The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Iv Part 72

_Ran._ Rather that he should love no body's Body besides my own; but my fortune is too good to trust the Rogue, my Money makes me an Infidel.

_Chris._ You think they all love you for that.

_Ran._ For that, ay, what else? if it were not for that, I might sit still and sigh, and cry out, a Miracle! a Miracle! at sight of a Man within my Doors.

Enter _Maid_.

_Maid._ Madam, here's a young Gentleman without wou'd speak with you.

_Sure._ With me? sure thou'rt mistaken; is it not _Friendly_?

_Maid._ No, Madam, 'tis a Stranger.

_Ran._ 'Tis not _Daring_, that Rogue, is it?

_Maid._ No, Madam.

_Ran._ Is he handsome? does he look like a Gentleman?

_Maid._ He's handsome, and seems a Gentleman.

_Ran._ Bring him in then, I hate a Conversation without a Fellow,--hah,--a good handsome Lad indeed.

Enter _Hazard_ with a Letter.

_Sure._ With me, Sir, would you speak?

_Haz._ If you are Madam _Surelove_.

_Sure._ So I am call'd.

_Haz._ Madam, I am newly arriv'd from _England_, and from your Husband my Kinsman bring you this.-- [Gives a Letter.

_Ran._ Please you to sit, Sir.

_Haz._ She's extremely handsome. [Aside--sits down.

_Ran._ Come, Sir, will you smoke a Pipe?

_Haz._ I never do, Madam.

_Ran._ Oh, fie upon't, you must learn then, we all smoke here, 'tis a part of good Breeding.--Well, well, what Cargo, what Goods have ye? any Points, Lace, rich Stuffs, Jewels; if you have, I'll be your Chafferer, I live hard by, any body will direct you to the Widow _Ranter's_.

_Haz._ I have already heard of you, Madam.

_Ran._ What, you are like all the young Fellows, the first thing they do when they come to a strange Place, is to enquire what Fortunes there are.

_Haz._ Madam, I had no such Ambition.

_Ran._ Gad, then you're a Fool, Sir; but come, my service to you; we rich Widows are the best Commodity this Country affords, I'll tell you that.

[This while _Sure._ reads the Letter.

_Sure._ Sir, my Husband has recommended you here in a most particular manner, by which I do not only find the esteem he has for you, but the desire he has of gaining you mine, which on a double score I render you, first for his sake, next for those Merits that appear in your self.

_Haz._ Madam, the endeavours of my Life shall be to express my Grat.i.tude for this great Bounty.

Enter _Maid_.

_Maid._ Madam, Mr. _Friendly's_ here.

_Sure._ Bring him in.

_Haz._ _Friendly!_--I had a dear Friend of that name, who I hear is in these Parts.--Pray Heaven it may be he.

_Ran._ How now, _Charles_.

Enter _Friendly_.

_Friend._ Madam, your Servant--Hah! should not I know you for my dear friend _Hazard_.

[Embracing him.

_Haz._ Or you're to blame, my _Friendly_.

_Friend._ Prithee what calm brought thee ash.o.r.e?

_Haz._ Fortune _de la guerre_, but prithee ask me no Questions in so good Company, where a Minute lost from this Conversation is a Misfortune not to be retriev'd.

_Friend._ Dost like her, Rogue-- [Softly aside.

_Haz._ Like her! have I sight, or sense?--Why, I adore her.

_Friend._ Mrs. _Chrisante_, I heard your Father would not be here to day, which made me s.n.a.t.c.h this opportunity of seeing you.

_Ran._ Come, come, a Pox of this whining Love, it spoils good Company.

_Friend._ You know, my dear Friend, these Opportunities come but seldom, and therefore I must make use of them.

_Ran._ Come, come, I'll give you a better Opportunity at my House to morrow, we are to eat a Buffalo there, and I'll secure the old Gentleman from coming.

_Friend._ Then I shall see _Chrisante_ once more before I go.

_Chris._ Go--Heavens--whither, my _Friendly_?

_Friend._ I have received a Commission to go against the _Indians_, _Bacon_ being sent for home.

_Ran._ But will he come when sent for?

_Friend._ If he refuse we are to endeavour to force him.