The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Iii Part 100

SCENE III. Galatea's _Apartments_.

_Enter_ Galatea _and_ Erminia.

_Er_. And 'tis an act below my Quality, Which, Madam, will not suffer me to fly.

_Gal. Erminia_, e'er you boast of what you are, Since you're so high I'll tell you what you were: Your Father was our General 'tis true, That t.i.tle justly to his Sword was due; 'Twas n.o.bly gain'd, and worth his Blood and Toils, Had he been satisfied with n.o.ble Spoils: But with that single honour not content, He needs must undermine the Government; And 'cause h'ad gain'd the Army to his side, Believ'd his Treason must be justify'd.

For this (and justly) he was banished; Where whilst a low and unknown life he led, Far from the hope and glory of a Throne, In a poor humble Cottage you were born; Your early Beauty did it self display, Nor could no more conceal it self than Day: Your Eyes did first _Philander's_ Soul inspire, And Fortune too conform'd her to his fire.

That made your Father greater than before, And what he justly lost that did restore.

'Twas that which first thy Beauty did disclose, Which else had wither'd like an unseen Rose; 'Twas that which brought thee to the Court, and there Dispos'd thee next my self, i'th' highest Sphere: Alas, obscurely else thou'dst liv'd and died, Not knowing thy own Charms, nor yet this Pride.

_Er_. Madam, in this your Bounty is severe, Be pleas'd to spare that repet.i.tion here.

I hope no Action of my Life should be So rude to charge your Generosity: But, Madam, do you think it just to pay Your great Obligements by so false a way?

_Alcippus'_ Pa.s.sion merits some return, And should that prove but an ingrateful scorn?

Alas, I am his Wife; to disobey, My Fame as well as Duty I betray.

_Gal_. Perfidious Maid, I might have thought thou'dst prove False to thy Prince, and Rival in my Love.

I thought too justly he that conquer'd me Had a sufficient power to captive thee; Thou'st now reveng'd thy Father's shame and thine, In taking thus _Philander's_ Life and mine.

[Er. _weeps_.

_Er_. Ah, Madam, that you would believe my tears, Or from my Vows but satisfy your Fears.

By all the G.o.ds, _Alcippus_ I do hate, And would do any thing to change my fate; Ought that were just and n.o.ble I dare do.

_Gal_. Enough, _Erminia_, I must credit you, And will no other proof of it require, But that you'll now submit to my desire; Indeed, _Erminia_, you must grant my suit, Where Love and Honour calls, make no dispute.

Pity a Youth that never lov'd before, Remember 'tis a Prince that does adore; Who offers up a Heart that never found It could receive, till from your Eyes, a wound.

_Er_. To your command should I submit to yield, Where could I from _Alcippus_ be conceal'd?

What could defend me from his jealous Rage?

_Gal_. Trust me, _Erminia_, I'll for that engage.

_Er_. And then my Honour by that flight's o'erthrown.

_Gal_. That being _Philander's_, he'll preserve his own; And that, _Erminia_, sure you'll ne'er distrust.

_Er_. Ah, Madam, give me leave to fear the worst.

_Enter_ Aminta.

_Am_. Madam, _Alcippus_ waits for your Commands, He's going to the Camp.

_Gal_. Admit him.

_Enter_ Alcippus _and_ Pisaro.

_Gal. Alcippus_, 'tis too soon to leave _Erminia_.

_Alcip_. I wish she thought so, Madam, Or could believe with what regret I do so; She then would think the fault were much too small For such a Penance as my Soul must suffer.

_Am_. No matter, Sir, you have the Year before you.

_Alcip_. Yes, Madam, so has every Galley Slave, That knows his Toil, but not his Recompence: To morrow I expect no more content, Than this uneasy Day afforded me; And all before me is but one grand piece Of endless Grief and Madness: --You, Madam, taught _Erminia_ to be cruel, A Vice without your aid she could have learnt; And now to exercise that new taught Art, She tries the whole experience on my Heart.

_Gal_. If she do so, she learnt it not of me, I love, and therefore know no Cruelty: Such outrage cannot well with Love reside, Which only is the mean effect of Pride: --I merit better thoughts from you, _Alcippus_.

_Alcip_. Pardon me, Madam, if my Pa.s.sion stray Beyond the limits of my high respect; [_He kneels_.

--'Tis a rude gust, and merits your reproaches: But yet the saucy Flame can ne'er controul That Adoration which I owe my Princess: That, with Religion, took possession here, And in my Prayers I mix with you the Deities.

_Gal_. I'ad rather you should treat me as a Mortal, Rise and begin to do so.

[_He rises and bows_.

_Alcip_. Now, Madam, what must I expect from you?

_Er. Alcippus_, all that's to your Virtue due.

_Alcip_. In that but common Justice you allow.

_Er_. That Justice, Sir, is all I can bestow.

_Alcip_. In justice then you ought to me resign, That which the Holy Priest int.i.tled mine; Yet that, without your Heart, I do despise, For uncompell'd I'd have that sacrifice: --Come ease me of that Pain that presses here, Give me but Hope that may secure my Fear, I'm not asham'd to own my Soul possest With Jealousy, that takes away my rest.

--Tell me you'll love, or that my Suit is vain, Do any thing to ease me of my pain.

G.o.ds, Madam, why d'ye keep me in suspence?

This cannot be the effects of Innocence; By Heaven, I'll know the cause, where e'er it lies, Nor shall you fool me with your feign'd disguise.

_Pis_. You do forget your promise, and this Presence.

[_Aside to_ Alcip.

_Alcip_. 'Twas kindly urg'd, prithee be near me still, And tell me of the faults that look unmanly.

_Gal_. Dear, if thou lov'st me, flatter him a little.

[_To_ Er. _aside_.

_Er_. 'Tis hard to do, yet I will try it, Madam.

_Gal_. I'll leave you, that you may the better do so.

--I hope, _Alcippus_, you'll revisit us With Lover's speed: And whatsoever treatment now you find, At your return you'll find us much more kind.

[_He bows, she goes out_.

_Alcip_. Can you forgive the rashness of a Man, That knows no other Laws but those of Pa.s.sion?

_Er_. You are unkind to think I do not, Sir; --Yes, and am grown so softned by my pity, That I'm afraid I shall neglect my Vows, And to return your Pa.s.sion, grow ingrate.

_Alcip_. A few more syllables express'd like these, Will raise my Soul up to the worst extreme, And give me with your Scorn an equal torment.

_Er_. See what power your language has upon me. [_Weeps_.