ACT V. SCENE I.
Enter Prospero and Miranda.
Prosp. You beg in vain; I cannot pardon him; He has offended heaven.
Mir. Then let heaven punish him.
Prosp. It will, by me.
Mir. Grant him, at least, some respite for my sake.
Prosp. I, by deferring justice, should incense The deity against myself and you.
Mir. Yet I have heard you say, the powers above Are slow in punishing; and should not you Resemble them?
Prosp. The argument is weak. But I want time to let you see your errors; Retire, and, if you love him, pray for him. [He's going.
Mir. And can you be his judge and executioner?
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.
Enter Ariel.
Ariel. My potent lord, before thou callest I come, To serve thy will.
Prosp. Then, spirit, fetch me here my savage slave.
Ariel. My lord, it does not need.
Prosp. Art thou then prone to mischief, wilt thou be Thyself the executioner?
Ariel. Think better of thy airy minister, Who, for thy sake, unbidden, this night has flown O'er almost all the habitable world.
Prosp. But to what purpose was all thy diligence?
Ariel. When I was chidden by my mighty lord, For my neglect of young Hippolito, I went to view his body, and soon found His soul was but retired, not sallied out: Then I collected The best of simples underneath the moon, The best of balms, and to the wound applied The healing juice of vulnerary herbs. His only danger was his loss of blood, But now he's waked, my lord, and just this hour He must be dressed again, as I have done it.
Anoint the sword which pierced him with this weapon-salve, and wrap it close from air, till I have time to visit him again.
Prosp. Thou art my faithful servant; It shall be done: be it your task, Miranda, Because your sister is not present here; While I go visit your dear Ferdinand, From whom I will a while conceal the news, That it may be more welcome.
Mir. I obey you, And with a double duty, sir: For now, You twice have given me life.
Prosp. My Ariel, follow me. [Exeunt severally.