The Tempest Translation Act 3, Scene 2
CALIBAN, STEPHANO, and TRINCULO enter.
STEPHANO
Tell not me. When the butt is out, we will drink water.Not a drop before. Therefore bear up and board 'em.—Servant- monster, drink to me.
STEPHANO
Don’t tell me that. When the wine barrel is empty, we’ll drink water. But we won't drink even a drop of water before then. Therefore, raise the bottle and drink.
[To CALIBAN] Servant-monster, drink a toast to me.
TRINCULO
“Servant-monster?” The folly of this island. They say there’s but five upon this isle. We are three of them. If th' other two be brained like us, the state totters.
TRINCULO
“Servant-monster?” What foolishness is found on this island! They say there are just five people on the island. We’re three of them. If the other two are as crazy as us, our country is going to collapse.
STEPHANO
Drink, servant-monster, when I bid thee. Thy eyes are almost set in thy head.
STEPHANO
Drink when I tell you to, servant-monster. Your eyes look sunk into your head.
TRINCULO
Where should they be set else? He were a brave monster indeed, if they were set in his tail.
TRINCULO
Where else should his eyes be sunk? He’d be quite a remarkable monster if his eyes were sunk in his tail.
STEPHANO
My man-monster hath drowned his tongue in sack. For my part, the sea cannot drown me. I swam, ere I could recover the shore, five and thirty leagues off and on. By this light, thou shalt be my lieutenant, monster, or my standard.
STEPHANO
My servingman-monster is so drowned in the wine he’s drunk that he can’t even talk. For my part, not even the sea can drown me. Before I reached the shore from the shipwreck, I swam a hundred and five miles. Therefore, monster, you’ll be my lieutenant, or my flag-bearer.
TRINCULO
Your lieutenant, if you list. He’s no standard.
TRINCULO
Make him your lieutenant, please. He can barely stand up straight, much less hold a flag.
STEPHANO
We’ll not run, Monsieur Monster.
STEPHANO
We’ll never run in our army, Sir Monster.
TRINCULO
Nor go neither. But you’ll lie like dogs, and yet say nothing neither.
TRINCULO
Or even walk. Instead you’ll lie there like sleeping dogs and say nothing.
STEPHANO
Mooncalf, speak once in thy life, if thou beest a good mooncalf.
STEPHANO
Monster, if you want to be a good monster, please say something.
CALIBAN
How does thy honor? Let me lick thy shoe. [indicates TRINCULO] I’ll not serve him. He’s not valiant.
CALIBAN
How are you, my lord? Let me lick your shoe. [He points to TRINCULO] I won’t serve him. He’s not brave the way you are.
TRINCULO
[to CALIBAN] Thou liest, most ignorant monster. I am incase to justle a constable. Why, thou deboshed fish, thou, was there ever man a coward that hath drunk so much sack as I today? Wilt thou tell a monstrous lie, being but half a fish and half a monster?
TRINCULO
[To CALIBAN] You’re lying, you most ignorant monster. I’m so brave I would go brawl with a police officer right now. Why, you drunk fish, you: has any coward ever drunk as much wine as I have today? Are you telling such monstrous lies just because you’re half-fish, half-monster?
CALIBAN
[to STEPHANO] Lo, how he mocks me! Wilt thou let him, my lord?
CALIBAN
[To STEPHANO] Look, he’s making fun of me! Will you let him do that, my lord?
TRINCULO
“Lord,” quoth he? That a monster should be such a natural!
TRINCULO
“Lord,” he says? That monster is such an idiot!
CALIBAN
[to STEPHANO] Lo, lo, again! Bite him to death, I prithee.
CALIBAN
[To STEPHANO] Look, look, he’s mocking me again! Please, bite him to death.
STEPHANO
Trinculo, keep a good tongue in your head. If you provea mutineer, the next tree. The poor monster’s my subject and he shall not suffer indignity.
STEPHANO
Trinculo, if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all. And if you don’t listen to me, I’ll hang you from the next tree. This poor monster is my loyal subject, and I refuse to let him be insulted.
CALIBAN
I thank my noble lord. Wilt thou be pleased to hearken once again to the suit I made to thee?
CALIBAN
Thank you, my noble lord. Now would you be willing to listen once again to the request I made to you before?
STEPHANO
Marry, will I. Kneel and repeat it. I will stand, and so shallTrinculo.
STEPHANO
Indeed, I will. Kneel and repeat your request. I’ll stand and listen, and so will Trinculo.
ARIEL enters, invisible.
CALIBAN
[kneeling] As I told thee before, I am subject to a tyrant, a sorcerer that by his cunning hath cheated me of the island.
CALIBAN
[Kneeling] As I told you before, I’m enslaved to a tyrant, a magician who used his magic to steal the island from me.
