25.
Father, Mother, my
relatives, my ancestors, we have come to the forest tonight, to the place
where the colours all meet--red and yellow and blue. We have turned and
returned to your arms as you turn to earth and form the forest floor.
Tonight we picked berries with the help of your sighted hands. Tonight
we read the forest braille. See how our stained fingers have read the
seasons, and how our serving hands serve you still. |
26.
GONZALO.
I' the commonwealth I would by contraries
Execute all things; for no kind of traffic
Would I admit; no name of magistrate;
Letters should not be known; riches, poverty,
And use of service, none; contract, succession,
Bourn, bound of land, tilth, vineyard, none;
No use of metal, corn, or wine, or oil;
No occupation; all men idle, all:
And women too, but innocent and pure;
No sovereignty,--
SEBASTIAN.
Yet he would be king on't.
ANTONIO.
The latter end of his commonwealth forgets the beginning.
GONZALO.
All things in common nature should produce
Without sweat or endeavour; treason, felony,
|
Sword,
pike, knife, gun, or need of any engine,
Would I not have; but nature should bring forth,
Of it own kind, all foison, all abundance,
To feed my innocent people.
SEBASTIAN.
No marrying 'mong his subjects?
ANTONIO.
None, man: all idle; whores and knaves.
GONZALO.
I would with such perfection govern, sir,
To excel the golden age.
SEBASTIAN.
Save his Majesty!
ANTONIO.
Long live Gonzalo!
GONZALO.
And,--do you mark me, sir?
ALONSO.
Prithee, no more: thou dost talk nothing to me. |