SCENE I.

_An island in the Middle Seas. A cave is seen on the right and before it, under a palm tree_, CALIBAN _is discovered sleeping_.

[_Enter_ TRINCULO _and_ STEPHANO, _quarreling_.

TRINCULO. Since the day when the old gentleman they call Prospero took it into his bald pate to disappear into air along with a most goodly company beside, there’s not a bottle to be found i’ this isle, as I am a good Christian, and, what is more, a good Christian man’s son.

STEPHANO. Bottle me no bottles, Trinculo. Had we ne’er shared a bottle betwixt us we had not been left to bide by ourselves in this whoreson isle in the hard service of the man-monster, Caliban, but might be in fair Naples at this very hour.

TRINCULO. Sagely said, Master Stephano. Thou wast ever wise enow i’ the tail o’ the event. An’ thou could’st have looked it thus wisely i’ the mouth, thou hadst been a made man, Stephano, a made man, and a householder, to boot.

STEPHANO. By mine head, a scurvy trick o’ the King to give us over to a dog’s life in this heathen isle with a man-monster for a master, and none other company beside.

TRINCULO. More wisdom from that mouth of thine, most sage STEPHANO. Thou art indeed become a second Socrates for sober conclusions.

CALIBAN [_awaking_] What, Trinculo! Get me some food, I say, or thy bones shall pay thy jape. Get thee hence at once, for a mighty hunger is come upon me and I would eat. [_To_ STEPHANO] Sing thou, and caper nimbly the while.

STEPHANO [_sings and dances clumsily_]

A lass I had, A lass I had, But I’ve a lass no longer. She’s dead and cold In churchyard mould Grim Death he was the stronger.

ARIEL [_invisible_] _sings_.

In churchyard mould She lieth cold: From her dust the violets spring. To her dark bed Have fairies sped To sing her welcoming.

CALIBAN [_alarmed_] Methinks like music have I heard before When Prospero I did serve. And it should bode Damn’d Prospero’s return then were I slave Again, doing his will in everything.

STEPHANO. What is this same that sings i’ the air without lips or body?

TRINCULO [_returning with food which he places before_ CALIBAN] Master Nobody is at his ancient tricks. An’ he be a devil, he hath an angel’s voice.

CALIBAN. Retire ye both, for I would be alone.

[_Exeunt_ TRINCULO and STEPHANO.

ARIEL _plays softly on a tabor, scatters poppy leaves and departs, leaving_ CALIBAN _asleep_.