The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Ii Part 69

_Wild_. Have Patience I say, 'tis clear: All the Desires of mutual Love are virtuous.

Can Heav'n or Man be angry that you please Your self, and me, when it does wrong to none?

Why rave you then on things that ne'er can be?

Besides, are we not alone, and private? who can know it?

L. _Gal_. Heaven will know't; and I--that, that's enough: But when you are weary of me, first your Friend, Then his, then all the World.

_Wild_. Think not that time will ever come.

L. _Gal_. Oh, it must, it will.

_Wild_. Or if it should, could I be such a Villain-- Ah cruel! if you love me as you say, You wou'd not thus distrust me.

L. _Gal_. You do me wrong, I love you more than e'er my Tongue, Or all the Actions of my Life can tell you--so well-- Your very Faults, how gross soe'er to me, Have something pleasing in 'em. To me you're all That Man can praise, or Woman can desire; All Charm without, and all Desert within.

But yet my Virtue is more lovely still; That is a Price too high to pay for you; The Love of Angels may be bought too dear, If we bestow on them what's kept for Heaven.

_Wild_. h.e.l.l and the Devil! I'll hear no more Of this religious Stuff, this G.o.dly Nonsense.

Death, Madam, do you bring me into your Chamber to preach Virtue to me?

L. _Gal_. I bring you hither! how can you say it?

I suffer'd you indeed to come, but not For the base end you fancy'd, but to take A last Leave of you. Let my Heart break with Love, I cannot be that wretched thing you'd have me; Believe I still shall have a Kindness for you, Always your Friend, your Mistress now no more.

_Wild_. Cozen'd, abus'd, she loves some other Man!

Dull Blockhead, not to find it out before! [_Aside_.

--Well, Madam, may I at last believe This is your fix'd and final Resolution?

And does your Tongue now truly speak your Heart, That has so long bely'd it?

L. _Gal_. It does.

_Wild_. I'm glad on't. Good Night; and when I visit you again, May you again thus fool me.

[_Offers to go_.

L. _Gal_. Stay but a Moment.

_Wild_. For what? to praise your Night-dress, or make Court to your little Dog? No, no, Madam, send for Mr.

Flamfull, and Mr. Flutterbuz, Mr. Lap-fool and Mr.

Loveall; they'll do it better, and are more at leisure.

L. _Gal_. Hear me a little: You know I both despise, and hate those civil c.o.xcombs, as much as I esteem and love you. But why will you be gone so soon? and why are ye so cruel to urge me thus to part either with your good Opinion or your Kindness? I wou'd fain keep 'em both.

[_In a soft Tone_.

_Wild_. Then keep your Word, Madam.

L. _Gal_. My Word! and have I promis'd then to be A Wh.o.r.e? A Wh.o.r.e! Oh, let me think of that!

A Man's Convenience, his leisure Hours, his Bed of Ease, To loll and tumble on at idle times; The Slave, the Hackney of his lawless l.u.s.t!

A loath'd Extinguisher of filthy Flames, Made use of, and thrown by--Oh, infamous!

_Wild_. Come, come, you love me not, I see it plain; That makes your Scruples; that, that's the Reason You start at Words, and turn away from Shadows.

Already some pert Fop, some Ribbon Fool, Some dancing c.o.xcomb, has supplanted me In that unsteady treacherous Woman's Heart of yours.

L. _Gal_. Believe it if you will. Yes, let me be false, unjust, ungrateful, any thing but a--Wh.o.r.e--

_Wild_. Oh, s.e.x on purpose form'd to plague Mankind!

All that you are, and all you do's a Lye.

False are your Faces, false your floating Hearts; False are your Quarrels, false your Reconcilements: Enemies without Reason, and dear without Kindness; Your Friends.h.i.+p's false, but much more false your Love; Your d.a.m.n'd deceitful Love is all o'er false.

L. _Gal_. False rather are the Joys you are so fond of.

Be wise, and cease, Sir, to pursue 'em farther.

_Wild_. No, them I can never quit, but you most easily: A Woman changeable and false as you.

L. _Gal_. Said you most easily? Oh, inhuman!

Your cruel Words have wak'd a dismal Thought; I feel 'em cold and heavy at my Heart, And Weakness steals upon my Soul apace; I find I must be miserable-- I wou'd not be thought false.

[_In a soft Tone, coming near him_.

_Wild_. Nor wou'd I think you so; give me not Cause.

L. _Gal_. What Heart can bear distrust from what it loves?

Or who can always her own Wish deny? [_Aside_.

My Reason's weary of the unequal Strife; And Love and Nature will at last o'ercome.

--Do you not then believe I love you?

[_To him in a soft Tone_.

_Wild_. How can I, while you still remain unkind?

L. _Gal_. How shall I speak my guilty Thoughts?

I have not Power to part with you; conceal my Shame, I doubt I cannot, I fear I wou'd not any more deny you.

_Wild_. Oh heavenly Sound! Oh charming Creature!

Speak that word again, agen, agen! for ever let me hear it.

L. _Gal_. But did you not indeed? and will you never, never love Mrs. _Charlot_, never?

_Wild_. Never, never.

_L, Gal_. Turn your Face away, and give me leave To hide my rising Blushes: I cannot look on you.

[_As this last Speech is speaking, she sinks into his Arms by degrees_.

But you must undo me if you will-- Since I no other way my Truth can prove, --You shall see I love.

Pity my Weakness, and admire my Love.

_Wild_. All Heaven is mine, I have it in my Arms, Nor can ill Fortune reach me any more.

Fate, I defy thee, and dull World, adieu.

In Love's kind Fever let me ever lie, Drunk with Desire, and raving mad with Joy.

[_Exeunt into the Bed-chamber_, Wild. _leading her with his Arms about her_.

SCENE II. _Changes_.