The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Ii Part 71

Thy false deluding Eyes were surely made Of Stars that rule our s.e.x's Destiny: And all thy Charms were by Inchantment wrought, That first undo the heedless Gazers on, Then shew their natural Deformity.

_Wild_. Ah, my _Galliard_, am I grown ugly then?

Has my increase of Pa.s.sion lessen'd yours?

[_In a soft Tone_.

L. _Gal_. Peace, Tempter, Peace, who artfully betrayest me, And then upbraidest the Wretchedness thou'st made.

--Ah, Fool, eternal Fool! to know my Danger, Yet venture on so evident a Ruin.

_Wild_. Say,--what one Grace is faded?

Is not thy Face as fair, thy Eyes as killing?

By Heaven, much more! This charming change of Looks Raises my Flame, and makes me wish t'invoke The harmless G.o.d again.

[Embraces her.

L. _Gal_. By Heaven, not all thy Art Shall draw me to the tempting Sin again.

_Wild_. Oh, I must, or die.

L. _Gal_. By all the Powers, by--

_Wild_. Oh, do not swear, lest Love shou'd take it ill That Honour shou'd pretend to give him Laws, And make an Oath more powerful than his G.o.dhead.

--Say that you will half a long Hour hence--

L. _Gal_. Hah!

_Wild_. Or say a tedious Hour.

L. _Gal_. Death, never--

_Wild_. Or if you--promise me then to morrow.

L. _Gal_. No, hear my Vows.

_Wild_. Hold, see me die; if you resolve 'em fatal to my Love, by Heaven I'll do't.

[_Lays his Hand on his Sword_.

L. _Gal_. Ah, what--

_Wild_. Revoke that fatal Never then.

L. _Gal_. I dare not.

_Wild_. Oh, say you will.

L. _Gal_. Alas, I dare not utter it.

_Wild_. Let's in, and thou shalt whisper it into my Bosom; Or sighing, look it to me with thy Eyes.

L. _Gal_. Ah, _Wilding_-- [_Sighs_.

_Wild_. It toucht my Soul! Repeat that Sigh again.

L. _Gal_. Ah, I confess I am but feeble Woman.

[_Leans on him_.

Sir _Char_. Good Mistress Keep-door, stand by: for I must enter.

[_Sir_ Char. _without_.

L. _Gal_. Hah, young Meriwill's Voice!

_Clos_. Pray, Sir _Charles_, let me go and give my Lady notice.

[_She enters and goes to_ Wild.

--For Heaven's sake, Sir, withdraw, or my Lady's Honour's lost.

_Wild_. What will you have me do? [_To_ Galliard.

L. _Gal_. Be gone, or you will ruin me for ever.

[_In disorder_.

_Wild_. Nay, then I will obey.

L. _Gal_. Here, down the back-stairs-- As you have Honour, go and cherish mine.

[_Pulling him. He goes out_.

--He's gone, and now nethinks the s.h.i.+vering Fit of Honour is return'd.

_Enter Sir_ Charles, _rudely pus.h.i.+ng_ Closet _aside with Sir_ Anthony.

_Sir. Char_. Deny'd an entrance! nay, then there is a Rival in the Case, or so; and I'm resolv'd to discover the h.e.l.lish Plot, d'ye see.

[_Just as he enters drunk at one Door_, Wild. _returns at the other_.

L. _Gal_. Ha, _Wilding_ return'd! s.h.i.+eld me, ye Shades of Night.

[_Puts out the Candles, and goes to_ Wild.

_Wild_. The Back-Stairs Door is lockt.

L. _Gal_. Oh, I am lost! curse on this fatal Night!

Art thou resolv'd on my undoing every way.

_Clos_. Nay, now we're by dark, let me alone to guide you. Sir.

[_To_ Wild.

Sir _Char_. What, what, all in darkness? Do you make Love like Cats, by Star-light? [_Reeling about_.

L. _Gal_. Ah, he knows he's here!--Oh, what a pain is Guilt!

[_Aside_.

_Wild_. I wou'd not be surpriz'd.

[_As_ Closet _takes him to lead him out, he takes out his Sword, and by dark pushes by Sir_ Charles, _and almost overthrows Sir_ Anth. _at which they both draw, whilst he goes out with_ Closet.