_Prosp._ Your suit has pity in't, and has prevailed. Within this cave he lies, and you may see him: But yet take heed; let prudence be your guide: You must not stay, your visit must be short.-- [_She's going._ One thing I had forgot; insinuate into his mind A kindness to that youth, whom first you saw; I would have friendship grow betwixt them. _Mir._ You shall be obeyed in all things. _Prosp._ Be earnest to unite their very souls. _Mir._ I shall endeavour it. _Prosp._ This may secure Hippolito from that dark danger, which My art forebodes; for friendship does provide A double strength to oppose the assaults of fortune. [_Exit_ PROSP. _Enter_ FERDINAND. _Ferd._ To be a prisoner where I dearly love, Is but a double tie, a link of fortune Joined to the chain of love; but not to see her, And yet to be so near her, there's the hardship!-- I feel myself as on a rack, stretched out And nigh the ground, on which I might have ease, Yet, cannot reach it. _Mir._ Sir!--my lord!--where are you? _Ferd._ Is it your voice, my love? or do I dream? _Mir._ Speak softly, it is I. _Ferd._ O heavenly creature! Ten times more gentle than your fathers cruel!-- How, on a sudden, all my griefs are vanished! _Mir._ How do you bear your prison? _Ferd._ 'Tis my palace, While you are here, and love and silence wait Upon our wishes; do but think we chuse it, And 'tis what we would chuse. _Mir._ I'm sure what I would. But how can I be certain that you love me? Look to't; for I will die when you are false. I've heard my father tell of maids, who died, And haunted their false lovers with their ghosts. _Ferd._ Your ghost must take another form to fright me, This shape will be too pleasing.--Do I love you? O, heaven! O, earth! bear witness to this sound, If I prove false!-- _Mir._ O, hold! you shall not swear, For heaven will hate you if you prove forsworn. _Ferd._ Did I not love, I could no more endure This undeserved captivity, than I Could wish to gain my freedom, with the loss Of you. _Mir._ I am a fool, to weep at what I'm glad of: But I have a suit to you, And that, sir, shall Be now the only trial of your love. _Ferd._ You've said enough, never to be denied, Were it my life; for you have far o'er-bid The price of all that human life is worth. _Mir._ Sir, 'tis to love one for my sake, who, for His own, deserves all the respect which you Can ever pay him. _Ferd._ You mean your father: Do not think his usage Can make me hate him; when he gave you being, He then did that, which cancelled all these wrongs. _Mir._ I meant not him; for that was a request, Which, if you love, I should not need to urge. _Ferd._ Is there another whom I ought to love; And love him for your sake?