Prosp.Advance the fringed curtains of thine eyes,And say what thou seest yonder.Mir.Is it a spirit?Lord, how it looks about! Sir, I confessit carries a brave form. But 'tis a spirit.Prosp.No, girl, it eats, and sleeps, and has such sensesAs we have. This young gallant, whom thou see'st,Was in the wreck; were he not somewhat stainedWith grief, (beauty's worst canker) thou might'st call himA goodly person; he has lost his company,And strays about to find them.
Prosp.Advance the fringed curtains of thine eyes,And say what thou seest yonder.
Mir.Is it a spirit?Lord, how it looks about! Sir, I confessit carries a brave form. But 'tis a spirit.
Prosp.No, girl, it eats, and sleeps, and has such sensesAs we have. This young gallant, whom thou see'st,Was in the wreck; were he not somewhat stainedWith grief, (beauty's worst canker) thou might'st call himA goodly person; he has lost his company,And strays about to find them.
Mir.I might call himA thing divine, for nothing naturalI ever saw so noble.Prosp.It goes on,As my soul prompts it: Spirit, fine spirit,I'll free thee within two days for this.[Aside.
Mir.I might call himA thing divine, for nothing naturalI ever saw so noble.
Prosp.It goes on,As my soul prompts it: Spirit, fine spirit,I'll free thee within two days for this.[Aside.
Ferd.She's sure the mistress on whom these airs attend.Fair excellence! if, as your form declares,You are divine, be pleased to instruct me howYou will be worshipped; so bright a beautyCannot sure belong to human kind.
Ferd.She's sure the mistress on whom these airs attend.Fair excellence! if, as your form declares,You are divine, be pleased to instruct me howYou will be worshipped; so bright a beautyCannot sure belong to human kind.
Mir.I am, like you, a mortal, if such you are.
Ferd.My language, too! O heavens! I am the bestOf them who speak this speech, when I'm in myOwn country.Prosp.How, the best? what wert thou, ifThe duke of Savoy heard thee?Ferd.As I am now;Who wonders to hear thee speak of Savoy;He does hear me, and that he does, I weep.Myself am Savoy, whose fatal eyes (ne'er since at ebb) beheldThe duke, my father, wrecked.
Ferd.My language, too! O heavens! I am the bestOf them who speak this speech, when I'm in myOwn country.
Prosp.How, the best? what wert thou, ifThe duke of Savoy heard thee?
Ferd.As I am now;Who wonders to hear thee speak of Savoy;He does hear me, and that he does, I weep.Myself am Savoy, whose fatal eyes (ne'er since at ebb) beheldThe duke, my father, wrecked.
Mir.Alack! for pity!
Prosp.At the first sight they have changed eyes.Dear Ariel, I'll set thee free for this.—[Aside.Young sir, a word.With hazard of yourself you do me wrong.Mir.Why speaks my father so ungently? This isThe third man that I ever saw, the firstWhom e'er I sighed for; sweet heaven, move my fatherTo be inclined my way.Ferd.O! if a virgin,And your affections not gone forth, I'll make youMistress of Savoy.Prosp.Soft, sir, one word more.——They're in each other's power; but this swift businessI must uneasy make, lest too light winningMake the prize light.—One word more. Thou usurp'stThe name not due to thee, hast put thyselfUpon this island as a spy, to getThe government from me, the lord of it.
Prosp.At the first sight they have changed eyes.Dear Ariel, I'll set thee free for this.—[Aside.
Young sir, a word.With hazard of yourself you do me wrong.
Mir.Why speaks my father so ungently? This isThe third man that I ever saw, the firstWhom e'er I sighed for; sweet heaven, move my fatherTo be inclined my way.
Ferd.O! if a virgin,And your affections not gone forth, I'll make youMistress of Savoy.
Prosp.Soft, sir, one word more.——They're in each other's power; but this swift businessI must uneasy make, lest too light winningMake the prize light.—One word more. Thou usurp'stThe name not due to thee, hast put thyselfUpon this island as a spy, to getThe government from me, the lord of it.
Ferd.No, as I'm a man.
Mir.There's nothing ill can dwell in such a temple:If the evil spirit hath so fair a house,Good things will strive to dwell with it.Prosp.No more. Speak not for him, he is a traitor.Come! thou art my prisoner, and shalt be in bonds.Sea-water shalt thou drink, thy food shall beThe fresh brook-muscles, withered roots and husks,Wherein the acorn cradled;——follow.Ferd.No, I will resist such entertainment,Till my enemy has more power.[He draws, and is charmed from moving.Mir.O dear father! make not too rash a trialOf him; for he is gentle, and not fearful.Prosp.My child my tutor! put thy sword up,Traitor, who mak'st a show, but dar'st not strike:Thy conscience is possessed with guilt.Come from thy ward,For I can here disarm thee with this wand,And make thy weapon drop.
Mir.There's nothing ill can dwell in such a temple:If the evil spirit hath so fair a house,Good things will strive to dwell with it.
