The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 03

_Lop._ 'Tis true, if he had continued constant to you, I should have thought myself obliged in honour to be his friend; but I could no longer suffer him to abuse a person of you...

_Where the bee sucks, there suck I; In a cowslip's bed I lie; There I couch when owls do cry. On the swallow's wings I fly, After summer merrily. Merrily, merrily shall I live n...

_Val._ If, as you say, you silently have been So long my lover, let my power be seen: One hour's discourse before Porphyrius die, Is all I ask, and you too may be by.

_Bel._ But for all my bragging, this amour is not yet worn off. I find constancy, and once a night, come naturally upon a man towards thirty; only we set a face on't, and call o...

_Nig._ Of wars, and bloodshed, and of dire events, Of fates, and fighting kings, their instruments, I could with greater certainty foretell; Love only does in doubts and darknes...

_Mask._ Only, in general, that Donna Theodosia is engaged elsewhere; so that all your courtship will be to no purpose--But for your mistress, sir, [_To_ WILD.] she is waded out...

_Warn._ Well, go your ways, I'll try what may be done. Look if he will stir now; your rival and the old man will see us together; we are just below the window.

_Lord._ Your promise is admirably made good to me, that Sir John Swallow should be this night married to Mrs Christian; instead of that, he is more deeply engaged than ever with...

The garden-door opens! How now, Aurelia and Camilla in expectation of Don Melchor at the garden door! I'll away, least I prevent the design, and within this half hour come saili...

_Rose._ A fool's plot may be as lucky as a fool's handsel; 'tis a very likely one, and requires nothing for your part, but to get a parson in the next room; we'll find work for...

_Warn._ Where the devil is this master of mine? he is ever out of the way, when he should do himself good! This 'tis to serve a coxcomb, one that has no more brains than just th...

_Sir John._ Now, fair Mrs Millisent, you see your chamber; your father will be busy a few minutes, and in the mean time permits me the happiness to wait on you.

cloudy sky, rocks, and sea vanish; and, when the lights return, discover that beautiful part of the island, which was the habitation of_ PROSPERO: _'Tis composed of three walks...

_Max._ This love, that never could my youth engage, Peeps out his coward head to dare my age. Where hast thou been thus long, thou sleeping form, That wak'st, like drowsy seamen...

_Max._ Thus far my arms have with success been crowned, And found no stop, or vanquished what they found. The German lakes my legions have o'erpast, With all the bars which art...

_Ber._ Porphyrius, you too far did tempt your fate, In owning her, the emperor does hate. 'Tis true, your duty to me it became; But, praising that, I must your conduct blame.

_Prosp._ Alas! how much in vain doth feeble art Endeavour to resist the will of heaven? [_Rubs_ HIP. He's gone for ever; O thou cruel son Of an inhuman father! all my designs Ar...

_Dor._ My love, I'll try. [_She draws the chair nearer to the audience._ I thought you never would have walked again; They told me you were gone to heaven; Have you been there?

_Lop._ Tell Don Melchor, 'Tis a hard task which he enjoins me: He knows I love her, and much more than he; For I love her alone, but he divides His passion betwixt two. Did he c...

_Mel._ He's gone, and 'tis in vain for me to look after him. What envious devil has discovered to Aurelia that I am in town? It must be Don Lopez, who, to advance his own preten...

_The scene changes to the wilder part of the Island. It is composed of divers sorts of trees and barren places, with a prospect of the sea at a great distance._

_Mask._ Why there's it! if you had, I would have sworn that my master has neither done nor intended you any injury. I suppose you'll grant he knew you in your disguise?

_Mir._ As of the gayest thing I ever saw, So fine, that it appeared more fit to be Beloved than feared, and seemed so near my kind, That I did think I might have called it sister.

_Beat._ My lady tells you true, madam; long tedious courtship may be proper for cold countries, where their frosts are long a thawing; but, heaven be praised, we live in a warm...

_Hip._ I have within me All, all the various music of the woods. Since last I saw you, I have heard brave news! I will tell you, and make you joyful for me.

_Prosp._ No, girl, it eats, and sleeps, and has such senses As we have. This young gallant, whom thou see'st, Was in the wreck; were he not somewhat stained With grief, (beauty'...

_Alon._ Old lord, I cannot blame thee, who am myself seized with a weariness, to the dulling of my spirits: [_They sit._ Even here I will put off my hope, and keep it No longer...

_Trinc._ If thou wert a monster of parts, I would make thee my master of ceremonies, to conduct 'em in. The devil take all dunces! thou hast lost a brave employment, by not bein...

_Alon._ Pr'ythee peace; you cram these words Into my ears, against my stomach; how Can I rejoice, when my dear son, perhaps This very moment, is made a meal to some strange fish?

_L. Dupe._ Truly, my little cousin's the aptest scholar, and takes out love's lessons so exactly, that I joy to see it; She has got already the bond of two thousand pounds seale...

_Rose._ A mischief upon all fools! do you think your master has not done wisely? First to mistake our old man's humour; then to dispraise the plays; and, lastly, to discover his...

_Rose._ My mistress, knowing Sir John was to be abroad upon business this afternoon, has asked leave to see a play: And Sir John has so great a confidence of your master, that h...

violins, with the harpsicals and theorbos which accompany the voices, are placed between the pit and the stage. While the overture is playing, the curtain rises, and discovers a...

_Chr._ A poor weak innocent creature as I am, heaven of his mercy, how I quake and tremble! I have not yet clawed off your last ill usage, and now I feel my old fit come again;...

_Prosp._ 'Tis not yet fit to let my daughters know, I keep the infant duke of Mantua So near them in this isle; Whose father, dying, bequeathed him to my care; Till my false bro...

_Prosp._ Your suit has pity in't, and has prevailed. Within this cave he lies, and you may see him: But yet take heed; let prudence be your guide: You must not stay, your visit...

_Hip._ I well hoped I was a man, but, by your ignorance Of what I am, I fear it is not so.-- Well, Prospero! this is now the second time You have deceived me.

_Hip._ Prospero has often said, that nature makes Nothing in vain: Why then are women made? Are they to suck the poison of the earth, As gaudy coloured serpents are? I'll ask Th...

_Warn._ Now, sir, you may see what comes of your indiscretion and stupidity: I always give you warning of it; but, for this time, I am content to pass it without more words, par...

_Prosp._ Neptune, and your fair Amphitrite, rise; Oceanus, with your Tethys too, appear; All ye sea-gods, and goddesses, appear! Come, all ye Tritons; all ye Nereids, come, And...

_Prosp._ I cannot force Gonzalo or my brother, Much less the father to destroy the son; It must be then the monster Caliban, And he's not here; but Ariel strait shall fetch him.

_Ferd._ How far will this invisible musician Conduct my steps? he hovers still about me; Whether for good or ill, I cannot tell, Nor care I much; for I have been so long A slave...

Ariel. _Come unto these yellow sands, And then take hands, Curtsied when you have, and kissed; And wild waves whist. Foot it featly here and there, And sweet sprites the burthen...