.[456-28] But how should Prospero
Be living and be here?

_Pros._ First, noble friend,[456-29]
Let me embrace thine age, whose honour cannot
Be measured or confined.

_Gonza._ Whether this be
Or be not, I'll not swear.

_Pros._ You do yet taste
Some subtilties[457-30] o' the isle, that will not let you
Believe things certain.--Welcome, my friends all:--
[_Aside to SEBAS. and ANTO._] But you, my brace of lords, were I so
minded,
I here could pluck his Highness' frown upon you,
And justify you traitors:[457-31] at this time
I'll tell no tales.

_Sebas._ [_Aside to ANTO._] The Devil speaks in him.

_Pros._ Now,
For you, most wicked sir, whom to call brother
Would even infect my mouth, I do forgive
Thy rankest fault; all of them; and require
My dukedom of thee, which perforce, I know,
Thou must restore.

_Alon._ If thou be'st Prospero,
Give us particulars of thy preservation;
How thou hast met us here, who three hours since
Were wreck'd upon this shore; where I have lost--
How sharp the point of this remembrance is!--
My dear son Ferdinand.

_Pros._ I'm woe[457-32] for't, sir.

_Alon._ Irreparable is the loss; and patience
Says it is past her cure.

_Pros._ I rather think
You have not sought her help; of whose soft grace,
For the like loss I have her sovereign aid,
And rest myself content.

_Alon._ You the like loss!

_Pros._ As great to me, as late;[458-33] and, portable
To make the dear loss, have I means much weaker
Than you may call to comfort you; for I
Have lost my daughter.

_Alon._ A daughter!
O Heavens, that they were living both in Naples,
The King and Queen there! that they were, I wish
Myself were mudded in that oozy bed
Where my son lies. When did you lose your daughter?

_Pros._ In this last tempest. I perceive, these lords
At this encounter do so much admire,[458-34]
That they devour their reason, and scarce think
Their eyes do offices of truth, these words
Are natural breath:[458-35] but, howsoe'er you have
Been justled from your senses, know for certain
That I am Prospero, and that very Duke
Which was thrust forth of M