Would I not have; but nature should bring forth, 169
Of it own kind, all foison, all abundance,
To feed my innocent people.
Seb. No marrying 'mong his subjects? 172
Ant. None, man; all idle; whores and knaves.
Gon. I would with such perfection govern, sir,
To excel the golden age.
Seb. 'Save his majesty!
Ant. Long live Gonzalo!
Gon. And,—do you mark me, sir? 176
Alon. Prithee, no more: thou dost talk
nothing to me.
Gon. I do well believe your highness; and
did it to minister occasion to these gentlemen,
who are of such sensible and nimble lungs that
they always use to laugh at nothing.
Ant. 'Twas you we laugh'd at. 183
Gon. Who in this kind of merry fooling am
nothing to you; so you may continue and laugh
at nothing still.
Ant. What a blow was there given!
Seb. An it had not fallen flat-long.
Gon. You are gentlemen of brave mettle:
you would lift the moon out of her sphere,
if she would continue in it five weeks without
changing. 192
Enter Ariel, [invisible,] playing solemn music.
Seb. We would so, and then go a-bat-fowling.
Ant. Nay, good my lord, be not angry.
Gon. No, I warrant you; I will not adventure
170 it: its
foison: plenty
181 sensible: sensitive
nimble: easily excited
188 An: if
flat-long: flat (a blow struck with the flat of a sword)
189 mettle: temper
190 out of her sphere; cf. n.
193 a-bat-fowling: bird hunting at night
195 adventure: risk