Prosp.No more. Speak not for him, he is a traitor.Come! thou art my prisoner, and shalt be in bonds.Sea-water shalt thou drink, thy food shall beThe fresh brook-muscles, withered roots and husks,Wherein the acorn cradled;——follow.
Ferd.No, I will resist such entertainment,Till my enemy has more power.[He draws, and is charmed from moving.
Mir.O dear father! make not too rash a trialOf him; for he is gentle, and not fearful.
Prosp.My child my tutor! put thy sword up,Traitor, who mak'st a show, but dar'st not strike:Thy conscience is possessed with guilt.Come from thy ward,For I can here disarm thee with this wand,And make thy weapon drop.
Mir.'Beseech you, father.
Prosp.Hence: Hang not on my garment.
Mir.Sir, have pity!I'll be his surety!Prosp.Silence! one word moreShall make me chide thee, if not hate thee: What!An advocate for an impostor? sureThou think'st there are no more such shapes as his;To the most of men this is a Caliban,And they to him are angels.Mir.My affections are then most humble;I have no ambition to see a goodlier man.Prosp.Come on, obey:Thy nerves are in their infancy again,And have no vigour in them.Ferd.So they are:My spirits, as in a dream, are all bound up:My father's loss, the weakness which I feel,The wreck of all my friends, and this man's threats,To whom I am subdued, would seem light to me,Might I but once a day thorough my prisonBehold this maid: All corners else o' the earthLet liberty make use of: I have spaceEnough in such a prison.Prosp.It works: Come on:Thou hast done well, fine Ariel: Follow me.Hark what thou shalt do for me.[WhispersAriel.Mir.Be of comfort!My father's of a better nature, sir,Than he appears by speech: This is unwonted,Which now came from him.Prosp.Thou shalt be free as mountain winds:But thenExactly do all points of my command.Ariel.To a syllable.[ExitAriel.Prosp. to Mir.Go in that way, speak not a word for him:I'll separate you.[ExitMiranda.Ferd.As soon thou may'st divide the waters, whenThou strik'st 'em, which pursue thy bootless blow,And meet when it is past.Prosp.Go practise your philosophy within,And if you are the same you speak yourself,Bear your afflictions like a prince.—That doorShews you your lodging.Ferd.'Tis in vain to strive, I must obey.[ExitFerd.Prosp.This goes as I would wish it.Now for my second care, Hippolito.I shall not need to chide him for his fault,His passion is become his punishment.Come forth, Hippolito.
Mir.Sir, have pity!I'll be his surety!
Prosp.Silence! one word moreShall make me chide thee, if not hate thee: What!An advocate for an impostor? sureThou think'st there are no more such shapes as his;To the most of men this is a Caliban,And they to him are angels.
Mir.My affections are then most humble;I have no ambition to see a goodlier man.
Prosp.Come on, obey:Thy nerves are in their infancy again,And have no vigour in them.
Ferd.So they are:My spirits, as in a dream, are all bound up:My father's loss, the weakness which I feel,The wreck of all my friends, and this man's threats,To whom I am subdued, would seem light to me,Might I but once a day thorough my prisonBehold this maid: All corners else o' the earthLet liberty make use of: I have spaceEnough in such a prison.
Prosp.It works: Come on:Thou hast done well, fine Ariel: Follow me.Hark what thou shalt do for me.[WhispersAriel.
Mir.Be of comfort!My father's of a better nature, sir,Than he appears by speech: This is unwonted,Which now came from him.
Prosp.Thou shalt be free as mountain winds:But thenExactly do all points of my command.
Ariel.To a syllable.[ExitAriel.
Prosp. to Mir.Go in that way, speak not a word for him:I'll separate you.[ExitMiranda.
Ferd.As soon thou may'st divide the waters, whenThou strik'st 'em, which pursue thy bootless blow,And meet when it is past.
Prosp.Go practise your philosophy within,And if you are the same you speak yourself,Bear your afflictions like a prince.—That doorShews you your lodging.
Ferd.'Tis in vain to strive, I must obey.[ExitFerd.
Prosp.This goes as I would wish it.Now for my second care, Hippolito.I shall not need to chide him for his fault,His passion is become his punishment.Come forth, Hippolito.
EnterHippolito.
Hip.'Tis Prospero's voice.
Prosp.Hippolito, I know you now expectI should severely chide you: You have seenA woman, in contempt of my commands.Hip.But, sir, you see I am come off unharmed;I told you, that you need not doubt my courage.
Prosp.Hippolito, I know you now expectI should severely chide you: You have seenA woman, in contempt of my commands.
Hip.But, sir, you see I am come off unharmed;I told you, that you need not doubt my courage.
Prosp.You think you have received no hurt?
Hip.No, none, sir.Try me again; whene'er you please I'm ready:I think I cannot fear an army of them.Prosp.How much in vain it is to bridle nature![Aside.Well, what was the success of your encounter?Hip.Sir, we had none, we yielded both at first;For I took her to mercy, and she me.
Hip.No, none, sir.Try me again; whene'er you please I'm ready:I think I cannot fear an army of them.
Prosp.How much in vain it is to bridle nature![Aside.Well, what was the success of your encounter?
