The Works of Aphra Behn Volume I Part 57

SCENE I. _A Chamber._

_La Nuche_ on a Couch in an Undress, _Willmore_ at her Feet, on his Knees, all unbraced: his Hat, Sword, &c. on the Table, at which she is dressing her Head.

_Will._ Oh G.o.ds! no more!

I see a yielding in thy charming Eyes; The Blushes on thy Face, thy trembling Arms, Thy panting Breast, and short-breath'd Sighs confess, Thou wo't be mine, in spite of all thy Art.

_La Nu._ What need you urge my Tongue then to repeat What from my Eyes you can so well interpret?

[Bowing down her Head to him and sighing.

--Or if it must-- dispose me as you please--

_Will._ Heaven, I thank thee! [Rises with Joy.

Who wou'd not plough an Age in Winter Seas, Or wade full seven long Years in ruder Camps, To find out this Rest at last?-- [Leans on, and kisses her Bosom.

Upon thy tender Bosom to repose; To gaze upon thy Eyes, and taste thy Balmy Kisses, [Kisses her.

--Sweeter than everlasting Groves of Spices, When the soft Winds display the opening Buds: --Come, haste, my Soul, to Bed--

_La Nu._ You can be soft I find, when you wou'd conquer absolutely.

_Will._ Not infant Angels, not young sighing _Cupids_ Can be more; this ravis.h.i.+ng Joy that thou hast promis'd me, Has form'd my Soul to such a Calm of Love, It melts e'en at my Eyes.

_La Nu._ What have I done? that Promise will undo me.

--This Chamber was prepar'd, and I was drest, To give Admittance to another Lover.

_Will._ But Love and Fortune both were on my side-- Come, come to Bed-- consider nought but Love-- [They going out, one knocks.

_La Nu._ Hark!

_Beau._ (_without._) By Heav'n I will have entrance.

_La Nu._ 'Tis he whom I expect; as thou lov'st Life And me, retire a little into this Closet.

_Will._ Hah, retire!

_La Nu._ He's the most fiercely jealous of his s.e.x, And Disappointment will inrage him more.

_Will._ Death: let him rage whoe'er he be; dost think I'll hide me from him, and leave thee to his Love?

Shall I, pent up, thro the thin Wainscot hear Your Sighs, your amorous Words, and sound of Kisses?

No, if thou canst cozen me, do't, but discreetly, And I shall think thee true: I have thee now, and when I tamely part With thee, may Cowards huff and bully me. [Knocks again.

_La Nu._ And must I be undone because I love ye?

This is the Mine from whence I fetcht my Gold.

_Will._ d.a.m.n the base Trash: I'll have thee poor, and mine; 'Tis n.o.bler far, to starve with him thou lov'st Than gay without, and pining all within.

[Knocking, breaking the Door, _Will._ s.n.a.t.c.hes up his Sword.

_La Nu._ Heavens, here will be murder done-- he must not see him.

[As _Beau._ breaks open the Door, she runs away with the Candle, they are by dark, _Beau._ enters with his Sword drawn.

_Will._ What art thou?

_Beau._ A Man. [They fight.

Enter _Petron._ with Light, _La Nuche_ following, _Beau._ runs to her.

Oh thou false Woman, falser than thy Smiles, Which serve but to delude good-natur'd Man, And when thou hast him fast, betray'st his Heart!

_Will._ _Beaumond!_

_Beau._ _Willmore!_ Is it with thee I must tug for Empire? For I lay claim to all this World of Beauty.

[Takes _La Nuche_, looking with scorn on Willmore.

_La Nu._ Heavens, how got this Ruffian in?

_Will._ Hold, hold, dear _Harry_, lay no Hands on her till thou can'st make thy Claim good.

_Beau._ She's mine, by Bargain mine, and that's sufficient.

_Will._ In Law perhaps, it may for ought I know, but 'tis not so in Love: but thou'rt my Friend, and I'll therefore give thee fair Play-- if thou canst win her take her: But a Sword and a Mistress are not to be lost, if a Man can keep 'em.

_Beau._ I cannot blame thee, thou but acts thy self-- But thou fair Hypocrite, to whom I gave my Heart, And this exception made of all Mankind, Why would'st thou, as in Malice to my Love, Give it the only Wound that cou'd destroy it?

_Will._ Nay, if thou didst forbid her loving me, I have her sure.

_Beau._ I yield him many Charms; he's n.o.bly born, Has Wit, Youth, Courage, all that takes the Heart, And only wants what pleases Women's Vanity, Estate, the only good that I can boast: And that I sacrifice to buy thy Smiles.

_La Nu._ See, Sir-- here's a much fairer Chapman-- you may be gone-- [To _Will._

_Will._ Faith, and so there is, Child, for me, I carry all about me, and that by Heaven is thine: I'll settle all upon thee, but my Sword, and that will buy us Bread. I've two led Horses too, one thou shalt manage, and follow me thro Dangers.

_La Nu._ A very hopeful comfortable Life; No, I was made for better Exercises.

_Will._ Why, every thing in its turn, Child, yet a Man's but a Man.

_Beau._ No more, but if thou valuest her, Leave her to Ease and Plenty.

_Will._ Leave her to Love, my Dear; one hour of right-down Love, Is worth an Age of living dully on: What is't to be adorn'd and s.h.i.+ne with Gold, Drest like a G.o.d, but never know the Pleasure?

--No, no, I have much finer things in store for thee. [Hugs her.

_La Nu._ What shall I do?

Here's powerful Interest prostrate at my Feet, [Pointing to _Beau._ Glory, and all than Vanity can boast; --But there-- Love unadorn'd, no covering but his Wings, [To _Will._ No Wealth, but a full Quiver to do mischiefs, Laughs at those meaner Trifles--

_Beau._ Mute as thou art, are not these Minutes mine?

But thou-- ah false-- hast dealt 'em out already, With all thy Charms of Love, to this unknown-- Silence and guilty Blushes say thou hast: He all disorder'd too, loose and undrest, With Love and Pleasure dancing in his Eyes, Tell me too plainly how thou hast deceiv'd me.

_La Nu._ Or if I have not,'tis a Trick soon done, And this ungrateful Jealousy wou'd put it in my Head. [Angrily.

_Beau._ Wou'd! by Heaven, thou hast-- he is not to be fool'd, Or sooth'd into belief of distant Joys, As easy as I have been: I've lost so kind An Opportunity, where Night and Silence both Conspire with Love, had made him rage like Waves Blown up by Storms:-- no more-- I know he has --Oh what, _La Nuche_! robb'd me of all that I Have languish'd for--

_La Nu._ If it were so, you should not dare believe it-- [Angrily turns away, he kneels and holds her.