“Wherefore,” said Miranda, “did they not that hour destroy us?”

“My child,” answered her father, “they durst not, so dear was the love that my people bore me.  Antonio carried us on board a ship, and when we were some leagues out at sea, he forced us into a small boat, without either tackle, sail, or mast:  there he left us as he thought to perish.  But a kind lord of my court, one Gonzalo, who loved me, had privately placed in the boat, water, provisions, apparel, and some books which I prize above my dukedom.”

“O my father,” said Miranda, “what a trouble must I have been to you then!”

“No, my love,” said Prospero, “you were a little cherub that did preserve me.  Your innocent smiles made me to bear up against my misfortunes.  Our food lasted till we landed on this desert island, since when my chief delight has been in teaching you, Miranda, and well have you profited by my instructions.”

“Heaven thank you, my dear father,” said Miranda.  “Now pray tell me, sir, your reason for raising this sea-storm.”  “Know then,” said her father, “that by means of this storm my enemies, the king of Naples, and my cruel brother, are cast ashore upon this island.”

Having so said, Prospero gently touched his daughter with his magic wand, and she fell fast asleep; for the spirit Ariel just then presented himself before his master, to give an account of the tempest, and how he had disposed of the ship’s company; and, though the spirits were always invisible to Miranda, Prospero did not choose she should hear him holding converse (as would seem to her) with the empty air.

“Well, my brave spirit,” said Prospero to Ariel, “how have you performed your task?”

Ariel gave a lively description of the storm, and of the terrors of the mariners; and how the king’s son, Ferdinand, was the first who leaped into the sea; and his father thought he saw this dear son swallowed up by the waves, and lost.  “But he is safe,” said Ariel, “in a corner of the isle, sitting with his arms folded sadly, lamenting the loss of the king his father, whom he concludes drowned.  Not a hair of his head is injured, and his princely garments, though drenched in the sea-waves, look fresher than before.”

“That’s my delicate Ariel,” said Prospero.  “Bring him hither:  my daughter must see this young prince.  Where is the king, and my brother?”

“I left them,” answered Ariel, “searching for Ferdinand, whom they have little hopes of finding, thinking they saw him perish.  Of the ship’s crew not one is missing; though each one thinks himself the only one saved:  and the ship, though invisible to them, is safe in the harbour.”

“Ariel,” said Prospero, “thy charge is faithfully performed:  bur there is more work yet.”

“Is there more work?” said Ariel.  “Let me remind you, master, you have promised me my liberty.  I pray, remember, I have done you worthy service, told you no lies, made no mistakes, served you without grudge or grumbling.”  “How now!” said Prospero.  “You do not recollect what a torment I freed you from.  Have you forgot the wicked witch Sycorax, who with age and envy was almost bent double?  Where was she born?  Speak; tell me.”