Hip.Sir, we had none, we yielded both at first;For I took her to mercy, and she me.
Prosp.But are you not much changed from what you were?
Hip.Methinks, I wish, and wish!—for what I know not,—But still I wish:—Yet if I had that woman,She, I believe, could tell me what I wish for.
Hip.Methinks, I wish, and wish!—for what I know not,—But still I wish:—Yet if I had that woman,She, I believe, could tell me what I wish for.
Prosp.What would you do to make that woman yours?
Hip.I'd quit the rest o'the world, that I might liveAlone with her; she never should be from me:We two would sit and look till our eyes ached.
Hip.I'd quit the rest o'the world, that I might liveAlone with her; she never should be from me:We two would sit and look till our eyes ached.
Prosp.You'd soon be weary of her.
Hip.O, sir, never.
Prosp.But you'll grow old and wrinkled, as you seeMe now, and then you will not care for her.Hip.You may do what you please; but, sir, we twoCan never possibly grow old.
Prosp.But you'll grow old and wrinkled, as you seeMe now, and then you will not care for her.
Hip.You may do what you please; but, sir, we twoCan never possibly grow old.
Prosp.You must, Hippolito.
Hip.Whether we will or no, sir! who shall make us?
Prosp.Nature, which made me so.
Hip.But you have told me, that her works are various:She made you old, but she has made us young.Prosp.Time will convince you.—Meanwhile, be sure you tread in honour's paths,That you may merit her: And that you may notWant fit occasions to employ your virtue,In this next cave there is a stranger lodged,One of your kind, young, of a noble presence,And, as he says himself, of princely birth;He is my prisoner, and in deep affliction:Visit, and comfort him; it will become you.Hip.It is my duty, sir.[ExitHip.Prosp.True, he has seen a woman, yet he lives!—Perhaps I took the moment of his birthAmiss: Perhaps my art itself is false.—On what strange grounds we build our hopes and fears!Man's life is all a mist! and, in the dark,Our fortunes meet us.If fate be not, then what can we foresee?Or how can we avoid it, if it be?If by free will in our own paths we move,How are we bounded by decrees above?Whether we drive, or whether we are driven,If ill, 'tis ours: if good, the act of heaven.[Exit.
Hip.But you have told me, that her works are various:She made you old, but she has made us young.
Prosp.Time will convince you.—Meanwhile, be sure you tread in honour's paths,That you may merit her: And that you may notWant fit occasions to employ your virtue,In this next cave there is a stranger lodged,One of your kind, young, of a noble presence,And, as he says himself, of princely birth;He is my prisoner, and in deep affliction:Visit, and comfort him; it will become you.
Hip.It is my duty, sir.[ExitHip.
Prosp.True, he has seen a woman, yet he lives!—Perhaps I took the moment of his birthAmiss: Perhaps my art itself is false.—On what strange grounds we build our hopes and fears!Man's life is all a mist! and, in the dark,Our fortunes meet us.If fate be not, then what can we foresee?Or how can we avoid it, if it be?If by free will in our own paths we move,How are we bounded by decrees above?Whether we drive, or whether we are driven,If ill, 'tis ours: if good, the act of heaven.[Exit.
EnterHippolitoandFerdinand.
Ferd.Your pity, noble youth, doth much oblige me.Indeed, 'twas sad to lose a father so.Hip.Ay, and an only father too; for sureYou said, you had but one.Ferd.But one father! He's wondrous simple.[Aside.Hip.Are such misfortunes frequent in your world,Where many men live?Ferd.Such are we born to.—But, gentle youth, as you have questioned me,So give me leave to ask you, what you are?
Ferd.Your pity, noble youth, doth much oblige me.Indeed, 'twas sad to lose a father so.
Hip.Ay, and an only father too; for sureYou said, you had but one.
Ferd.But one father! He's wondrous simple.[Aside.
Hip.Are such misfortunes frequent in your world,Where many men live?
Ferd.Such are we born to.—But, gentle youth, as you have questioned me,So give me leave to ask you, what you are?
Hip.Do not you know?
Ferd.How should I?
Hip.I well hopedI was a man, but, by your ignoranceOf what I am, I fear it is not so.—Well, Prospero! this is now the second timeYou have deceived me.Ferd.Sir, there is no doubtYou are a man: But I would know, of whence?
Hip.I well hopedI was a man, but, by your ignoranceOf what I am, I fear it is not so.—Well, Prospero! this is now the second timeYou have deceived me.
Ferd.Sir, there is no doubtYou are a man: But I would know, of whence?
Hip.Why, of this world; I never was in yours.
Ferd.Have you a father?
Hip.I was told I had one,And that he was a man; yet I have beenSo much deceived, I dare not tell't you forA truth: But I have still been kept a prisoner,For fear of women.Ferd.They, indeed, are dangerous;For, since I came, I have beheld one here,Whose beauty pierced my heart.
Hip.I was told I had one,And that he was a man; yet I have beenSo much deceived, I dare not tell't you forA truth: But I have still been kept a prisoner,For fear of women.
Ferd.They, indeed, are dangerous;For, since I came, I have beheld one here,Whose beauty pierced my heart.
