The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Iv Part 90

[An Alarm beats: Enter at another Pa.s.sage _Boozer_ with all the Ladies; they pa.s.s over the Stage, while _Hazard_ and _Downright_ beat back a Party of Soldiers. _Dull._ _Tim._ _Whim._ and _Whiff_, p.r.i.c.k'd on by their Party to fight, lay about them like Madmen.

_Bacon_, _Fearless_ and _Daring_ come in, rescue their Men, and fight out the other Party, some falling dead. _Bacon_, _Fearless_ and _Daring_ return tired, with their Swords drawn. Enter _Soldier_ running.

_Sold._ Return, Sir, where your Sword will be more useful--a Party of _Indians_, taking advantage of the Night, have set fire on your Tents, and borne away the Queen.

_Bac._ Hah, the Queen! By Heaven, this Victory shall cost them dear; come, let us fly to rescue her.

[All go out.

SCENE II. Changes to _Wellman's_ Tent.

Enter _Wellman_, _Brag_, _Grubb_, and Officers.

_Well._ I cannot sleep, my Impatience is so great to engage this haughty Enemy, before they have reposed their weary Limbs--Is not yon ruddy Light the Morning's dawn?

_Brag._ 'Tis, and please your Honour.

_Well._ Is there no News of _Friendly_ yet, and _Hazard_?

_Brag._ Not yet--'tis thought they left the Camp to night, with some design against the Enemy.

_Well._ What Men have they?

_Brag._ Only _Boozer's_ Party, Sir.

_Well._ I know they are brave, and mean to surprize me with some handsome Action.

Enter _Friendly_.

_Friend._ I ask a thousand Pardons, Sir, for quitting the Camp without your leave.

_Well._ Your conduct and your Courage cannot err; I see thou'st been in action by thy Blood.

_Friend._ Sir, I'm ashamed to own these slender Wounds, since without more my luck was to be taken, while _Hazard_ did alone effect the Business, the rescuing of the Ladies.

_Well._ How got ye Liberty?

_Friend._ By _Daring's_ Generosity, who sends ye word he'll visit you this Morning.

_Well._ We are prepared to meet him.

Enter _Down._ _Hazard_, _Ladies_, _Whim._ _Whiff_, _Dullman_, _Tim._ looking big. _Well._ embraces _Down._

_Well._ My worthy Friend, how am I joyed to see you?

_Down._ We owe our Liberties to these brave Youths, who can do Wonders when they fight for Ladies.

_Tim._ With our a.s.sistance, Ladies.

_Whim._ For my part I'll not take it as I have done; Gad, I find, when I am d.a.m.nable angry, I can beat both Friend and Foe.

_Whiff._ When I fight for my _Nancy_ here--adsfish, I'm a Dragon.

Mrs. _Whiff._ Lord, you need not have been so hasty.

_Friend._ Do not upbraid me with your Eyes, _Chrisante_; but let these Wounds a.s.sure you I endeavour'd to serve you, though _Hazard_ had the Honour on't.

_Well._ But, Ladies, we'll not expose you in the Camp,--a Party of our Men shall see you safely conducted to Madam _Surelove's_; 'tis but a little Mile from our Camp.

_Friend._ Let me have that honour, Sir.

_Chris._ No, I conjure you let your Wounds be dress'd; obey me if you love me, and _Hazard_ shall conduct us home.

_Well._ He had the Toil, 'tis fit he have the Recompence.

_Whiff._ He the Toil, Sir! what, did we stand for Cyphers?

_Whim._ The very appearance I made in the front of the Battel, aw'd the Enemy.

_Tim._ Ay, ay, let the Enemy say how I maul'd 'em--but Gads zoors, I scorn to brag.

_Well._ Since you've regain'd your Honour so gloriously, I restore you to your Commands you lost by your seeming Cowardice.

_Dull._ Valour is not always in humour, Sir.

_Well._ Come, Gentlemen, since they've resolv'd to engage us, let's set our Men in order to receive 'em.

[Exeunt all but the four Justices.

_Tim._ Our Commissions again--you must be bragging, and see what comes on't; I was modest ye see, and said nothing of my Prowess.

_Whiff._ What a Devil does the Colonel think we are made of Iron, continually to be beat on the Anvil?

_Whim._ Look, Gentlemen, here's two Evils--if we go we are dead Men; if we stay we are hang'd--and that will disorder my Cravat-string:--therefore the least Evil is to go--and set a good Face on the Matter, as I do--

[Goes out singing. All exeunt.

SCENE III. A thick Wood.

Enter _Queen_ dress'd like an _Indian_ Man, with a Bow in her Hand, and Quiver at her Back; _Anaria_ her Confident disguis'd so too; and about a dozen _Indians_ led by _Cavaro_.

_Queen._ I tremble yet, dost think we're safe, _Cavaro_?

_Cav._ Madam, these Woods are intricate and vast, and 'twill be difficult to find us out--or if they do, this Habit will secure you from the fear of being taken.

_Queen._ Dost think if _Bacon_ find us, he will not know me? Alas, my Fears and Blushes will betray me.

_Ana._ 'Tis certain, Madam, if we stay we perish; for all the Wood's surrounded by the Conqueror.