When Caliban was lazy and neglected his work, Ariel (who was invisible to all eyes but Prospero’s) would come slyly and pinch him, and sometimes tumble him down in the mire; and then Ariel, in the likeness of an ape, would make mouths at him.  Then swiftly changing his shape, in the likeness of a hedgehog he would lie tumbling in Caliban’s way, who feared the hedgehog’s sharp quills would prick his bare feet.  With a variety of such-like vexatious tricks Ariel would often torment him, whenever Caliban neglected the work which Prospero commanded him to do.

Having these powerful spirits obedient to his will, Prospero could by their means command the winds, and the waves of the sea.  By his orders they raised a violent storm, in the midst of which, and struggling with the wild sea-waves that every moment threatened to swallow it up, he shewed his daughter a fine large ship, which he told her was full of living beings like themselves.  “O my dear father,” said she, “if by your art you have raised this dreadful storm, have pity on their sad distress.  See! the vessel will be dashed to pieces.  Poor souls! they will all perish.  If I had power, I would sink the sea beneath the earth, rather than the good ship should be destroyed, with all the precious souls within her.”

“Be not so amazed, daughter Miranda,” said Prospero; “there is no harm done.  I have so ordered it, that no person in the ship shall receive any hurt.  What I have done has been in care of you, my dear child.  You are ignorant who you are, or where you came from, and you know no more of me, but that I am your father, and live in this poor cave.  Can you remember a time before you came to this cell?  I think you cannot, for you were not then three years of age.”

“Certainly I can, sir,” replied Miranda.

“By what?” asked Prospero; “by any other house or person?  Tell me what you can remember, my child.”

Miranda said, “It seems to me like the recollection of a dream.  But had I not once four or five women who attended upon me?”

Prospero answered, “You had, and more.  How is it that this still lives in your mind?  Do you remember how you came here?”

“No, sir,” said Miranda, “I remember nothing more.”

“Twelve years ago, Miranda,” continued Prospero, “I was duke of Milan, and you were a princess and my only heir.  I had a younger brother, whose name was Antonio, to whom I trusted every thing; and as I was fond of retirement and deep study, I commonly left the management of my state affairs to your uncle, my false brother (for so indeed he proved).  I, neglecting all worldly ends, buried among my books, did dedicate my whole time to the bettering of my mind.  My brother Antonio being thus in possession of my power, began to think himself the duke indeed.  The opportunity I gave him of making himself popular among my subjects, awakened in his bad nature a proud ambition to deprive me of my dukedom; this he soon effected with the aid of the king of Naples, a powerful prince, who was my enemy.”