The Tempest
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Act I
scene III
Act II
scene III
Act III
scene IIIIII
Act IV
scene I
Act V
scene I
First folio
Modern text
Definitions
Key line
Enter Ferdinand (bearing a Log.)Enter Ferdinand, bearing a log Tem III.i.1.1
Fer.FERDINAND 
There be some Sports are painfull; & their labor There be some sports are painful, and their labourpainful (adj.)
suffering from pain, causing hurt		Tem III.i.1
sport (n.)
exercise, athletic pastime
painful (adj.)
painstaking, diligent, laborious
Delight in them set off: Some kindes of basenesse Delight in them sets off. Some kinds of basenessset off (v.)
enhance, show to advantage, display by contrast		Tem III.i.2
baseness (n.)

old form: basenesse
lowly activity, contemptible work
Are nobly vndergon; and most poore matters Are nobly undergone, and most poor matters Tem III.i.3
Point to rich ends: this my meane Taske Point to rich ends. This my mean taskend (n.)
outcome, result, issue		Tem III.i.4
mean (adj.)

old form: meane
lowly, humble, poor
Would be as heauy to me, as odious, but Would be as heavy to me as odious, butheavy (adj.)

old form: heauy
tedious, tiresome, uninteresting		Tem III.i.5
heavy (adj.)

old form: heauy
sorrowful, sad, gloomy
The Mistris which I serue, quickens what's dead, The mistress which I serve quickens what's dead,quicken (v.)
revive, rejuvenate, give life [to]		Tem III.i.6
And makes my labours, pleasures: O She is And makes my labours pleasures. O, she is Tem III.i.7
Ten times more gentle, then her Father's crabbed; Ten times more gentle than her father's crabbed,gentle (adj.)
soft, tender, kind		Tem III.i.8
crabbed (adj.)
irritable, churlish, bad-tempered
And he's compos'd of harshnesse. I must remoue And he's composed of harshness. I must remove Tem III.i.9
Some thousands of these Logs, and pile them vp, Some thousands of these logs and pile them up, Tem III.i.10
Vpon a sore iniunction; my sweet Mistris Upon a sore injunction. My sweet mistressinjunction (n.)

old form: iniunction
order, directive, command		Tem III.i.11
sore (adj.)
severe, harsh, heavy
Weepes when she sees me worke, & saies, such basenes Weeps when she sees me work, and says such basenessbaseness (n.)

old form: basenes
lowly activity, contemptible work		Tem III.i.12
Had neuer like Executor: I forget: Had never like executor. I forget;executor (n.)
agent, doer, performer		Tem III.i.13
like (adj.)
same, similar, alike, equal
But these sweet thoughts, doe euen refresh my labours, But these sweet thoughts do even refresh my labours, Tem III.i.14
Most busie lest, when I doe it. Most busy lest when I do it. Tem III.i.15.1
Enter Miranda and Prospero.Enter Miranda, and Prospero at a distance, unseen Tem III.i.15
Mir.MIRANDA 
Alas, now pray you Alas, now pray you Tem III.i.15.2
Worke not so hard: I would the lightning had Work not so hard. I would the lightning had Tem III.i.16
Burnt vp those Logs that you are enioynd to pile: Burnt up those logs that you are enjoined to pile! Tem III.i.17
Pray set it downe, and rest you: when this burnes Pray, set it down and rest you. When this burns, Tem III.i.18
'Twill weepe for hauing wearied you: my Father 'Twill weep for having wearied you. My father Tem III.i.19
Is hard at study; pray now rest your selfe, Is hard at study. Pray now, rest yourself. Tem III.i.20
Hee's safe for these three houres. He's safe for these three hours.safe (adj.)
safely out of the way		Tem III.i.21.1
Fer.FERDINAND 
O most deere Mistris O most dear mistress, Tem III.i.21.2
The Sun will set before I shall discharge The sun will set before I shall dischargedischarge (v.)
fulfil, execute, perform		Tem III.i.22
What I must striue to do. What I must strive to do. Tem III.i.23.1
Mir.MIRANDA 
If you'l sit downe If you'll sit down, Tem III.i.23.2
Ile beare your Logges the while: pray giue me that, I'll bear your logs the while. Pray, give me that.while, the
meanwhile, in the meantime		Tem III.i.24
Ile carry it to the pile. I'll carry it to the pile. Tem III.i.25.1
Fer.FERDINAND 
No precious Creature, No, precious creature. Tem III.i.25.2
I had rather cracke my sinewes, breake my backe, I had rather crack my sinews, break my back,sinew (n.)

old form: sinewes
muscle		Tem III.i.26
crack (v.)

