Test run: Prospero / The Tempest / Milliways
PROSPERO
Where, spirit, hast thou been? I called for thee
With strongest spells and enforcements,
And no answer came from thee.
ARIEL
Grave master, pardon, O grant me pardon!
I flew through clouds and tempests
To the farthest climes of Asia and Araby
To counsel with the Oriental winds,
And there I fear I could not hear your call--
PROSPERO
Peace, slave! Thou liest. The words weigh down
Thy tongue of flame. Where has thou been?
ARIEL
I crave your pardon, lord--
PROSPERO
Then tell the truth, I conjure thee!
ARIEL
Beyond the winds and waves, beyond the sun
And stars and moon, beyond the spheres of Heav'n,
There lies a place where times and worlds are one,
Past Hell or any realm of mortal ken.
There have I tarried, master, now and then.
But thither I shall never wend again
If so you order.
PROSPERO
What place is this? Can'st bring me to its shores?
ARIEL
Ay, sir, if you command and lend your pow'r.
For such a long journey, it takes remarkably little time.
From the edge of the woods comes striding a tall man, white-haired but still strong. The staff he carries -- a tall, twisted length of polished wood -- appears to be more for effect than because he needs the support. On his shoulder perches a large raven with a silver collar around its neck.
"Wondrous," breathes Prospero, taking in the sight of the lake, the mountains, the bar. The raven ruffles its feathers, and he laughs. "And most wondrous, my Ariel."
With that, he strides for the bar, his weathered robe flapping behind him.