The Tempest · Act 2, Scene 2

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Enter CALIBAN with a burden of wood. A noise of thunder heard
Enter CALIBAN carrying wood. Thunder is heard.
Caliban

All the infections that the sun sucks up From bogs, fens, flats, on Prosper fall and make him By inch-meal a disease! His spirits hear me And yet I needs must curse. But they’ll nor pinch, Fright me with urchin--shows, pitch me i’ the mire, Nor lead me, like a firebrand, in the dark Out of my way, unless he bid ’em; but For every trifle are they set upon me; Sometime like apes that mow and chatter at me And after bite me, then like hedgehogs which Lie tumbling in my barefoot way and mount Their pricks at my footfall; sometime am I All wound with adders who with cloven tongues Do hiss me into madness.

Caliban

All the diseases the sun pulls up From swamps, marshes, and flatlands, fall on Prospero and make him Slowly sick! His spirits can hear me And still, I must curse. But they won’t hurt me, Scare me with goblins, throw me in the mud, Or lead me like a torch through the dark Unless he tells them to. But For every little thing, they’re after me; Sometimes like apes that grimace and chatter at me, Then bite me, other times like hedgehogs that Roll around in my path and raise Their spines when I step on them; sometimes I’m All tangled up with snakes that with split tongues Hiss at me until I go crazy.

Enter TRINCULO
Enter TRINCULO
Caliban

Lo, now, lo! Here comes a spirit of his, and to torment me For bringing wood in slowly. I’ll fall flat; Perchance he will not mind me.

Caliban

Look, look! Here comes one of his spirits, to punish me For carrying wood too slowly. I’ll lie flat; Maybe he won’t notice me.

Trinculo

Here’s neither bush nor shrub, to bear off any weather at all, and another storm brewing; I hear it sing i’ the wind: yond same black cloud, yond huge one, looks like a foul bombard that would shed his liquor. If it should thunder as it did before, I know not where to hide my head: yond same cloud cannot choose but fall by pailfuls. What have we here? a man or a fish? dead or alive? A fish: he smells like a fish; a very ancient and fish- like smell; a kind of not of the newest Poor- John. A strange fish! Were I in England now, as once I was, and had but this fish painted, not a holiday fool there but would give a piece of silver: there would this monster make a man; any strange beast there makes a man: when they will not give a doit to relieve a lame beggar, they will lazy out ten to see a dead Indian. Legged like a man and his fins like arms! Warm o’ my troth! I do now let loose my opinion; hold it no longer: this is no fish, but an islander, that hath lately suffered by a thunderbolt.

Trinculo

There’s no bush or tree here, to shield me From the weather, and another storm is coming; I hear it howling in the wind: that big Black cloud, that huge one, looks like a nasty Cannon that’s about to spill its gunpowder. If it Thunders like it did before, I don’t know Where to hide my head: that same cloud can’t Help but dump rain by the bucket. What do we Have here? A man or a fish? Dead or alive? A fish: It smells like a fish; a very old and fish-like smell; A type of fish that isn’t the freshest Poor-John. A strange fish! If I were in England now, Like I once was, and had just this fish painted, Not a single fool there would hesitate to give a coin: There, any strange beast makes a man: When they won’t spare a penny to help a crippled beggar, They’ll throw ten coins just to see a dead Indian. Legs like a man and fins like Arms! By my truth! I’ll say it now: I can’t hold back anymore: this isn’t a fish, But a local islander, who’s recently been struck by a Thunderbolt.

Thunder
Thunder
Trinculo

Alas, the storm is come again! my best way is to creep under his gaberdine; there is no other shelter hereabouts: misery acquaints a man with strange bed-fellows. I will here shroud till the dregs of the storm be past.

Trinculo

Oh no, the storm’s back again! My best bet is to Crawl under his coat; there’s no other Shelter around here: misery makes strange bedfellows. I’ll hide here until the storm passes.

Enter STEPHANO, singing: a bottle in his hand
Enter STEPHANO, singing: a bottle in his hand
Stephano

I shall no more to sea, to sea, Here shall I die ashore-- This is a very scurvy tune to sing at a man’s funeral: well, here’s my comfort.

