The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Iii Part 35

_Jul_. All that the kindest Mistress can bestow, If _Carlos_ loves, and still will keep his Vows.

_Car_. _Julia_, my Life, my Soul, what happy Stars Conspir'd to give me this dear lucky minute?

_Jul_. Those that conducted old _Francisco_ out, And will too soon return him back again; I dare not stay to hear thy love or chiding, Both which have power to charm, since both proceed From a kind heart, that's mine.

_Car_. Oh, take not this dear Body from my Arms, For if you do, my Soul will follow it.

_Jul_. What would'st thou have me do?

_Car_. Be wondrous kind, be lavish of thy Heart, Be generous in thy Love, and give me all.

_Jul_. Oh Heavens! what mean you? I shall die with fear.

_Car_. Fear! let coward Lovers fear, who love by halves, We that intirely love are bold in Pa.s.sion, Like Soldiers fir'd with glory dread no Danger.

_Jul_. But should we be unthrifty in our Loves, And for one Moment's joy give all away, And be hereafter d.a.m.n'd to pine at distance?

_Car_. Mistaken Miser, Love like Money put Into good hands increases every day, Still as you trust me, still the Sum amounts: Put me not off with promise of to morrow, To morrow will take care for new delights, Why shou'd that rob us of a present one?

_Jul_. Ah, _Carlos_! How fondly do I listen to thy words, And fain would chide, and fain wou'd boast my Virtue, But mightier Love laughs at those poor delays; And I should doubtless give you all your _Julia_, Did not my fear prevent my kinder business; --And should _Francisco_ come and find me absent, Or take thee with me, we were lost, my _Carlos_.

_Car_. When then, my _Julia_, shall we meet again?

_Jul_. You _Spaniards_ are a jealous Nation, But in this _English Spaniard_ Old _Francisco_, That mad Pa.s.sion's doubled; wholly deprives him of his Sense, and turns his Nature Brute; wou'd he but trust me only with my Woman, I wou'd contrive some way to see my _Carlos_.

_Car_. 'Tis certain, _Julia_, that thou must be mine.

_Jul_. Or I must die, my _Carlos_.

[Ant. _listning advances_.

_Ant_.--I'm sure 'tis _Carlos's_ voice, and with a Woman; And though he be my Rival but in Jest, I have a natural curiosity to see who 'tis he entertains.

_Jul_. Oh Heavens! Sir, here's _Francisco_; step aside, Lest mischief shou'd befall you.

[_Runs in_.

_Car_. Now Love and wild Desire prompt me to kill this happy Rival,-- he's old, and can't be long in his Arrears to Nature.--What if I paid the debt? [_Draws halfway_. One single push wou'd do't, and _Julia's_ mine;--but, hang't, Adultery is a less sin than Murder, and I will wait my Fortune.--

_Ant_. Where are you,--Don _Carlos_?

_Car_. Who's there, _Antonio_? I took thee for my Rival, and ten to one but I had done thy business.

_Ant_. I heard ye talking and believ'd you safe, and came in hopes to get a little time to speak to _Clara_ in;--hah!--_Jacinta_--

_Jac_. Who's there, _Antonio_?

[_Peeping out of the door_.

_Ant_. The same; may I not speak with _Clara_?

_Jac_. Come in, she's here.--

_Car_. And prithee, dear _Jacinta_, let me have one word with _Julia_ more, she need not fear surprize; just at the door let me but kiss her hand.

[_Going in_.

_Jac_. I'll see if I can bring her.--

_Enter_ Francisco.

_Fran_. A proud ungracious Flirt,--a Lord with a Pox! here's a fine business, i'faith, that she should be her own Carver,--well I'll home, and thunder her together with a vengeance.

_Car_. Who's here? sure this is he indeed; I'll step aside, lest my being seen give him an occasion of jealousy, and make him affront his Wife.

[_Goes aside as_ Fran. _was going in_.

_Enter_ Julia.

_Fran_. Hum, what have we here, a Woman?

_Jul_. Heavens! what, not gone yet, my Dear?

_Fran_. So, so, 'tis my confounded Wife, who expecting some body wou'd have me gone now.

_Jul_. Are you not satisfied with all I've said, With all the Vows I've made, Which here anew, in sight of Heaven, I breathe?

_Fran_. Yes, yes, you can promise fair, but hang him that trusts ye.

_Jul_. Go, go, and pray be satisfyed with my eternal Love.--

_Fran_. How fain she'd have me gone now; ah, subtle Serpent! is not this plain demonstration,--I shall murder her, I find the Devil great with me. [_Aside still_.

_Jul_.--What is't thou pausest on?

_Fran_. The wicked Dissimulation of villainous Woman. [_Aloud to her_.

_Jul_. _Francisco!_

_Fran_. Oh thou Monster of Ingrat.i.tude, have I caught thee? You'd have me gone, wou'd ye? ay, to Heaven, I believe, like a wicked Woman as you are, so you were rid of me. Go,--and be satisfyed of my eternal love --ah, Gipsey,--no, Gentlewoman, I am a tuff bit, and will hold you tugging till your heart ake.

_Jul_. Why, was there such hurt in desiring you to go that you might make haste back again,--Oh, my fears!

_Fran_. That you might receive a Lover,--'tis plain--and my Indignation's high.

_Jul_. Heav'n knows I meant--

_Fran_. Only to cuckold me a little,--get you in,--where I will swear thee by Bell, Book and Candle,--get you in, I say,--go, go,--I'll watch for your Lover, and tell him how unkind he was to stay so long, I will.--

[_Ex_. Julia, _he stands just in the door_, Carlos _advances_.

_Car_. I hear no noise, sure 'twas he,--and he's gone in-- To reap those Joys he knows not how to value, And I must languish for; I'll stay a little--perhaps _Jacinta_ may return again, for anything belonging to my _Julia_ is dear, even to my Soul.