_Mir._ Yes, such a one, Who, for his sweetness and his goodly shape, (If I, who am unskilled in forms, may judge) I think can scarce be equalled: 'Tis a youth, A stranger, too, as you are. _Ferd._ Of such a graceful feature! and must I, For your sake, love him? _Mir._ Yes, sir: Do you scruple To grant the first request I ever made? He's wholly unacquainted with the world, And wants your conversation. You should have Compassion on so mere a stranger. _Ferd._ Those need compassion whom you discommend, Not whom you praise. _Mir._ Come, you must love him for my sake:-- You shall! _Ferd._ Must I for yours, and cannot for my own? Either you do not love, or think that I don't: But, when you bid me love him, I must hate him. _Mir._ Have I so far offended you already, That he offends you only for my sake?-- Yet sure you would not hate him, if you saw Him as I've done, so full of youth and beauty. _Ferd._ O, poison to my hopes!-- When he did visit me, and I did mention This beauteous creature to him, he then did tell Me, he would have her. [_Aside._ _Mir._ Alas! what mean you? _Ferd._ It is too plain: Like most of her frail sex, She's false, but has not learned the art to hide it. Nature has done her part, she loves variety:-- Why did I think that any woman could Be innocent, because she's young? No, no! Their nurses teach them change, when, with two nipples, They do divide their liking. [_Aside._ _Mir._ I fear I have offended you, and yet I meant no harm: But, if you please to hear me,-- [_A noise within._ Hark, sir! now I am sure my father comes, I know his steps: Dear love! retire a while; I fear I've staid too long. _Ferd._ Too long indeed, and yet not long enough: Oh, jealousy! Oh, love! how you distract me! [_Exit_ FERD. _Mir._ He appears displeased with that young man, I know Not why: But, 'till I find from whence his hate proceeds, I must conceal it from my father's knowledge; For he will think that guiltless I have caused it, And suffer me no more to see my love. _Enter_ PROSPERO. _Prosp._ Now I have been indulgent to your wish; You have seen the prisoner? _Mir._ Yes. _Prosp._ And he spoke to you? _Mir._ He spoke; but he received short answers from me. _Prosp._ How like you his converse? _Mir._ At second sight, A man does not appear so rare a creature. _Prosp._ I find she loves him much, because she hides it. Love teaches cunning even to innocence.-- [_Aside._ Well, go in.