The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Iii Part 81

_Gay_. Be gone, I say, Sir-- [_He runs out_.

I am convinc'd last night I was with _Julia_.

Oh Sot, insensible and dull!

_Enter softly Sir_ Cautious.

Sir _Cau_. So, the Candle's out--give me your hand.

[_Leads him softly in_.

SCENE V. _Changes to a Bed-chamber_.

_Lady_ Fulbank _suppos'd in Bed. Enter Sir_ Cautious _and_ Gayman _by dark_.

Sir _Cau_. Where are you, my Dear? [_Leads him to the bed_.

L. _Ful_. Where shou'd I be--in Bed; what, are you by dark?

Sir _Cau_. Ay, the Candle went out by Chance.

[Gayman _signs to him to be gone; he makes grimaces as loath to go, and Exit_.

SCENE VI. _Draws over, and represents another Room in the same House_.

_Enter_ Parson, Diana, _and_ Pert _drest in_ Diana's _Clothes_.

_Dia_. I'll swear, Mrs. _Pert_, you look very prettily in my Clothes; and since you, Sir, have convinc'd me that this innocent Deceit is not unlawful, I am glad to be the Instrument of advancing Mrs. _Pert_ to a Husband, she already has so just a Claim to.

_Par_. Since she has so firm a Contract, I p.r.o.nounce it a lawful Marriage--but hark, they are coming sure--

_Dia_. Pull your Hoods down, and keep your Face from the Light.

[_Diana runs out_.

_Enter_ Bearjest _and_ Noisey _disordered_.

_Bea_. Madam, I beg your Pardon--I met with a most devilish Adventure; --your Pardon too, Mr. Doctor, for making you wait.--But the business is this, Sir--I have a great mind to lie with this young Gentlewoman to Night, but she swears if I do, the Parson of the Parish shall know it.

_Par_. If I do, Sir, I shall keep Counsel.

_Bea_. _And that's civil, Sir--Come, lead the way, With such a Guide, the Devil's in't if we can go astray_.

[_Exeunt_.

SCENE VII. _Changes to the Anti-chamber_.

_Enter Sir_ Cautious.

Sir _Cau_. Now cannot I sleep, but am as restless as a Merchant in stormy Weather, that has ventur'd all his Wealth in one Bottom.--Woman is a leaky Vessel.--if she should like the young Rogue now, and they should come to a right understanding--why, then I am a--Wittal--that's all, and shall be put in Print at _Snow-hill_, with my Effigies o'th'

top, like the sign of Cuckolds Haven.--Hum--they're d.a.m.nable silent--pray Heaven he have not murdered her, and robbed her--hum--hark, what's that?--a noise!--he has broke his Covenant with me, and shall forfeit the Money--How loud they are? Ay, ay, the Plot's discovered, what shall I do?--Why, the Devil is not in her sure, to be refractory now, and peevish; if she be, I must pay my Money yet--and that would be a d.a.m.n'd thing.--sure they're coming out--I'll retire and hearken how 'tis with them. [_Retires_.

_Enter Lady_ Fulbank _undrest_, Gayman, _half undrest upon his Knees, following her, holding her Gown_.

L. _Ful_. Oh! You unkind--what have you made me do? Unhand me, false Deceiver--let me loose--

Sir _Cau_. Made her do?--so, so--'tis done--I'm glad of that-- [_Aside peeping_.

_Gay_. Can you be angry, _Julia_?

Because I only seiz'd my Right of Love.

L. _Ful_. And must my Honour be the Price of it?

Could nothing but my Fame reward your Pa.s.sion?

--What, make me a base Prost.i.tute, a foul Adulteress?

Oh--be gone, be gone--dear Robber of my Quiet. [_Weeping_.

Sir _Cau_. Oh, fearful!--

_Gay_. Oh! Calm your rage, and hear me; if you are so, You are an innocent Adulteress.

It was the feeble Husband you enjoy'd In cold imagination, and no more; s.h.i.+ly you turn'd away--faintly resign'd.

Sir _Cau_. Hum, did she so?--

_Gay_. Till my Excess of Love betray'd the Cheat.

Sir _Cau_. Ay, ay, that was my Fear.

L. _Ful_. Away, be gone--I'll never see you more--

_Gay_. You may as well forbid the Sun to s.h.i.+ne.

Not see you more!--Heavens! I before ador'd you, But now I rave! And with my impatient Love, A thousand mad and wild Desires are burning!

I have discover'd now new Worlds of Charms, And can no longer tamely love and suffer.

Sir _Cau_. So--I have brought an old House upon my Head, Intail'd Cuckoldom upon my self.

L. _Ful_. I'll hear no more--Sir _Cautious_,--where's my Husband?

Why have you left my Honour thus unguarded?

Sir _Cau_. Ay, ay, she's well enough pleas'd, I fear, for all.

_Gay_. Base as he is, 'twas he expos'd this Treasure; Like silly Indians barter'd thee for Trifles.

Sir _Cau_. O treacherous Villain!--