The Works of Aphra Behn Volume I Part 25

--Prithee what didst do with Callis?

_Val._ When I saw no Reason wou'd do good on her, I follow'd her into the Wardrobe, and as she was looking for something in a great Chest, I tumbled her in by the Heels, s.n.a.t.c.ht the Key of the Apartment where you were confin'd, lockt her in, and left her bauling for help.

_Flor._ 'Tis well you resolve to follow my Fortunes, for thou darest never appear at home again after such an Action.

_Val._ That's according as the young Stranger and I shall agree-- But to our business-- I deliver'd your Letter, your Note to _Belvile_, when I got out under pretence of going to Ma.s.s, I found him at his Lodging, and believe me it came seasonably; for never was Man in so desperate a Condition. I told him of your Resolution of making your escape to day, if your Brother would be absent long enough to permit you; if not, die rather than be _Antonio's_.

_Flor._ Thou shou'dst have told him I was confin'd to my Chamber upon my Brother's suspicion, that the Business on the _Molo_ was a Plot laid between him and I.

_Val._ I said all this, and told him your Brother was now gone to his Devotion, and he resolves to visit every Church till he find him; and not only undeceive him in that, but caress him so as shall delay his return home.

_Flor._ Oh Heavens! he's here, and _Belvile_ with him too.

[They put on their Vizards.

Enter Don _Pedro_, _Belvile_, _Willmore_; _Belvile_ and Don _Pedro_ seeming in serious Discourse.

_Val._ Walk boldly by them, I'll come at a distance, lest he suspect us.

[She walks by them, and looks back on them.

_Will._ Ha! A Woman! and of an excellent Mien!

_Ped._ She throws a kind look back on you.

_Will._ Death, tis a likely Wench, and that kind look shall not be cast away-- I'll follow her.

_Belv._ Prithee do not.

_Will._ Do not! By Heavens to the Antipodes, with such an Invitation.

[She goes out, and _Will._ follows her.

_Belv._ 'Tis a mad Fellow for a Wench.

Enter _Fred._

_Fred._ Oh Colonel, such News.

_Belv._ Prithee what?

_Fred._ News that will make you laugh in spite of Fortune.

_Belv._ What, _Blunt_ has had some d.a.m.n'd Trick put upon him, cheated, bang'd, or clapt?

_Fred._ Cheated, Sir, rarely cheated of all but his s.h.i.+rt and Drawers; the unconscionable Wh.o.r.e too turn'd him out before Consummation, so that traversing the Streets at Midnight, the Watch found him in this _Fresco_, and conducted him home: By Heaven 'tis such a slight, and yet I durst as well have been hang'd as laugh at him, or pity him; he beats all that do but ask him a Question, and is in such an Humour--

_Ped._ Who is't has met with this ill usage, Sir?

_Belv._ A Friend of ours, whom you must see for Mirth's sake. I'll imploy him to give _Florinda_ time for an escape.

[Aside.

_Ped._ Who is he?

_Belv._ A young Countryman of ours, one that has been educated at so plentiful a rate, he yet ne'er knew the want of Money, and 'twill be a great Jest to see how simply he'll look without it. For my part I'll lend him none, and the Rogue knows not how to put on a borrowing Face, and ask first. I'll let him see how good 'tis to play our parts whilst I play his-- Prithee, _Fred._ do go home and keep him in that posture till we come.

[Exeunt.

Enter _Florinda_ from the farther end of the Scene, looking behind her.

_Flor._ I am follow'd still-- hah-- my Brother too advancing this way, good Heavens defend me from being seen by him.

[She goes off.

Enter _Willmore_, and after him _Valeria_, at a little distance.

_Will._ Ah! There she sails, she looks back as she were willing to be boarded, I'll warrant her Prize.

[He goes out, _Valeria_ following.

Enter _h.e.l.lena_, just as he goes out, with a Page.

_h.e.l.l._ Hah, is not that my Captain that has a Woman in chase?-- 'tis not _Angelica._ Boy, follow those People at a distance, and bring me an Account where they go in.-- I'll find his Haunts, and plague him every where.-- ha-- my Brother!

[Exit Page.

[_Bel._ _Wil._ _Ped._ cross the Stage: _h.e.l.l._ runs off.

_Scene changes to another Street. Enter _Florinda_._

_Flor._ What shall I do, my Brother now pursues me.

Will no kind Power protect me from his Tyranny?

--Hah, here's a Door open, I'll venture in, since nothing can be worse than to fall into his Hands, my Life and Honour are at stake, and my Necessity has no choice.

[She goes in.

Enter _Valeria_, and _h.e.l.lena's_ Page peeping after _Florinda_.

_Pag._ Here she went in, I shall remember this House. [Exit Boy.

_Val._ This is _Belvile's_ Lodgings; she's gone in as readily as if she knew it-- hah-- here's that mad Fellow again, I dare not venture in-- I'll watch my Opportunity.

[Goes aside.

Enter _Willmore_, gazing about him.

_Will._ I have lost her hereabouts-- Pox on't she must not scape me so.

[Goes out.

_Scene changes to _Blunt's_ Chamber, discovers him sitting on a Couch in his s.h.i.+rt and Drawers, reading._

_Blunt._ So, now my Mind's a little at Peace, since I have resolv'd Revenge-- A Pox on this Taylor tho, for not bringing home the Clothes I bespoke; and a Pox of all poor Cavaliers, a Man can never keep a spare Suit for 'em; and I shall have these Rogues come in and find me naked; and then I'm undone; but I'm resolv'd to arm my self-- the Rascals shall not insult over me too much. [Puts on an old rusty Sword and Buff-Belt.]

--Now, how like a Morrice-Dancer I am equipt-- a fine Lady-like Wh.o.r.e to cheat me thus, without affording me a Kindness for my Money, a Pox light on her, I shall never be reconciled to the s.e.x more, she has made me as faithless as a Physician, as uncharitable as a Churchman, and as ill-natur'd as a Poet. O how I'll use all Women-kind hereafter! what wou'd I give to have one of 'em within my reach now! any Mortal thing in Petticoats, kind Fortune, send me; and I'll forgive thy last Night's Malice-- Here's a cursed Book too, (a Warning to all young Travellers) that can instruct me how to prevent such Mischiefs now 'tis too late.

Well 'tis a rare convenient thing to read a little now and then, as well as hawk and hunt.

[Sits down again and reads.

Enter to him _Florinda_.