 | The Tempest, or The Enchanted Island |  |
ACT II.
Enter Alonzo, Antonio, Gonzalo, Attendants.Gonz.
Beseech your Grace be merry; you have cause, so
have we all, of joy for our strange scape: then
wisely, good Sir, weigh our sorrow with our comfort.
Alonz.
Prithee peace! you cram these words into my
Ears against my stomack, how can I rejoyce, when my dear Son,
perhaps this very moment, is made a meal to some strange
Fish?
Ant.
Sir, he may live,
I saw him beat the billows under him, and ride upon their
backs; he trod the Water, whose enmity he flung aside, and
breasted the most swoln surge that met him, his bold head 'bove
the contentious waves he kept, and oar'd himself with his
strong arms to shore, I do not doubt he came alive to land.
Alonz.
No, no, he's gone, and you and I, Antonio, were
those who caus'd his death.
Ant.
How could we help it?
Alonz.
Then, then, we should have helpt it, when thou betrayedst
thy Brother Prospero, and Mantua's Infant, Sovereign
to my power: And when I, too ambitious, took by force anothers
right; then lost we Ferdinand, then forfeited our Navy
to this Tempest.
Ant.
Indeed we first broke truce with Heav'n;
You to the waves an Infant Prince expos'd,
And on the waves have lost an only Son;
I did usurp my Brother's fertile lands, and now
Am cast upon this desert Isle.
Gonz.
These, Sir, 'tis true, were crimes of a black Dye,
But both of you have made amends to Heav'n,
Where, in defence of Christianity,
Your valour has repuls'd the Moors of Spain.
Alonz.
O name it not, Gonzalo.
No act but penitence can expiate guilt,
Must we teach Heaven what price to set on Murthers?
What rate on lawless power, and wild ambition?
Or dare we traffick with the Powers above,
And sell by weight a good deed for a bad?
[Musick within.
Gonz.
Musick! and in the air! sure we are shipwrackt on the
Dominions of some merry Devil.
Ant.
This Isle's inchanted ground, for I have heard
Swift voices flying by my Ear, and groans
Of lamenting Ghosts.
Alonz.
I pull'd a Tree, and Blood pursu'd my hand; O Heaven!
deliver me from this dire dare place, and all the after actions
of my life shall mark my penitence and my bounty.
[A Dialogue within sung in parts.
The sounds approach us.
1 D.
Where does proud Ambition dwell?
2.
In the lowest Rooms of Hell.
1.
Of the damn'd who leads the Host?
2.
He who did oppress the most.
1.
Who such Troops of damned brings?
2.
Most are led by fighting Kings.
Kings who did Crowns unjustly get,
Here on burning Thrones are set.
Chor.
Kings who did Crowns, &c.
Ant.
Do you hear, Sir, how they lay our Crimes before us?
Gonz.
Do evil Spirits imitate the good,
In shewing men their sins?
Alonz.
But in a different way,
Those warn from doing, these unbraid 'em done.
1.
Who are the Pillars of Ambitions Court?
2.
Grim Deaths and Scarlet Murthers it support.
What lyes beneath her feet?
2.
Her footsteps tread,
On Orphans tender breasts, and Brothers dead.
1.
Can Heaven permit such Crimes should be
Rewarded with felicity?
2.
Oh no! uneasily their Crowns they wear,
And their own guilt amidst their Guards they fear.
Cares when they wake their minds unquiet keep,
And we in visions lord it o're their sleep.
Cho.
Oh no! uneasily their Crowns, &c.
Alonz.
See where they come in horrid shapes!
Enter the two that sung, in the shape of Devils, placing themselves at two corners of the Stage.
Ant.
Sure Hell is open'd to devour us quick.
1. D.
Say Brother, shall we bear these mortals hence?
2.
First let us shew the shapes of their offence.
1.
We'll muster then their crimes on either side:
Appear! appear! their first begotten, Pride.
[Enter Pride.
Pride.
Lo! I am here, who led their hearts astray,
And to Ambition did their minds betray.
[Enter Fraud.
Fraud.
