The Works of Aphra Behn Volume I Part 89

_Hau._ Hark ye, Lady-- Well, what next now? Oh pox, quite out, quite out; tell me whether the old Man ly'd or no, when he told me you lov'd me.

_Euph._ I love you!

_Hau._ Look you there now, how she looks again.

_Car._ She's only bashful, Sir, before me; therefore if you please to take a small Collation, that has waited within for you this three Hours--

_Hau._ That's strange now, that any thing should wait for me, who was no more expected here than _Bethlehem-Gaber_: Faith now, Lady, this Father of yours is very simple.

_Euph._ To take you for his Son.

_Hau._ I meant to have surpriz'd you I vow, before you had dreamt of me; and when I came, you all knew me as well as if you had cast a Figure for me.

_Car._ Well, Son, you'll follow.

_Euph._ You will not leave me alone, Sir, with a Man?

_Hau._ Go your ways, go your ways-- I shall know more of your Secrets before [_Gload_ makes Grimaces to _Olinda_ of Love.] night yet, you little pouting Hypocrite you.

_Euph._ You know my Secrets! why, who are you?

_Hau._ Ha, ha, ha, that's a very good one faith now: who am I, quoth thou? why there's not a Child thus high in all your Father's House would have ask'd me so simple a Question.

_Olin._ Madam, I find by this Man, this is your expected Lover, whom you must flatter, or you are undone, 'tis _Haunce van Ezel_.

[To _Euphemia_.

_Euph._ The Fop himself.

_Hau._ Oh, do you know me now?

_Euph._ 'Tis impossible.

_Hau._ This is an extreme the other way now. [Aside.

Impossible, ha, ha, ha! No, no, poor thing, do not doubt thy Happiness: for look ye, to confirm you, here are my Bills of Exchange with my own natural Name to them, if you can read written Hand-- [Shews her Papers.

_Glo._ Not love you! I'll swear you lye now, you little Jade, I am now in Masquerade, and you cannot judge of me; but I am Book-keeper and Cas.h.i.+er to my Master, and my Love will turn to account, I'll warrant you.

_Olin._ There may be use made of him. [Aside.

I shall think of it. But pray why are you thus accouter'd?

_Glo._ Fakes, to entertain your Lady, we have brought the whole s.h.i.+p's Company too in Masquerade.

_Olin._ That indeed will be very proper at this time of the Day, and the first Visit too.

_Glo._ Shaw, that's nothing, you little think what Blades we are mun-- Sir, I'll call in the Fiddles and the Company.

_Hau._ Well remember'd, faith, now I had e'en forgot it.

_Euph._ What's the meaning of this? [Fiddles strike up.

_Hau._ To show you the difference between the d.a.m.nable dull Gravity of the _Spanish_, and brisk Gaiety of the _Dutch_. Come, come, begin all.

Enter _Dutchmen_ and Women dancing.

Nay, I'll shew you what I can do too, come, _Gload_.

[They two dance.

There's for you now, and yet you have not seen half my good Qualities; I can sing the newest Ballad that has been made, so I can.

[Sings a _Dutch_ Song.

_Euph._ Be these your Friends, Sir? they look as if you had ransack'd a Hoy for them.

_Hau._ How! look on them well, they are all States or States-fellows, I tell you that now, and they can bear witness who I am too.

_Euph._ Now I'm convinced, and am sorry I doubted my Happiness so long: I had such a Character of you.

_Hau._ Of me! oh Lord, I vow now-- as they say-- I don't know-- ha, ha--

_Euph._ I heard you were the most incorrigible Fool, the most intolerable Fop.

_Hau._ Ha, ha, ha, do you hear, _Gload_-- who, I a Fop? I vow they were mistaken in me, for I am counted as pretty a Merchant as any walks the Change; can write a very plain Hand, and cast Account as well-- my man _Gload_-- can't I, Sirrah?

_Glo._ Yes indeed, forsooth, can he.

_Hau._ Egad, a Fool, a Fop, quoth ye-- [Walks angry.

_Olin._ By all means flatter him, Madam.

_Euph._ I'm satisfy'd, Sir.

_Hau._ I care not whether you are or no, for I shall have you whether you will or no, mun.

_Euph._ 'Tis very likely; but there is a certain troublesome Fellow in love with me, that has made me vow whenever I marry to ask him leave.

_Hau._ How, ask his leave? I scorn to ask any Body's leave, I tell you that, tho 'twere my Mistress--

_Euph._ I cannot marry you then.

_Hau._ How, not marry me? look here now: [Ready to cry.

_Gload_, can't you marry, and let no living Soul know it?

_Euph._ Oh no, Sir, I love your Life better, which would be indanger'd.

_Hau._ Why, what a cursed Custom you have in _Spain_, a Man can neither marry, nor console his Neighbour's Wife without having his Throat cut.

Why, what if he will not give you leave?

_Euph._ Why, then you must fight him.

_Hau._ How! fight him, I fight him!

Glo. Why, yes, Sir, you know you can fight, you try'd but this very Morning--