Stephano

I’ll never go back to sea, to sea, I’ll die here on land-- This is a terrible tune to sing at a man’s Funeral: well, here’s my comfort.

Drinks
Drinks
Sings
Sings
Stephano

The master, the swabber, the boatswain and I, The gunner and his mate Loved Mall, Meg and Marian and Margery, But none of us cared for Kate; For she had a tongue with a tang, Would cry to a sailor, Go hang! She loved not the savour of tar nor of pitch, Yet a tailor might scratch her where’er she did itch: Then to sea, boys, and let her go hang! This is a scurvy tune too: but here’s my comfort.

Stephano

The captain, the cleaner, the boatswain and I, The gunner and his mate Loved Mall, Meg and Marian and Margery, But none of us cared for Kate; She had a sharp tongue, Would tell a sailor, “Go hang!” She hated the smell of tar and pitch, But a tailor might scratch her wherever she itched: So let’s go to sea, boys, and let her go hang! This is still a bad tune, but here’s my comfort.

Drinks
Drinks
Caliban

Do not torment me: Oh!

Caliban

Don’t torment me: Oh!

Stephano

What’s the matter? Have we devils here? Do you put tricks upon’s with savages and men of Ind, ha? I have not scaped drowning to be afeard now of your four legs; for it hath been said, As proper a man as ever went on four legs cannot make him give ground; and it shall be said so again while Stephano breathes at’s nostrils.

Stephano

What’s wrong? Are there devils here? Are you playing Tricks on us with savages and men from India, huh? I Didn’t survive drowning just to be scared of your Four legs; because it’s been said, A man as proper as Any creature that walks on four legs won’t back down; And I’ll say it again as long as I breathe.

Caliban

The spirit torments me; Oh!

Caliban

The spirit is tormenting me; Oh!

Stephano

This is some monster of the isle with four legs, who hath got, as I take it, an ague. Where the devil should he learn our language? I will give him some relief, if it be but for that. if I can recover him and keep him tame and get to Naples with him, he’s a present for any emperor that ever trod on neat’s leather.

Stephano

This is some monster of the island with four legs, who Seems to have, as I guess, a fever. Where the devil Did he learn our language? I’ll give him some Relief, just for that. If I can cure him And keep him tame and get him to Naples, he’s a Gift for any emperor that ever wore leather shoes.

Caliban

Do not torment me, prithee; I’ll bring my wood home faster.

Caliban

Don’t torment me, please; I’ll bring my wood home faster.

Stephano

He’s in his fit now and does not talk after the wisest. He shall taste of my bottle: if he have never drunk wine afore will go near to remove his fit. If I can recover him and keep him tame, I will not take too much for him; he shall pay for him that hath him, and that soundly.

Stephano

He’s having his fit now and not speaking sense. He’ll have some of my wine: if he’s never drunk wine before, it might help him get over his fit. If I can calm him down and keep him in control, I won’t charge too much for him; he’ll pay for the one who owns him, and that’ll be a fair price.

Caliban

Thou dost me yet but little hurt; thou wilt anon, I know it by thy trembling: now Prosper works upon thee.

Caliban

You’re not hurting me much yet; but you will soon, I can tell by your shaking: now Prospero is working on you.

Stephano

Come on your ways; open your mouth; here is that which will give language to you, cat: open your mouth; this will shake your shaking, I can tell you, and that soundly: you cannot tell who’s your friend: open your chaps again.

Stephano

Come on, open your mouth; here’s something that’ll help you talk, cat: open your mouth; this will stop your shaking, I promise, and it’ll work well: you’ll never know who your friend is: open your mouth again.

Trinculo

I should know that voice: it should be--but he is drowned; and these are devils: O defend me!

Trinculo

I should recognize that voice: it sounds like--but he’s drowned; and these are devils: oh, help me!

Stephano

Four legs and two voices: a most delicate monster! His forward voice now is to speak well of his friend; his backward voice is to utter foul speeches and to detract. If all the wine in my bottle will recover him, I will help his ague. Come. Amen! I will pour some in thy other mouth.

Stephano

Four legs and two voices: what a delicate monster! His front voice is now speaking well of his friend; his back voice is saying ugly things and insulting him. If all the wine in my bottle will bring him back, I’ll help cure his shivering. Come on. Amen! I will pour some into your other mouth.