Hip.How did she pierce? You seem not hurt.
Ferd.Alas! the wound was made by herbrighteyes,And festers by her absence.But, to speak plainer to you, sir, I love her.Hip.Now, I suspect that love's the very thing,That I feel too!—Pray tell me truly, sir,Are you not grown unquiet since you saw her?
Ferd.Alas! the wound was made by herbrighteyes,And festers by her absence.But, to speak plainer to you, sir, I love her.
Hip.Now, I suspect that love's the very thing,That I feel too!—Pray tell me truly, sir,Are you not grown unquiet since you saw her?
Ferd.I take no rest.
Hip.Just, just, my disease.—Do you not wish, you do not know for what?
Hip.Just, just, my disease.—Do you not wish, you do not know for what?
Ferd.O, no! I know too well for what I wish.
Hip.There, I confess, I differ from you, sir:But you desire she may be always with you?
Hip.There, I confess, I differ from you, sir:But you desire she may be always with you?
Ferd.I can have no felicity without her.
Hip.Just my condition.—Alas, gentle sir!I'll pity you, and you shall pity me.Ferd.I love so much, that, if I have her not,I find I cannot live.Hip.How! do you love her,And would you have her too? That must not be:For none but I must have her.Ferd.But perhaps we do not love the same:All beauties are not pleasing alike to all.Hip.Why, are there more fair women, sir,Besides that one I love?Ferd.That's a strange question. There are many more,Besides that beauty which you love.Hip.I will have allOf that kind, if there be a hundred of them.
Hip.Just my condition.—Alas, gentle sir!I'll pity you, and you shall pity me.
Ferd.I love so much, that, if I have her not,I find I cannot live.
Hip.How! do you love her,And would you have her too? That must not be:For none but I must have her.
Ferd.But perhaps we do not love the same:All beauties are not pleasing alike to all.
Hip.Why, are there more fair women, sir,Besides that one I love?
Ferd.That's a strange question. There are many more,Besides that beauty which you love.
Hip.I will have allOf that kind, if there be a hundred of them.
Ferd.But, noble youth, you know not what you say.
Hip.Sir, they are things I love, I cannot beWithout them!—O, how I rejoice!—More women!
Hip.Sir, they are things I love, I cannot beWithout them!—O, how I rejoice!—More women!
Ferd.Sir, if you love, you must be tied to one.
Hip.Tied! How tied to her?
Ferd.To love none but her.
Hip.But, sir, I find it is against my nature.I must love where I like; and, I believe, I may like all,—All that are fair. Come, bring me to this woman,For I must have her.Ferd.His simplicityIs such, that I can scarce be angry with him.—[Aside.Perhaps, sweet youth, when you behold her, youWill find you do not love her.Hip.I find alreadyI love, because she is another woman.
Hip.But, sir, I find it is against my nature.I must love where I like; and, I believe, I may like all,—All that are fair. Come, bring me to this woman,For I must have her.
Ferd.His simplicityIs such, that I can scarce be angry with him.—[Aside.
Perhaps, sweet youth, when you behold her, youWill find you do not love her.
Hip.I find alreadyI love, because she is another woman.
Ferd.You cannot love two women both at once.
Hip.Sure 'tis my duty to love all who doResemble her, whom I've already seen.I'll have as many as I can, that areSo good, and angel-like, as she I love;And will have yours.
Hip.Sure 'tis my duty to love all who doResemble her, whom I've already seen.I'll have as many as I can, that areSo good, and angel-like, as she I love;And will have yours.
Ferd.Pretty youth, you cannot.
Hip.I can do any thing for that I love.
Ferd.I may, perhaps, by force, restrain you from it.
Hip.Why, do so, if you can. But either promise meTo love no woman, or you must try your force.
Hip.Why, do so, if you can. But either promise meTo love no woman, or you must try your force.
Ferd.I cannot help it, I must love.
Hip.Well, you may love;For Prospero taught me friendship too. You shallLove me, and other men, if you can find them;But all the angel women shall be mine.FerdI must break off this conference, or heWill urge me else beyond what I can bear.—[Aside.Sweet youth, some other time we will speakFarther concerning both our loves; at presentI am indisposed with weariness and grief,And would, if you're so pleased, retire a while.Hip.Some other time be it; but, sir, remember,That I both seek and much entreat your friendship;For, next to women, I find I can love you.Ferd.I thank you, sir, I will consider of it.[ExitFerd.Hip.This stranger does insult, and comes intoMy world, to take those heavenly beauties from me,Which, I believe, I am inspired to love.—And yet he said, he did desire but one:He would be poor in love, but I'll be rich.—I now perceive that Prospero was cunning;For when he frightened me from womankind,Those precious things he for himself designed.[Exit.
Hip.Well, you may love;For Prospero taught me friendship too. You shallLove me, and other men, if you can find them;But all the angel women shall be mine.
FerdI must break off this conference, or heWill urge me else beyond what I can bear.—[Aside.
Sweet youth, some other time we will speakFarther concerning both our loves; at presentI am indisposed with weariness and grief,And would, if you're so pleased, retire a while.
