ACT II
[Now, when the Italian Interlude is concluded, the light—passing to the middle stage—illumines at centre the lone figure of Caliban, where he squats above his cell. Gazing out over the ground-circle, he calls aloud his yearning thoughts:]
CALIBAN O Sands—Yellow Sands! Falleth on you his rain, Shineth his sun! Yea, there his breeding dews Quicken your blind rock-seeds, till wondrous live things Burst ’em with flame-bright petals; and where his light falls You blossom with stars and flowers: But me—me saith, Am mud! Calleth me a bubble of black ooze Can breed but only mine own belly-kind— Bog-fish and moles.—Lieth! [Rising with a great gesture.] He lieth! ’Tis lies! Sands!—You wild, yellow sands! I, too, I, too, Am born to dance by your eternal waves And build brave temples there. I, too, shall bring you Shoutings of life-song, like those Spirits.—Lo, I come to you—I come now!
[Running down the steps, he rushes out upon the ground-circle, where he stoops on bent knees and kisses the shining earth. Behind him, at the entrance of the cell, Death appears, holding a great gray cloak. He comes forward, speaking in a thin monotone.]
DEATH Caliban!
CALIBAN [Raising his head.] What calleth me there?
DEATH Death: priest of Setebos.
CALIBAN His temple is fallen: will build no more like his.
DEATH Thou shalt restore his temple, Caliban.