A Motley Jest: Shakespearean Diversions

9781465685513

213 pages

Library of Alexandria

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Overview

An island in the Middle Seas. A cave is seen on the right and before it, under a palm tree, Caliban is discovered sleeping. [Enter Trinculo and Stephano, quarreling. Trinculo. Since the day when the old gentleman they call Prospero took it into his bald pate to disappear into air along with a most goodly company beside, there’s not a bottle to be found i’ this isle, as I am a good Christian, and, what is more, a good Christian man’s son. Stephano. Bottle me no bottles, Trinculo. Had we ne’er shared a bottle betwixt us we had not been left to bide by ourselves in this whoreson isle in the hard service of the man-monster, Caliban, but might be in fair Naples at this very hour. Trinculo. Sagely said, Master Stephano. Thou wast ever wise enow i’ the tail o’ the event. An’ thou could’st have looked it thus wisely i’ the mouth, thou hadst been a made man, Stephano, a made man, and a householder, to boot. Stephano. By mine head, a scurvy trick o’ the King to give us over to a dog’s life in this heathen isle with a man-monster for a master, and none other company beside. Trinculo. More wisdom from that mouth of thine, most sage Stephano. Thou art indeed become a second Socrates for sober conclusions. Caliban [awaking] What, Trinculo! Get me some food, I say, or thy bones shall pay thy jape. Get thee hence at once, for a mighty hunger is come upon me and I would eat. [To Stephano] Sing thou, and caper nimbly the while.