The Works of Aphra Behn Volume I Part 11

--Hark you, Friend, does she take or give so much by the Month!

_Fred._ A Thousand Crowns! Why, 'tis a Portion for the _Infanta_.

_Blunt._ Hark ye, Friends, won't she trust?

_Brav._ This is a Trade, Sir, that cannot live by Credit.

_Enter _Don Pedro_ in Masquerade, follow'd by _Stephano_._

_Belv._ See, here's more Company, let's walk off a while.

[_Pedro_ Reads.

[Exeunt _English_.

Enter _Angelica_ and _Moretta_ in the Balcony, and draw a Silk Curtain.

_Ped._ Fetch me a Thousand Crowns, I never wish to buy this Beauty at an easier Rate.

[Pa.s.ses off.

_Ang._ Prithee what said those Fellows to thee?

_Brav._ Madam, the first were Admirers of Beauty only, but no purchasers; they were merry with your Price and Picture, laught at the Sum, and so past off.

_Ang._ No matter, I'm not displeas'd with their rallying; their Wonder feeds my Vanity, and he that wishes to buy, gives me more Pride, than he that gives my Price can make me Pleasure.

_Brav._ Madam, the last I knew thro all his disguises to be Don _Pedro_, Nephew to the General, and who was with him in _Pampelona_.

_Ang._ Don _Pedro_! my old Gallant's Nephew! When his Uncle dy'd, he left him a vast Sum of Money; it is he who was so in love with me at _Padua_, and who us'd to make the General so jealous.

_Moret._ Is this he that us'd to prance before our Window and take such care to shew himself an amorous a.s.s? if I am not mistaken, he is the likeliest Man to give your Price.

_Ang._ The Man is brave and generous, but of an Humour so uneasy and inconstant, that the victory over his Heart is as soon lost as won; a Slave that can add little to the Triumph of the Conqueror: but inconstancy's the Sin of all Mankind, therefore I'm resolv'd that nothing but Gold shall charm my Heart.

_Moret._ I'm glad on't; 'tis only interest that Women of our Profession ought to consider: tho I wonder what has kept you from that general Disease of our s.e.x so long, I mean that of being in love.

_Ang._ A kind, but sullen Star, under which I had the Happiness to be born; yet I have had no time for Love; the bravest and n.o.blest of Mankind have purchas'd my Favours at so dear a Rate, as if no Coin but Gold were current with our Trade-- But here's Don _Pedro_ again, fetch me my Lute-- for 'tis for him or Don _Antonio_ the Vice-Roy's Son, that I have spread my Nets.

Enter at one Door Don _Pedro_, and _Stephano_; Don _Antonio_ and _Diego_ [his page], at the other Door, with People following him in Masquerade, antickly attir'd, some with Musick: they both go up to the Picture.

_Ant._ A thousand Crowns! had not the Painter flatter'd her, I should not think it dear.

_Pedro._ Flatter'd her! by Heaven he cannot. I have seen the Original, nor is there one Charm here more than adorns her Face and Eyes; all this soft and sweet, with a certain languishing Air, that no Artist can represent.

_Ant._ What I heard of her Beauty before had fir'd my Soul, but this confirmation of it has blown it into a flame.

_Pedro._ Ha!

_Pag._ Sir, I have known you throw away a Thousand Crowns on a worse Face, and tho y' are near your Marriage, you may venture a little Love here; _Florinda_-- will not miss it.

_Pedro._ Ha! _Florinda!_ Sure 'tis _Antonio_. [aside.

_Ant._ _Florinda_! name not those distant Joys, there's not one thought of her will check my Pa.s.sion here.

_Pedro._ _Florinda_ scorn'd! and all my Hopes defeated of the Possession of _Angelica_! [A noise of a Lute above. _Ant._ gazes up.] Her Injuries by Heaven he shall not boast of.

[Song to a Lute above.

SONG.

_When _Damon_ first began to love, He languisht in a soft Desire, And knew not how the G.o.ds to move, To lessen or increase his Fire, For _Caelia_ in her charming Eyes_ _Wore all Love's Sweet, and all his Cruelties._

II.

_But as beneath a Shade he lay, Weaving of Flow'rs for _Caelia's_ Hair, She chanc'd to lead her Flock that way, And saw the am'rous Shepherd there.

She gaz'd around upon the Place, And saw the Grove (resembling Night) To all the Joys of Love invite,_ _Whilst guilty Smiles and Blushes drest her Face.

At this the bashful Youth all Transport grew, And with kind Force he taught the Virgin how To yield what all his Sighs cou'd never do._

_Ant._ By Heav'n she's charming fair!

[_Angelica_ throws open the Curtains, and bows to _Antonio_, who pulls off his Vizard, and bows and blows up Kisses. _Pedro_ unseen looks in his Face.

_Pedro._ 'Tis he, the false _Antonio_!

_Ant._ Friend, where must I pay my offering of Love? [To the _Bravo_.]

My Thousand Crowns I mean.

_Pedro._ That Offering I have design'd to make, And yours will come too late.

_Ant._ Prithee be gone, I shall grow angry else, And then thou art not safe.

_Pedro._ My Anger may be fatal, Sir, as yours; And he that enters here may prove this Truth.

_Ant._ I know not who thou art, but I am sure thou'rt worth my killing, and aiming at _Angelica_.

[They draw and fight.

Enter _Willmore_ and _Blunt_, who draw and part 'em.

_Blunt._ 'Sheartlikins, here's fine doings.

_Will._ Tilting for the Wench I'm sure-- nay gad, if that wou'd win her, I have as good a Sword as the best of ye-- Put up-- put up, and take another time and place, for this is design'd for Lovers only.

[They all put up.

_Pedro._ We are prevented; dare you meet me to morrow on the _Molo_?

For I've a t.i.tle to a better quarrel, That of _Florinda_, in whose credulous Heart Thou'st made an Int'rest, and destroy'd my Hopes.

_Ant._ Dare?

I'll meet thee there as early as the Day.

_Pedro._ We will come thus disguis'd, that whosoever chance to get the better, he may escape unknown.

_Ant._ It shall be so. [Ex. _Pedro_ and _Stephano_.] Who shou'd this Rival be? unless the _English_ Colonel, of whom I've often heard Don _Pedro_ speak; it must be he, and time he were removed, who lays a Claim to all my Happiness.