The Works of Aphra Behn Volume I Part 16

_Flor._ So, if I find him false, my whole Repose is gone. [Aside.

_Belv._ And but for a Vow I've made to a very fine Lady, this Goodness had subdu'd me.

_Fred._ Pox on't be kind, in pity to me be kind, for I am to thrive here but as you treat her Friend.

_h.e.l.l._ Tell me what did you in yonder House, and I'll unmasque.

_Will._ Yonder House-- oh-- I went to-- a-- to-- why, there's a Friend of mine lives there.

_h.e.l.l._ What a she, or a he Friend?

_Will._ A Man upon my Honour! a Man-- A She Friend! no, no, Madam, you have done my Business, I thank you.

_h.e.l.l._ And was't your Man Friend, that had more Darts in's Eyes than _Cupid_ carries in a whole Budget of Arrows?

_Will._ So--

_h.e.l.l._ Ah such a _Bona Roba_: to be in her Arms is lying in _Fresco_, all perfumed Air about me-- Was this your Man Friend too?

_Will._ So--

_h.e.l.l._ That gave you the He, and the She-- Gold, that begets young Pleasures.

_Will._ Well, well, Madam, then you see there are Ladies in the World, that will not be cruel-- there are, Madam, there are--

_h.e.l.l._ And there be Men too as fine, wild, inconstant Fellows as your self, there be, Captain, there be, if you go to that now-- therefore I'm resolv'd--

_Will._ Oh!

_h.e.l.l._ To see your Face no more--

_Will._ Oh!

_h.e.l.l._ Till to morrow.

_Will._ Egad you frighted me.

_h.e.l.l._ Nor then neither, unless you'l swear never to see that Lady more.

_Will._ See her!-- why! never to think of Womankind again?

_h.e.l.l._ Kneel, and swear. [Kneels, she gives him her hand.

_h.e.l.l._ I do, never to think-- to see-- to love-- nor lie with any but thy self.

_h.e.l.l._ Kiss the Book.

_Will._ Oh, most religiously. [Kisses her Hand.

_h.e.l.l._ Now what a wicked Creature am I, to d.a.m.n a proper Fellow.

_Call._ Madam, I'll stay no longer, 'tis e'en dark. [To _Flor._

_Flor._ However, Sir, I'll leave this with you-- that when I'm gone, you may repent the opportunity you have lost by your modesty.

[_Gives him the Jewel, which is her Picture, and Ex. He gazes after her._

_Will._ 'Twill be an Age till to morrow,-- and till then I will most impatiently expect you-- Adieu, my dear pretty Angel.

[Ex. all the Women.

_Belv._ Ha! _Florinda's_ Picture! 'twas she her self-- what a dull Dog was I? I would have given the World for one minute's discourse with her.--

_Fred._ This comes of your Modesty,-- ah pox on your Vow,'twas ten to one but we had lost the Jewel by't.

_Belv._ _Willmore_! the blessed'st Opportunity lost!-- _Florinda_, Friends, _Florinda_!

_Will._ Ah Rogue! such black Eyes, such a Face, such a Mouth, such Teeth,-- and so much Wit!

_Belv._ All, all, and a thousand Charms besides.

_Will._ Why, dost thou know her?

_Belv._ Know her! ay, ay, and a Pox take me with all my Heart for being modest.

_Will._ But hark ye, Friend of mine, are you my Rival? and have I been only beating the Bush all this while?

_Belv._ I understand thee not-- I'm mad-- see here-- [Shews the Picture.

_Will._ Ha! whose Picture is this? --'tis a fine Wench.

_Fred._ The Colonel's Mistress, Sir.

_Will._ Oh, oh, here-- I thought it had been another Prize-- come, come, a Bottle will set thee right again.

[Gives the Picture back.

_Belv._ I am content to try, and by that time 'twill be late enough for our Design.

_Will._ Agreed.

_Love does all day the Soul's great Empire keep, But Wine at night lulls the soft G.o.d asleep._ [Exeunt.

SCENE II. __Lucetta's_ House._

Enter _Blunt_ and _Lucetta_ with a Light.

_Luc._ Now we are safe and free, no fears of the coming home of my old jealous Husband, which made me a little thoughtful when you came in first-- but now Love is all the business of my Soul.

_Blunt._ I am transported-- Pox on't, that I had but some fine things to say to her, such as Lovers use-- I was a Fool not to learn of _Fred_, a little by Heart before I came-- something I must say.-- [_Aside._]

'Sheartlikins, sweet Soul, I am not us'd to complement, but I'm an honest Gentleman, and thy humble Servant.