The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Ii Part 103

[_Lets go the Bucket, and is running frighted away_.

_Enter_ Fillamour _and_ Page, _he returns_.

--How, a Man! was ever wretched Wight so miserable, the Devil at one hand, and a _Roman_ Night-walker at the other; which danger shall I chuse?

[_Gets to the door of the House_.

_Tick_. So, I am got up at last--thanks to my Knight, for I am sure 'twas he! hah, he's here--I'll hear his Business.

[_Goes near to_ Fillamour.

_Fil_. Confound this Woman, this bewitching Woman: I cannot shake her from my sullen Heart; Spite of my Soul I linger hereabouts, and cannot to _Viterbo_.

_Tick_. Very good; a dainty Rascal this!

_Enter_ Galliard _with a Lanthorn, as from_ Silvia's _House, held by_ Philippa.

_Fil_.--Hah, who's this coming from her House? Perhaps 'tis _Galliard_.

_Gal_. No Argument shall fetch me back, by Heaven.

_Fil_. 'Tis the mad Rogue.

_Tick_. Oh Lord, 'tis _Galliard_, and angry too; now cou'd I but get off, and leave Sir _Signal_ to be beaten, 'twere a rare project--but 'tis impossible without discovery.

_Phil_. But will you hear her, Signior?

_Gal_. That is, will I lose more time about her? Plague on't, I have thrown away already such Songs and Sonnets, such Madrigals and Posies, such Night-walks, Sighs, and direful Lovers looks, as wou'd have mollify'd any Woman of Conscience and Religion; and now to be popt i'th'

mouth with Quality! Well, if ever you catch me lying with any but honest well-meaning Damsels hereafter, hang me:--farewel, old Secret, farewel.

[_Ex_. Philippa.

--Now am I asham'd of being cozen'd so d.a.m.nably, _Fillamour_, that virtuous Rascal, will so laugh at me; s'heart, cou'd I but have debaucht him, we had been on equal terms.--but I must help my self with lying, and swear I have--a--

_Fil_. You shall not need, I'll keep your Counsel, Sir.

_Gal_. Hah--_estes vous la_?--

_Tick_. How, _Fillamour_ all this while! some Comfort yet, I am not the only Professor that dissembles: but how to get away--

_Gal_. Oh _Harry_, the most d.a.m.nably defeated!

[_A Noise of Swords_.

_Fil_. Hold! what Noise is that? two Men coming this way as from the house of the Curtezans.

_Enter_ Julio _backwards, fighting_ Octavio _and Bravoes_.

_Gal_. Hah, on retreating,--S'death, I've no Sword!

_Fil_. Here's one, I'll take my Page's.

[_Takes the Boy's Sword_.

_Gal_. Now am I mad for mischief; here, hold my Lanthorn, Boy.

[_They fight on_ Julio's _side, and fight_ Octavio _out at t'other side: Enter_ Laura _and_ Sabina _at the Fore-door, which is the same where Sir_ Signal _stands:_ Tick. _groping up that way, finds Sir_ Sig. _just entring in;_ Laura _and_ Sab. _pa.s.s over the Stage_.

Sir _Sig_. Hah, a door open! I care not who it belongs to, 'tis better dying within Doors like a Man, than in the Street like a Dog.

[_Going in_, Tick. _in great fear comes up and pulls him_.

_Tick_. Signior, gentle Signior, whoe'er you are that owns this Mansion, I beseech you to give Protection to a wretched Man half dead with Fear and Injury.

Sir _Sig_. Nay, I defy the Devil to be more dead with Fear than I-- Signior, you may enter, perhaps 'tis some body that will make an Excuse for us both,--but hark, they return.

[_Both go in, just after_ Lau. _and_ Sab. _and_ Silvio _enter_.

_Lau_. He's gone! he's gone! perhaps for ever gone.-- Tell me, thou silly Manager of Love, How got this Ruffian in? how was it possible Without thy Knowledge he cou'd get Admittance?

_Sab_. Now as I hope to live and learn, I know not, Madam, unless he follow'd you when you let in the Cavalier, which being by dark he easily conceal'd himself; no doubt some Lover of _Silvianetta's_, who mistaking you for her, took him too for a Rival.

_Lau_. 'Tis likely, and my Fortune is to blame, my cursed Fortune, Who like Misers deals her scanty Bounties with so slow a hand, That or we die before the Blessing falls, Or have it s.n.a.t.c.ht e'er we can call it ours.

[_Raving_.]

To have him in my House, to have him kind, Kind as young Lovers when they meet by stealth; As fond as Age to Beauty, and as soft As Love and Wit cou'd make impatient Youth, Preventing even my Wishes and Desires, --Oh G.o.ds! and then, even then to be defeated, Then from my o'erjoy'd Arms to have him s.n.a.t.c.ht; Then when our Vows had made our Freedom lawful; What Maid cou'd suffer a Surprize so cruel?

--The Day begins to break,--go search the Streets, And bring me news he's safe, or I am lost.

_Enter_ Gal. Fil. _and_ Jul.

_Fil_. _Galliard_, where art thou?

_Gal_. Here safe, and by thy side.--

_Lau_. 'Tis he!

_Jul_. Whoe'er he were, the Rogue fought like a Fury, and but for your timely Aid I'd been in some Danger.

_Fil_. But, _Galliard_, thou wert telling me thy Adventure with _Silvianetta_; there may be comfort in't.

_Lau_. So, now I shall hear with what concern he speaks of me.-- [_Aside_.

_Gal_. Oh, d.a.m.n her, d.a.m.n her!

_Lau_. Hah!

_Gal_. The veriest Jilt that ever learnt the Art.

_Lau_. Heavens!

_Gal_. Death, the Wh.o.r.e took me for some amorous _English_ elder Brother, and was for Matrimony, in the Devil's name; thought me a loving Fool, that ne'er had seen so glorious a sight before, and wou'd at any rate enjoy.

_Lau_. Oh Heaven! I'm amaz'd, how much he differs from the thing he was but a few Minutes since. [_Aside_.

_Gal_. And to advance her Price, set up for Quality; nay, swore she was a Maid, and that she did but act the Curtezan.

_Lau_. Which then he seem'd to give a credit to.--O, the forsworn Dissembler!