ARIEL The beast is routed, Master. Was’t well done?
PROSPERO The routed beast—returns. I charge thee, Spirit, Not to torment, but teach him—for which task Thou wilt require mine art. So by its power We will transform this cave of Setebos To be a temple to Miranda. Now Let these thy Spirits lead her to her shrine Yonder, where all her maiden Muses wait To make her welcome.
[Prospero points to where, on the right, appears Miranda’s shrine. From its portals come forth the Nine Muses, bearing lutes and pipes. Prospero, turning to Miranda, rises and gives her into Ariel’s care.]
Child, go with them now And tarry till I summon.
MIRANDA Sir, I will. I thank you and these Spirits, and may we all Be saved from Setebos.
ARIEL Sweet Mistress, follow!
[To a melodious tiding and piping played by the Muses, Ariel and his Spirits escort Miranda to the centre, where the Muses meet and conduct her into the shrine, while Ariel’s Spirits—at a gesture from him—dart through the centre of the Cloudy Curtains and disappear.]
PROSPERO [Calling.] Now hither, bird, and perch!
ARIEL [Running to him, on the throne.] Beside you, Master!
PROSPERO [Pointing to the ground-circle.] Seest yonder Yellow Sands? There sleep the shores, The cloudy capes and continents of time; There wane and wax eternal tides, that mark The ebb and flow of empires with their foam. There shalt thou see the million-colored skein Whereof I weave mine art. Look well and learn! For this my art is of no only land Or age, but born of all—itself a world Snatched from the womb of History, to survive Its mortal mother in imagination.— Dost thou attend me?