Act 3, Scene 1

Original Text

*Before Prospero's cell. Enter Ferdinand, bearing a log.* FERDINAND. There be some sports are painful, and their labour Delight in them sets off: some kinds of baseness Are nobly undergone, and most poor matters Point to rich ends. This my mean task Would be as heavy to me as odious, but The mistress which I serve quickens what's dead, And makes my labours pleasures: O, she is Ten times more gentle than her father's crabbed. And he's composed of harshness. I must remove Some thousands of these logs, and pile them up, Upon a sore injunction: my sweet mistress Weeps when she sees me work, and says, such baseness Had never like executor.

Modern English

*In front of Prospero's dwelling. Ferdinand enters, carrying a heavy log.* FERDINAND. Some painful activities become rewarding because the pleasure in doing them offsets the work. Some lowly tasks are made noble by the reason behind them, and the poorest efforts can lead to the richest rewards. This demeaning chore would be as unbearable as it is hateful -- except the woman I serve brings the dead back to life in me and turns my labor into pleasure. She is ten times gentler than her father is harsh, and he is made entirely of harshness. I have to move thousands of these logs and stack them up under his brutal orders. My sweet mistress cries when she sees me working and says no task this low ever had so fine a man doing it.

Original Text

*Enter Miranda; and Prospero at a distance, unseen.* MIRANDA. Alas, now, pray you, Work not so hard: I would the lightning had Burnt up those logs that you are enjoin'd to pile! Pray, set it down, and rest you: when this burns, 'Twill weep for having wearied you. My father Is hard at study; pray, now, rest yourself; He's safe for these three hours. FERDINAND. O most dear mistress, The sun will set before I shall discharge What I must strive to do. MIRANDA. If you'll sit down, I'll bear your logs the while: pray, give me that; I'll carry it to the pile. FERDINAND. No, precious creature; I had rather crack my sinews, break my back, Than you should such dishonour undergo, While I sit lazy by.

Modern English

*Miranda enters; Prospero watches from a distance, unseen.* MIRANDA. Oh, please -- don't work so hard! I wish lightning had burned up all the logs you've been ordered to stack! Please, put that down and rest. When this wood burns, the fire will weep for having tired you out. My father is deep in his studies -- please, rest now. He'll be busy for three more hours. FERDINAND. Oh, dearest lady, the sun will set before I finish everything I have to do. MIRANDA. If you'll sit down, I'll carry your logs for a while. Please, let me have that -- I'll take it to the pile. FERDINAND. No, precious girl. I'd rather snap my muscles and break my spine than let you do such degrading work while I sit around doing nothing.

Original Text

FERDINAND. No, noble mistress; 'tis fresh morning with me When you are by at night. I do beseech you,-- Chiefly that I might set it in my prayers,-- What is your name? MIRANDA. Miranda. --O my father, I have broke your hest to say so! FERDINAND. Admired Miranda! Indeed the top of admiration! worth What's dearest to the world!

Modern English

FERDINAND. No, noble lady -- when you're near me at night, it feels like fresh morning. I beg you -- mainly so I can include you in my prayers -- what is your name? MIRANDA. Miranda. -- Oh no, Father, I've disobeyed you by telling him! FERDINAND. Wonderful Miranda! Truly the height of everything admirable -- worth the most precious thing in the world!

Original Text

MIRANDA. I do not know One of my sex; no woman's face remember, Save, from my glass, mine own; nor have I seen More that I may call men than you, good friend, And my dear father: how features are abroad, I am skilless of; but, by my modesty, The jewel in my dower, I would not wish Any companion in the world but you; Nor can imagination form a shape, Besides yourself, to like of. But I prattle Something too wildly, and my father's precepts I therein do forget.

Modern English

MIRANDA. I don't know a single other woman. I can't remember any woman's face except my own in the mirror. And I've never seen more men I could call men than you, dear friend, and my father. What people look like in the wider world, I have no idea. But by my modesty -- the most precious thing I own -- I wouldn't wish for any other companion in the world but you. I can't even imagine a form other than yours that I could love. But I'm rambling a bit too freely, and forgetting my father's instructions.

Original Text

MIRANDA. I am your wife, if you will marry me; If not, I'll die your maid: to be your fellow You may deny me; but I'll be your servant, Whether you will or no. FERDINAND. My mistress, dearest; And I thus humble ever. MIRANDA. My husband, then? FERDINAND. Ay, with a heart as willing As bondage e'er of freedom: here's my hand. MIRANDA. And mine, with my heart in't: and now farewell Till half an hour hence. FERDINAND. A thousand thousand!

Modern English

MIRANDA. I am your wife, if you'll marry me. If not, I'll die unmarried. You can refuse to make me your equal, but I'll be your servant whether you want me to or not. FERDINAND. My dearest lady -- and I, forever this devoted. MIRANDA. My husband, then? FERDINAND. Yes, with a heart as eager as a prisoner's is for freedom. Here's my hand. MIRANDA. And mine, with my heart inside it. Now goodbye until half an hour from now. FERDINAND. A thousand thousand farewells!

Original Text

PROSPERO. So glad of this as they I cannot be, Who are surprised withal; but my rejoicing At nothing can be more. I'll to my book; For yet, ere supper-time, must I perform Much business appertaining.

Modern English

PROSPERO. I can't be as overjoyed as they are -- they have the advantage of surprise. But my happiness couldn't possibly be greater. Back to my books now -- before suppertime, I still have a great deal of important work to do.

The Tempest

Act 3, Scene 1

Act 3, Scene 1