Trinculo

Stephano!

Trinculo

Stephano!

Stephano

Doth thy other mouth call me? Mercy, mercy! This is a devil, and no monster: I will leave him; I have no long spoon.

Stephano

Is your other mouth calling me? Mercy, mercy! This is a devil, not a monster: I’ll leave him; I don’t have a long spoon.

Trinculo

Stephano! If thou beest Stephano, touch me and speak to me: for I am Trinculo--be not afeard--thy good friend Trinculo.

Trinculo

Stephano! If you’re Stephano, touch me and talk to me: I’m Trinculo--don’t be afraid--your good friend Trinculo.

Stephano

If thou beest Trinculo, come forth: I’ll pull thee by the lesser legs: if any be Trinculo’s legs, these are they. Thou art very Trinculo indeed! How camest thou to be the siege of this moon-calf? can he vent Trinculos?

Stephano

If you’re Trinculo, come out: I’ll pull you by the shorter legs: if these are Trinculo’s legs, then these are they. You really are Trinculo! How did you end up stuck to this moon-calf? Can he speak Trinculo’s words?

Trinculo

I took him to be killed with a thunder-stroke. But art thou not drowned, Stephano? I hope now thou art not drowned. Is the storm overblown? I hid me under the dead moon-calf’s gaberdine for fear of the storm. And art thou living, Stephano? O Stephano, two Neapolitans ’scaped!

Trinculo

I thought he was killed by a lightning strike. But aren’t you drowned, Stephano? I hope you’re not drowned. Has the storm passed? I hid under the dead moon-calf’s coat to avoid the storm. Are you alive, Stephano? Oh Stephano, two Neapolitans escaped!

Stephano

Prithee, do not turn me about; my stomach is not constant.

Stephano

Please, don’t turn me around; my stomach’s not steady.

Caliban

[Aside] These be fine things, an if they be not sprites. That’s a brave god and bears celestial liquor. I will kneel to him.

Caliban

[Aside] These are strange things, if they’re not spirits. That’s a fine god who drinks heavenly liquor. I’ll kneel to him.

Stephano

How didst thou ’scape? How camest thou hither? swear by this bottle how thou camest hither. I escaped upon a butt of sack which the sailors heaved o’erboard, by this bottle; which I made of the bark of a tree with mine own hands since I was cast ashore.

Stephano

How did you survive? How did you get here? Swear on this bottle how you got here. I escaped on a cask of wine that the sailors threw overboard, by this bottle; which I made from the bark of a tree with my own hands after I was washed ashore.

Caliban

I’ll swear upon that bottle to be thy true subject; for the liquor is not earthly.

Caliban

I’ll swear on that bottle to be your true subject; because the drink isn’t earthly.

Stephano

Here; swear then how thou escapedst.

Stephano

Here; swear then how you escaped.

Trinculo

Swum ashore. man, like a duck: I can swim like a duck, I’ll be sworn.

Trinculo

I swam ashore, man, like a duck: I can swim like a duck, I’ll swear it.

Stephano

Here, kiss the book. Though thou canst swim like a duck, thou art made like a goose.

Stephano

Here, kiss the book. Even though you can swim like a duck, you’re built like a goose.

Trinculo

O Stephano. hast any more of this?

Trinculo

Oh Stephano, do you have more of this?

Stephano

The whole butt, man: my cellar is in a rock by the sea-side where my wine is hid. How now, moon-calf! how does thine ague?

Stephano

The whole keg, man: my cellar is in a rock by the shore where my wine is hidden. How are you, moon-calf? How’s your fever?

Caliban

Hast thou not dropp’d from heaven?

Caliban

Didn’t you fall from heaven?

Stephano

Out o’ the moon, I do assure thee: I was the man i’ the moon when time was.

Stephano

Out of the moon, I swear: I was the man in the moon when time was.

Caliban

I have seen thee in her and I do adore thee: My mistress show’d me thee and thy dog and thy bush.

Caliban

I’ve seen you in her, and I worship you: My mistress showed me you, and your dog, and your bush.