And guileful Fraud does next appear,
Their wandring steps who led,
When they from virtue fled,
And in my crooked paths their course did steer.
[Enter Rapine.
Rap.
From Fraud to Force they soon arrive,
Where Rapine did their actions drive.
[Enter Murther.
Murd.
There long they cannot stay,
Down the deep precipice they run,
And to secure what they have done,
To murder bend their way.
After which they fall into a round encompassing the Duke, &c. Singing.
Around, around, we pace
About this cursed place,
Whilst thus we compass in
These mortals and their sin.
Dance.
[All the spirits vanish.
Heav'n has heard me! they are vanish'd.
Alonz.
But they have left me all unman'd;
I feel my sinews slacken'd with the fright,
And a cold sweat trills down o're all my limbs,
As if I were dissolving into Water.
O Prospero! my crimes 'gainst thee sit heavy on my heart.
Ant.
And mine, 'gainst him and young Hippolito.
Gonz.
Heav'n have mercy on the penitent!
Alonz.
Lead from this cursed ground;
The Seas, in all their rage, are not so dreadful.
This is the Region of despair and death.
Gonz.
Shall we not seek some food?
Alonz.
Beware all fruit but what the birds have peid,
The shadows of the Trees are poisonous too;
A secret venom slides from every branch.
My conscience doth distract me, O my Son!
Why do I speak of eating or repose,
Before I know thy fortune?
[Exeunt.
Enter Ferdinand, and Ariel, invisible, playing and singing.
Ariel's Song.
Come unto these yellow sands
And then take hands.
Curtsy'd when you have and kiss'd,
The wild waves whist.
Foot it featly here and there, and sweet sprights bear
the Burthen.
[Burthen dispersedly
Hark! hark! Bow-waugh; the watch-dogs bark,
Bow-waugh.
Ariel.
Hark! hark! I hear the strain of strutting Chanticleer
Cry Cock a doodle do.
Ferd.
Where should this Musick be? i'th' Air, orth' Earth?
It sounds no more, and sure it waits upon some God
O'th' Island, sitting on a bank weeping against the Duke
My Father's wrack. This musick hover'd o're me
With charming Airs; thence I have follow'd it (or it
Hath drawn me rather) but 'tis gone;
No, it begins again.
Ariel. Song.
Full Fathoms five thy Father lyes,
Of his bones is Coral made:
Those are Pearls that were his eyes,
Nothing of him that does fade,
But does suffer a Sea-change
Into something rich and strange:
Sea-Nymphs hourly ring his,
Heark now I hear'em, Ding dong Bell.
[Burthen, Ding dong.
Ferd.
The mournful Ditty mentions my drown'd Father,
This is no mortal business, nor a sound which the
Earth owns: I hear it now before me,
However I will on and follow it.
[Ex. Ferd. and Ariel.
Enter Stephano, Mustacho, Ventoso.
Vent.
The Runlet of Brandy was a loving Runlet, and floated
after us out of pure pity.
Must.
This kind Bottle, like an old acquaintance, swam after it.
And this Scollop-shell is all our Plate now.
Vent.
'Tis well we have found something since we landed.
I prethee fill a soop, and let it go round.
Where hast thou laid the Runlet?
Must.
I'th' hollow of an old Tree.
Vent.
Fill apace,
We cannot live long in this barren Island, and we may
Take a soop before death, as well as others drink
At our Funerals.
Must.
This is prize-Brandy, we steal Custom, and it costs nothing.
Let's have two rounds more.
Vent.
Master, what have you sav'd?
Steph.
Just nothing but my self.
Vent.
This works comfortably on a cold stomach.
Fill's another round.
Vent.
Look! Mustacho weeps. Hang losses as long as we have
Brandy left. Prithee leave weeping.
Steph.
He sheds his Brandy out of his eyes: he shall drink
no more.
Must.
This will be a doleful day with old Bess. She gave me
a gilt Nutmeg at parting. That's lost too. But as you say, hang
losses. Prithee fill agen.
Vent.
