is the great
variety of his plays. In fact, they cover the whole range of human
activities, and introduce characters from almost every walk in life. The
stories they tell run from the light and gay to those of more somber
hue, from comedy to deepest tragedy. Wit and humor, pathos and sublimity
may sometimes be found in the same play, and smiles and tears may be
drawn from the same page. What play to select for a beginner becomes
then a question of some moment. _The Tempest_ is one of the best, for it
is not difficult to read, is an interesting story, has amusing
characters, and carries good food for thought.

Will you then, our young readers, go hand in hand with us into the
reading of Shakespeare? Do as we say this one time, and read as we ask
you to, even if it does take some time from your play. If, while you are
doing it, you do not enjoy yourselves, or if at the end you do not feel
repaid, then take your own course in your reading thereafter. It will be
a better course for having studied one great play carefully.

However, before we begin the play, let us read the charming tale written
by Charles and Mary Lamb. It will give us briefly the story of _The
Tempest_, though a wealth of incidents is omitted.

THE TEMPEST

A TALE FROM SHAKESPEARE BY CHARLES AND MARY LAMB

There was a certain island in the sea, the only inhabitants of which
were an old man, whose name was Prospero, and his daughter Miranda, a
very beautiful young lady. She came to this island so young, that she
had no memory of having seen any other human face than her father's.
They lived in a cave or cell, made out of a rock; it was divided into
several apartments, one of which Prospero called his study; there he
kept his books, which chiefly treated of magic, a study at that time
much affected by all learned men; and the knowledge of this art he found
very useful to him; for being thrown by a strange chance upon this
island, which had been enchanted by a witch called Sycorax, who died
there a short time before his arrival, Prospero, by virtue of his art,
released many good spirits that Sycorax had imprisoned in the bodies of
large trees, because they had refused to execute her wicked commands.
These gentle spirits were ever after obedient to the will of Prospero.
Of these, Ariel was the chief.

The lively little sprite Ariel had nothing mischievous in his nature,
except that he took rather too much pleasure in tormenting an ugly
monster called