Page 108 - English Expedition Class 6

‘Know then,’ said her father, ‘that by
means of this storm, my enemies, the king of • What was Ferdinand mooning about?
Naples, and my cruel brother, are cast ashore 8 • What did everyone from the ship think
upon this island.’ Having so said, Prospero about the others?
gently touched his daughter with his magic • Why couldn’t the ship’s crew see the ship?
wand, and she fell fast asleep.
Ariel just then presented himself before
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his master, to give an account of the tempest, and how he had disposed of the ship’s company . He
gave a lively description of the storm, and of the terrors of the mariners; and how the king’s son,
Ferdinand, was the fi rst who leapt into the sea. Ferdinand’s father thought he saw his dear son
swallowed up by the waves and lost.
‘But he is safe,’ said Ariel, ‘in a corner of the isle, sitting with his arms folded, sadly lamenting
the loss of the king, his father, whom he concludes drowned.’
‘Bring him hither,’ said Prospero, ‘my daughter must see this young prince. Where is the king,
and my brother?’
‘I left them,’ answered Ariel, ‘searching for Ferdinand, whom they have little hopes of fi nding,
thinking they saw him perish. Of the ship’s crew, not one is missing; though each one thinks himself
the only one saved. Th e ship, though invisible to them, is safe in the harbour.’
‘Ariel,’ said Prospero, ‘thy charge is faithfully performed, but there is more work yet.’
10
Ariel then went to where he had left Ferdinand, and found him still sitting on the grass in
11
the same melancholy posture. He then began
singing, and Ferdinand followed in amazement
at the sound of Ariel’s voice, till it led him to
Prospero and Miranda, who were sitting under
the shade of a large tree. Now Miranda had never
seen a man before, except her own father.
‘Miranda,’ said Prospero, ‘tell me what you are
looking at yonder .’
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‘O Father,’ said Miranda, in a strange surprise,
‘surely that is a spirit. Lord! How it looks about!
Is it a spirit?’
‘No, girl,’ answered her father; ‘it eats, and
sleeps, and has senses such as we have. Th is
young man you see was in the ship. He has lost
his companions, and is wandering about to fi nd
them.’
Miranda, who thought all men had grave faces
and grey beards like her father, was delighted
with the appearance of this beautiful young
prince. Ferdinand, seeing such a lovely lady on

8 cast ashore: thrown onto the shore by the waves 11 melancholy: sad and defeated
9 company: (here) passengers and crew 12 yonder: over there
10 thy charge: (here) your duty
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