Beshrew thy heart for putting me in mind of thy Wife,
I had not thought of mine else, Nature will shew it self,
I must melt. I prithee fill agen, my Wife's a good old jade,
And has but one eye left: but she'll weep out that too,
When she hears that I am dead.
Steph.
Would you were both hang'd for putting in thought of
mine. But well, If I return not in seven years to my own Country,
she may marry agen: and 'tis from this Island thither at least
seven years swimming.
Must.
O at least, having no help of Boat nor Bladders.
Steph.
Whoe're she marries, poor soul, she'll weep a nights
when she thinks of Stephano.
Vent.
But Master, sorrow is dry! there's for you agen.
Steph.
A Mariner had e'en as good be as Fish as a Man, but for
the comfort we get ashore: O for any old dry Wench now
I am wet.
Must.
Poor heart! that would soon make you dry agen: but
all is barren in this Isle: here we may lye at Hull till the Wind
blow Nore and by South, e're we can cry a Sail, a Sail at
sight of a white Apron. And therefore here's another soop to
comfort us.
Vent.
This Isle's our own, that's our comfort, for the Duke,
the Prince, and all their train are perished.
Must.
Our Ship is sunk, and we can never get home agen:
we must e'en turn Salvages, and the next that catches his fellow
may eat him.
Vent.
No, no, let us have a Government; for if we live well
and orderly, Heav'n will drive the Shipwracks ashore to make
us all rich, therefore let us carry good Consciences, and not
eat one another.
Whoever eats any of my subjects, I'le break out his
Teeth with my Scepter: for I was Master at Sea, and will be
Duke on Land: you Mustacho have been my Mate, and shall
be my Vice-Roy.
Vent.
When you are Duke you may chuse your Vice-Roy;
but I am a free Subject in a new Plantation, and will have no
Duke without my voice. And so fill me the other soop.
Steph.
whispering.
Ventoso, dost thou hear, I will advance thee,
prithee give me thy voice.
Vent.
I'le have no whisperings to corrupt the Election; and
to show that I have no private ends, I declare aloud that I will
be Vice-Roy, or I'le keep my voice for my self.
Must.
Stephano, hear me, I will speak for the people, because
there are few, or rather none in the Isle to speak for themselves.
Know then, that to prevent the farther shedding of Christian
blood, we are all content Ventoso shall be Vice-Roy, upon condition
I may be Vice-Roy over him. Speak good people, are
you well agreed? what, no man answer? well, you may take
their silence for consent.
Vent.
You speak for the people, Mustacho? I'le speak for 'em,
and declare generally with one voice, one word and all; that
there shall be no Vice-Roy but the Duke, unless I be he.
Must.
You declare for the people, who never saw your face!
Cold Iron shall decide it.
[Both draw.
Steph.
Hold, loving Subjects: we will have no Civil war during
our Reign: I do hereby appoint you both to be my Vice-Roys
over the whole Island.
Both.
Agreed! agreed!
Enter Trincalo with a great bottle, half drunk.
Vent.
How! Trincalo our brave Bosen!
Must.
He reels: can he be drunk with Sea-water?
Trinc.
sings.
Here I shall dye ashore.
But here's my comfort.
[Drinks.
Sings.
The Surgeon, and his Mate,
Lov'd Mall, Meg, and Marrian, and Margery,
But none of us car'd for Kate.
Wou'd cry to a Saylor, go hang:
She lov'd not the savour of Tar nor of Pitch,
Yet a Taylor might scratch her where e're she did itch.
[Drinks.
Steph.
We have got another subject now; welcome,
Welcome into our Dominions!
Trinc.
What Subject, or what Dominions? here's old Sack
Boys: the King of good fellows can be no subject.
I will be Old Simon the King.
Must.
Hah, old Boy! how didst thou scape?
Trinc.
Upon a Butt of Sack, Boys, which the Saylors
Threw overboard: but are you alive, hoa! for I will
Tipple with no Ghosts till I'm dead: thy hand Mustacho,
And thine Ventoso; the storm has done its worst:
Stephano alive too! give thy Bosen thy hand, Master.
Vent.
You must kiss it then, for, I must tell you, we have chosen
him Duke in a full Assembly.
