Page:Tempest (1918) Yale.djvu/32

The Tempest, I. ii

A goodly person: he hath lost his fellows

And strays about to find 'em.

Mira. I might call him

A thing divine; for nothing natural

I ever saw so noble.

Pro. [Aside.] It goes on, I see,

As my soul prompts it.—Spirit, fine spirit! I'll free thee

Within two days for this.

Fer. Most sure, the goddess

On whom these airs attend!—Vouchsafe my prayer

May know if you remain upon this island;

And that you will some good instruction give

How I may bear me here: my prime request,

Which I do last pronounce, is—O you wonder!—

If you be maid or no?

Mira. No wonder, sir;

But certainly a maid.

Fer. My language! heavens!—

I am the best of them that speak this speech,

Were I but where 'tis spoken.

Pro. How! the best?

What wert thou, if the King of Naples heard thee?

Fer. A single thing, as I am now, that wonders

To hear thee speak of Naples. He does hear me;

And, that he does, I weep: myself am Naples,

Who with mine eyes,—ne'er since at ebb,—beheld

The king, my father wrack'd.

Mira. Alack, for mercy!

Fer. Yes, faith, and all his lords; the Duke of Milan,

And his brave son being twain.

 420 remain: dwell

429 single: solitary, with pun on feeble

