MRS. QUICKLY Corrupt, corrupt, and tainted in desire! About him, Fairies; sing a scornful rhyme; And, as you trip, still pinch him to your time.
ALL [As they dance about him, pinch, burn him, and sing:]
Fie on sinful fantasy! Fie on lust and luxury! Lust is but a bloody fire Kindled with unchaste desire, Fed in heart, whose flames aspire As thoughts do blow them, higher and higher. Pinch him, Fairies, mutually; Pinch him for his villany; Pinch him, and burn him, and turn him about, Till candles and starlight and moonshine be out!
FALSTAFF [Rising and pulling off his buck’s head, cries out:] Oh! Oh! Oh! [As he is about to flee, tormented by the dancing figures,
THE CLOUDY CURTAINS CLOSE
CALIBAN [Bursting into bitter laughter.] Ah-ha, ha! “Corrupt, corrupt, and tainted in desire!” Mocketh me, mocketh me, ah!—A man with horns And heart of monster! [Striding fiercely toward Ariel.] He mocketh me, thy lord!
ARIEL [Laughing silverly.] Why, ’tis but fairy sport for laughter.
CALIBAN [With choking passion.] Laughter! Ah-ha! Me, too—me, too, thy spirits plagued And pinched, to piping jigs. [Seizing Ariel.] I tell thee, smiling Spirit, thy laughter scorcheth me with nettles, [Pointing toward the curtains.] And that hot bulk of lust hath made my loins To rage with boiling blood.
ARIEL [Struggling.] Unclutch thy hand!
CALIBAN Not till I bleed that oil of laughter from thee Which lappeth me in flame.