The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Ii Part 87

_Fil_. Prithee do so: hah, who's that with such an Equipage?

[_Exit_ Julio, Fil. _and_ Gal. _going after_. Marcella _and_ Cor. _meet just entring_, Laura _with_ Silvio, Antonio, _and her Equipage, drest like a Man_.

_Gal_. Pox, let the Tradesmen ask, who cringe for such gay Customers, and follow us the Women!

[_Exit_ Fil. _and_ Gal. _down the Scene_, Lau. _looking after 'em_.

_Lau_. 'Tis he, my Cavalier, my Conqueror: _Antonio_, let the Coaches wait,--and stand at distance all: Now, _Silvio_, on thy Life forget my s.e.x and Quality, forget my useless name of _Laura Lucretia_, and call me Count of--

_Sil_. What, Madam?

_Lau_. Madam! ah, foolish Boy, thy feminine Courage will betray us all:-- but--call me Count--_Sans Coeur_.--And tell me, _Silvio_, how is it I appear?

How dost thou like my Shape--my Face and Dress? My Mien and Equipage, may I not pa.s.s for Man? Looks it _en Prince_ and Masculine?

_Sil_. Now as I live, you look all over what you wish, and such as will beget a Reverence and Envy in the Men, and Pa.s.sion in the Women. But what's the Cause of all this Transformation?

_Lau_. Love! Love! dull Boy, cou'dst thou not guess 'twas Love? that dear _Englese_ I must enjoy, my _Silvio_.

_Sil_. What, he that adores the fair young Curtezan?

_Lau_. That very he; my Window joins to hers, and 'twas with Charms.

Which he'ad prepar'd for her, he took this Heart, Which met the welcome Arrows in their flight, And sav'd her from their Dangers.

Oft I've return'd the Vows he'as made to her, And sent him pleas'd away; When through the errors of the Night, and distance, He has mistook me for that happy Wanton, And gave me Language of so soft a Power, As ne'er was breath'd in vain to listning Maids.

_Sil_. But with Permission, Madam, how does this Change of Petticoat for Breeches, and shifting Houses too, advance that Love?

_Lau_. This Habit, besides many Opportunities 'twill give me of getting into his acquaintance, secures me too from being known by any of my Relations in _Rome_: then I have changed my House for one so near to that of _Silvianetta's_, and so like it too, that even you and I have oft mistook the entrance: by which means Love, Fortune or Chance, may with my Industry contrive some kind Mistake that may make me happier than the rest of Womankind.

_Sil_. But what shall be reserv'd then for Count _Julio_, whose last Letters promise his Arrival within a Day or two, and whom you're then to marry?

_Lau_. Reserv'd for him! a Wife! a Wife, my _Silvio_, That unconcern'd domestick Necessary, Who rarely brings a Heart, or takes it soon away.--

_Sil_. But then your Brother, Count _Octavio_, do you not fear his Jealousy?

_Lau_. _Octavio!_ Oh, Nature has set his Soul and mine at odds, And I can know no Fear but where I love.

_Sil_. And then that thing which Ladies call their Honour.--

_Lau_. Honour, that hated Idol, even by those That set it up to worship! No, I have a Soul, my Boy, and that's all Love; And I'll the Talent which Heaven lent improve.

[_Going out, meets_ Marcella _and_ Cornelia _follow'd by_ Gal. _and_ Fil.

_Sil_. Here be the Curtezans, my Lord.

_Lau_. Hah, _Silvianetta_ and _Euphemia_! pursu'd too by my Cavalier!

I'll round the Garden, and mix my self amongst 'em.

[_Exit with_ Silvio _and her Train_.

_Mar_. Prithee, Sister, let's retire into the Grove, to avoid the Pursuit of these Cavaliers.

_Cor_. Not I, by these killing Eyes! I'll stand my ground were there a thousand, all arm'd with conquering Beauty.

_Mar_. Hah--now on my Conscience yonder's _Fillamour_.

_Cor_. Hah! _Fillamour_!

_Mar_. My Courage fails me at the sight of him--I must retire.

_Cor_. And I'll to my Art of Love.

[Mar. _retires, and leans against a Tree_, Cor. _walks about reading_.

_Gal_. 'Tis she, 'tis _Silvianetta_: Prithee advance, that thou mayst behold her, and renounce all honest Women; since in that one young Sinner there are Charms that wou'd excuse even to thee all frailty.

_Fil_. The Forms of Angels cou'd not reconcile me To Women of her Trade.

_Gal_. This is too happy an Opportunity, to be lost in convincing thy Singularity,--

[Gal. _goes bowing by the side of_ Cornelia. Fil.

_walks about in the Scene_.

--If Creatures so fair and charming as your self, had any need of Prayer, I shou'd believe by your profound Attention you were at your Evening's Devotion.

_Cor_. That you may find your Mistake in the opinion of my Charms, pray believe I am so, and ought not to be interrupted.

_Gal_. I hope a Man may have leave to make his Devotions by you, at least without Danger or Offence.

_Cor_. I know not that, I have reason to fear your Devotion may be ominous; like a blazing Star, it comes but seldom,--but ever threatens mischief--Pray Heaven, I share not in the Calamity.

_Gal_. Why, I confess, Madam, my Fit of Zeal does not take me often; but when it does, 'tis very harmless and wondrous hearty.--

_Cor_. You may begin then, I shall not be so wicked as to disturb you Orisons.

_Gal_. Wou'd I cou'd be well a.s.sur'd of that, for mine's Devotion of great Necessity, and the Blessing I pray for infinitely concerns me; therefore in Christian Charity keep down your Eyes, and do not ruin a young Man's good Intentions, unless they wou'd agree to send kind Looks, and save me the expence of Prayer.

_Cor_. Which wou'd be better laid out, you think, upon some other Blessing.

_Gal_. Why, faith, 'tis good to have a little Bank upon occasion, though I hope I shall have no great need here-after,--if the charming _Silvianetta_ be but kind, 'tis all I ask of Heaven.

_Cor_. You're very well acquainted with my Name, I find.

_Gal_. Your Name! 'tis all I have to live on!

Like chearful Birds, 'tis the first Tune I sing, To welcome in the Day: The Groves repeat it, and the Fountains purle it, And every pretty Sound that fills my Ear.

Turns all to _Silvianetta_.

[Fil. _looks awhile on_ Marcella.

_Fil. Galliard_, look there--look on that lovely Woman; 'tis _Marcella_, the beautiful _Marcella_.