University of Virginia Library

SCENE IV.

The Cave of Hippolyto.
Enter Hippolyto, reading.
Hip.
Prospero has often said that nature makes
Nothing in vain: why then are women made?
I'll ask that question, when I see him next.

Enter Dorinda and Miranda, from behind.
Dor.
O, sister, there it is:—it walks about
Like one of us.

Mir.
Ay, 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.

Mir.
Hark, hark! it talks. Why, sure this is not it
My father meant:—'tis just like one of us.

Dor.
I am not half so much afraid on't as
I was:—see, see, it turns this way.—
Heav'n! what a pretty thing it is!

Mir.
I'll go nearer it.

Dor.
O no; 'tis dangerous, sister: I'll go to it.

Mir.
I would not for the world that you should venture;
My father charg'd me to secure you from it.

Dor.
I warrant you, this is a tame man, sister:
He will not hurt me; I see it by his looks.

Pro.
[Without.]
What ho! what ho!—Miranda, child, where are you?

Mir.
Do you not hear my father call? go in.

Dor.
'Twas you he call'd, not me.—Make haste, make hase:—
You would not let my father wait, I hope.

Pro.
[Without.]
Miranda, child,—

Mir.
Come, sister, come with me.
[Exit Miranda.

Dor.
Though I die for't, I must have t'other peep.

Hip.
[Turns, and sees her.]
What thing is that?
Sure 'tis some favourite infant of the sun.
My sight is dazzled.—I'll go nearer to it.—
May it not be that beauteous murderer, woman,
Whom I was charg'd to shun? Speak, speak,—what art thou,
Shining vision?

Dor.
Alas, I know not; but, I'm told, I am
A woman.—Do not hurt me, 'pray, fair thing.

Hip.
Won't you hurt me, fair thing? for, I was told,
A woman was my enemy.

Dor.
I never knew
What 'twas to be an enemy; nor can
I e'er prove so to that, which looks like you:
Although I fear you are a man, that lion,
That dangerous thing, of which I have been warn'd.
'Pray, tell me what you are.

Hip.
In truth, I was inform'd I am a man;
But, if I fright you, I shall wish I were
Some other creature.

Dor.
No, you do not fright me.

Pro.
[Without.]
Dorinda!

Dor.
My father calls again. Ah! I must leave you.

Hip.
Alas, I'm subject to the same command.

Dor.
This is my first offence against my father,
Which 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;
Yet I no death but in our parting see.

[Exeunt.