The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Ii Part 91

_Mor_. I say 'twas rashly done, to fight him unexamin'd.

_Oct_. I need not ask; my Reason has inform'd me, and I'm convinc'd, where-e'er he has concealed her, that she is fled with _Fillamour_.

_Jul_. Who is't they speak of?

_Mor_. Well, well, sure my Ancestors committed some horrid crime against Nature, that she sent this Pest of Woman-kind into our Family,--two Nieces for my share;--by Heaven, a Proportion sufficient to undo six Generations.

_Jul_. Hah? two Nieces, what of them? [_Aside_.

_Mor_. I am like to give a blessed account of 'em to their Brother _Julio_ my Nephew, at his return; there's a new plague now:--but my comfort is, I shall be mad, and there's an end on't.

[_Weeps_.

_Jul_. My Curiosity must be satisfied,--have patience, n.o.ble Sir.--

_Mor_. Patience is a flatterer, Sir,--and an a.s.s, Sir; and I'll have none on't--hah, what art thou?

_Jul_. Has five or six Years made ye lose the remembrance of your Nephew--_Julio_?

_Mor. Julio!_ I wou'd I had met thee going to thy Grave.

[_Weeps_.

_Jul_. Why so, Sir?

_Mor_. Your Sisters, Sir, your Sisters are both gone.-- [_Weeps_.

_Jul_. How gone, Sir?

_Mor_. Run away, Sir, flown, Sir.

_Jul_. Heavens! which way?

_Mor_. Nay, who can tell the ways of fickle Women--in short, Sir, your Sister _Marcella_ was to have been married to this n.o.ble Gentleman,--nay, was contracted to him, fairly contracted in my own Chappel; but no sooner was his back turn'd, but in a pernicious Moon-light Night she shews me a fair pair of heels, with the young Baggage, your other Sister _Cornelia_, who was just come from the Monastery where I bred her, to see her Sister married.

_Jul_. A curse upon the s.e.x! why must Man's Honour Depend upon their Frailty?

--Come--give me but any light which way they went, And I will trace 'em with that careful Vengeance--

_Oct_. Spoke like a Man, that understands his Honour; And I can guess how we may find the Fugitives.

_Jul_. Oh, name it quickly, Sir!

_Oct_. There was a young Cavalier--some time at _Viterbo_, Who I confess had Charms, Heaven has denied to me, That Trifle, Beauty, which was made to please Vain foolish Woman, which the brave and wise Want leisure to design.--

_Jul_. And what of him?

_Oct_. This fine gay thing came in your Sister's way, And made that Conquest Nature meant such Fools for: And, Sir, she's fled with him.

_Jul_. Oh, show me the Man, the daring hardy Villain, Bring me but in the view of my Revenge,--and if I fail to take it, Brand me with everlasting Infamy.

_Oct_. That we must leave to Fortune, and our Industry.

--Come, Sir, let's walk and think best what to do,--

[_Going down the Scene, Enter_ Fil. _and_ Gal.

_Fil_. Is not that _Julio_? Boy, run and call him back.

[_Ex. Boy, re-enters with_ Jul.

_Jul_. Oh, _Fillamour_, I have heard such killing news Since last I left thee--

_Fil_. What, prithee?

_Jul_. I had a Sister, Friend--dear as my Life, And bred with all the Virtues of her s.e.x; No Vestals at the Holy Fire employ'd themselves In innocenter business than this Virgin; Till Love, the fatal Fever of her Heart, Betray'd her harmless Hours; And just upon the point of being married, The Thief stole in, and rob'd us of this Treasure: She'as left her Husband, Parents, and her Honour, And's fled with the base Ruiner of her Virtue.

_Fil_. And lives the Villain durst affront ye thus?

_Jul_. He does.

_Gal_. Where, in what distant World?

_Jul_. I know not.

_Fil_. What is he call'd?

_Jul_. I know not neither,--some G.o.d direct me to the Ravisher!

And if he scape my Rage, May Cowards point me out for one of their tame Herd.

_Fil_. In all your Quarrels I must join my Sword.

_Gal_. And if you want,--here's another, Sir, that, though it be not often drawn in anger, nor cares to be, shall not be idle in good company.

_Jul_. I thank you both; and if I have occasion, will borrow their a.s.sistance; but I must leave you for a minute, I'll wait on you anon.-- [_They all three walk as down the street, talking_.

_Enter_ Laura, _with_ Silvio _and her_ Equipage.

_Lau_. Beyond my wish, I'm got into his Friendship: But Oh, how distant Friendship is from Love, That's all bestow'd on the fair Prost.i.tute!

--Ah, _Silvio_, when he took me in his Arms, Pressing my willing Bosom to his Breast, Kissing my Cheek, calling me lovely Youth, And wond'ring how such Beauty, and such Bravery, Met in a Man so young! Ah, then, my Boy, Then in that happy minute, How near was I to telling all my Soul!

My Blushes and my Sighs were all prepar'd; My Eyes cast down, my trembling Lips just parting.-- But still as I was ready to begin, He cries out _Silvianetta_!

And to prevent mine, tells me all his Love.

--But see--he's here.--

[Fill. _and_ Gal. _coming up the Scene_.

_Gal_. Come, lay by all sullen Unresolves: for now the hour of the Berjere approaches, Night that was made for Lovers.--Hah! my Dear _Sans-Coeur_? my Life! my Soul! my Joy! Thou art of my opinion!

_Lau_. I'm sure I am, whate'er it be.

_Gal_. Why, my Friend here, and I, have sent and paid our Fine for a small Tenement of Pleasure, and I'm for taking present possession;--but hold--if you shou'd be a Rival after all.--

_Lau_. Not in your _Silvianetta_! my Love has a nice Appet.i.te, And must be fed with high uncommon Delicates.

I have a Mistress, Sir, of Quality; Fair, as Imagination paints young Angels; Wanton and gay, as was the first _Corinna_, That charm'd our best of Poets; Young as the Spring, and chearful as the Birds That welcome in the Day; Witty, as Fancy makes the Revelling G.o.ds, And equally as bounteous when she blesses.