Hip.Some other time be it; but, sir, remember,That I both seek and much entreat your friendship;For, next to women, I find I can love you.
Ferd.I thank you, sir, I will consider of it.[ExitFerd.
Hip.This stranger does insult, and comes intoMy world, to take those heavenly beauties from me,Which, I believe, I am inspired to love.—And yet he said, he did desire but one:He would be poor in love, but I'll be rich.—I now perceive that Prospero was cunning;For when he frightened me from womankind,Those precious things he for himself designed.[Exit.
Cypress trees and a Cave.
EnterProsperoandMiranda.
Prosp.Your suit has pity in't, and has prevailed.Within this cave he lies, and you may see him:But yet take heed; let prudence be your guide:You must not stay, your visit must be short.—[She's going.One thing I had forgot; insinuate into his mindA kindness to that youth, whom first you saw;I would have friendship grow betwixt them.
Prosp.Your suit has pity in't, and has prevailed.Within this cave he lies, and you may see him:But yet take heed; let prudence be your guide:You must not stay, your visit must be short.—[She's going.
One thing I had forgot; insinuate into his mindA kindness to that youth, whom first you saw;I would have friendship grow betwixt them.
Mir.You shall be obeyed in all things.
Prosp.Be earnest to unite their very souls.
Mir.I shall endeavour it.
Prosp.This may secureHippolito from that dark danger, whichMy art forebodes; for friendship does provideA double strength to oppose the assaults of fortune.[ExitProsp.
Prosp.This may secureHippolito from that dark danger, whichMy art forebodes; for friendship does provideA double strength to oppose the assaults of fortune.[ExitProsp.
EnterFerdinand.
Ferd.To be a prisoner where I dearly love,Is but a double tie, a link of fortuneJoined to the chain of love; but not to see her,And yet to be so near her, there's the hardship!—I feel myself as on a rack, stretched outAnd nigh the ground, on which I might have ease,Yet, cannot reach it.
Ferd.To be a prisoner where I dearly love,Is but a double tie, a link of fortuneJoined to the chain of love; but not to see her,And yet to be so near her, there's the hardship!—I feel myself as on a rack, stretched outAnd nigh the ground, on which I might have ease,Yet, cannot reach it.
Mir.Sir!—my lord!—where are you?
Ferd.Is it your voice, my love? or do I dream?
Mir.Speak softly, it is I.
Ferd.O heavenly creature!Ten times more gentle than your fathers cruel!—How, on a sudden, all my griefs are vanished!
Ferd.O heavenly creature!Ten times more gentle than your fathers cruel!—How, on a sudden, all my griefs are vanished!
Mir.How do you bear your prison?
Ferd.'Tis my palace,While you are here, and love and silence waitUpon our wishes; do but think we chuse it,And 'tis what we would chuse.Mir.I'm sure what I would.But how can I be certain that you love me?Look to't; for I will die when you are false.I've heard my father tell of maids, who died,And haunted their false lovers with their ghosts.Ferd.Your ghost must take another form to fright me,This shape will be too pleasing.—Do I love you?O, heaven! O, earth! bear witness to this sound,If I prove false!—Mir.O, hold! you shall not swear,For heaven will hate you if you prove forsworn.Ferd.Did I not love, I could no more endureThis undeserved captivity, than ICould wish to gain my freedom, with the lossOf you.Mir.I am a fool, to weep at whatI'm glad of: But I have a suit to you,And that, sir, shallBe now the only trial of your love.Ferd.You've said enough, never to be denied,Were it my life; for you have far o'er-bidThe price of all that human life is worth.Mir.Sir, 'tis to love one for my sake, who, forHis own, deserves all the respect which youCan ever pay him.Ferd.You mean your father: Do not think his usageCan make me hate him; when he gave you being,He then did that, which cancelled all these wrongs.Mir.I meant not him; for that was a request,Which, if you love, I should not need to urge.Ferd.Is there another whom I ought to love;And love him for your sake?Mir.Yes, such a one,Who, for his sweetness and his goodly shape,(If I, who am unskilled in forms, may judge)I think can scarce be equalled: 'Tis a youth,A stranger, too, as you are.Ferd.Of such a graceful feature! and must I,For your sake, love him?Mir.Yes, sir: Do you scrupleTo grant the first request I ever made?He's wholly unacquainted with the world,And wants your conversation. You should haveCompassion on so mere a stranger.Ferd.Those need compassion whom you discommend,Not whom you praise.Mir.Come, you must love him for my sake:—You shall!Ferd.Must I for yours, and cannot for my own?Either you do not love, or think that I don't:But, when you bid me love him, I must hate him.Mir.Have I so far offended you already,That he offends you only for my sake?—Yet sure you would not hate him, if you sawHim as I've done, so full of youth and beauty.Ferd.O, poison to my hopes!—When he did visit me, and I did mentionThis beauteous creature to him, he then did tellMe, he would have her.[Aside.
Ferd.'Tis my palace,While you are here, and love and silence waitUpon our wishes; do but think we chuse it,And 'tis what we would chuse.
