76 UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO STUDIES 



Although they want the use of tongue, — a kind 

 Of excellent dumb discourse." 

 He declines Sebastian's rude invitation to taste of the banquet, but afterward with 

 royal common sense he says: 



" I will stand to and feed, 

 Although my last ; no matter, since I feel 

 The best is past. — Brother, my lord the duke, 

 Stand to and do as we do." 

 The heavy indictment of Ariel and his awful threat crush Alonso to the earth. 



" O it is monstrous ! monstrous ! 

 Methought the billows spoke and told me of it ; 

 The winds did sing it to me ; and the thunder. 

 That deep and dreadful organ-pipe, pronounced 

 The name of Prosper ; it did bass my trespass. 

 Therefore my son i' the ooze is bedded ; and 

 I'll seek him deeper than e'er plummet sounded, 

 And with him there lie mudded." 

 This is the perfect rhythm of despair, remorse and self-condemnation. The shat- 

 tered nerves seem to moan forth an echo of Nature's most doleful harmonies through 

 the words of Alonso. 



In the last scene Alonso stands with the rest before Prospero's judgment-seat. 

 It is observable that Ariel in Act III is more severe in his treatment of Alonso than 

 is Prospero in this scene. 



" Most cruelly 

 Didst thou, Alonso, use me and my daughter." 

 When Prospero appears as the wronged Duke of Milan, he treats the repentant 

 King with real kindness. Alonso's speech in reply to Prospero's welcome is marked 

 by a sincerity and decency which single him out from the " three men of sin " as 

 the one capable of benefiting most by Ariel's words. 



Alonso is curious to learn all from Prospero, but chiefly his mind dwells upon 

 the fate of his heir ; he is again in despair — 



" I wish 

 Myself were mudded in that oozy bed 

 Where my son Hes." 

 On seeing Ferdinand he fears to trust his senses. Being assured, he exclaims : — 



" Now, all the blessings 

 Of a glad father compass thee about ! " 

 He questions Ferdinand promptly about " this maid, with whom thou wast at play." 

 Being satisfied that she is a desirable young person for Ferdinand's queen, he wel- 