Trinc.
A Duke! where? what's he Duke of?
Must.
Of this Island, man. Oh Trincalo we are all made, the
Island's empty; all's our own, Boy; and we will speak to his
Grace for thee, that thou may'st be as great as we are.
Trinc.
You great? what the Devil are you?
Vent.
We two are Vice-Roys over all the Island; and when
we are weary of Governing thou shalt succeed us.
Trinc.
Do you hear, Ventoso, I will succeed you in both your
places before you enter into 'em.
Steph.
Trincalo, sleep and be sober; and make no more uproars
in my Country.
Trinc.
Why, what are you, Sir, what are you?
Steph.
What I am, I am by free election, and you Trincalo are
not your self; but we pardon your first fault,
Trinc.
Umph, were matters carried so swimmingly against
me, whilst I was swimming, and saving my self for the good of
the people of this Island.
Art thou mad Trincalo, wilt thou disturb a settled Government?
Trinc.
I say this Island shall be under Trincalo, or it shall be
a Common-wealth; and so my Bottle is my Buckler, and so I
draw my Sword.
[Draws.
Vent.
Ah Trincalo, I thought thou hadst had more grace,
Than to rebel against thy old Master,
And thy two lawful Vice-Roys.
Must.
Wilt not thou take advice of two that stand
For old Counsellors here, where thou art a meer stranger
To the Laws of the Country.
Trinc.
I'll have no Laws.
Vent.
Then Civil-War begins.
[Vent. Must. draw.
Steph.
Hold, hold, I'le have no blood shed,
My Subjects are but few: let him make a rebellion
By himself; and a Rebel, I Duke Stephano declare him:
Vice-Roys, come away.
Trinc.
And Duke Trincalo declares, that he will make open
war wherever he meets thee or thy Vice-Roys.
[Ex. Steph. Must. Vent.
Enter Caliban with wood upon his back.
Trinc.
Hah! who have we here?
Calib.
All the infections that the Sun sucks up from Fogs, Fens,
Flats, on Prospero fall; and make him by inch-meal a Disease:
his spirits hear me, and yet I needs must curse, but they'l not
pinch, fright me with Urchin shows, pitch me i'th' mire, nor
lead me in the dark out of my way, unless he bid 'em: but for
every trifle he sets them on me; sometimes like Baboons they
mow and chatter at me, and often bite me; like Hedge-hogs
then they mount their prickles at me, tumbling before me in my
barefoot way. Sometimes I am all wound about with Adders,
who with their cloven tongues hiss me to madness. Hah!
yonder stands one of his spirits sent to torment me.
Trinc.
What have we here, a man, or a fish?
This is some Monster of the Isle, were I in England,
As once I was, and had him painted;
Six-pence for the sight of him; well, if I could make
Him tame, he were a present for an Emperour.
Come hither pretty Monster, I'le do thee no harm.
Come hither!
Calib.
Torment me not;
I'le bring thee Wood home faster.
Trinc.
He talks none of the wisest, but I'le give him
A dram o'th' Bottle, that will clear his understanding.
Come on your ways Master Monster, open your mouth.
How now, you perverse Moon-calf! what,
I think you cannot tell who is your friend!
Open your chops, I say.
[Pours Wine down his throat.
Calib.
This is a brave God, and bears cœlestial Liquor,
I'le kneel to him.
Trinc.
He is a very hopeful Monster; Monster what say'st
thou, art thou content to turn civil and sober, as I am? for then
thou shalt be my subject.
Calib.
I'le swear upon that Bottle to be true; for the liquor
is not Earthly: did'st thou not drop from Heaven?
Trinc.
Only out of the Moon, I was the man in her when time
was. By this light, a very shallow Monster.
Calib.
I'le shew thee every fertile inch i'th' Isle, and kiss
thy foot: I prithee be my God, and let me drink.
[Drinks agen.
Trinc.
Well drawn, Monster, in good faith.
Calib.
I'le shew thee the best Springs, I'le pluck thee Berries,
I'le fish for thee, and get thee wood enough:
A curse upon the Tyrant whom I serve, I'le bear him
No more sticks, but follow thee.