Stephano

Come, swear to that; kiss the book: I will furnish it anon with new contents swear.

Stephano

Come on, swear to that; kiss the book: I’ll give it new content soon, swear.

Trinculo

By this good light, this is a very shallow monster! I afeard of him! A very weak monster! The man i’ the moon! A most poor credulous monster! Well drawn, monster, in good sooth!

Trinculo

By this good light, this is a very silly monster! I’m afraid of him! A very weak monster! The man in the moon! A very gullible monster! Well drawn, monster, truly!

Caliban

I’ll show thee every fertile inch o’ th’ island; And I will kiss thy foot: I prithee, be my god.

Caliban

I’ll show you every fertile inch of the island; And I will kiss your foot: I beg you, be my god.

Trinculo

By this light, a most perfidious and drunken monster! when ’s god’s asleep, he’ll rob his bottle.

Trinculo

By this light, a very deceitful and drunk monster! When his god’s asleep, he’ll steal his bottle.

Caliban

I’ll kiss thy foot; I’ll swear myself thy subject.

Caliban

I’ll kiss your foot; I’ll swear myself your servant.

Stephano

Come on then; down, and swear.

Stephano

Come on then; down, and swear.

Trinculo

I shall laugh myself to death at this puppy-headed monster. A most scurvy monster! I could find in my heart to beat him,--

Trinculo

I’ll laugh myself to death at this foolish-headed monster. A most disgusting monster! I could find it in my heart to beat him,--

Stephano

Come, kiss.

Stephano

Come, kiss.

Trinculo

But that the poor monster’s in drink: an abominable monster!

Trinculo

But the poor monster’s drunk: an awful monster!

Caliban

I’ll show thee the best springs; I’ll pluck thee berries; I’ll fish for thee and get thee wood enough. A plague upon the tyrant that I serve! I’ll bear him no more sticks, but follow thee, Thou wondrous man.

Caliban

I’ll show you the best springs; I’ll pick you berries; I’ll fish for you and get you plenty of wood. A curse on the tyrant I serve! I won’t carry him any more sticks, but will follow you, You wondrous man.

Trinculo

A most ridiculous monster, to make a wonder of a Poor drunkard!

Trinculo

What a ridiculous creature, to turn a Poor drunk person into a wonder!

Caliban

I prithee, let me bring thee where crabs grow; And I with my long nails will dig thee pignuts; Show thee a jay’s nest and instruct thee how To snare the nimble marmoset; I’ll bring thee To clustering filberts and sometimes I’ll get thee Young scamels from the rock. Wilt thou go with me?

Caliban

Please, let me take you to where crabs grow; And I’ll dig up some pignuts for you with my long nails; I’ll show you a jay’s nest and teach you how To trap the quick marmoset; I’ll take you To places with lots of hazelnuts and sometimes I’ll get you Young shellfish from the rocks. Will you come with me?

Stephano

I prithee now, lead the way without any more talking. Trinculo, the king and all our company else being drowned, we will inherit here: here; bear my bottle: fellow Trinculo, we’ll fill him by and by again.

Stephano

Please, lead the way without talking anymore. Trinculo, since the king and the rest of our group Have drowned, we’ll take over here: here; Hold my bottle: hey Trinculo, we’ll keep him drunk Little by little again.

Caliban

[Sings drunkenly] Farewell master; farewell, farewell!

Caliban

[Sings drunkenly] Goodbye, master; goodbye, goodbye!

Trinculo

A howling monster: a drunken monster!

Trinculo

A howling creature: a drunken creature!

Caliban

No more dams I’ll make for fish Nor fetch in firing At requiring; Nor scrape trencher, nor wash dish ’Ban, ’Ban, Cacaliban Has a new master: get a new man. Freedom, hey-day! hey-day, freedom! freedom, hey-day, freedom!

Caliban

No more dams I’ll make for fish Nor gather firewood When asked; Nor scrape plates, nor wash dishes ’Ban, ’Ban, Cacaliban Has a new master: time for a new man. Freedom, hooray! hooray, freedom! freedom, hooray, freedom!

Stephano

O brave monster! Lead the way.

Stephano

Oh, what a great creature! Lead on.

Exuent
Exuent

End of Act 2, Scene 2

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