PROSPERO Why, Ariel hath his orders still.—[To Ariel.] List, pupil: To glad thy mistress’ heart, when I am gone, Pour the warm moon-wine of Italian night Into a dream-cup, where entrancèd lovers Seal with charm’d lips their vows. Therein dissolve What visions rise, till they shall melt in one Gloaming of love and music.—So, Miranda, Rich dreams! Faun-boys, bear on my books before me!
[Accompanied by the bright-clothed Fauns, bearing the great books and scrolls in quaint procession, Prospero departs through the throne-entrance. Meantime, the Muses and Miranda gather at the shrine, where Ariel approaches Miranda.]
ARIEL Mistress—
MIRANDA Hark, Muses! Ariel, speak on!
ARIEL Ear and eye, now, list and lo: Mirth of mad Mercutio, Juliet’s sigh for Romeo; Dim Lorenzo’s murmur’d “Ah!” For moon-dreaming Jessica; Dance of flower-soul’d Perdita Wafted to her Florizel Like a wave o’ the sea: List well; Lo, their night renews its spell!
[At Ariel’s last word and gesture, the Cloudy Curtains part, disclosing the
SEVENTH INNER SCENE
In the glow and gloom of Italian night, as high clouds intermittently obscure the moon, a palace garden lies in deep shadow. Emerging only partly into view, where soft light-floodings fall on moss-stained statue, marble bench, and balcony, there is revealed at first [on the left] nothing but a glimpse of garden wall, before which flash in the dimness two pied figures [Benvolio and Mercutio]. Calling shrilly, their young voices rain showers of fluting laughter.