Trinc.
The poor Monster is loving in his drink.
Calib.
I prithee let me bring thee where Crabs grow,
And I with my long Nails, will dig thee Pig-nuts,
Shew thee a Jay's Nest, and instruct thee how to snare
The Marmazet; I'le bring thee to cluster'd Filberds;
Wilt thou go with me?
Trinc.
This Monster comes of a good natur'd race;
Is there no more of thy kin in this Island?
Divine, here is but one besides my self;
My lovely Sister, beautiful and bright as the full Moon.
Trinc.
Where is she?
Calib.
I left her clambring up a hollow Oak,
And plucking thence the dropping Honey-Combs.
Say my King, shall I call her to thee?
Trinc.
She shall swear upon the Bottle too.
If she proves handsom she is mine: here Monster,
Drink agen for thy good news; thou shalt speak
A good word for me.
[Gives him the Bottle.
Calib.
Sings.
Farewel, old Master, farewel, farewel.
No more Dams I'le make for Fish,
Nor fetch in firing at requiring,
Nor scrape Trencher, nor wash Dish,
Ban, Ban, Cackaliban
Has a new Master, get a new man.
Heigh-day, Freedom, freedom!
Trinc.
Here's two subjects got already, the Monster,
And his Sister: well, Duke Stephano, I say, and say agen,
Wars will ensue, and so I drink.
[Drinks.
From this worshipful Monster, and Mistress,
Monster his Sister,
I'le lay claim to this Island by Alliance:
Monster, I say thy Sister shall be my Spouse:
Come away Brother Monster, I'le lead thee to my Butt
And drink her health.
[Exeunt.
Enter Prospero alone.
Prosp.
'Tis not yet fit to let my Daughters know I kept
The infant Duke of Mantua so near them in this Isle,
Whose Father dying bequeath'd him to my care,
Till my false Brother (when he design'd t'usurp
My Dukedom from me) expos'd him to that fate
He meant for me. By calculation of his birth
I saw death threat'ning him, if, till some time were
Past, he should behold the face of any Woman:
And now the danger's nigh: Hippolito!
[Enter Hippolito.
Sir, I attend your pleasure.
Prosp.
How I have lov'd thee from thy infancy,
Heav'n knows, and thou thy self canst bear me witness,
Therefore accuse not me for thy restraint.
Hip.
Since I knew life, you've kept me in a Rock,
And you this day have hurry'd me from thence,
Only to change my Prison, not to free me.
I murmur not, but I may wonder at it.
Prosp.
O gentle Youth, Fate waits for thee abroad,
A black Star threatens thee, and death unseen
Stands ready to devour thee.
Hip.
You taught me not to fear him in any of his shapes:
Let me meet death rather than be a Prisoner.
Prosp.
'Tis pity he should seize thy tender youth.
Hip.
Sir, I have often heard you say, no creature liv'd
Within this Isle, but those which Man was Lord of,
Why then should I fear?
Prosp.
But here are creatures which I nam'd not to thee,
Who share man's soveraignty by Nature's Laws,
And oft depose him from it.
Hip.
What are those Creatures, Sir?
Prosp.
Those dangerous enemies of men call'd women.
Hip.
Women! I never heard of them before.
But have I Enemies within this Isle, and do you
Keep me from them? do you think that I want
Courage to encounter 'em?
Prosp.
No courage can resist 'em.
Hip.
How then have you, Sir,
Liv'd so long unharm'd among them?
Prosp.
O they despise old age, and spare it for that reason:
It is below their conquest, their fury falls
Alone upon the young.
Hip.
Why then the fury of the young should fall on them again.
Pray turn me loose upon 'em: but, good Sir,
What are women like?
Prosp.
Imagine something between young men and Angels:
Fatally beauteous, and have killing Eyes,
Their voices charm beyond the Nightingales,
Are made their slaves for ever.
Hip.
Then I will wink and fight with 'em.
Prosp.
'Tis but in vain, for when your eyes are shut,
They through the lids will shine, and pierce your soul;
Absent, they will be present to you.
