The Works of Aphra Behn Volume I Part 109

_Lov._ To hear a Rascal hold forth for Bodkins and Thimbles, Contribution, my beloved! to carry on the good Cause, that is, Roguery, Rebellion, and Treason, profaning the sacred Majesty of Heaven, and our glorious Sovereign.

_Free._ But-- were there not pretty Women there?

_Lov._ d.a.m.n 'em for sighing, groaning Hypocrites.

_Free._ But there was one, whom that handsome Face and Shape of yours, gave more occasion for sighing, than any Mortification caus'd by the Cant of the Lay-Elder in the half Hogs-Head: Did'st thou not mind her?

_Lov._ Not I, d.a.m.n it, I was all Rage; and hadst not thou restrain'd me, I had certainly pull'd that Rogue of a Holder forth by the Ears from his sanctify'd Tub. 'Sdeath, he hum'd and haw'd all my Patience away, nosed and snivel'd me to Madness. Heaven! That thou shouldst suffer such Vermin to infect the Earth, such Wolves amongst thy Flocks, such Thieves and Robbers of all Laws of G.o.d and Man, in thy Holy Temples. I rave to think to what thou'rt fall'n, poor _England_!

_Free._ But the she Saint--

_Lov._ No more; were she as fair as Fancy could imagine, to see her there wou'd make me loath the Form; she that can listen to the dull Nonsense, the bantering of such a Rogue, such an illiterate Rascal, must be a Fool, past sense of loving, _Freeman_.

_Free._ Thou art mistaken.-- But, didst thou mind her next the Pulpit?

_Lov._ A Plague upon the whole Congregation: I minded nothing but how to fight the Lord's Battle with that d.a.m.n'd sham Parson, whom I had a mind to beat.

_Free._ My Lady _Desbro_ is not of that Persuasion, but an errant Heroick in her Heart, and feigns it only to have the better occasion to serve the Royal Party. I knew her, and lov'd her before she married.

_Lov._ She may chance then to be sav'd.

_Free._ Come, I'll have thee bear up briskly to some one of 'em, it may redeem thy Sequestration; which, now thou see'st no hopes of compounding, puts thee out of Patience.

_Lov._ Let 'em take it, and the Devil do 'em Good with it; I scorn it should be said I have a Foot of Land in this ungrateful and accursed Island; I'd rather beg where Laws are obey'd, and Justice perform'd, than be powerful where Rogues and base-born Rascals rule the roast.

_Free._ But suppose now, dear _Loveless_, that one of the Wives of these Pageant Lords should fall in love with thee, and get thy Estate again, or pay the double for't?

_Lov._ I wou'd refuse it.

_Free._ And this for a little dissembl'd Love, a little Drudgery--

_Lov._ Not a Night, by Heaven-- not an Hour-- no, not a single Kiss. I'd rather make love to an _Incubus_.

_Free._ But suppose 'twere the new Protectress her self, the fine Lady _Lambert_?

_Lov._ The greatest Devil of all; d.a.m.n her, do'st think I'll cuckold the Ghost of old _Oliver_?

_Free._ The better; There's some Revenge in't; do'st know her?

_Lov._ Never saw her, nor care to do.

_Cor._ Colonel, do you command me any thing?

_Free._ Yes, I'll send thee with a Note-- Let's step into a Shop and write it; _Loveless_, stay a moment, and I'll be with thee.

[Ex. _Free._ and _Corporal_.

Enter L. _Lambert_, L. _Desbro_, _Gilliflower_, _Pages_ with great Bibles, and Footmen. _Loveless_ walks sullenly, not seeing 'em.

[L. _Lambert's_ Train carried.

_L. Lam._ O, I'm impatient to know his Name; ah, _Desbro_, he betray'd all my Devotion; and when I would have pray'd, Heav'n knows it was to him, and for him only.

_L. Des._ What manner of Man was it?

_L. Lam._ I want Words to describe him; not tall, nor short; well made, and such a Face-- Love, Wit and Beauty revel'd in his Eyes; From whence he shot a thousand winged Darts That pierc'd quite through my Soul.

_L. Des._ Seem'd he a Gentleman?

_L. Lam._ A G.o.d! altho his outside were but mean; But he shone thro like Lightning from a Cloud, And shot more piercing Rays.

_L. Des._ Staid he long?

_L. Lam._ No, methought he grew displeas'd with our Devotion, And seem'd to contradict the Parson with his angry Eyes.

A Friend he had too with him, young and handsom, Who seeing some Disorder in his Actions, got him away.

--I had almost forgot all Decency, And started up to call him; but my Quality, And wanting something to excuse that Fondness, Made me decline with very much ado.

_Gill._ Heavens, Madam, I'll warrant they were Heroicks.

_L. Lam._ Heroicks!

_Gill._ Cavaliers, Madam, of the Royal Party.

_L. Des._ They were so, I knew one of 'em.

_L. Lam._ Ah, _Desbro_, do'st thou? Ah, Heav'ns, that they should prove Heroicks!

_L. Des._ You might have known that by the Conquest; I never heard any one o't' other Party ever gain'd a Heart; and indeed, Madam, 'tis a just Revenge, our Husbands make Slaves of them, and they kill all their Wives.

[_Lov._ sees 'em, and starts.

_Lov._ Hah, what have we here?-- Women-- faith, and handsome too-- I never saw a Form more excellent; who e'er they are, they seem of Quality.-- By Heav'n, I cannot take my Eyes from her.

[Pointing to L. _Lamb_.

_L. Lam._ Ha, he's yonder, my Heart begins to fail, My trembling Limbs refusing to support me-- His Eyes seem fix'd on mine too; ah, I faint-- [Leans on _Des_.

_Gill._ My Lady's Coach, _William_-- quickly, she faints.

_Lov._ Madam, can an unfortunate Stranger's aid add any thing to the recovery of so much Beauty?

[Bowing, and holding her.

_L. Lam._ Ah, wou'd he knew how much! [Aside.

_Gill._ Support her, Sir, till her Ladys.h.i.+p's Coach comes-- I beseech ye.

_Lov._ Not _Atlas_ bore up Heaven with greater Pride.

_L. Lam._ --I beg your Pardon, Sir, for this Disorder, That has occasion'd you so great a Trouble-- You seem a Gentleman-- and consequently May need some Service done you; name the way, I shall be glad to let you see my Grat.i.tude.

_Lov._ If there be ought in me, that merits this amazing Favour from you, I owe my Thanks to Nature that endow'd me with something in my Face that spoke my Heart.