Mir.I'm sure what I would.But how can I be certain that you love me?Look to't; for I will die when you are false.I've heard my father tell of maids, who died,And haunted their false lovers with their ghosts.
Ferd.Your ghost must take another form to fright me,This shape will be too pleasing.—Do I love you?O, heaven! O, earth! bear witness to this sound,If I prove false!—
Mir.O, hold! you shall not swear,For heaven will hate you if you prove forsworn.
Ferd.Did I not love, I could no more endureThis undeserved captivity, than ICould wish to gain my freedom, with the lossOf you.
Mir.I am a fool, to weep at whatI'm glad of: But I have a suit to you,And that, sir, shallBe now the only trial of your love.
Ferd.You've said enough, never to be denied,Were it my life; for you have far o'er-bidThe price of all that human life is worth.
Mir.Sir, 'tis to love one for my sake, who, forHis own, deserves all the respect which youCan ever pay him.
Ferd.You mean your father: Do not think his usageCan make me hate him; when he gave you being,He then did that, which cancelled all these wrongs.
Mir.I meant not him; for that was a request,Which, if you love, I should not need to urge.
Ferd.Is there another whom I ought to love;And love him for your sake?
Mir.Yes, such a one,Who, for his sweetness and his goodly shape,(If I, who am unskilled in forms, may judge)I think can scarce be equalled: 'Tis a youth,A stranger, too, as you are.
Ferd.Of such a graceful feature! and must I,For your sake, love him?
Mir.Yes, sir: Do you scrupleTo grant the first request I ever made?He's wholly unacquainted with the world,And wants your conversation. You should haveCompassion on so mere a stranger.
Ferd.Those need compassion whom you discommend,Not whom you praise.
Mir.Come, you must love him for my sake:—You shall!
Ferd.Must I for yours, and cannot for my own?Either you do not love, or think that I don't:But, when you bid me love him, I must hate him.
Mir.Have I so far offended you already,That he offends you only for my sake?—Yet sure you would not hate him, if you sawHim as I've done, so full of youth and beauty.
Ferd.O, poison to my hopes!—When he did visit me, and I did mentionThis beauteous creature to him, he then did tellMe, he would have her.[Aside.
Mir.Alas! what mean you?
Ferd.It is too plain: Like most of her frail sex,She's false, but has not learned the art to hide it.Nature has done her part, she loves variety:—Why did I think that any woman couldBe innocent, because she's young? No, no!Their nurses teach them change, when, with two nipples,They do divide their liking.[Aside.Mir.I fear I have offended you, and yetI meant no harm: But, if you please to hear me,—[A noise within.Hark, sir! now I am sure my father comes,I know his steps: Dear love! retire a while;I fear I've staid too long.Ferd.Too long indeed, and yet not long enough:Oh, jealousy! Oh, love! how you distract me![ExitFerd.Mir.He appears displeased with that young man, I knowNot why: But, 'till I find from whence his hate proceeds,I must conceal it from my father's knowledge;For he will think that guiltless I have caused it,And suffer me no more to see my love.
Ferd.It is too plain: Like most of her frail sex,She's false, but has not learned the art to hide it.Nature has done her part, she loves variety:—Why did I think that any woman couldBe innocent, because she's young? No, no!Their nurses teach them change, when, with two nipples,They do divide their liking.[Aside.
Mir.I fear I have offended you, and yetI meant no harm: But, if you please to hear me,—[A noise within.
Hark, sir! now I am sure my father comes,I know his steps: Dear love! retire a while;I fear I've staid too long.
Ferd.Too long indeed, and yet not long enough:Oh, jealousy! Oh, love! how you distract me![ExitFerd.
Mir.He appears displeased with that young man, I knowNot why: But, 'till I find from whence his hate proceeds,I must conceal it from my father's knowledge;For he will think that guiltless I have caused it,And suffer me no more to see my love.
EnterProspero.
Prosp.Now I have been indulgent to your wish;You have seen the prisoner?
Prosp.Now I have been indulgent to your wish;You have seen the prisoner?
Mir.Yes.
Prosp.And he spoke to you?
Mir.He spoke; but he received short answers from me.
Prosp.How like you his converse?
Mir.At second sight,A man does not appear so rare a creature.Prosp.I find she loves him much, because she hides it.Love teaches cunning even to innocence.—[Aside.Well, go in.Mir.Forgive me, truth! for thus disguising thee.If I can make him think, I do not loveThe stranger much, he'll let me see him oftener.[ExitMir.Prosp.Stay, stay!—--I had forgot to ask her,What she has said of young Hippolito.—Oh, here he comes! and, with him, my Dorinda:I'll not be seen; let their loves grow in secret.[Exit.
Mir.At second sight,A man does not appear so rare a creature.
Prosp.I find she loves him much, because she hides it.Love teaches cunning even to innocence.—[Aside.
Well, go in.
Mir.Forgive me, truth! for thus disguising thee.If I can make him think, I do not loveThe stranger much, he'll let me see him oftener.[ExitMir.
Prosp.Stay, stay!—--I had forgot to ask her,What she has said of young Hippolito.—Oh, here he comes! and, with him, my Dorinda:I'll not be seen; let their loves grow in secret.[Exit.