They'l haunt you in your very sleep.
Hip.
Then I'le revenge it on 'em when I wake.
Prosp.
You are without all possibility of revenge,
They are so beautiful that you can ne're attempt,
Nor wish to hurt them.
Hip.
Are they so beautiful?
Prosp.
Calm sleep is not so soft, nor Winter Suns,
Nor Summer Shades so pleasant.
Hip.
Can they be fairer than the Plumes of Swans?
Or more delightful than the Peacocks Feathers?
Or than the gloss upon the necks of Doves?
Or have more various beauty than the Rain-bow?
These I have seen, and without danger wondred at.
Prosp.
All these are far below 'em. Nature made
Nothing but Woman dangerous and fair:
Therefore if you should chance to see 'em,
Avoid 'em streight, I charge you.
Hip.
Well, since you say they are so dangerous,
I'le so far shun 'em as I may with safety of the
Unblemish'd honour which you taught me.
But let 'em not provoke me, for I'm sure I shall
Not then forbear them.
Prosp.
Go in and read the Book I gave you last.
Tomorrow I may bring you better news.
Hip.
I shall obey you, Sir.
[Exit Hippolito.
Prosp.
So, so; I hope this lesson has secur'd him,
For I have been constrain'd to change his Lodging
From yonder Rock where first I bred him up,
And here have brought him home to my own Cell,
Because the Shipwrack happen'd near his Mansion.
I hope he will not stir beyond his limits,
For hither he hath been all obedience;
And yet there is one sullen cloud behind,
I would it were disperst.
[Enter Miranda and Dorinda.
How, my daughters! I thought I had instructed
Them enough: Children! retire;
Why do you walk this way?
Mir.
It is within our bounds, Sir.
Prosp.
But both take heed, that path is very dangerous.
Remember what I told you.
Dor.
Is the man that way, Sir?
Prosp.
All that you can imagine is ill there,
The curled Lyon, and the rugged Bear
Are not so dreadful as that man.
Mir.
Oh me, why stay we here then?
Dor.
I'le keep far enough from his Den, I warrant him.
Mir.
But you have told me, Sir, you are a man;
And yet you are not dreadful.
Prosp.
I child! but I am a tame man; old men are tame
By Nature, but all the danger lies in a wild
Young man.
Dor.
Do they run wild about the Woods?
Prosp.
No, they are wild within Doors, in Chambers,
And in Closets.
Dor.
But Father, I would stroak 'em and make 'em gentle,
Then sure they would not hurt me.
Prosp.
You must not trust them, Child: no woman can come
Neer 'em but she feels a painfull nine Months:
Well I must in; for new affairs require my
Presence: be you, Miranda, your Sister's Guardian.
[Exit Prospero.
Dor.
Come, Sister, shall we walk the other way,
The man will catch us else, we have but two legs,
And he perhaps has four.
Mir.
Well, Sister, though he have; yet look about you
And we shall spy him e're he comes too near us.
Dor.
Come back, that way is towards his Den.
Mir.
Let me alone; I'le venture first, for sure he can
Devour but one of us at once.
How dare you venture?
Mir.
We'll find him sitting like a Hare in's Form,
And he shall not see us.
Dor.
I, but you know my Father charg'd us both.
Mir.
But who shall tell him on't? we'll keep each
Others Counsel.
Dor.
I dare not for the world.
Mir.
But how shall we hereafter shun him, if we do not
Know him first?
Dor.
Nay I confess I would fain see him too. I find it in my
Nature, because my Father has forbidden me.
Mir.
I, there's it, Sister, if he had said nothing I had been
quiet. Go softly, and if you see him first, be quick and becken
me away.
Dor.
Well, if he does catch me, I'le humble my self to him,
And ask him pardon, as I do my Father,
When I have done a fault.
Mir.
And if I can but scape with life, I had rather be in pain
nine Months, as my Father threatn'd, than lose my longing.
[Exeunt.
The Scene changes, and discovers Hippolito in a Cave walking, his face from the Audience.
Hip.
