The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Iii Part 46

_Car_. Is she witty?

_Fran_. I'm no competent Judge, an't like your Holiness, --This Catechism was certainly of the Devil's own making. [Aside.

_Enter_ Guzman, _bringing in_ Julia, Clara, Isabella, Jacinta, Guiliom, Antonio, &c. _Women veil'd_.

_Car_. These, Sir, are all the Slaves of Note are taken.

_Isa_. Dost think, _Jacinta_, he'll chuse me?

_Jac_. I'll warrant you, Madam, if he looks with my Eyes.

_Guz_. Stand forth. [_To the Men_.

_Guil_. Stand forth, Sir! why, so I can, Sir, I dare show my Face, Sir, before any Great _Turk_ in Christendom.

_Car_. What are you, Sir?

_Guil_. What am I, Sir? Why, I'm a Lord, a Lord.

_Fran_. What, are you mad to own your Quality, he'll ask the Devil and all of a ransom.

_Guil_. No matter for that, I'll not lose an Inch of my Quality for a King's ransom; disgrace my self before my fair Mistress!

_Isa_. That's as the _Great Turk_ and I shall agree. [_Scornfully_.

_Car_. What are you, Sir?

_Ant_. A Citizen of _Cadiz_.

_Car_. Set 'em by, we'll consider of their ransoms--now unveil the Ladies.

[Guzman _unveils_ Jacinta.

_Fran_. Oh, dear Wife, now or never show thy Love, make a d.a.m.nable face upon the filthy Ravisher,--glout thy Eyes thus--and thrust out thy upper lip, thus.-- [Guzman _presents_ Jacinta.

_Guil_. Oh, dear _Isabella_, do thee look like a Dog too.

_Isa_. No, Sir, I'm resolv'd I'll not lose an Inch of my Beauty, to save so trifling a thing as a Maiden head.

_Car_. Very agreeable, pretty and chearful--

[_She is veil'd and set by: Then Clara is unveil'd_.

A most divine bud of Beauty--all Nature's Excellence--drawn to the life in little,--what are you, fair one?

_Cla_. Sir, I'm a Maid.

_Fran_. So, I hope he will pitch upon her.

_Cla_. Only, by promise, Sir, I've given my self away.

_Car_. What happy Man cou'd claim a t.i.tle in thee, And trust thee to such danger?

_Isa_. Heavens, shall I be defeated by this little Creature? What pity 'twas he saw me not first?

_Cla_. I dare not name him, Sir, lest this small Beauty which you say adorns me, shou'd gain him your displeasure; he's in your presence, Sir, and is your Slave.

_Car_. Such Innocence this plain Confession shows, name me the man, and I'll resign thee back to him.

_Fran_. A Pox of his Civility.

_Ant_. This Mercy makes me bold to claim my right. [_Kneels_.

_Car_. Take her, young Man, and with it both your Ransoms.

_Guil_. Hum--hum--very n.o.ble, i'faith, we'll e'en confess our loves too, _Isabella_.

_Isa_. S'life, he'll spoil all,--hold--pray let your Betters be serv'd before you.

_Guil_. How! Is the Honour of my Love despised?--wer't not i'th presence of the Great _Turk_, for whom I have a reverence because he's a man of quality--by _Jove_, I'd draw upon you.

_Isa_. Because you were my Lover once, when I'm Queen I'll pardon you.

[Guzman _unveils her, and leads her to_ Carlos, _she making ridiculous actions of Civility_.

_Car_. What aukard, fond, conceited thing art thou? Veil her, and take the taudry Creature hence.

_Guil_. Hum--your Majesty's humble Servant.

[_Putting off his Hat ridiculously_.

_Fran_. How! refuse my Daughter too! I see the Lot of a Cuckold will fall to my share.

_Guz_. This is the Wife, Great Sir, of this old Slave.

[_Unveils_ Julia.

_Car_. Hah! what do I see, by _Mahomet_, she's fair.

_Fran_. So, so, she's condemn'd; oh, d.a.m.n'd _Mahometan_ Cannibal! will nothing but raw flesh serve his turn.

_Car_. I'll see no more,--here I have fix'd my heart.

_Fran_. Oh, Monster of a _Grand Seignior_!

_Guz_. Have you a mind to be flead, Sir?

_Car_. Receive my Handkerchief. [_Throws it to her_.

_Fran_. His Handkerchief! bless me, what does he mean?

_Guz_. To do her the honour to lie with her to night.