joy of the meeting. Everything was explained; the King gave his consent to the marriage of the young lovers, while Antonio, unable to resist the just demands of his powerful brother, yielded him back his dukedom, and pretended to be penitent.

Prospero nobly forgave all injuries, and giving the dainty Ariel his liberty from that time forth, he embarked upon the King’s ship, which lay peacefully in the harbor, and they all set sail for Naples, where Ferdinand and Miranda were speedily united in marriage. Prospero was