_Enter_ FERDINAND, _and_ ARIEL _and_ MILCHA _invisible_.
_Ferd._ How far will this invisible musician
Conduct my steps? he hovers still about me;
Whether for good or ill, I cannot tell,
Nor care I much; for I have been so long
A slave to chance, that I'm as weary of
Her flatteries as her frowns; but here I am----
_Ariel._ Here I am.
_Ferd._ Ha! art thou so? the spirit's turned an echo:
This might seem pleasant, could the burden of
My griefs accord with any thing but sighs;
And my last words, like those of dying men,
Need no reply. Fain I would go to shades,
Where few would wish to follow me.
_Ariel._ Follow me.
_Ferd._ This evil spirit grows importunate,
But I'll not take his counsel.
_Ariel._ Take his counsel.
_Ferd._ It may be the devil's counsel, I'll never take it.
_Ariel._ Take it.
_Ferd._ I will discourse no more with thee,
Nor follow one step further.
_Ariel._ One step further.
_Ferd._ This must have more importance than an echo;
Some spirit tempts me to a precipice.
I'll try if it will answer when I sing
My sorrows, to the murmur of this brook.
HE SINGS.
_Go thy way._
Ariel. _Go thy way._
Ferd. _Why shouldst thou stay?_
Ariel. _Why shouldst thou stay?_
Ferd. _Where the winds whistle, and where the streams creep,
Under yon willow-tree fain would I sleep.
Then let me alone,
For 'tis time to be gone._
Ariel. _For 'tis time to be gone._
Ferd. _What cares or pleasures can be in this isle?
Within this desart place,
There lives no human race;
Fate cannot frown here, nor kind fortune smile._
Ariel. _Kind fortune smiles, and she
Has yet in store for thee
Some strange felicity.
Follow me, follow me,
And thou shalt see._
_Ferd._ I'll take thy word for once;
Lead on, musician.
[_Exeunt and return._