EnterHippolitoandDorinda.
Hip.But why are you so sad?
Dor.But why are you so joyful?
Hip.I have within meAll, all the various music of the woods.Since last I saw you, I have heard brave news!I will tell you, and make you joyful for me.Dor.Sir, when I saw you first, I, through my eyes,Drew something in, I know not what it is;But still it entertains me with such thoughts,As make me doubtful whether joy becomes me.Hip.Pray believe me,As I'm a man, I'll tell you blessed news:I've heard, there are more women in the world,As fair as you are too.
Hip.I have within meAll, all the various music of the woods.Since last I saw you, I have heard brave news!I will tell you, and make you joyful for me.
Dor.Sir, when I saw you first, I, through my eyes,Drew something in, I know not what it is;But still it entertains me with such thoughts,As make me doubtful whether joy becomes me.
Hip.Pray believe me,As I'm a man, I'll tell you blessed news:I've heard, there are more women in the world,As fair as you are too.
Dor.Is this your news? You see it moves not me.
Hip.And I will have them all.
Dor.What will become of me then?
Hip.I'll have you too.—But are not you acquainted with these women?
Hip.I'll have you too.—But are not you acquainted with these women?
Dor.I never saw but one.
Hip.Is there but one here?—This is a base poor world, I'll go to the other;I've heard men have abundance of them there.—But, pray, where's that one woman?
Hip.Is there but one here?—This is a base poor world, I'll go to the other;I've heard men have abundance of them there.—But, pray, where's that one woman?
Dor.Who, my sister?
Hip.Is she your sister? I'm glad of that. You shallHelp me to her, and I will love you for it.[Offers to take her hand.Dor.Away! I will not have you touch my hand.—My father's counsel, which enjoined reservedness,Was not in vain, I see.[Aside.
Hip.Is she your sister? I'm glad of that. You shallHelp me to her, and I will love you for it.[Offers to take her hand.
Dor.Away! I will not have you touch my hand.—My father's counsel, which enjoined reservedness,Was not in vain, I see.[Aside.
Hip.What makes you shun me?
Dor.You need not care, you'll have my sister's hand.
Hip.Why, must not he, who touches hers, touch yours?
Dor.You mean to love her too?
Hip.Do not you love her?Then why should I not do so?Dor.She's my sister;And, therefore, I must love her: But you cannotLove both of us.Hip.I warrant you I can:—Oh, that you had more sisters!Dor.You may love her,But then I'll not love you.Hip.O, but you must;One is enough for you, but not for me.Dor.My sister told me, she had seen another;A man like you, and she liked only him:Therefore, if one must be enough for her,He is that one, and then you cannot have her.
Hip.Do not you love her?Then why should I not do so?
Dor.She's my sister;And, therefore, I must love her: But you cannotLove both of us.
Hip.I warrant you I can:—Oh, that you had more sisters!
Dor.You may love her,But then I'll not love you.
Hip.O, but you must;One is enough for you, but not for me.
Dor.My sister told me, she had seen another;A man like you, and she liked only him:Therefore, if one must be enough for her,He is that one, and then you cannot have her.
Hip.If she like him, she may like both of us.
Dor.But how if I should change, and like that man:Would you be willing to permit that change?
Dor.But how if I should change, and like that man:Would you be willing to permit that change?
Hip.No, for you liked me first.
Dor.So you did me.
Hip.But I would never have you see that man;I cannot bear it.
Hip.But I would never have you see that man;I cannot bear it.
Dor.I'll see neither of you.
Hip.Yes, me you may, for we are now acquainted:But he's the man, of whom your father warned you;O, he's a terrible, huge, monstrous creature!I'm but a woman to him.Dor.I will see him,Except you'll promise not to see my sister.
Hip.Yes, me you may, for we are now acquainted:But he's the man, of whom your father warned you;O, he's a terrible, huge, monstrous creature!I'm but a woman to him.
Dor.I will see him,Except you'll promise not to see my sister.
Hip.Yes, for your sake, I needs must see your sister.
Dor.But she's a terrible, huge creature too!If I were not her sister, she would eat me;Therefore take heed.Hip.I heard that she was fair,And like you.Dor.No, indeed, she's like my father,With a great beard; 'twould fright you to look on her:Therefore that man and she may go together,They are fit for nobody but one another.Hip.[Looking in.] Yonder he comes with glaring eyes; fly! fly!Before he sees you.
Dor.But she's a terrible, huge creature too!If I were not her sister, she would eat me;Therefore take heed.
Hip.I heard that she was fair,And like you.
Dor.No, indeed, she's like my father,With a great beard; 'twould fright you to look on her:Therefore that man and she may go together,They are fit for nobody but one another.
Hip.[Looking in.] Yonder he comes with glaring eyes; fly! fly!Before he sees you.
Dor.Must we part so soon?
Hip.You're a lost woman if you see him.
Dor.I would not willingly be lost, for fearYou should not find me. I'll avoid him.[ExitDor.Hip.She fain would have deceived me, but I knowHer sister must be fair, for she's a woman;All of a kind, that I have seen, are likeTo one another: All the creatures ofThe rivers and the woods are so.
