The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Ii Part 110

[_Sir Sig. peeps from behind_.

Sir _Sig_. Some Comfort yet, that I am not the only Fool defeated. Ha!

_Galllard_!

_Oct_. I'm satisfy'd (_To_ Fil.)--but what cou'd move you, Sir--[_to_ Gal.] to injure me, one of my Birth and Quality?

_Gal_. Faith, Sir, I never stand upon Ceremony when there's a Woman in the case,--nor knew I 'twas your Sister: Or if I had, I shou'd ha' lik'd her ne'er the worse for that, had she been kind.

_Jul_. It is my Business to account with him, And I am satisfy'd he has not injur'd me, he is my Friend.

_Gal_. That's frankly said; and uncompell'd, I swear she's innocent.

_Oct_. If you're convinc'd, I too am satisfy'd, And give her to you whilst that Faith continues.

[_Gives him her_.

_Lau_. And must I, must I force my Heart to yield? And yet his generous Confidence obliges me. [_Aside_.

_Oct_. And here I vow by all the sacred Powers, [_kneels_]

That punish Perjury, never to set my Heart On faithless Woman;--never to love nor marry; [_Rises_]

Travel shall be my business--thou my Heir.

[_To Julio_.

Sir _Sig_. So, poor soul, I'll warrant he has been defeated too.

_Mar_. _Marcella_, Sir, will take ye at your Word.

_Fil_. _Marcella_!

_Mar_. Who owns with Blushes Truths shou'd be conceal'd, but to prevent more Mischief,--That I was yours, Sir, was against my Will, [_to_ Oct.]

my Soul was _Fillamour's_ e'er you claim'd a right in me; though I never saw or held discourse with him, but at an awful distance,--nor knew he of my Flight.

_Oct_. I do believe, and give thee back my Claim, I scorn the brutal part of Love; the n.o.blest Body, where the Heart is wanting.

[_They all talk aside_, Cornelia _comes up to Galliard_.

_Cor_. Why, how now, Cavalier, how like a discarded Favourite do you look now, who whilst your Authority lasted, laid about ye, domineer'd, huft and bl.u.s.ter'd, as if there had been no end on't: now a Man may approach ye without terror--You see the Meat's s.n.a.t.c.ht out of your Mouth, Sir, the Lady's dispos'd on; whose Friends and Relations you were so well acquainted with.

_Gal_. Peace, Boy, I shall be angry else.--

_Cor_. Have you never a cast Mistress, that will take compa.s.sion on you: Faith, what think ye of the little Curtezan now?

_Gal_. As ill as e'er I did; what's that to thee?

_Cor_. Much more than you're aware on, Sir--and faith, to tell you Truth, I'm no Servant to Count _Julio_, but e'en a little mischievous Instrument she sent hither to prevent your making love to _Donna Laura_.

_Gal_. 'Tis she herself.--how cou'd that Beauty hide itself so long from being known? [_Aside_.]--Malicious little Dog in a Manger, that wou'd neither eat, nor suffer the Hungry to feed themselves, what spiteful Devil cou'd move thee to treat a Lover thus? but I am pretty well reveng'd on ye.

_Cor_. On me!

_Gal_. You think I did not know those pretty Eyes, that lovely Mouth I have so often kist in cold imagination.

_Cor_. Softly, Tormentor.

[_They talk aside_.

_Mar_. In this disguise we parted from _Viterbo_, attended only by _Petro_ and _Philippa_: At Rome we took the t.i.tle and Habit of two _Curtezans_; both to shelter us from knowledge, and to oblige _Fillamour_ to visit us, which we believ'd he would in curiosity; and yesterday it so fell out as we desired.

_Fil_. Howe'er my Eyes might be imposed upon, you see my Heart was firm to its first Object; can you forget and pardon the mistake?

_Jul_. She shall, and with _Octavio's_ and my Uncle's leave,--thus make your t.i.tle good.-- [_Gives her to_ Fil.

_Oct_. 'Tis vain to strive with Destiny. [_Gives her_.

_Mor_. With all my heart,--but where's _Cornelia_ all this while?

_Gal_. Here's the fair Stragler, Sir.

[_Leads her to Mor. he holds his Cane up at her_.

_Mor_. Why, thou Baggage, thou wicked Contriver of Mischief, what excuse had'st thou for running away? Thou had'st no Lover.

_Cor_. 'Twas therefore, Sir, I went to find one; and if I am not mistaken in the mark, 'tis this Cavalier I pitch upon for that use and purpose.

_Gal_. Gad, I thank ye for that,--I hope you'll ask my leave first, I'm finely drawn in, i'faith--Have I been dreaming all this night of the possession of a new-gotten Mistress, to wake and find my self noos'd to a dull Wife in the morning?

_Fil_. Thou talk'st like a Man that never knew the Pleasures thou despisest; faith, try it, _Frank_, and thou wilt hate thy past loose way of living.

_Cor_. And to encourage a young Setter up, I do here promise to be the most Mistress-like Wife,--You know, Signior, I have learnt the trade, though I had not stock to practise; and will be as expensive, insolent, vain, extravagant and inconstant, as if you only had the keeping part, and another the amorous a.s.signations. What think ye, Sir?

_Fil_. Faith, she pleads well, and ought to carry the Cause.

_Gal_. She speaks Reason, and I'm resolv'd to trust good Nature:--Give me thy dear hand.--

[_They all join to give it him, he kisses it_.

_Mor_. And now ye are both sped, pray give me leave to ask ye a civil question; are you sure you have been honest? if you have, I know not by what miracle you have liv'd.

_Pet_. Oh, Sir, as for that, I had a small stock of Cash in the hands of a couple of _English_ Bankers, one Sir _Signal Buffoon_--

Sir _Sig_. Sir _Signal Buffoon_, what a pox, does he mean me trow?

[_Peeping_.

_Pet_.--And one Mr. _Tickletext_.

_Tick_. How was that? _certo_, my Name!

[_Peeps out, and both see each other; their faces being close together, one at one side the Curtain, and t'other at t'other_.

_Gal_. and _Fil_. Ha, ha, ha.

Sir _Sig_. And have I caught you, i'faith, Mr. Governour? Nay, ne'er put in your head for the matter, here's none but Friends, mun.