The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Iv Part 114

_Oliv._ As well as I can act it.

Enter _Welborn_, habited as last.

That all Mankind are d.a.m.n'd, I'm positive; at least all Lovers are.

_Wel._ What have we here? the Spark that rally'd me about a Woman at the Ball to night? Who is it, Sir, you curse so heartily.

_Oliv._ Ha, how beautiful he is--how many Charms dwell in that lovely Face-- [Aside.

'Tis you I curse.

_Wel._ Gad, I thank you for that, you were kinder to night, when you told me of a fine Woman that was in love with me.

_Oliv._ Why, what have you to do with Woman-kind?

_Wel._ A pretty civil Question; has the Lady that sent you a mind to be inform'd.

_Oliv._ Or if she had, you're not at leisure now, you are taken up, Sir, with another Beauty. Did not you swear, never to speak to Woman-kind, till I had brought her, I told you, sigh'd for you?

_Wel._ Right, and I have kept my word religiously.

_Oliv._ The Devil you have, witness the Joy _Mirtilla_ gave your Soul: Even now you were all Transport, all Extasy of Love; by Heaven, you had forgot you brought me in, and past triumphant in _Mirtilla's_ Arms, Love in your Heart, and Pleasure in your Eyes.

_Wel._ Ay, sure he mistakes me for the amorous Prince, and thus, perhaps, has mistook me all the Night: I must not undeceive him.

[Aside.

Whate'er you saw, I have a Heart unwounded, a Heart that never soundly loved, a little scratch it got the other day by a young Beauty in the _Mall_, her Name I know not, but I wish'd to know it, and dogg'd her Coach, I sigh'd a little after her, but since ne'er saw the lovely Vision.

_Oliv._ Sure this was I. [Aside.

What Livery had she, Sir?

_Wel._ That I took notice of, 'twas Green and Gold--Since that, I trifle now and then with Love, to chase away this Image, and that's all.

_Oliv._ Ha, now I view him well, 'tis the same handsome Fellow that entertain'd us in the _Mall_ last Thursday.

_Wel._ Come, Sir, 'tis late, please you to take a Bed with me to Night, where we'll beget a better Understanding.

_Oliv._ A better than you imagine--'Sdeath, to bed with him, I tremble at the thought--Sir, I do not love a Bedfellow.

_Wel._ Sir, I have lent my Lodgings to a Stranger of Quality, or I wou'd offer you a single Bed--but for once you may dispense with a Bedfellow.

_Oliv._ I will not put you to that trouble, Sir.

_Wel._ Do you design to make me your Friend, and use me with Ceremony?

Who waits there?

Enter Footman.

_Oliv._ 'Slife, what shall I do? I cou'd even consent, to prevent his going to _Mirtilla_--besides, I have no home to go to--

_Wel._ Come, no more Scruples--here--a Night-Gown and a Cap for the Gentleman.

_Oliv._ What shall I do?--I have a little urgent Business, Sir.

_Wel._ If there be absolute necessity, I'll see you to your Lodgings.

_Oliv._ Oh, by no means, Sir. 'Sdeath, whither can I go?

_Wel._ Why do you pause? Deal freely with me, Sir, I hope you do not take me for a Lover of my own s.e.x-- Come, come to bed.

_Oliv._ Go you, Sir, I'll sit and read by you till Day.

_Wel._ 'Sdeath, Sir, d'ye think my bed's infectious?

_Oliv._ I shall betray my s.e.x in my denial, and that at last I can but do if Necessity compel me to't.

[Aside.

Go on, Sir, you have shamed me.

[Exeunt.

Enter _Prince_ and _George_.

_Prince._ And thus thou hast my whole Adventure out, short was the Conquest, but the Joys are lasting.

_Geo._ I am glad on't, Sir.

_Prince._ Why dost wear a Cloud upon thy brows, when Love's gay Suns.h.i.+ne dances in my Eyes? If thou'rt her Lover too, I pity thee; her solemn Vows breath'd in the height of Love, disarm me of thy hopes, if Friends.h.i.+p wou'd permit thee.

_Geo._ I do not think it, Sir--

_Prince._ Not think it, not think that she has sworn!

_Geo._ Yes, doubtless, Sir--she's prodigal of Vows, and I dare swear, by all she's sworn by, she'll break 'em all: She has less Faith than all the fickle s.e.x, uncertain and more wanton than the Winds, that spare no Births of Nature in their wild course, from the tall Cedar to the Flowers beneath, but ruffle, ravish, and ruin all.

_Prince._ I speak of my _Mirtilla_.

_Geo._ Why, so do I--of yours, of mine, or any Man's _Mirtilla._

_Prince._ Away, she that with force of Love can sigh and weep--

_Geo._ This very she, has all the while dissembled! Such Love she deals to every gaudy c.o.xcomb, how will she practice then upon a Hero?

_Prince._ Away, it cannot be.

_Geo._ By all your Friends.h.i.+p to me, Sir, 'tis truth.

_Prince._ Racks and Tortures!--let her have made of me a mere Example, by whom the cozen'd World might have grown wise: No matter, then I had been pleas'd, though cullyed--Why hast thou ruined my Repose with Truths that carry more d.a.m.nation than a Lye? But Oh--thou art my Friend, and I forgive thee.

_Geo._ Sir, I have done, and humbly ask your Pardon. [Offers to go.

_Prince._ Stay, stay, _Lejere_,--if she be false, thou'rt all the World has left me; and I believe--but canst thou prove this to me?