William Shakespeare: The Tempest

ACT 1 2. SCENE II. The Island. Before the cell of PROSPERO (continued)

MIRANDA.
No wonder, sir;
But certainly a maid.

FERDINAND.
My language! Heavens!--
I am the best of them that speak this speech,
Were I but where 'tis spoken.

PROSPERO.
How! the best?
What wert thou, if the King of Naples heard thee?

FERDINAND.
A single thing, as I am now, that wonders
To hear thee speak of Naples. He does hear me;
And, that he does, I weep: myself am Naples,
Who with mine eyes,--never since at ebb,--beheld
The King, my father wrack'd.

MIRANDA.
Alack, for mercy!

FERDINAND.
Yes, faith, and all his lords, the Duke of Milan,
And his brave son being twain.

PROSPERO.
[Aside.] The Duke of Milan,
And his more braver daughter could control thee,
If now 'twere fit to do't.--At the first sight [Aside.]
They have changed eyes;--delicate Ariel,
I'll set thee free for this!--[To FERDINAND] A word, good sir:
I fear you have done yourself some wrong: a word.

MIRANDA.
[Aside.] Why speaks my father so ungently? This
Is the third man that e'er I saw; the first
That e'er I sigh'd for; pity move my father
To be inclin'd my way!

FERDINAND.
[Aside.] O! if a virgin,
And your affection not gone forth, I'll make you
The Queen of Naples.

PROSPERO.
Soft, sir; one word more--
[Aside] They are both in either's powers: but this swift
business I must uneasy make, lest too light winning
Make the prize light. [To FERDINAND] One word more:
   I charge thee
That thou attend me. Thou dost here usurp
The name thou ow'st not; and hast put thyself
Upon this island as a spy, to win it
From me, the lord on't.

FERDINAND.
No, as I am a man.

MIRANDA.
There's nothing ill can dwell in such a temple:
If the ill spirit have so fair a house,
Good things will strive to dwell with't.