Page 1097 - Shakespeare - Vol. 4

ACT IV IT

Scene I IT

[Before Prospero’s Cell.]

Enter Prospero, Ferdinand, and Miranda.

PROSPERO
If I have too austerely punish’d you,
Your compensation makes amends; for I
Have given you here a third of mine own life,

Or that for which I live; who once again
I tender to thy hand: all thy vexations [5]
Were but my trials of thy love, and thou
Hast strangely stood the test: here, afore Heaven,

I ratify this my rich gift. O Ferdinand,
Do not smile at me that I boast her off,
For thou shalt find she will outstrip all praise, [10]
And make it halt behind her.

FERDINAND
I do believe it

Against an oracle.

PROSPERO
Then, as my gift, and thine own acquisition
Worthily purchas’d, take my daughter: but
If thou dost break her virgin-knot before [15]

All sanctimonious ceremonies may
With full and holy rite be minister’d,
No sweet aspersion shall the heavens let fall
To make this contract grow; but barren hate,