The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Ii Part 92

_Gal_. Ah, for a fine young Wh.o.r.e with all these Charms!

but that same Quality allays the Joy: there's such a d.a.m.n'd ado with the Obligation, that half the Pleasure's lost in Ceremony.

--Here for a thousand Crowns I reign alone, Revel all day in Love without controul.

--But come to our business, I have given order for Musick, Dark Lanthorns, and Pistols.

[_This while_ Fil., _stands studying_.

_Fil_. Death, if it shou'd not be _Marcella_ now! [_Pausing aside_.

_Gal_. Prithee no more considering,--resolve, and let's about it.

_Fil_. I wou'd not tempt my Heart again! for Love, What e'er it may be in another's Breast, In mine 'twill turn to a religious Fire; And so to burn for her, a common Mistress, Wou'd be an Infamy below her Practice.

_Gal_. Oh, if that be all, doubt not, _Harry_, but an Hour's Conversation with _Euphemia_ will convert it to as leud a flame, as a Man wou'd wish.

_Lau_. What a coil's here about a Curtezan! what ado to persuade a Man to a Blessing all _Rome_ is languishing for in vain!--Come, Sir, we must deal with him, as Physicians do with peevish Children, force him to take what will cure him.

_Fil_. And like those d.a.m.n'd Physicians, kill me for want of method: no, I know my own Distemper best, and your Applications will make me mad.

_Gal_. Pox on't, that one cannot love a Woman like a Man, but one must love like an a.s.s.

_Lau_. S'heart, I'll be bound to lie with all the Women in _Rome_, with less ado than you are brought to one.

_Gal_. Hear ye that, _Henry_? s'death, art not asham'd to be instructed by one so young!--But see--the Star there appears,--the Star that conducts thee to the Sh.o.r.e of Bliss,--She comes! let's feel thy [Marcella _and_ Cornelia _above_ with_ Philippa.] Heart, she comes!

So breaks the Day on the glad Eastern Hills, Or the bright G.o.d of Rays from _Thetis'_ Lap: A Rapture, now, dear Lad, and then fall to; for thou art old Dog at a long Grace.

_Fil_. Now I'm mere Man again, with all his Frailties-- [_Aside_.

--Bright lovely Creature!--

_Gal_. d.a.m.n it, how like my Lady's eldest Son was that?

_Fil_. May I hope my Sacrifice may be accepted by you; by Heaven, it must be she! still she appears more like.-- [_Aside_.

_Mar_. I've only time to tell you Night approaches, And then I will expect you.

_Enter_ c.r.a.pine, _gazes on the Ladies_.

_c.r.a.p_. 'Tis she, _Donna Marcella_, on my life, with the young wild _Cornelia_!--hah--yonder's the _English_ Cavalier too; nay then, by this Hand I'll be paid for all my fruitless jaunts, for this good news--stay, let me mark the House.--

_Mar_. Now to my Disguise.

[_Ex_. Marcella.

_Gal_. And have you no kind message to send to my Heart? cannot this good Example instruct you how to make me happy?

_Cor_. Faith, Stranger, I must consider first; she's skilful in the Merchandize of Hearts, and has dealt in Love with so good success. .h.i.therto, she may lose one Venture, and never miss it in her Stock: but this is my first, and shou'd it prove to be a bad bargain, I were undone for ever.

_Gal_. I dare secure the Goods sound--

_Cor_. And I believe will not lie long upon my hands.

_Gal_. Faith, that's according as you'll dispose on't, Madam--for let me tell you--gad, a good handsome proper Fellow is as staple a Commodity as any's in the Nation;--but I wou'd be reserv'd for your own use. Faith, take a Sample to night, and as you like it, the whole Piece; and that's fair and honest dealing I think, or the Devil's in't.

_Cor_. Ah, Stranger,--you have been so over-liberal for those same Samples of yours, that I doubt they have spoiled the sale of the rest; Cou'd you not afford, think ye, to throw in a little Love and Constancy, to inch out that want of Honesty of yours?

_Gal_. Love! oh, in abundance!

By those dear Eyes, by that soft smiling Mouth, By every secret Grace thou hast about thee, I love thee with a vigorous, eager Pa.s.sion; --Be kind, dear _Silvianetta_--prithee do, Say you believe, and make me blest to Night.

_c.r.a.p. Silvianetta!_ so, that's the Name she has rifl'd for _Cornelia_, I perceive. [_Aside_.

_Cor_. If I shou'd be so kind-hearted, what good use wou'd you make of so obliging an Opportunity?

_Gal_. That which the happy Night was first ordain'd for.

_Cor_. Well, Signior, 'tis coming on, and then I'll try what Courage the Darkness will inspire me with:--till then--farewell.--

_Gal_. Till then a thousand times adieu.-- [_Blowing up kisses to her_.

_Phil_. Ah, Madam, we're undone,--yonder's _c.r.a.pine_, your Uncle's Valet.

_Cor_. Now a Curse on him; shall we not have one night with our Cavaliers?--let's retire, and continue to out-wit him, or never more pretend to't. Adieu, Signior Cavalier--remember Night.--

_Gal_. Or may I lose my Sense to all Eternity.

[_Kisses his fingers and bows, she returns it for a while.

Exit_. c.r.a.p.

_Lau_. G.o.ds, that all this that looks at least like Love, Shou'd be dispens'd to one insensible!

Whilst every syllable of that dear Value, Whisper'd to me, wou'd make my Soul all Extasy. [_Aside_.

--Oh, spare that Treasure for a grateful Purchase; And buy that common Ware with trading Gold, Love is too rich a Price!--I shall betray my self.--[_Aside_.

_Gal_. Away, that's an heretical Opinion, and which This certain Reason must convince thee of; That Love is Love, wherever Beauty is, Nor can the Name of Wh.o.r.e make Beauty less.

_Enter_ Marcella _like a Man, with a Cloke about her_.

_Mar_. Signior, is your Name _Fillamour?_

_Fil_. It is, what wou'd you, Sir?--

Mar_. I have a Letter for you--from _Viterbo_, and your _Marcella_, Sir.

[_Gives it him_.

_Fil_. Hah--_Viterbo_! and _Marcella_!

It shocks me like the Ghost of some forsaken Mistress, That met me in the way to Happiness, With some new long'd-for Beauty!

[_Opens it, reads_.

_Mar_. Now I shall try thy Virtue, and my Fate.-- [_Aside_.

_Fil_. What is't that checks the Joy, that shou'd surprize me at the receipt of this.