The Works of Aphra Behn Volume I Part 23

_h.e.l.l._ Madam, [_Moretta_ brings _h.e.l.lena_, who addresses her self to _Angelica_.

You'l hardly pardon my Intrusion, When you shall know my Business; And I'm too young to tell my Tale with Art: But there must be a wondrous store of Goodness Where so much Beauty dwells.

_Ang._ A pretty Advocate, whoever sent thee, --Prithee proceed-- Nay, Sir, you shall not go.

[To _Will._ who is stealing off.

_Will._ Then shall I lose my dear Gipsy for ever.

--Pox on't, she stays me out of spite. [Aside.

_h.e.l.l._ I am related to a Lady, Madam, Young, rich, and n.o.bly born, but has the fate To be in love with a young _English_ Gentleman.

Strangely she loves him, at first sight she lov'd him, But did adore him when she heard him speak; For he, she said, had Charms in every word, That fail'd not to surprize, to wound, and conquer--

_Will._ Ha, Egad I hope this concerns me. [Aside.

_Ang._ 'Tis my false Man, he means-- wou'd he were gone.

This Praise will raise his Pride and ruin me-- Well, Since you are so impatient to be gone, I will release you, Sir. [To _Will._

_Will._ Nay, then I'm sure 'twas me he spoke of, this cannot be the Effects of Kindness in her. [Aside.

--No, Madam, I've consider'd better on't, And will not give you cause of Jealousy.

_Ang._ But, Sir, I've-- business, that--

_Will._ This shall not do, I know 'tis but to try me.

_Ang._ Well, to your Story, Boy,-- tho 'twill undo me. [Aside.

_h.e.l.l._ With this Addition to his other Beauties, He won her unresisting tender Heart, He vow'd and sigh'd, and swore he lov'd her dearly; And she believ'd the cunning Flatterer, And thought her self the happiest Maid alive: To day was the appointed time by both, To consummate their Bliss; The Virgin, Altar, and the Priest were drest, And whilst she languisht for the expected Bridegroom, She heard, he paid his broken Vows to you.

_Will._ So, this is some dear Rogue that's in love with me, and this way lets me know it; or if it be not me, she means some one whose place I may supply.

[Aside.

_Ang._ Now I perceive The cause of thy Impatience to be gone, And all the business of this glorious Dress.

_Will._ d.a.m.n the young Prater, I know not what he means.

_h.e.l.l._ Madam, In your fair Eyes I read too much concern To tell my farther Business.

_Ang._ Prithee, sweet Youth, talk on, thou may'st perhaps Raise here a Storm that may undo my Pa.s.sion, And then I'll grant thee any thing.

_h.e.l.l._ Madam,'tis to intreat you, (oh unreasonable!) You wou'd not see this Stranger; For if you do, she vows you are undone, Tho Nature never made a Man so excellent; And sure he'ad been a G.o.d, but for Inconstancy.

_Will._ Ah, Rogue, how finely he's instructed! [Aside.] --'Tis plain some Woman that has seen me _en pa.s.sant._

_Ang._ Oh, I shall burst with Jealousy! do you know the Man you speak of?--

_h.e.l.l._ Yes, Madam, he us'd to be in Buff and Scarlet.

_Ang._ Thou, false as h.e.l.l, what canst thou say to this? [To _Will._

_Will._ By Heaven--

_Ang._ Hold, do not d.a.m.n thy self--

_h.e.l.l._ Nor hope to be believ'd. [He walks about, they follow.

_Ang._ Oh, perjur'd Man!

Is't thus you pay my generous Pa.s.sion back?

_h.e.l.l._ Why wou'd you, Sir, abuse my Lady's Faith?

_Ang._ And use me so inhumanly?

_h.e.l.l._ A Maid so young, so innocent--

_Will._ Ah, young Devil!

_Ang._ Dost thou not know thy Life is in my Power?

_h.e.l.l._ Or think my Lady cannot be reveng'd?

_Will._ So, so, the Storm comes finely on. [Aside.

_Ang._ Now thou art silent, Guilt has struck thee dumb.

Oh, hadst thou still been so, I'd liv'd in safety.

[She turns away and weeps.

_Will._ Sweetheart, the Lady's Name and House-- quickly: I'm impatient to be with her.-- [Aside to _h.e.l.lena_, looks towards _Angel._ to watch her turning; and as she comes towards them, he meets her.

_h.e.l.l._ So now is he for another Woman. [Aside.

_Will._ The impudent'st young thing in Nature!

I cannot persuade him out of his Error, Madam.

_Ang._ I know he's in the right,-- yet thou'st a Tongue That wou'd persuade him to deny his Faith. [In Rage walks away.

_Will._ Her Name, her Name, dear Boy-- [Said softly to _h.e.l.l._

_h.e.l.l._ Have you forgot it, Sir?

_Will._ Oh, I perceive he's not to know I am a Stranger to his Lady.

[Aside.

--Yes, yes, I do know-- but-- I have forgot the-- [_Angel._ turns.

--By Heaven, such early confidence I never saw.

_Ang._ Did I not charge you with this Mistress, Sir?

Which you denied, tho I beheld your Perjury.

This little Generosity of thine has render'd back my Heart.

[Walks away.

_Will._ So, you have made sweet work here, my little mischief; Look your Lady be kind and good-natur'd now, or I shall have but a cursed Bargain on't.