THE BATTALION.
7
es the likeness of man, Caliban the son of the witch Sycorax,
who had been banished to this island many years before. He
teaches this brutish creature to speak and treats him kindly
until Caliban attempts a foul assault upon Miranda, his daugh
ter. After this he is treated as a slave and made to fetch
wood and do other menial services.
Meanwhile Alonso, King of Naples, has given his daugh
ter in marriage to the King of Tunis. Antonio, Prospero’s
brother, Sebastian, brother of Alonso and Ferdinand the son
of Alanso are among those who go with the King’s fleet to
celebrate the marriage.
On the return voyage they pass near the island on which
Prospero and Miranda had been cast away.
Prcspero, having by his magic art entire control over the
spirits of the air, causes a great storm to arise which drives
ashore that vessel on which are King Alonso and his courtiers.
Ariel, a spirit whom Sycorax had imprisoned in a cleft
pine and who had been liberated by Prospero, now causes the
whole crew to become terror stricken.
They all reach shore safely but by the devices of Ariel
are led astray so that the members of the King’s party are
widely separated and unable to find each other.
Ferdinand on reaching shore finds himself alone and be
lieves that all others have perished. The storm abates as
suddently as it began, and Scene II shows Prospero and
Miranda before the cell.
Prospero tells Miranda the story of his banishment and
then brings her to where Ferdinand sits on the beach. There
is a clear case of love at first sight between him and Miranda.
Prospero tries this love by setting Ferdinand to work like
a slave, and finding him true gives him the hand of his daugh
ter.
Meanwhile Alonso and his followers, are in another part
of the island trying to keep up their spirits by conversation
and rough jests at each other’s expense.
Alonso, however, is sad at the loss of his son and says