Scene changes, and discovers Prospero and Miranda.
Prosp. Advance the fringed curtains of thine eyes, And say what thou seest yonder.
Mir. Is it a spirit? Lord, how it looks about! Sir, I confess it carries a brave form. But 'tis a spirit.
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's worst canker) thou might'st call him A goodly person; he has lost his company, And strays about to find them.
Mir. I might call him A thing divine, for nothing natural I ever saw so noble.
Prosp. It goes on, As my soul prompts it: Spirit, fine spirit, I'll free thee within two days for this. [Aside.
Ferd. She's sure the mistress on whom these airs attend. Fair excellence! if, as your form declares, You are divine, be pleased to instruct me how You will be worshipped; so bright a beauty Cannot sure belong to human kind.
Mir. I am, like you, a mortal, if such you are.
Ferd. My language, too! O heavens! I am the best Of them who speak this speech, when I'm in my Own country.
Prosp. How, the best? what wert thou, if The duke of Savoy heard thee?