_Hip._ Since I knew life, you've kept me in a rock; And you, this day, have hurried 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 Lived in this isle, but those which man was lord of. Why, then, should I fear? _Prosp._ But here are creatures which I named not to thee, Who share man's sovereignty by nature's laws, And oft depose him from it. _Hip._ What are those creatures, sir? _Prosp._ Those dangerous enemies of men, called women. _Hip._ Women! I never heard of them before.-- What are women like? _Prosp._ Imagine something between young men and angels; Fatally beauteous, and have killing eyes; Their voices charm beyond the nightingale's; They are all enchantment: Those, who once behold them, Are made their slaves for ever. _Hip._ Then I will wink, and fight with them. _Prosp._ 'Tis but in vain; They'll haunt you in your very sleep. _Hip._ Then I'll revenge it on them when I wake. _Prosp._ You are without all possibility of revenge; They are so beautiful, that you can ne'er 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 peacock's feathers? Or than the gloss upon the necks of doves? Or have more various beauty than the rainbow?-- These I have seen, and, without danger, wondered at. _Prosp._ All these are far below them: Nature made Nothing but woman dangerous and fair. Therefore if you should chance to see them, 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 unblemished honour, which you taugt me. But let them not provoke me, for I'm sure I shall not then forbear them. _Prosp._ Go in, and read the book I gave you last. To-morrow I may bring you better news. _Hip._ I shall obey you, sir. [_Exit_ HIP. _Prosp._ So, so; I hope this lesson has secured him, For I have been constrained 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 shipwreck happened near his mansion. I hope he will not stir beyond his limits, For hitherto he hath been all obedience: The planets seem to smile on my designs, And yet there is one sullen cloud behind: I would it were dispersed! _Enter_ MIRANDA _and_ DORINDA.