“The next advantage we will take thoroughly,” Sebastian whispered back to Antonio.
“Let it be to-night,” said Antonio, “for now they are so worn out with travel they will not and cannot use such vigilance as when they are fresh.”
“I say to-night,” agreed Sebastian. “No more.”
At that moment strange and solemn music was heard.
“What harmony is this?” said the King. “Hark, my good friends!”
“Marvellous sweet music!” said Gonzalo.
Unseen by them, Prospero entered, and by his magic art he caused a number of strange and grotesque figures to appear, who brought in a banquet. After dancing round it with gentle actions of greeting, and inviting the King and his companions to eat, they disappeared.
“Give us kind keepers, heaven! What were these?” exclaimed the startled King.
“If I reported this in Naples, would they believe me?” said Gonzalo. “These must be islanders, and although they are of such strange shapes, yet note, their manners are more gentle and kind than many of our human race.”
“You speak well, honest lord,” said Prospero aside, “for some of you there are worse than devils.”