Page 1034 - Shakespeare - Vol. 4

PROSPERO

Mark his condition, and th’ event; then tell me
If this might be a brother.

MIRANDA
I should sin
To think but nobly of my grandmother:

Good wombs have borne bad sons.

PROSPERO
Now the condition. [120]
This King of Naples, being an enemy
To me inveterate, hearkens my brother’s suit;
Which was, that he, in lieu o’ th’ premises

Of homage and I know not how much tribute,
Should presently extirpate me and mine [125]
Out of the dukedom, and confer fair Milan,

With all the honours, on my brother: whereon,
A treacherous army levied, one midnight
Fated to th’ purpose, did Antonio open
The gates of Milan; and, i’ th’ dead of darkness, [130]
The ministers for th’ purpose hurried thence

Me and thy crying self.

MIRANDA
Alack, for pity!
I, not rememb’ring how I cried out then,
Will cry it o’er again: it is a hint

That wrings mine eyes to ’t.

PROSPERO
Hear a little further, [135]
And then I’ll bring thee to the present business
Which now’s upon ’s; without the which. this story
Were most impertinent.

MIRANDA

Wherefore did they not