Miranda in the meanwhile was gazing in wonder at all these strange visitors who had come to the island.
“Oh, brave new world that has such people in it!” she cried in delight.
“Who is this maiden?” Alonso asked his son. “Is she some goddess?”
“Sir, she is mortal, and she is mine,” answered Ferdinand. “I chose her when I thought I had no father. She is daughter to the famous Duke of Milan, of whose renown I have so often heard.”
Then Alonso gave his blessing to the young couple, and the good Gonzalo breathed a hearty “Amen!”
At this moment Ariel appeared, followed by the astonished master of the King’s ship and the boatswain. They were overjoyed to see the King and his companions again, and brought word that the ship was as safe and bravely rigged as when they first put out to sea.
“Sir, all this service have I done since I left you,” whispered Ariel to Prospero. “Was it well done?”
“Bravely, good spirit,” said Prospero. “Thou shalt soon be free.”
Then he commanded him to go and take off the spell from Caliban and his companions, and after a few minutes’ absence Ariel returned driving in the three men, clad in their stolen apparel.
“Mark these men, my lords,” said Prospero. “These three have robbed me, and this witch’s son had plotted with the others to take my life. Two of these fellows you must know and own; this thing of darkness I acknowledge mine.”