The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Iv Part 62

_Ant._ With perfect Joy, _Ismena_, I resign thee, [_Ant._ gives him _Ism._

_Alb._ By double Ties you now unite our Souls; Though I can hardly credit what I see, The Happiness so newly is arriv'd. [To _Ant._

Enter _Prince_, _Lorenzo_, and _Guilliam_, who comes up sc.r.a.ping to _Cloris_.

_Fred._ My Father is the kindest Man on Earth, And _Cloris_ shall be welcome to his Bosom; Who'll make him happy in my Reformation.

--Here, _Curtius_, take _Laura_, who, I find, Had rather be my Sister than my Mistress: The Duke commands it so.

_Cur._ Till you have pardon'd me my late Offences, I must deny myself so great a Happiness. [_Cur._ kneels.

_Fred._ Rise, you have it.

Enter _Salvator_.

_Sal._ Is here not a Runegado belongs to me?

_Lau._ No, Sir, my Faith's entire, And _Curtius_ has the keeping of it.

_Sal._ Who made him Master of it, hau?

_Lau._ Heaven, my Inclinations and the Prince.

_Sal._ Three powerful Opposers; Take her, since it must be so, And mayst thou be happy with her.

_Fred._ _Alberto_, would this Court afforded A Lady worthy thee.

_Alb._ Sir, I'm already sped, I humbly thank you.

_Lor._ Sped, quoth ye? Heaven defend Me from such Fortune.

_Fred._ _Lorenzo_, I had forgot thee; thou shalt e'en marry too.

_Lor._ You may command me any thing but marrying.

_Isab._ What think you then of a smooth-fac'd Boy?

_Lor._ A Pox on him, sure he will not tell now, will he?

_Isab._ My Lord, I beg your leave to challenge _Lorenzo_.

_Fred._ What, to a Duel, _Philibert_?

_Lor._ _Phil._ _Phil._ hold, do not ruin the Reputation Of a Man that has acquir'd Fame amongst the female s.e.x; I protest I did but jest.

_Isab._ But, Sir, I'm in earnest with you.

_Fred._ This is not _Philibert_.

_Isab._ No, Sir, but _Isabella_--that was _Philibert_.

[Pointing to _Cloris_.

_Clo._ Yes, Sir, I was the happy Boy to be belov'd, When _Cloris_ was forgotten.

_Fred._ Oh, how you raise my Love and Shame!

But why did _Isabella_ change her Habit?

_Clo._ Only to take my place, lest you should miss me, Who being with _Laura_, at the Lodgings of _Clarina_, And comparing the Words of her Letter With what the Bravoes had confess'd to _Antonio_, We found the Plot which was laid for you, And join'd all to prevent it.

_Fred._ 'Twas sure the work of Heaven.

_Isab._ And now, Sir, I come to claim a Husband here.

_Fred._ Name him, and take him.

_Isab._ _Lorenzo_, Sir.

_Lor._ Of all Cheats, commend me to a Waiting-Gentlewoman; I her Husband?

_Ant._ I am a Witness to that Truth.

_Fred._ 'Tis plain against you; come, you must be honest.

_Lor._ Will you compel me to't against my will?

Oh Tyranny, consider, I am a Man of Quality and Fortune.

_Isab._ As for my Qualities, you know I have sufficient, And Fortune, thanks to your Bounty, considerable too.

_Fred._ No matter, he has enough for both.

_Lor._ Nay, Sir, an you be against me, 'Tis time to reform in my own defence; But 'tis a thing I never consider'd, or thought on.

_Fred._ Marry first, and consider afterwards.

_Lor._ That's the usual way, I confess; Come, _Isabella_, since the Prince commands it, I do not love thee, but yet I'll not forswear it; Since a greater Miracle than that is wrought, And that's my marrying thee; Well, 'tis well thou art none of the most beautiful, I should swear the Prince had some designs on thee else.

_Clo._ Yes, _Guilliam_, since thou hast been so faithful, I dare a.s.sure thee _Lucia_ shall be thine.

[_Clo._ speaks aside to _Guil._ _Guil._ bows.

_Fred._ Come, my fair _Cloris_, and invest thy self In all the Glories which I lately promis'd: --And, Ladies, you'll attend her to the Court, And share the Welcomes which the Duke provides her; Where all the Sallies of my flattering Youth Shall be no more remember'd, but as past.

Since 'tis a Race that must by Man be run, I'm happy in my Youth it was begun; It serves my future Manhood to improve, Which shall be sacrific'd to War and Love.

_Curtain Falls._

EPILOGUE,