old form: cracke
sprain, tear, rupture
Then you should such dishonor vndergoe, Than you should such dishonour undergo, Tem III.i.27
While I sit lazy by. While I sit lazy by. Tem III.i.28.1
Mir.MIRANDA 
It would become me It would become mebecome (v.)
be fitting, befit, be appropriate to		Tem III.i.28.2
As well as it do's you; and I should do it As well as it does you; and I should do it Tem III.i.29
With much more ease: for my good will is to it, With much more ease; for my good will is to it, Tem III.i.30
And yours it is against. And yours it is against. Tem III.i.31.1
Pro.PROSPERO  
(aside) Tem III.i.31
Poore worme thou art infected, Poor worm, thou art infected. Tem III.i.31.2
This visitation shewes it. This visitation shows it.visitation (n.)
visit		Tem III.i.32.1
Mir.MIRANDA 
You looke wearily. You look wearily. Tem III.i.32.2
Fer.FERDINAND 
No, noble Mistris, 'tis fresh morning with me No, noble mistress, 'tis fresh morning with me Tem III.i.33
When you are by at night: I do beseech you When you are by at night. I do beseech you, Tem III.i.34
Cheefely, that I might set it in my prayers, Chiefly that I might set it in my prayers, Tem III.i.35
What is your name? What is your name? Tem III.i.36.1
Mir.MIRANDA 
Miranda, O my Father, Miranda. O my father, Tem III.i.36.2
I haue broke your hest to say so. I have broke your hest to say so!hest (n.)
command, behest, order		Tem III.i.37.1
Fer.FERDINAND 
Admir'd Miranda, Admired Miranda!admired (adj.)
regarded with admiration, wondered at		Tem III.i.37.2
Indeede the top of Admiration, worth Indeed, the top of admiration, worthtop (n.)
summit, peak, epitome, perfect example		Tem III.i.38
admiration (n.)
amazement, astonishment, wonder
What's deerest to the world: full many a Lady What's dearest to the world. Full many a ladydear (adj.)

old form: deerest
of great worth, valuable, precious		Tem III.i.39
I haue ey'd with best regard, and many a time I have eyed with best regard, and many a timeregard (n.)
look, glance, gaze		Tem III.i.40
Th' harmony of their tongues, hath into bondage Th' harmony of their tongues hath into bondage Tem III.i.41
Brought my too diligent eare: for seuerall vertues Brought my too diligent ear. For several virtuesseveral (adj.)

old form: seuerall
various, sundry, respective, individual		Tem III.i.42
diligent (adj.)
attentive, heedful, ready to respond
Haue I lik'd seuerall women, neuer any Have I liked several women; never any Tem III.i.43
With so full soule, but some defect in her With so full soul but some defect in her Tem III.i.44
Did quarrell with the noblest grace she ow'd, Did quarrel with the noblest grace she owed,owe (v.)

old form: ow'd
own, possess, have		Tem III.i.45
And put it to the foile. But you, O you, And put it to the foil. But you, O you,foil (n.)

old form: foile
check, repulse, setback, defeat		Tem III.i.46
So perfect, and so peerlesse, are created So perfect and so peerless, are createdperfect (adj.)
complete, flawless, unblemished		Tem III.i.47
Of euerie Creatures best. Of every creature's best. Tem III.i.48.1
Mir.MIRANDA 
I do not know I do not know Tem III.i.48.2
One of my sexe; no womans face remember, One of my sex; no woman's face remember, Tem III.i.49
Saue from my glasse, mine owne: Nor haue I seene Save, from my glass, mine own. Nor have I seenglass (n.)

old form: glasse
mirror, looking-glass		Tem III.i.50
More that I may call men, then you good friend, More that I may call men than you, good friend, Tem III.i.51
And my deere Father: how features are abroad And my dear father. How features are abroadfeature (n.)
physical appearance, bodily shape, looks		Tem III.i.52
abroad (adv.)
in the outside world, freely at large, elsewhere, everywhere
I am skillesse of; but by my modestie I am skilless of; but by my modesty,modesty (n.)

old form: modestie
chastity, virtue, propriety		Tem III.i.53
skill-less, skilless (adj.)

old form: skillesse
ignorant, unaware, unacquainted [with]
(The iewell in my dower) I would not wish The jewel in my dower, I would not wishdower (n.)
dowry, property or wealth given with a wife		Tem III.i.54
Any Companion in the world but you: Any companion in the world but you. Tem III.i.55
Nor can imagination forme a shape Nor can imagination form a shape, Tem III.i.56
Besides your selfe, to like of: but I prattle Besides yourself, to like of. But I prattlelike of (v.)
admire, enjoy, derive pleasure from		Tem III.i.57
Something too wildely, and my Fathers precepts Something too wildly, and my father's preceptssomething (adv.)
somewhat, rather		Tem III.i.58
I therein do forget. I therein do forget. Tem III.i.59.1
Fer.FERDINAND 
I am, in my condition I am, in my condition,condition (n.)
position, social rank, station		Tem III.i.59.2
A Prince (Miranda) I do thinke a King A prince, Miranda; I do think, a king –  Tem III.i.60
(I would not so) and would no more endure I would not so – and would no more endure Tem III.i.61
This wodden slauerie, then to suffer This wooden slavery than to suffersuffer (v.)
allow, permit, let		Tem III.i.62
The flesh-flie blow my mouth: heare my soule speake. The flesh-fly blow my mouth. Hear my soul speak.flesh-fly (n.)

