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ACT THE FOURTH.

SCENE I.

Before Prospero’s cell.
Enter, Prospero, Ferdinand, and Miranda.

Prospero.

If I have too austerely punish’d you,
Your compensation makes amends, for I
Have given you here a thread of mine own life,
Or that for which I live; who once again
I tender to thy hand: all thy vexations
Were but my trials of thy Jove, and thou
Hast strangely stood the test: here, afore Heaven,
I ratify this my rich gift. O Ferdinand,
Do not smile at me that I boast her off,
For thou shalt find she will outstrip all praise
And make it halt behind her.

Ferdinand.

And make it halt behind her. I do believe it
Against an oracle.