In bringing forth a handsome and a cheap edition of that illustrious British poet, there needs not any apology on the motives of such a task at present, as it has lately been considered a real want by Shakspeare's numerous admirers on the continent, whose wishes will be answered herewith most satisfactorily. i The correctness and integrity of the text (a thing not seldom neglected by German editors of foreign literature) has been aimed at as a principal object, and every competent critick will readily allow, that the care bestowed upon this topic is visible throughout the work. Besides those editions mentioned on the title it was not omitted to consult several other sources, and to compare the difference of reading and writing, in order to try every expedient for doing justice to our duty. At the same time it will be acknowledged that the clearness of the characters and the fineness of the paper, stands not behind any of the smaller original editions, and even ranks above some of them on account of its legibility. The size chosen, offered the only means to reduce the rich contents to this very number of sheets and to render the unparalleled cheapness of the price ever practicable. By many of the proprietors of this present volume it will be learned with satisfaction, that the undersigned is just preparing for publication an *2 additional part, which forms a separate Supplement of the following contents: 1st. Shakspeare's Portrait taken from the best Originals; 2dly. The Life of the Author by Nicholas Rowe; 3dly. His Miscellaneous Poems; 4thly. A Critical Glossary compiled after Nares, Ayscough, Hazlitt, Douce and others. The expence for the buyer will be but very trifling, and the subscribers of „The Dramatic Works" enjoy besides the advantage to get this Supplement at about half the price published. CALIBAN, a savage and deformed slave. TRINCULO, a jester. STEPHANO, a drunken butler. Master of a ship, Boatswain, and Mariners. ARIEL, an airy spirit. IRIS, CERES, JUNO, Nymphs, Reapers, } spirits. Other spirits attending on Prospero. SCENE, - The sea, with a ship; afterwards an uninhabited island. lie drowning, The washing of ten tides! Gon. He'll be hanged yet; Though every drop of water swear against it, [A confused noise within.] - Mercy on us! - We split, Ant. Let's all sink with the king. Seb. Let's take leave of him. [Exit. [Exit. Gon. Now would I give a thousand furlongs of sea for an acre of barren ground; long heath, brown furze, any thing: The wills above be done! but I would fain die a dry death. Gon. Good; yet remember whom thou hast aboard. Boats. None that I morelove than myself. You are a counsellors if you can command these elements to silence, and work the peace of the present, we shall not hand a rope more; use your authority. If you cannot, give thanks you have lived so long, and make SCENE II. - The Island: before the Cell of PROSPERO. yourself ready in your cabin for the mischance of the hour, r, if if it it so hap.-Cheerly, good hearts.-Out of our way, I say. Enter PROSPERO and MIRANDA. [Exit. Mira. If by your art, my dearest father, you have [Exit. Put the wild waters in this roar, allay them: Gon. I have great comfort from this fellow: me- The sky, it seems, would pour down stinking pitch, thinks, he hath no drowning mark upon him; his com- But that the sea, mounting to the welkin's cheek, plexion is perfect gallows. Stand fast, good fate, to Dashes the fire out. O, I have suffered his hanging! make the rope of his destiny our cable, With those I saw suffer! a brave vessel, for our own doth little advantage! If he be not born to Who had no doubt some noble creatures in her, be hanged, our case is miserable. Re-enter Boatswain. [Exeunt. Dash'd all to pieces. O, the cry did knock Against my very heart! Poor souls! they perish'd. Boats. Down with the top-mast; yare; lower, lower; Had I been any god of power, I would bring her to try with main-course.- [A cry within.] - Have sunk the sea within the earth, or e'er A plague upon this howling! they are louder than the weather, or our office. Re-enter SEBASTIAN, ANTONIO, and GONZALO. Yet again? what do you here? Shall we give o'er, and drown? Have you a mind to sink? Seb. A pox o' your throat! you bawling, blasphe mous, incharitable dog! Boats. Work you, then. It should the good ship so have swallow'd, and No more amazement: tell your piteous heart, There's no harm done. Mira. O, woe the day! Pro. No harm. I have done nothing but in care of thee, |