ACT III.

SCENE 1

Before PROSPERO’S cell Enter FERDINAND, hearing a log FERDINAND There be some sports are painful, and their labour Delight in them sets off; some kinds of baseness Are nobly undergone, and most poor matters Point to rich ends. This my mean task Would be as heavy to me as odious, but The mistress which I serve quickens what’s dead, And makes my labours pleasures. O, she is Ten times more gentle than her father’s crabbed; And he’s compos’d of harshness. I must remove Some thousands of these logs, and pile them up, Upon a sore injunction; my sweet mistress Weeps when she sees me work, and says such baseness Had never like executor. I forget; But these sweet thoughts do even refresh my labours, Most busy, least when I do it.

Enter MIRANDA; and PROSPERO at a distance, unseen MIRANDA Alas, now; pray you, Work not so hard; I would the lightning had Burnt up those logs that you are enjoin’d to pile.

Pray, set it down and rest you; when this burns, ‘Twill weep for having wearied you. My father Is hard at study; pray, now, rest yourself; He’s safe for these three hours.

FERDINAND O most dear mistress, The sun will set before I shall discharge What I must strive to do.

MIRANDA If you’ll sit down, I’ll bear your logs the while; pray give me that; I’ll carry it to the pile.

FERDINAND No, precious creature; I had rather crack my sinews, break my back, Than you should such dishonour undergo, While I sit lazy by.

MIRANDA It would become me As well as it does you; and I should do it With much more ease; for my good will is to it, And yours it is against.

PROSPERO

[Aside] Poor worm, thou art infected! This visitation shows it. MIRANDA You look wearily. FERDINAND No, noble mistress; ‘tis fresh morning with me When you are by at night. I do beseech you, Chiefly that I might set it in my prayers, What is your name? MIRANDA Miranda-O my father, I have broke your hest to say so!

FERDINAND Admir’d Miranda!