Dor.I would not willingly be lost, for fearYou should not find me. I'll avoid him.[ExitDor.
Hip.She fain would have deceived me, but I knowHer sister must be fair, for she's a woman;All of a kind, that I have seen, are likeTo one another: All the creatures ofThe rivers and the woods are so.
EnterFerdinand.
Ferd.O, well encountered! you are the happy man!You've got the hearts of both the beauteous women.
Ferd.O, well encountered! you are the happy man!You've got the hearts of both the beauteous women.
Hip.How, sir! pray, are you sure on't?
Ferd.One of them charged me to love you for her sake.
Hip.Then I must have her.
Ferd.No, not till I am dead.
Hip.How dead? what's that?—But whatsoe'er it be,I long to have her.
Hip.How dead? what's that?—But whatsoe'er it be,I long to have her.
Ferd.Time and my grief may make me die.
Hip.But, for a friend, you should make haste; I ne'erAsked any thing of you before.Ferd.I see your ignorance,And, therefore, will instruct you in my meaning.The woman, whom I love, saw you, and loved you;Now, sir, if you love her, you'll cause my death.
Hip.But, for a friend, you should make haste; I ne'erAsked any thing of you before.
Ferd.I see your ignorance,And, therefore, will instruct you in my meaning.The woman, whom I love, saw you, and loved you;Now, sir, if you love her, you'll cause my death.
Hip.Be sure I'll do it then.
Ferd.But I am your friend;And I request you that you would not love her.Hip.When friends request unreasonable things,Sure they're to be denied. You say she's fair;And I must love all who are fair: for, to tell youA secret, sir, which I have lately foundWithin myself, they're all made for me.Ferd.That's but a fond conceit: You're made for one,And one for you.Hip.You cannot tell me, sir;I know I'm made for twenty hundred women,(I mean, if there so many be i'the world,)So that, if I once see her, I shall love her.
Ferd.But I am your friend;And I request you that you would not love her.
Hip.When friends request unreasonable things,Sure they're to be denied. You say she's fair;And I must love all who are fair: for, to tell youA secret, sir, which I have lately foundWithin myself, they're all made for me.
Ferd.That's but a fond conceit: You're made for one,And one for you.
Hip.You cannot tell me, sir;I know I'm made for twenty hundred women,(I mean, if there so many be i'the world,)So that, if I once see her, I shall love her.
Ferd.Then do not see her.
Hip.Yes, sir, I must see her:For I would fain have my heart beat again,Just as it did when I first saw her sister.
Hip.Yes, sir, I must see her:For I would fain have my heart beat again,Just as it did when I first saw her sister.
Ferd.I find I must not let you see her then.
Hip.How will you hinder me?
Ferd.By force of arms.
Hip.By force of arms!My arms, perhaps, may be as strong as yours.Ferd.He's still so ignorant, that I pity him,And fain would avoid force. [Aside.]—Pray do not see her,She was mine first; you have no right to her.Hip.I have not yet considered what is right;But, sir, I know my inclinations areTo love all women; and I have been taught,That to dissemble what I think is base.In honour, then, of truth, I must declare,That I do love, and I will see your woman.Ferd.Would you be willing I should see and loveYour woman, and endeavour to seduce herFrom that affection, which she vowed to you?Hip.I would not you should do it, but if sheShould love you best, I cannot hinder her.But, sir, for fear she should, I will provideAgainst the worst, and try to get your woman.Ferd.But I pretend no claim at all to yours;Besides, you are more beautiful than I,And fitter to allure unpractised hearts:Therefore I once more beg you will not see her.Hip.I'm glad you let me know I have such beauty;If that will get me women, they shall have itAs far as ere 'twill go: I'll never want them.Ferd.Then, since you have refused this act of friendship,Provide yourself a sword, for we must fight.
Hip.By force of arms!My arms, perhaps, may be as strong as yours.
Ferd.He's still so ignorant, that I pity him,And fain would avoid force. [Aside.]—Pray do not see her,She was mine first; you have no right to her.
Hip.I have not yet considered what is right;But, sir, I know my inclinations areTo love all women; and I have been taught,That to dissemble what I think is base.In honour, then, of truth, I must declare,That I do love, and I will see your woman.
Ferd.Would you be willing I should see and loveYour woman, and endeavour to seduce herFrom that affection, which she vowed to you?
Hip.I would not you should do it, but if sheShould love you best, I cannot hinder her.But, sir, for fear she should, I will provideAgainst the worst, and try to get your woman.
Ferd.But I pretend no claim at all to yours;Besides, you are more beautiful than I,And fitter to allure unpractised hearts:Therefore I once more beg you will not see her.
Hip.I'm glad you let me know I have such beauty;If that will get me women, they shall have itAs far as ere 'twill go: I'll never want them.
Ferd.Then, since you have refused this act of friendship,Provide yourself a sword, for we must fight.
Hip.A sword! what's that?
Ferd.Why such a thing as this.
Hip.What should I do with it?