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CALIBAN Why, as I told thee, ’tis a custom with him,
85I' th' afternoon to sleep. There thou mayst
brain him,
Having first seized his books; or with a log
Batter his skull; or paunch him with a stake;
Or cut his weasand with thy knife. Remember
First to possess his books, for without them
90He’s but a sot, as I am, nor hath not
One spirit to command. They all do hate him
As rootedly as I. Burn but his books.
He has brave utensils—for so he calls them—
Which when he has a house, he’ll deck withal.
95And that most deeply to consider is
The beauty of his daughter. He himself
Calls her a nonpareil. I never saw a woman,
But only Sycorax my dam and she.
But she as far surpasseth Sycorax
100As great’st does least.
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CALIBAN Just as I told you, he usually sleeps in the afternoon. At that
time you can smash in his skull after seizing his books; or you can
bash his skull with a log; or you can stab him in the belly; or cut
his windpipe. Just remember to grab his books first, since without
them he’s just a poor fool like me, and can’t
command a single spirit. All the spirits hate him as much as I do.
Be sure to burn his magic books. He has some wonderful home
furnishings—that’s what he calls
them—that he’ll use to decorate his house when
he gets one. The most important thing for you to think about is how
beautiful his daughter is. He says she has no equal. I never saw a
woman except her and Sycorax, my mother. But Miranda is so much more
beautiful, you can’t even compare the two.
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STEPHANO Is it so brave a
lass?
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STEPHANO Is she really that wonderful?
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CALIBAN Ay, lord. She will become thy bed, I warrant.
And bring thee forth brave brood.
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CALIBAN Yes, my lord. She’ll look good in your bed, and
she’ll produce some fine children too.
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STEPHANO Monster, I will kill this man. His daughter and I will be
king and queen—save our graces!—and Trinculo
and
thyself shall be viceroys.—Dost thou like the plot,
Trinculo?
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STEPHANO Monster, I’ll kill this man. His daughter and I will be
king and queen—God protect us!—and you and
Trinculo will be our governors.—Do you like that idea,
Trinculo?
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TRINCULO Excellent.
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TRINCULO Excellent.
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STEPHANO Give me thy hand. I am sorry I beat thee. But while thou
livest, keep a good tongue in thy head.
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STEPHANO Give me your hand. I’m sorry I hit you. But try to
control your speech.
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CALIBAN
110Within this half hour will he be asleep. Wilt thou destroy
him
then?
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CALIBAN In a half an hour he’ll be asleep. Will you kill him
then?
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