ARIEL
Thou liest.
ARIEL
[Mimicking TRINCULO's voice] You lie.
CALIBAN
[to TRINCULO] Thou liest, thou jesting monkey, thou! I would my valiant master would destroy thee. I do not lie.
CALIBAN
[To TRINCULO] No you are lying, you joking monkey, you! I wish my brave master would kill you. I did not lie.
STEPHANO
Trinculo, if you trouble him any more in ’s tale, by this hand, I will supplant some of your teeth.
STEPHANO
Trinculo, if you interrupt his story again, I swear by my hand, I’ll knock out some of your teeth.
TRINCULO
Why, I said nothing.
TRINCULO
But I didn’t say anything.
STEPHANO
Mum, then, and no more. Proceed.
STEPHANO
Quiet, then, no more. Continue.
CALIBAN
I say, by sorcery he got this isle. From me he got it. If thy greatness will Revenge it on him—for I know thou darest, But this thing dare not—
CALIBAN
I was saying: he used magic to take over this island. He took it from me. If your Highness will take revenge on him—because I know that you're brave enough to do it, though this thing [He points to TRINCULO] wouldn't dare—
STEPHANO
That’s most certain.
STEPHANO
That’s obvious.
CALIBAN
Thou shalt be lord of it and I’ll serve thee.
CALIBAN
You’ll be lord of the island, and I’ll serve you.
STEPHANO
How now shall this be compassed?Canst thou bring me to th' party?
STEPHANO
How can all this be accomplished? Can you bring me to him?
CALIBAN
Yea, yea, my lord. I’ll yield him thee asleep,Where thou mayst knock a nail into his head.
CALIBAN
Yes, yes, my lord. I’ll take you to him when he's asleep, then you can smash a nail into his head.
ARIEL
Thou liest. Thou canst not.
ARIEL
[Mimicking TRINCULO's voice] You lie. You can’t do that.
CALIBAN
What a pied ninny’s this! Thou scurvy patch! I do beseech thy greatness, give him blows And take his bottle from him. When that’s gone, He shall drink naught but brine, for I’ll not show him Where the quick freshes are.
CALIBAN
What a motley fool he is! You are a wretched fool! Please, your Highness, punch him a few times and take his wine bottle away from him. When he doesn't have that, he’ll drink nothing but salt water—because I won't show him where the freshwater springs are.
STEPHANO
Trinculo, run into no further danger. Interrupt the monster one word further, and, by this hand, I’ll turn my mercy out o' doors and make a stockfish of thee.
STEPHANO
Trinculo, stop trying to cause trouble. If you interrupt this monster one more time then, I swear by my hand, I'll stop being nice and beat you until you're as stiff as a piece of dried fish.
TRINCULO
Why, what did I? I did nothing. I’ll go farther off.
TRINCULO
Why, what did I do? I didn’t do anything. I need to move away from you.
STEPHANO
Didst thou not say he lied?
STEPHANO
Didn’t you just say that he lied?
ARIEL
Thou liest.
ARIEL
[Mimicking TRINCULO's voice] You lie.
STEPHANO
[to TRINCULO] Do I so? Take thou that. [beatsTRINCULO] As you like this, give me the lie another time.
STEPHANO
[To TRINCULO] Oh, do I? Take that, then. [He hits TRINCULO] There's more where that came from if you say that I'm a liar again.
TRINCULO
I did not give the lie. Out o' your wits and hearing too? A pox o' your bottle! This can sack and drinking do. A murrain on your monster, and the devil take your fingers!
TRINCULO
I didn’t say you were a liar. Are you out of your mind, and deaf, too? A curse on your wine bottle! This is what drinking wine does to you. May your monster get the plague, and you can go to hell!
CALIBAN
Ha, ha, ha!
CALIBAN
Ha, ha, ha!
STEPHANO
Now, forward with your tale.—Prithee, stand farther off.
STEPHANO
Now, continue with your story. Trinculo, please, stand farther away.
CALIBAN
Beat him enough. After a little time,I’ll beat him too.
CALIBAN
Beat him up some more. After a little while, I’ll beat him up too.
STEPHANO
Stand farther.—Come, proceed.
STEPHANO
Stand even farther away, Trinculo.
[To CALIBAN] All right, continue.
CALIBAN
Why, as I told thee, ’tis a custom with him, I' 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 He’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. And 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 As great’st does least.
CALIBAN
Well, as I told you, it’s his habit to take a nap in the afternoon. That’s when you can smash in his skull, after you’ve first stolen his books. Or you could hit him on the head with a log. Or stab him in the belly with a spear. Or cut his throat with a knife. But remember to steal his books first, because without them, he’s just a fool like me, and won’t be able to command even one spirit. The other spirits all hate him as completely as I do. Burn everything but his magic books. He has some magnificent furniture and furnishings—at least that’s how he describes them—that he plans to use to furnish his house once he gets one. The thing you should focus on though is the beauty of his daughter. Prospero himself says she has no equal. I never saw a woman other than my mother, Sycorax. Miranda is so much more beautiful than Sycorax that it’s like comparing the most beautiful thing to the least.
