SIXTH INNER SCENE
Here, to an opening fanfare of golden trumpets, takes place a PANTOMIME, all of gold, depicting to the eye, as in a glowing fantasy, the meeting of the Kings and their Retinues: the alighting of the Kings from horseback, their embracement and their clasping of hands.
During this enactment of the pantomime, the choirs of Ariel’s Spirits sing, unseen:]
SPIRITS OF ARIEL Glory and serenity, Splendor of desire, Blend where golden lilies bloom Mid St. George’s fire: Lilies of France!—behold How they glow on the Field of the Cloth of Gold, And the battle-captains curb their bands Where the kings of earth clasp hands.
Power and principality Raise to Peace their choir Where Lord Christ his lilies cling Round the Dragon’s ire: Lilies of Christ!—behold How they flame from the Field of the Cloth of Gold, Where the captains bow to their Lord’s commands And the kings of men clasp hands.
[At the climax of the meeting of the Kings,
THE CLOUDY CURTAINS CLOSE
PROSPERO [Smiling, to Miranda.] This glowing taketh thee.
MIRANDA O, my good father! Methinks my soul is a flake o’ the sun, for where Things golden shine, I spangle, too; yea, burn To be Aurora, and trail cloth of gold Around the world.
PROSPERO Unless my will miscarry, Thou shalt be such a morning messenger And wake the world with beauty. Now my plans Wait on a vast result, for Caliban Himself hath gone to deal with Setebos His gray priest, Death.
MIRANDA What, Caliban! O glad Hope for us all! Your art begins to triumph, And Ariel’s Spirits to conquer.
PROSPERO That still waits: Meanwhile mine art drinks from this renaissance Deep draughts against a dark to-morrow.—Hither, You Fauns! Come, bear my gold-emblazoned scrolls And silver-claspèd books before me!
[Lifting the scrolls and volumes from their pile by the shrine, the Fauns come forward with them to Prospero, who turns affectionately to Miranda.]
I Will leave you now, and pore awhile on these For further conjurings.
MIRANDA [Detaining him.] Yet conjure once Again before you go!
PROSPERO What wouldst thou, dear?
MIRANDA Hardly I know: but something high, serene, And passionately fair: some vision’d glimpse Of fadeless youth, and lovers rich through love.
PROSPERO Why, Ariel hath his orders still.—[To Ariel.] List, pupil: To glad thy mistress’ heart, when I am gone, Pour the warm moon-wine of Italian night Into a dream-cup, where entrancèd lovers Seal with charm’d lips their vows. Therein dissolve What visions rise, till they shall melt in one Gloaming of love and music.—So, Miranda, Rich dreams! Faun-boys, bear on my books before me!
[Accompanied by the bright-clothed Fauns, bearing the great books and scrolls in quaint procession, Prospero departs through the throne-entrance. Meantime, the Muses and Miranda gather at the shrine, where Ariel approaches Miranda.]
ARIEL Mistress—
MIRANDA Hark, Muses! Ariel, speak on!
ARIEL Ear and eye, now, list and lo: Mirth of mad Mercutio, Juliet’s sigh for Romeo; Dim Lorenzo’s murmur’d “Ah!” For moon-dreaming Jessica; Dance of flower-soul’d Perdita Wafted to her Florizel Like a wave o’ the sea: List well; Lo, their night renews its spell!
[At Ariel’s last word and gesture, the Cloudy Curtains part, disclosing the