ACT IV. SCENE I.

_Cypress trees and a Cave._

_Enter_ PROSPERO _and_ MIRANDA.

_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 mind A 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 secure Hippolito from that dark danger, which My art forebodes; for friendship does provide A double strength to oppose the assaults of fortune. [_Exit_ PROSP.

_Enter_ FERDINAND.

_Ferd._ To be a prisoner where I dearly love, Is but a double tie, a link of fortune Joined 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 out And 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!

_Mir._ How do you bear your prison?

_Ferd._ 'Tis my palace, While you are here, and love and silence wait Upon 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 endure This undeserved captivity, than I Could wish to gain my freedom, with the loss Of you.

_Mir._ I am a fool, to weep at what I'm glad of: But I have a suit to you, And that, sir, shall Be 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-bid The price of all that human life is worth.

_Mir._ Sir, 'tis to love one for my sake, who, for His own, deserves all the respect which you Can ever pay him.

_Ferd._ You mean your father: Do not think his usage Can 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 scruple To grant the first request I ever made? He's wholly unacquainted with the world, And wants your conversation. You should have Compassion 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 saw Him as I've done, so full of youth and beauty.

_Ferd._ O, poison to my hopes!-- When he did visit me, and I did mention This beauteous creature to him, he then did tell Me, 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 could Be 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 yet I 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! [_Exit_ FERD.

_Mir._ He appears displeased with that young man, I know Not 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.

_Enter_ PROSPERO.

_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 love The stranger much, he'll let me see him oftener. [_Exit_ MIR.

_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._