The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Ii Part 104

_Gal_. But when I came to the matter then in debate, she was for honourable Love forsooth, and wou'd not yield, no marry wou'd she, not under a Licence from the Parson of the Parish.

_Jul_. Who was it, prithee? 'twere a good Deed to be so reveng'd on her.

_Gal_. Pox on her; no, I'm sure she's a d.a.m.n'd Gipsy, for at the same time she had her Lovers in reserve, lay hid her Bed-chamber.

_Lau_. 'Twas that he took unkindly, And makes me guilty of that rude Address.

_Fil_. Another Lover had she?

_Gal_. Yes, our c.o.xcomb Knight Buffoon, laid by for a relishing Bit, in case I prov'd not season'd to her Mind.

_Lau_. Hah, he knew him then.

_Gal_. But d.a.m.n her, she pa.s.ses with the Night, the Day will bring new Objects.

_Fil_. Oh, do not doubt it, _Frank_.

_Lau_. False and Inconstant! Oh, I shall rave, _Silvio_-- [_Aside to Sil_.

_Enter_ Cornelia _in Man's Clothes with a Letter_.

_Cor_. Here be the Cavaliers: give me, kind Heaven, but hold of him; and if I keep him not, I here renounce my Charms of Wit and Beauty--Signiors, is there a Cavalier amongst ye, call'd _Fillamour_?

_Fil_. I own that Name; what wou'd you, Sir?

_Cor_. Only deliver this, Signior.

[Fil. _goes aside, opens his Lanthorn, and reads_, Jul. _and_ Gal. _talk aside_.

_Fil_. [Reads.] _I'll only tell you I am Brother to that Marcella whom you have injured, to oblige you to meet me an Hour hence, in the_ Piazo Despagnia: _I need not say with your Sword in your hand, since you will there meet_ Julio Sebastiano Morosini!

--Hah! her Brother sure return'd from Travel. [_Aside_.

--Signior,--I will not fail to answer it as he desires.

[_To_ Cornelia.

I'll take this Opportunity to steal off undiscover'd.

[_Aside going out_.

_Cor_. So, I've done my Sister's Business; now for my own.

_Gal_. But, my good Friend, pray what Adventure have you been on to night.

_Jul_. Faith, Sir, 'twas like to have prov'd a pleasant one, I came just now from _Silvianetta_, the fair young Curtezan.

_Cor_. Hah! what said the Man--came from me! [_Aside_.

_Gal_. How, Sir, you with _Silvianetta!_ when?

_Jul_. Now, all the dear live-long Night.

_Cor_. A Pox take him, who can this be? [_Aside_.

_Gal_. This night! this night! that is not yet departed.

_Jul_. This very happy Night,--I told you I saw a lovely Woman at St.

_Peter's_ Church.

_Gal_. You did so.

_Jul_. I told you too I follow'd her home, but you'd learn neither her Name nor Quality; but my Page getting into the acquaintance of one of hers, brought me News of both; her Name _Silvianetta_, her Quality a Curtezan.

_Cor_. I at Church yesterday! now hang me if I had any such devout Thoughts about me: why, what a d.a.m.n'd scandalous Rascal's this?

_Jul_. Fill'd with hopes of Success, at night I made her a Visit, and under her Window had a skirmish with some Rival, who was then serenading her.

_Gal_. Was't he that fought us then.--[_Aside_.-- But it seems you were not mistaken in the House-- On with your Story pray--Death, I grow jealous now-- [_Aside_.] You came at Night you said?

_Jul_. Yes, and was receiv'd at the door by the kind _Silvianetta_, who softly whisper'd me, come to my Bosom, and be safe for ever! and doubtless took me for some happier Man.

_Lau_. Confusion on him, 'twas my very Language! [_Aside raving_.

_Jul_. Then led me by dark into her Chamber.

_Cor_. Oh, this d.a.m.n'd lying Rascal! I do this? [_Aside_.

_Jul_. But oh, the things, the dear obliging things, the kind, the fair young Charmer said and did.

_Gal_. To thee!

_Jul_. To me.

_Gal_. Did _Silvianetta_ do this, _Silvianetta_ the Curtezan?

_Jul_. That pa.s.ses, Sir, for such, but is indeed of Quality.

_Cor_. This Stranger is the Devil, how shou'd he know that Secret else?

_Jul_. She told me too 'twas for my sake alone, whom from the first Minute she saw she lov'd, she had a.s.sum'd that Name and that Disguise, the sooner to invite me.

_Lau_. 'Tis plain, the things I utter'd!--Oh, my Heart!

_Gal_. Curse on the publick Jilt, the very Flattery she wou'd have past on me.

_Cor_. Pox take him, I must draw on him, I cannot hold. [_Aside_.

_Gal_. Was ever such a Wh.o.r.e?

_Lau_. Oh, that I knew this Man, whom by mistake I lavisht all the Secrets of my Soul to! [_Aside_.

_Jul_. I prest for something more than dear Expressions, And found her yield apace; But sighing, told me of a fatal Contract, She was oblig'd to make to one she never saw; And yet if I wou'd vow to marry her, when she cou'd prove To merit it, she wou'd deny me nothing.