Prosp. I have so ordered, That not one creature in the ship is lost: I have done nothing but in care of thee, My daughter, and thy pretty sister: You both are ignorant of what you are, Not knowing whence I am, nor that I'm more Than Prospero, master of a narrow cell, And thy unhappy father.
Mir. I ne'er endeavoured To know more than you were pleased to tell me.
Prosp. I should inform thee farther.
Mir. You often, sir, began to tell me what I am, But then you stopt.
Prosp. The hour's now come; Obey, and be attentive. Canst thou remember A time, before we came into this cell? I do not think thou canst, for then thou wert not Full three years old.
Mir. Certainly I can, sir.
Prosp. Tell me the image then of any thing, Which thou dost keep in thy remembrance still.
Mir. Sir, had I not four or five women once, that tended me?
Prosp. Thou hadst, and more, Miranda: What seest thou else, In the dark back-ward, and abyss of time? If thou rememberest aught, ere thou cam'st here, Then how thou cam'st thou mayest remember too.
Mir. Sir, that I do not.