The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Iii Part 50

[_Goes out with the_ Turk.

_Enter_ Antonio, _and_ Clara _to_ Jacinta.

_Jac_. Madam, the rarest sport--Ha, ha, ha.

_Ant_. You need not tell us, we have been witness to all. But to our own Affairs, my dearest _Clara_, Let us not lose this blessed opportunity, Which Art nor Industry can give again if this be idly lost.

_Cla_. Nay, hang me if it be my fault, _Antonio_: Charge it to the number of your own Sins; it shall not lie at my door.

_Ant_. 'Tis generously said, and take notice, my little dear Virago, _Guzman_ has a Priest ready to tie you to your word.

_Cla_. As fast as you please; hang her that fears the conjuring knot for me: But what will our Fathers say--mine who expects me to be the Governor's Lady; and yours, who designs _Isabella_ for a Daughter-in-Law?

_Ant_. Mine will be glad of the Change; and, for yours, if he be not pleased, let him keep his Portion to himself--that's the greatest mischief he can do us: and for my Friend, the Governor, he's above their Anger.

_Cla_. Why do we lose precious time? I long to be at--I _Clara_ take thee _Antonio_,--the very Ceremony will be tedious, so much I wish thee mine; and each delay gives me a fear something will s.n.a.t.c.h me from thee.

_Ant_. No power of Man can do't, thou art so guarded; but now the Priest is employed in clapping up the honourable Marriage between the False Count and Isabella.

_Jac_. Lord, what a jest 'twill be to see 'em coupled, ha, ha.

_Cla_. Unmerciful _Antonio_, to drive the Jest so far; 'tis too unconscionable!

_Ant_. By Heaven, I'm so proud I cannot think my Revenge sufficient for Affronts, nor does her Birth, her Breeding and her Vanity--deserve a better Fortune; besides,--he has enough to set up for a modern Spark-- the Fool has just Wit and good Manners to pa.s.s for a Fop of Fas.h.i.+on; and, where he is not known, will gain the Reputation of a fine accomplish'd Gentleman,--yet I'm resolved she shall see him in his Geers, in his original Filthiness, that my Revenge may be home upon the foolish Jilt.

_Cla_. Cruel _Antonio_, come, lets go give 'em Joy.

_Ant_. And finish our Affair with Mr. Vicar.

_Enter_ Isabella, _her Train borne by the great_ Page, Guiliom, _with the other great_ Page, _and_ Francisco _bare_.

--Joy to my n.o.ble Lord, and you, fair _Isabella_!

_Isa_. Thank thee, Fellow,--but, surely, I deserved my t.i.tles from thee.

_Cla_. Your Honour I hope will pardon him.

_Isa_. How now, _Clara_! [_Nodding to her_.

_Jac_. I give your Honour joy.

_Isa_. Thank thee, poor Creature.--

_Fran_. My Lord, this Honour you have done my Daughter is so signal, that whereas I designed her but five thousand Pound, I will this happy day settle on her ten.

_Guil_. d.a.m.n dirty trash, your Beauty is sufficient--hum --Signior Don _Antonio_, get the Writings ready. [_Aside_.

Money--hang Money.

_Fran_. How generous these Lords are; nay, my Lord, you must not refuse a Father's Love, if I may presume to call you Son--I shall find enough besides for my Ransom, if the Tyrant be so unmerciful to ask more than my Wife pays him.

_Guil_. Nay, if you will force it upon me.

_Isa_. Ay, take it, the trifling sum will serve to buy our Honour Pins.

_Ant_. Well, Sir, since you will force it on him, my Cas.h.i.+er shall draw the Writings.

_Guil_. And have 'em signed by a publick Notary. [_Aside_.

_Fran_. With all my Soul, Sir, I'll go to give him order, and subscribe.

[_Ex_. Francisco.

_Guil_. Let him make 'em strong and sure--you shall go halves. [_Aside_.

_Ant_. No, you will deserve it dearly, who have the plague of such a Wife with it;--but harkye, Count--these goods of Fortune are not to be afforded you, without Conditions.

_Guil_. Shaw, Conditions, any Conditions, n.o.ble _Antonio_.

_Ant_. You must disrobe anon, and do'n your native Habiliments--and in the Equipage give that fair Viscountess to understand the true quality of her Husband.

_Guil_. Hum--I'm afraid, 'tis a harder task to leap from a Lord to a Rogue, than 'tis from a Rogue to a Lord.

_Ant_. Not at all, we have examples of both daily.

_Guil_. Well, Sir, I'll show you my agility--but, Sir, I desire I may consummate, d'ye see,--consummate--a little like a Lord, to make the Marriage sure.

_Ant_. You have the Freedom to do so--the Writings I'll provide.

_Guil_. I'll about it then, the Priest waits within for you, and _Guzman_ for you, _Jacinta_,--haste, for he is to arrive anon Amba.s.sador from _Cadiz_.

_Jac_. I know not, this noise of Weddings has set me agog, and I'll e'en in, and try what 'tis.

[_Ex_. Antonio, Clara, _and_ Jacinta.

_Guil_. Come, Madam, your Honour and I have something else to do, before I have fully dub'd you a Viscountess.

_Isa_. Ah, Heav'ns, what's that?

_Guil_. Why a certain Ceremony, which must be performed between a pair of Sheets,--but we'll let it alone till Night.

_Isa_. Till Night, no; whate'er it be, I wou'd not be without an Inch of that Ceremony, that may compleat my Honour for the World; no, for Heaven's sake, let's retire, and dub me presently.

_Guil_. Time enough, time enough.

_Isa_. You love me not, that can deny me this.

_Guil_. Love--no, we are married now, and People of our Quality never Love after Marriage; 'tis not great.

_Isa_. Nay, let's retire, and compleat my Quality, and you will find me a Wife of the Mode, I'll warrant you.