Prospero has often said that Nature makes
Nothing in vain: why then are women made?
Are they to suck the poyson of the Earth,
As gaudy colour'd Serpents are? I'le ask that
Question, when next I see him here.
Enter Miranda and Dorinda peeping.
Dor.
O Sister, there it is, it walks about like one of us.
Mir.
I, just so, and has legs as we have too.
Hip.
It strangely puzzles me: yet 'tis most likely
Women are somewhat between men and spirits.
Dor.
Heark! it talks, sure this is not it my Father meant,
For this is just like one of us: methinks I am not half
So much afraid on't as I was; see, now it turns this way.
Mir.
Heaven! what a goodly thing it is?
Dor.
I'le go nearer it.
Mir.
O no, 'tis dangerous, Sister! I'le go to it.
My Father charg'd me to secure you from it.
Dor.
I warrant you this is a tame man, dear Sister,
He'll not hurt me, I see it by his looks.
Mir.
Indeed he will! but go back, and he shall eat me first:
Fye, are you not asham'd to be so much inquisitive?
Dor.
You chide me for't, and wou'd give yourself.
Mir.
Come back, or I will tell my Father.
Observe how he begins to stare already.
I'le meet the danger first, and then call you.
Dor.
Nay, Sister, you shall never vanquish me in kindness.
I'le venture you, no more than you will me.
Prosp.
within.
Miranda, Child, where are you!
Mir.
Do you not hear my Father call? go in.
Dor.
'Twas you he nam'd, not me; I will but say my Prayers,
And follow you immediately.
Mir.
Well, Sister, you'l repent it.
[Exit Miranda.
Dor.
Though I dye for't, I must have th'other peep.
Hip.
seeing her.
What thing is that? sure 'tis some Infant of
the Sun, dress'd in his Fathers gayest Beams, and comes to play
with Birds: my sight is dazl'd, and yet I find I'm loth to
shut my Eyes.
May it not be that beauteous murderer, Woman,
Which I was charg'd to shun? Speak, what art thou?
Thou shining Vision!
Dor.
Alas I know not; but I'm told I am a Woman;
Do not hurt me, pray, fair thing.
Hip.
I'd sooner tear my eyes out, than consent to do you any
harm; though I was told a Woman was my Enemy.
Dor.
I never knew what 'twas to be an Enemy, nor can I
e're prove so to that which looks like you: for though I have
been charg'd by him (whom yet I never disobey'd) to shun your
presence, yet I'd rather dye than lose it; therefore I hope you
will not have the heart to hurt me: though I fear you are a man,
that dangerous thing of which I have been warn'd; pray tell
me what you are?
Hip.
I must confess, I was inform'd I am a man,
I was bid to fear you too.
Dor.
Ay me! Heav'n grant we be not poyson to each other!
Alas, can we not meet but we must die?
Hip.
I hope not so! for when two poysonous Creatures,
Both of the same kind, meet, yet neither dies.
I've seen two Serpents harmless to each other,
Though they have twin'd into a mutual Knot:
If we have any venome in us, sure, we cannot be more
Poysonous, when we meet, than Serpents are.
You have a hand like mine, may I not gently touch it?
[Takes her hand.
Dor.
I've touch'd my Father's and my Sister's hands
And felt no pain; but now, alas! there's something,
When I touch yours, which makes me sigh: just so
I've seen two Turtles mourning when they met;
Yet mine's a pleasing grief; and so methought was theirs;
For still they mourn'd, and still they seem'd to murmur too,
And yet they often met.
Hip.
Oh Heavens! I have the same sense too: your hand
Methinks goes through me; I feel at my heart,
And find it pleases, though it pains me.
Prosp.
within.
Dorinda!
Dor.
My Father calls agen, ah, I must leave you.
Hip.
Alas, I'm subject to the same command.
Dor.
This is my first offence against my Father,
Which he, by severing us, too cruelly does punish.
Hip.
And this is my first trespass too: but he hath more
Offended truth than we have him:
He said our meeting would destructive be,
But I no death but in our parting see.
[Exeunt several ways.
| The Tempest, or The Enchanted Island | |