ARIEL [Stifling a cry.] Ah!
[Enter LUST, DEATH, and WAR, arrayed as priests of Setebos.]
SYCORAX [To Caliban.] Come, toad-boy: watch with me, within.
CALIBAN [Going within the cave, as Sycorax disappears.] Free, saith? Will dance by yellow sands?—Now, Spirit, dance!
[As Caliban goes within, the powers of Setebos come forth. At the altar beneath Ariel, the three Priests lead them in ceremonial rites of primeval pageantry and dance—the sacrificial worship of Setebos. Above them Ariel suffers, with closed eyes. In their rites, Lust pours his libation, and lights the altar fire, which—when War has made there his living sacrifice—Death extinguishes in darkness. Through the dark, which gradually changes to a glowing dusky Ariel speaks aloud.]
ARIEL O Spirits, I have dreamed, but Death has closed My sight in darkness. Spirits, I have begotten Sweet Joy, but Lust hath drowned her in his wine. Yea, I have wove Love wings, but War hath robbed them And riven his lovely body all alive To feed the hungering flames of Setebos. My Spirits, I your master am unmastered. Speak to me! Comfort me! Is there no joy, No love, no dream, that shall survive this dark? Hath this our isle no king but Caliban? Are there no yellow sands where we shall dance To greet the master of a timeless dawn? Or must there break no morning?—Ah, you are dumb Still to my doubtings. Yet the dark grows pale, And, paling, pulses now with rosier shadows; And now the shadows tremble, and draw back Their trailing glories: hark! All little birds Wake in the gloaming: look! What young Aurora Walks in the dusk below, and like a child Turns her quick face to listen?—Ah!
[Below, against the light from the sea, has entered the dim Figure he descries.]
ARIEL Spirits, ’tis she! O, we have dreamed her true At last—Miranda!
SPIRITS OF ARIEL [Call, in echoing song.] Miranda!