The full quote is:
"Go charge my goblins that they grind their joints
With dry convulsions, shorten up their sinews
With agèd cramps, and more pinch-spotted make them
Than pard or cat o' mountain" (4.1.245-248)
At this moment in the play, Caliban, Trinculo, and Stefano have arrived at Prospero's cell, where Caliban has encouraged Trinculo and Stefano to go to challenge Prospero, kill him, and marry Miranda and rule the island. Caliban is especially fond of this idea as it means he will not be under Prospero's cruel thumb any longer.
The ease with which Prospero defeats this plan is pathetic, however. He hardly even remembers it in the excitement of Miranda and Ferdinand's engagement, and, when he does, all he needs to do is instruct Ariel to send spirits to give them achy bones and cramped muscles and more bruises than spots on a leopard or mountain lion. With that little effort, the potential assassins are easily defeated.
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