Act 4 — SCENE II.
Reading edition
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.