University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

The Cave of Hippolyto.
Enter Prospero.
Pro.
'Tis not yet fit, I let my daughters know
That I have rear'd the princely heir of Mantua,
As I have them, from childhood in this isle.
His father, dying, bequeath'd him to my care,
That I should breed him equal to his birth.
O, thou false brother! was it not enough
To usurp my state, but that thou must betray
My pupil's dukedom to the Neapolitan,
And doom him to the fate design'd for me!—
By calculation of his birth, I saw
Death threatening him, if, till some time were pass'd,
He should behold the face of any woman;
And now the danger's nigh.—Hippolyto!—
Approach, young man; come forth:—Hippolyto!—

Enter Hippolyto.
Hip.
Sir, I attend your pleasure.

Pro.
How I have lov'd thee from thy infancy,
Heaven knows, and thou thyself canst bear me witness;
Therefore accuse me not for thy restraint.

Hip.
I murmur not; but I may wonder at it.

Pro.
O, gentle youth, fate waits for thee abroad,
A black star threatens thee, and death unseen
Stands ready to devour thee.

Hip.
Sir, I have often heard you say, no creature
Liv'd in this isle, but those which man was lord of:—
Why then should I fear?

Pro.
But here are creatures which I nam'd not to thee;
Those dangerous enemies of men, call'd women.

Hip.
Women!—I never heard of them before.
What are women like?

Pro.
Imagine something 'tween young men and angels,
Fatally beauteous, and with killing eyes:
Their voices charm beyond the nightingale's;
They are all enchantment; those, who once behold them,
Are made their slaves for ever:—
Therefore, if you should chance to see them,—mark me,—
Avoid them straight, I charge you.

Hip.
Well, since you say they are so dangerous,
I'll so far shun them, as I may with safety
Of the unblemish'd honour which you taught me:
But let them not provoke me; for, I'm sure,
I shall not then forbear them.

Pro.
Go in, and read the book I gave you last.

Hip.
I shall obey you, sir.

[Exeunt.