The Works of Aphra Behn Volume I Part 76

Enter _Antonio_ in haste with _Hippolyta_; weeping as pa.s.sing over the Stage.

_Ant._ Come, let us haste, I fear we are pursu'd.

_Hip._ Ah, whither shall we fly?

_Ant._ We are near the Gate, and must secure our selves with the Darkness of the Night in _St. Peter's_ Grove, we dare not venture into any House.

[Exeunt.

Enter _Clarinda_ and _Dormida_ above in the Balcony.

_Clar._ Can'st thou not see him yet?

_Dorm._ Good lack a-day, what an impatient thing is a young Girl in love!

_Clar._ Nay, good _Dormida_, let not want of Sleep make thee testy.

_Dorm._ In good time-- are you my Governess, or I yours, that you are giving me Instructions? Go get you in, or I shall lay down my Office.

_Clar._ Nay, wait a little longer, I'm sure he will come.

_Dorm._ You sure! you have wondrous Skill indeed in the Humours of Men: how came you to be so well acquainted with them? you scarce ever saw any but Don _Marcel_, and him too but thro a Grate or Window, or at Church; and yet you are sure. I am a little the elder of the two, and have manag'd as many Intrigues of this kind as any Woman, and never found a constant just Man, as they say, of a thousand; and yet you are sure.

_Clar._ Why, is it possible _Marcel_ should be false?

_Dorm._ _Marcel!_ No, no, Sweet-heart, he is that Man of a thousand.

_Clar._ But if he should, you have undone me, by telling me so many pretty things of him.

_Dorm._ Still you question my Ability, which by no means I can indure; get you in I say.

_Clar._ Do not speak so loud, you will wake my Mother.

_Dorm._ At your Instructions again; do you question my Conduct and Management of this Affair? Go watch for him your self: I'll have no more to do with you back nor edge.

[Offers to go.

_Clar._ Will you be so barbarous to leave me to my self, after having made it your Business this three Months to sollicit a Heart which was but too ready to yield before; after having sworn to me how honourable all his Intents were; nay, made me write to him to come to night? And now when I have done this, and am all trembling with fear and shame (and yet an infinite Desire to see him too) [Sighs] thou wilt abandon me: go, when such as you oblige, 'tis but to be insolent with the more freedom.

_Dorm._ What, you are angry I'll warrant. [Smiles.

_Clar._ I will punish my self to pay thee back, and will not see _Marcel_.

_Dorm._ What a pettish Fool is a Maid in love at fifteen! how unmanageable! But I'll forgive all-- go get you in, I'll watch for your Lover; I would not have you disoblige a Man of his Pretensions and Quality for all the World.

[_Clarinda_ goes in.

Enter _Alonzo_ below.

_Alon._ Now do I want _Lovis_ extremely, to consult with him about this Business: For I am afraid the Devil, or Love, or both are so great with me, that I must marry this fair Inchantress, which is very unlucky; but, since _Ambrosio_ and _Marcel_ refuse to see me, I hold my self no longer ingag'd in Honour to _Hippolyta_.

_Dorm._ [above.] Whist, whist, Sir, Sir.

_Alon._ Who's there?

_Dorm._ 'Tis I, your Servant, Sir; oh you are a fine Spark, are you not, to make so fair a Creature wait so long for you? there, there's the Key, open the Door softly and come in.

[Throws him down a Key in a Handkerchief.

_Alon._ What's this? But I'll ask no Questions, so fair a Creature, said she? Now if 'twere to save my Life cannot I forbear, I must go in: Shou'd _Euphemia_ know this, she would call it Levity and Inconstancy; but I plead Necessity, and will be judg'd by the amorous Men, and not the jealous Women: For certain this Lady, whoe'er she be, designs me a more speedy Favour than I can hope from _Euphemia_, and on easier Terms too. This is the Door that must conduct to the languis.h.i.+ng _Venus_.

[Opens the Door and goes in, leaving it unshut.

Enter _Marcel_ with his Sword drawn.

_Mar._ Thus far I have pursu'd the Fugitives, Who by the help of hasty Fear and Night, Are got beyond my Power; unlucky Accident!

Had I but kill'd _Antonio_, or _Hippolyta_, Either had made my Shame supportable.

But tho I have mist the Pleasure of Revenge, I will not that of Love.

One Look from fair _Clarinda_ will appease The Madness which this Disappointment rais'd.

[Walks looking towards the Window.

None appears yet: _Dormida_ was to throw me down the Key. The Door is open, left so to give me entrance.

[Goes to the Door.

SCENE IV. _Changes to a dark Hall._

Discovers _Alonzo_ groping about in the Hall.

_Alon._ Now am I in a worse Condition than before, can neither advance nor retreat: I do not like this groping alone in the Dark thus.

Whereabouts am I? I dare not call: were this fair thing she spoke of but now half so impatient as I, she would bring a Light, and conduct me.

Enter _Marcel_.

_Mar._ 'Tis wondrous dark.

_Alon._ Hah, a Man's Voice that way; that's not so well: it may be some Lover, Husband, or Brother; none of which are to be trusted in this Case, therefore I'll stand upon my Guard.

[Draws: _Marcel_ coming towards him jostles him.

_Mar._ Who's there?

_Alon._ A Man.

_Mar._ A Man! none such inhabit here. [Draws.

Thy Business?

_Alon._ This shall answer you, since there's no other way.

[They fight, _Alonzo_ wounds _Marcel_, who fights him to the Door; _Alonzo_ goes out, _Marcel_ gropes to follow.

_Mar._ This is not just, ye G.o.ds, to punish me, and let the Traytor 'scape unknown too: Methought 'twas _Silvio's_ Voice, or else a sudden thought of Jealousy come into my Head would make me think so.

Enter _Clarinda_ and _Dormida_ with Light.