old form: flesh-flie
fly that lays its eggs in dead flesh		Tem III.i.63
blow (v.)
deposit eggs [in], pollute, contaminate
The verie instant that I saw you, did The very instant that I saw you did Tem III.i.64
My heart flie to your seruice, there resides My heart fly to your service, there resides Tem III.i.65
To make me slaue to it, and for your sake To make me slave to it; and for your sake Tem III.i.66
Am I this patient Logge-man. Am I this patient log-man. Tem III.i.67.1
Mir.MIRANDA 
Do you loue me? Do you love me? Tem III.i.67.2
Fer.FERDINAND 
O heauen; O earth, beare witnes to this sound, O heaven, O earth, bear witness to this sound, Tem III.i.68
And crowne what I professe with kinde euent And crown what I profess with kind event,event (n.)

old form: euent
outcome, issue, consequence		Tem III.i.69
kind (adj.)

old form: kinde
happy, good, favourable
If I speake true: if hollowly, inuert If I speak true! If hollowly, inverthollowly (adv.)
insincerely, hypocritically, deceitfully		Tem III.i.70
What best is boaded me, to mischiefe: I, What best is boded me to mischief! I,mischief (n.)

old form: mischiefe
catastrophe, calamity, misfortune		Tem III.i.71
bode (v.)

old form: boaded
promise, predict, forecast
Beyond all limit of what else i'th world Beyond all limit of what else i'th' world, Tem III.i.72
Do loue, prize, honor you. Do love, prize, honour you. Tem III.i.73.1
Mir.MIRANDA 
I am a foole I am a fool Tem III.i.73.2
To weepe at what I am glad of. To weep at what I am glad of. Tem III.i.74.1
Pro.PROSPERO  
(aside) Tem III.i.74
Faire encounter Fair encounter Tem III.i.74.2
Of two most rare affections: heauens raine grace Of two most rare affections. Heavens rain gracerare (adj.)
marvellous, splendid, excellent		Tem III.i.75
On that which breeds betweene 'em. On that which breeds between 'em. Tem III.i.76.1
Fer.FERDINAND 
Wherefore weepe you? Wherefore weep you? Tem III.i.76.2
Mir.MIRANDA 
At mine vnworthinesse, that dare not offer At mine unworthiness, that dare not offer Tem III.i.77
What I desire to giue; and much lesse take What I desire to give, and much less take Tem III.i.78
What I shall die to want: But this is trifling, What I shall die to want. But this is trifling; Tem III.i.79
And all the more it seekes to hide it selfe, And all the more it seeks to hide itself, Tem III.i.80
The bigger bulke it shewes. Hence bashfull cunning, The bigger bulk it shows. Hence, bashful cunning! Tem III.i.81
And prompt me plaine and holy innocence. And prompt me, plain and holy innocence. Tem III.i.82
I am your wife, if you will marrie me; I am your wife, if you will marry me. Tem III.i.83
If not, Ile die your maid: to be your fellow If not, I'll die your maid. To be your fellowmaid (n.)
handmaid, servant, attendant		Tem III.i.84
fellow (n.)
spouse, husband/wife
You may denie me, but Ile be your seruant You may deny me, but I'll be your servant Tem III.i.85
Whether you will or no. Whether you will or no. Tem III.i.86.1
Fer.FERDINAND 
My Mistris (deerest) My mistress, dearest, Tem III.i.86.2
And I thus humble euer. And I thus humble ever. Tem III.i.87.1
Mir.MIRANDA 
My husband then? My husband, then? Tem III.i.87.2
Fer.FERDINAND 
I, with a heart as willing Ay, with a heart as willing Tem III.i.88
As bondage ere of freedome: heere's my hand. As bondage e'er of freedom. Here's my hand. Tem III.i.89
Mir.MIRANDA 
And mine, with my heart in't; and now farewel And mine, with my heart in't; and now farewell Tem III.i.90
Till halfe an houre hence. Till half an hour hence. Tem III.i.91.1
Fer.FERDINAND 
A thousand, thousand. A thousand, thousand! Tem III.i.91.2
Exeunt.Exeunt Ferdinand and Miranda in different directions Tem III.i.91
Pro.PROSPERO 
So glad of this as they I cannot be, So glad of this as they I cannot be, Tem III.i.92
Who are surpriz'd with all; but my reioycing Who are surprised with all, but my rejoicing Tem III.i.93
At nothing can be more: Ile to my booke, At nothing can be more. I'll to my book,book (n.)

old form: booke
book-learning, scholarship, erudition		Tem III.i.94
For yet ere supper time, must I performe For yet ere supper-time must I perform Tem III.i.95
Much businesse appertaining. Much business appertaining.appertaining (adj.)
related, relevant, appropriate		Tem III.i.96
Exit.Exit Tem III.i.96
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