Page 109 - English Expedition Class 6

the deserted island, thought Miranda was the goddess of the place, and as such he began to address
her. She timidly answered, she was no goddess, but a simple maid. Prospero plainly perceived 13
they had (as we say) fallen in love at fi rst sight. But he resolved to throw some diffi culties in their
way.
Prospero addressed the prince with a
stern air and accused him of being a spy. • How did Ariel succeed in taking Ferdinand
When Ferdinand drew his sword to defend to Prospero?
himself, Prospero waved his magic wand
• Was the meeting between Ferdinand and
and fi xed him to the spot where he stood,
Miranda planned by Prospero?
so that he had no power to move.
• Why did Prospero assign such a diffi cult
‘Come on, young man,’ said Prospero to
task to Ferdinand?
the prince, ‘you have no power to disobey
• How were the king of Naples and Antonio
me.’ He commanded Ferdinand to pile
faring in the meantime?
up some heavy logs of wood. Kings’ sons
not being much used to laborious work,
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Miranda soon aft er found the prince almost dying with fatigue . Instead of a help Miranda became
a hindrance, for they began a long conversation, so that the business of log-carrying went on very
slowly. Prospero, who had given Ferdinand this task merely as a trial of his love, was not at his
books, as his daughter supposed, but was standing by them invisible, to overhear what they said.
Pleased by their devotion to each other, Prospero smiled and nodded his head, as if to say: ‘Th is
goes on exactly as I could wish; my girl will be queen of Naples.’
‘Fear nothing, my child,’ said he, appearing before the couple. ‘I have overheard, and approve of
all you have said. All your punishments were but trials of your love, and you have nobly stood the
test.’ He then, telling them that he had business which required his presence, desired they would
sit down and talk together till he returned; and this command Miranda seemed not at all disposed
to disobey.
When Prospero left them, he called his spirit Ariel, who quickly appeared before him, eager to
relate what he had done with Prospero’s brother and the king of Naples. Ariel said he had left them
almost out of their senses with fear, at the strange things he had caused them to see and hear. He
had reminded them of their cruelty in driving Prospero from his dukedom, and leaving him and
his infant daughter to perish in the sea. Th ey now believed their current misfortune was a result of
their evil deed. Th e king of Naples and Antonio repented the injustice they had done to Prospero,
and Ariel told his master he was certain their penitence was sincere, and that he could not but
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pity them.
Prospero, moved by Ariel’s account, said, ‘If you, who are but a spirit, feel for their distress,
shall not I, who am a human being like themselves, have compassion on them? Bring them hither
quickly, my dainty Ariel.’
Ariel soon returned with the king, Antonio and old Gonzalo in his train , who had followed
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him, wondering at the wild music he played in the air to draw them on to his master’s presence.

13 perceived: realized 15 penitence: a feeling of being sorry or regretful for one’s
14 fatigue: exhaustion misdeeds
16 in his train: (here) following behind him
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