The Tempest

What are Prospero’s words about Miranda and what does he mean?

PROSPERO
(to FERDINAND) If I have too austerely punished you,
Your compensation makes amends, for I
Have given you here a third 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 love 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 of her,
For thou shalt find she will outstrip all praise
And make it halt behind her.
FERDINAND
      
As I hope
For quiet days, fair issue, and long life,
With such love as ’tis now, the murkiest den,
The most opportune place, the strong’st suggestion,
Our worser genius can, shall never melt
Mine honor into lust, to take away
The edge of that day’s celebration
When I shall think, or Phoebus' steeds are foundered,

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In essence, Prospero is speaking to Miranda's value, the gift she has been in his life, and the fact that she is now Ferdinand's. In this section, Prospero has nothing but praise for the daughter he loves..... sadly, he also places value on the power she, herself, affords him as a bargaing chip to achieve his own desires.

Source(s)

The Tempest