STEPHANO
Is it so brave a lass?
STEPHANO
Is she really such a splendid girl?
CALIBAN
Ay, lord. She will become thy bed, I warrant.And bring thee forth brave brood.
CALIBAN
Yes, my lord. She’ll be a perfect fit for your bed, and she’ll bear you some excellent children.
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?
STEPHANO
Monster, I will kill this man. His daughter and I will be king and queen—God protect our royal selves!—and you and Trinculo will be our governors. Do you like that plan, Trinculo?
TRINCULO
Excellent.
TRINCULO
Excellent.
STEPHANO
Give me thy hand. I am sorry I beat thee. But while thou livest, keep a good tongue in thy head.
STEPHANO
Give me your hand. I’m sorry I beat you up. But for as long as you live, be more polite when you speak.
CALIBAN
Within this half hour will he be asleep. Wilt thou destroy him then?
CALIBAN
In the next half an hour he’ll be asleep. Will you kill him then?
STEPHANO
Ay, on mine honor.
STEPHANO
Yes, I swear on my honor.
ARIEL
[aside] This will I tell my master.
ARIEL
[To himself] I’ll tell my master about this.
CALIBAN
Thou makest me merry. I am full of pleasure. Let us be jocund. Will you troll the catch You taught me but whilere?
CALIBAN
You make me glad. I’m full of happiness. Let’s have some fun. Will you sing the song you taught me a short while ago?
STEPHANO
At thy request, monster, I will do reason, any reason. Come on, Trinculo, let us sing. [sings] Flout 'em and scout 'em, And scout 'em and flout 'em. Thought is free.
STEPHANO
Monster, whatever you ask for I'll do, so long as it's reasonable. Come on, Trinculo, let’s sing.
[Singing]
Mock 'em and shock 'em
And shock 'em and mock 'em.
Thought is free.
CALIBAN
That’s not the tune.
CALIBAN
That’s not the song.
ARIEL plays the tune on a small drum and a flute.
STEPHANO
What is this same?
STEPHANO
What is this song?
TRINCULO
This is the tune of our catch, played by the picture ofNobody.
TRINCULO
That’s the song you were singing, played by nobody.
STEPHANO
If thou beest a man, show thyself in thy likeness. If thou beest a devil, take ’t as thou list.
STEPHANO
If you’re a man who's playing that music, show yourself. If you’re a devil, then you can go to hell.
TRINCULO
O, forgive me my sins!
TRINCULO
Oh, forgive me for all my sins!
STEPHANO
He that dies pays all debts.—I defy thee!—Mercy upon us!
STEPHANO
The man who dies pays the ultimate debt. I defy you, devil! God bless us.
CALIBAN
Art thou afeard?
CALIBAN
Are you scared?
STEPHANO
No, monster, not I.
STEPHANO
No, monster, not me.
CALIBAN
Be not afeard. The isle is full of noises, Sounds, and sweet airs that give delight and hurt not. Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments Will hum about mine ears, and sometime voices That, if I then had waked after long sleep, Will make me sleep again. And then, in dreaming, The clouds methought would open and show riches Ready to drop upon me, that when I waked I cried to dream again.
CALIBAN
Don’t be frightened. The island is full of noises, sounds, and sweet music that will delight you and not hurt you. Sometimes I hear a thousand instruments playing in my ears, and sometimes I hear voices that send me back to sleep even if I had just woken up. And once asleep again, I dream of clouds that open up to show that they carry riches, which will soon drop down on me like rain. So when I woke up, I begged to dream again.
STEPHANO
This will prove a brave kingdom to me, where I shall have my music for nothing.
STEPHANO
This will be a splendid kingdom for me to rule. I'll get music played to me for free.
CALIBAN
When Prospero is destroyed.
CALIBAN
Once you kill Prospero.
STEPHANO
That shall be by and by. I remember the story.
STEPHANO
That will be done soon. I remember our plan.
TRINCULO
The sound is going away. Let’s follow it, and after do our work.
TRINCULO
The sound is going away. Let’s follow it, and complete our plan after that.
STEPHANO
Lead, monster; we’ll follow. I would I could see this taborer. He lays it on.
STEPHANO
Lead on, monster. We’ll follow. I wish I could see this drummer. He's very good.
TRINCULO
Wilt come? I’ll follow, Stephano.
TRINCULO
Coming, monster? I’m right behind you, Stephano.
They all exit.