Chapter II: The Rescue (3)

Prospero now told them that their ship was safe in the harbor, and the sailors all on board her, and that he and his daughter would accompany them home the next morning. “In the meantime,” says he, “partake of such refreshments as my poor cave affords; and for your evening’s entertainment I will relate the history of my life from my first landing in this desert island.” He then called for Caliban to prepare some food, and set the cave in order; and the company were astonished at the uncouth form and savage appearance of this ugly monster, who (Prospero said) was the only attendant he had to wait upon him.

Before Prospero left the island, he dismissed Ariel from his service, to the great joy of that lively little spirit; who, though he had been a faithful servant to his master, was always longing to enjoy his free liberty, to wander uncontrolled in the air, like a wild bird, under green trees, among pleasant fruits, and sweet-smelling flowers. “My quaint Ariel,” said Prospero to the little sprite when he made him free, “I shall miss you; yet you shall have your freedom.” “Thank you, my dear master,” said Ariel; “but give me leave to attend your ship home with prosperous gales, before you bid farewell to the assistance of your faithful spirit; and then, master, when I am free, how merrily I shall live!” Here Ariel sang this pretty song:

“Where the bee sucks, there suck I;
In a cowslip’s bell I lie;
There I crouch when owls do cry.
On the bat’s back I do fly
After summer merrily.
Merrily, merrily shall I live now
Under the blossom that hangs on the bough.”

Prospero then buried deep in the earth his magical books and wand, for he was resolved never more to make use of the magic art. And having thus overcome his enemies, and being reconciled to his brother and the King of Naples, nothing now remained to complete his happiness, but to revisit his native land, to take possession of his dukedom, and to witness the happy nuptials of his daughter and Prince Ferdinand, which the King said should be instantly celebrated with great splendor on their return to Naples. At which place, under the safe convoy of the spirit Ariel, they, after a pleasant voyage, soon arrived.

NOTES AND QUESTIONS

For Biography, see Page 274.

=Discussion.= 1. Make a list of the characters mentioned in the
story. 2. Which are the principal characters? 3. What was Prospero’s
purpose in raising a violent storm? 4. What tells you that it is a
magic storm? 5. Tell the story that Prospero told his daughter. 6.
Why is Miranda made to sleep? 7. What is the purpose of Ariel’s song?
8. Compare the “love at first sight” of Miranda and Ferdinand with
that of Orlando and Rosalind in “As You Like It.” 9. Tell the story
of the reconciliation of Antonio and Prospero. 10. Repeat from memory
Ariel’s farewell song. 11. Which of the characters do you like best?
Why? 12. Mention humorous incidents in the story. 13. What is the
aptness of the song “Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind”? See page 84 in
this book. 14. In a few brief sentences tell the plot of the story.
15. Pronounce the following: mischievous; heir; uncouth.

=Phrases=

much affected by learned men, 275, 9
refused to execute, 275, 15
owed him a grudge, 276, 1
such-like vexatious tricks, 276, 17
worldly ends, 277, 17
dedicate my whole time, 277, 17
holding converse, 278, 14
lamenting the loss, 278, 23
altered by grief, 280, 10
advocate for an impostor, 281, 2
power of resistance, 281, 11
set him a severe task, 281, 19
became a hindrance, 281, 32
had enjoined, 281, 35
father’s precepts, 282, 16
penitence was sincere, 283, 19
have compassion, 283, 23
stupefied their senses, 283, 31
engaging to restore, 284, 1
uncouth form, 285, 8
prosperous gales, 285, 19
happy nuptials, 285, 35