SCENE II.

_Enter_ HIPPOLITO _and_ DORINDA.

_Hip._ But why are you so sad?

_Dor._ But why are you so joyful?

_Hip._ I have within me All, 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?

_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?

_Dor._ Who, my sister?

_Hip._ Is she your sister? I'm glad of that. You shall Help 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 cannot Love 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?

_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.

_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, 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._ Must we part so soon?

_Hip._ You're a lost woman if you see him.

_Dor._ I would not willingly be lost, for fear You should not find me. I'll avoid him. [_Exit_ DOR.

_Hip._ She fain would have deceived me, but I know Her sister must be fair, for she's a woman; All of a kind, that I have seen, are like To one another: All the creatures of The rivers and the woods are so.

_Enter_ FERDINAND.

_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.

_Ferd._ Time and my grief may make me die.

_Hip._ But, for a friend, you should make haste; I ne'er Asked 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 you A secret, sir, which I have lately found Within 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.

_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 are To 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 love Your woman, and endeavour to seduce her From that affection, which she vowed to you?

_Hip._ I would not you should do it, but if she Should love you best, I cannot hinder her. But, sir, for fear she should, I will provide Against 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 it As 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?

_Ferd._ You must stand thus, And push against me, while I push at you, 'Till one of us fall dead.

_Hip._ This is brave sport: But we have no swords growing in our world.

_Ferd._ What shall we do then to decide our quarrel?

_Hip._ We'll take the sword by turns, and fight with it.

_Ferd._ Strange ignorance! [_Aside_.]--You must defend your life, And so must I. But since you have no sword, Take this: [_Gives him his sword_.] For in a corner of my cave I found a rusty one; perhaps 'twas his, Who keeps me pris'ner here: That I will fit: When next we meet, prepare yourself to fight.

_Hip._ Make haste then, this shall ne'er be yours again. I mean to fight with all the men I meet, And, when they're dead, their women shall be mine.

_Ferd._ I see you are unskilful: I desire not To take your life, but, if you please, we'll fight On these conditions; he, who first draws blood, Or who can take the other's weapon from him, Shall be acknowledged as the conqueror, And both the women shall be his.

_Hip._ Agreed, And every day I'll fight for two more with you.

_Ferd._ But win these first.

_Hip._ I'll warrant you I'll push you. [_Exeunt severally._