Page:Tempest (1918) Yale.djvu/50

The Tempest, II. ii

head: yond same cloud cannot choose but fall

by pailfuls—What have we here? a man or a

fish? Dead or alive? A fish: he smells like a

fish; a very ancient and fish-like smell; a kind

of not of the newest Poor-John. A strange fish!

Were I in England now,—as once I was,—and

had but this fish painted, not a holiday fool there

but would give a piece of silver: there would

this monster make a man; any strange beast

there makes a man. When they will not give a

doit to relieve a lame beggar, they will lay out

ten to see a dead Indian. Legg'd like a man!

and his fins like arms! Warm, o' my troth! I do

now let loose my opinion, hold it no longer;

this is no fish, but an islander, that hath lately

suffered by a thunderbolt. [Thunder.] Alas!

the storm is come again: my best way is to creep

under his gaberdine; there is no other shelter

hereabout: misery acquaints a man with strange

bedfellows. I will here shroud till the dregs of

the storm be past.

Ste. 'I shall no more to sea, to sea,

Here shall I die a-shore:—'

This is a very scurvy tune to sing at a man's

funeral: well, here's my comfort.

Sings:

'The master, the swabber, the boatswain and I,

The gunner and his mate,

Lov'd Mall, Meg, and Marian and Margery,

 28 Poor-John: salt hake

30 had painted: had but a painting of this fish

32 make a man: make a man's fortune

34 doit: a small coin

41 gaberdine: cloak

43 shroud: take cover

