What’s dearest to the world! Full many a lady I have ey’d with best regard; and many a time Th’ harmony of their tongues hath into bondage Brought my too diligent ear; for several virtues Have I lik’d several women, never any With so full soul, but some defect in her Did quarrel with the noblest grace she ow’d, And put it to the foil; but you, O you, So perfect and so peerless, are created Of every creature’s best!

MIRANDA I do not know One of my sex; no woman’s face remember, Save, from my glass, mine own; nor have I seen More that I may call men than you, good friend, And my dear father. How features are abroad, I am skilless of; but, by my modesty, The jewel in my dower, I would not wish Any companion in the world but you; Nor can imagination form a shape, Besides yourself, to like of. But I prattle Something too wildly, and my father’s precepts I therein do forget.

FERDINAND I am, in my condition, A prince, Miranda; I do think, a kingI would not so!-and would no more endure This wooden slavery than to suffer The flesh-fly blow my mouth. Hear my soul speak: The very instant that I saw you, did My heart fly to your service; there resides To make me slave to it; and for your sake Am I this patient log-man.

MIRANDA Do you love me? FERDINAND O heaven, O earth, bear witness to this sound, And crown what I profess with kind event, If I speak true! If hollowly, invert What best is boded me to mischief! I, Beyond all limit of what else i’ th’ world, Do love, prize, honour you.

MIRANDA I am a fool To weep at what I am glad of.

PROSPERO

[Aside]

Fair encounter Of two most rare affections! Heavens rain grace On that which breeds between ‘em!

FERDINAND Wherefore weep you? MIRANDA At mine unworthiness, that dare not offer What I desire to give, and much less take What I shall die to want. But this is trifling; And all the more it seeks to hide itself, The bigger bulk it shows. Hence, bashful cunning!

And prompt me, plain and holy innocence! I am your wife, if you will marry me; If not, I’ll die your maid. To be your fellow You may deny me; but I’ll be your servant, Whether you will or no.

FERDINAND My mistress, dearest; And I thus humble ever.

MIRANDA My husband, then? FERDINAND Ay, with a heart as willing As bondage e’er of freedom. Here’s my hand.

MIRANDA And mine, with my heart in’t. And now farewell Till half an hour hence.