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Shakespeare

William Shakespeare
1564-1616

The Tempest
Act IV, Scene 1:

"Our revels now
are ended."

 
[On stage are Prospero, Ferdinand, and Miranda,
'Before Prospero's Cell.']

Fer. This is strange. Your father's in some passion,
That works him strongly.
Mir.                             Never till this day
Saw I him touch'd with anger, so distemper'd.
Pros: You do look, my son, in a mov'd sort,
As if you were dismayed: be cheerful, sir,

Our revels now are ended. These our actors,
As I foretold you, were all spirits, and
Are melted into air; into thin air,
And, like the baseless fabric of this vision,
The cloud-capped towers, the gorgeous palaces,
The solemn temples, the great globe itself,
Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve
And, like this insubstantial pageant faded,
Leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff
As dreams are made on, and our little life
Is rounded with a sleep.

                                      Sir, I am vex'd,–
Bear with my weakness – my old brain is troubled.
Be not disturb'd with my infirmity.
If you be pleased, retire into my cell
And there repose: A turn or two I'll walk
To still my beating mind.

Fer. & Mir:                    We wish you peace.
(Exeunt)

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