ACT I
[As the Roman Interlude closes, the light passes from the ground-circle to the middle stage, where Prospero—descending his throne with Ariel—moves toward the centre. While they speak together there, Caliban—coming from his cave—crawls part way up the steps and lies flat, occasionally lifting his head to listen.]
PROSPERO So, Ariel, I have harvested for thee These orchards of mine art, and let thee taste Their varied fruitages, some that have ripened In climes auspicious, some that are part decayed. Now from three vineyards—Egypt, Greece, and Rome— I will distill a varicolored wine For Caliban to drink. So, steeped in spirit, Haply he also shall see visions. Hast Thou learned by heart all that I whispered to thee?
PROSPERO Tell me part.
ARIEL You will create Out of this world of art three scenes of vision.
PROSPERO And who shall act them—say!
ARIEL My Spirits shall; And I will be their Prologue.
PROSPERO For what purpose?
ARIEL To tutor this beast.
PROSPERO And why?
ARIEL That he may grow To reverence Miranda, and forswear Setebos.
PROSPERO So! and to dispel the Powers Of Setebos, I have transformed his cave To be her temple and my theatre.—Look!
[Prospero raises his staff toward the darkness that conceals the background. As he does so, increasing light reveals the rude, irregular contours of the cave of Setebos transformed to the architectural lines of a splendid proscenium, in the oblong of which the Cloudy Curtains shut off the inner stage. The idol of Setebos has vanished. While this transformation is taking place, the Spirit Choirs of Ariel appear above the proscenium, singing.]
SPIRITS OF ARIEL In the same abode and cell Where the Toad was wont to dwell, And the Tiger stretched his claw, We have built a shrine of Law: We have chosen the lair of hate To love, imagine and create.
Out of blood and dross, Out of Setebos, We are risen to show The art of Prospero: Here within his head and heart Our souls are servants of his art.
[Their appearances vanish above.]
ARIEL Most noble Master! Show me now behind Those cloudy curtains: How have you transformed The cave within?
PROSPERO Come; I will show thee how.
[Prospero and Ariel pass through the curtains at the centre and disappear within. Meanwhile Caliban, peering above the top step, stares in dumb awe at the changed scene. There he is hailed from below by the priest of Setebos, Lust, who comes forth from his cell and calls:]
LUST Caliban! Remember Setebos!
CALIBAN [Starting, backs down the steps in scared pantomime.] Aye, Setebos! But I hear their watch-dogs bark: Bow-wow! I feel their tongue-bites yet—their torments.
LUST Caliban! Restore thy father’s temple.
CALIBAN Yea, but my father had no feet to dance. Curse on their yellow sands! They sting my eyes Still wi’ their blindings. Blast ’em!
[He springs part way up the steps again.]
LUST Caliban! Restore the priests of Setebos!
CALIBAN His priests! Nay, what if the cock sang—their chanticleer His Diddle-diddle-dow! Burneth my spine Still with that crowing.
[Reënter Prospero through the curtains.]
LUST Hush! he comes again. I await thy call. Cry on Caligula And I will come.
PROSPERO [Calling within the curtains.] Now, Ariel, where art thou? Ariel!
ARIEL [Stepping forth from behind the curtains, dressed in the garb of Prologue, bows low.]
Here, great Master! I am now Prologus, at your service.
PROSPERO Nay, not mine But his. [Calling.] Come, Caliban: behold thy tutor. Behind these curtains he will show thee now More than thy nature dreams on. If thou obey him And learn mine art, thou shalt go free like him. If not, thou shalt be spitted on a tooth More sharp than Setebos. What sayest?
CALIBAN [Cringing.] Lord, Art Cock o’ the world, and Caliban thy worm; Yea, only beggeth thee crow no more, nor set Thy dancing dogs to bark at him.
PROSPERO Tush, fool: Wilt thou obey?
CALIBAN Obeyeth both of you.
PROSPERO That’s well. Sit here and watch. Now, Ariel, Thy prologue: then reveal what lies behind.
[Prospero mounts his throne, on the steps of which Caliban squats below him, watching and listening with growing curiosity. At the centre, before the Cloudy Curtains, Ariel speaks.]
ARIEL From Egypt, by our Master’s art, Behold now, when these curtains part, A scene of fleeting pageantry: Behold where pale Mark Antony Hath fled his sore defeated ships In quest of Cleopatra’s lips, And turned the tides of war amiss To pawn a kingdom for a kiss.— So, by my Spirits’ acting, see Of what strange stuff these humans be!
[Ariel retires within through the curtains, which then—to the melodic dirge of flutes within—draw apart, disclosing the inner stage, which depicts a scene of vivid Egyptian coloring.]