The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 03Dryden, John
General
The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 03
Dryden, John
English drama -- 17th century
_Ferd._ That's a strange question. There are many more,
Besides that beauty which you love.
_Hip._ I will have all
Of that kind, if there be a hundred of them.
_Ferd._ But, noble youth, you know not what you say.
_Hip._ Sir, they are things I love, I cannot be
Without them!--O, how I rejoice!--More women!
_Ferd._ Sir, if you love, you must be tied to one.
_Hip._ Tied! How tied to her?
_Ferd._ To love none but her.
_Hip._ But, sir, I find it is against my nature.
I must love where I like; and, I believe, I may like all,--
All that are fair. Come, bring me to this woman,
For I must have her.
_Ferd._ His simplicity
Is such, that I can scarce be angry with him.--
[_Aside._
Perhaps, sweet youth, when you behold her, you
Will find you do not love her.
_Hip._ I find already
I love, because she is another woman.
_Ferd._ You cannot love two women both at once.
_Hip._ Sure 'tis my duty to love all who do
Resemble her, whom I've already seen.
I'll have as many as I can, that are
So good, and angel-like, as she I love;
And will have yours.
_Ferd._ Pretty youth, you cannot.
_Hip._ I can do any thing for that I love.
_Ferd._ I may, perhaps, by force, restrain you from it.
_Hip._ Why, do so, if you can. But either promise me
To love no woman, or you must try your force.
_Ferd._ I cannot help it, I must love.
_Hip._ Well, you may love;
For Prospero taught me friendship too. You shall
Love me, and other men, if you can find them;
But all the angel women shall be mine.
_Ferd._ I must break off this conference, or he
Will urge me else beyond what I can bear.--
[_Aside._
Sweet youth, some other time we will speak
Farther concerning both our loves; at present
I am indisposed with weariness and grief,
And would, if you're so pleased, retire a while.
_Hip._ Some other time be it; but, sir, remember,
That I both seek and much entreat your friendship;
For, next to women, I find I can love you.
_Ferd._ I thank you, sir, I will consider of it.
[_Exit_ FERD.
_Hip._ This stranger does insult, and comes into
My world, to take those heavenly beauties from me,
Which, I believe, I am inspired to love.--
And yet he said, he did desire but one:
He would be poor in love, but I'll be rich.--
I now perceive that Prospero was cunning;
For when he frightened me from womankind,
Those precious things he for himself designed.
[_Exit._
[Footnote F: This personage, who has bequeathed his name to a well-known
tune, is believed to have been Simon Wadloe, or Wadlow, master of the
Devil Tavern, when frequented by Ben Jonson.]
ACT IV. SCENE I.
_Cypress trees and a Cave._
_Enter_ PROSPERO _and_ MIRANDA.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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