The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Ii Part 109

_Enter_ Sir Signal _a little groping_.

Sir _Sig_. There's no finding my way out,--and now does Fear make me fancy this some inchanted Castle.--

_Enter_ Tick, _listening_.

_Tick_. Hah, an inchanted Castle!

Sir _Sig_. Belonging to a monstrous Giant; who having spirited away the King of _Tropicipopican's_ Daughter, keeps her here inclos'd, and that I a wandring Knight am by fickle Fortune sent to her Deliverance.

[Tick _listens_.

_Tick_. How's that! spirited away the King of _Tropicipopican's_ Daughter; bless me, what unlawful Wickedness is practis'd in this Romish Heathenish Country! [_Aside_.

Sir _Sig_. And yet the Devil of any Dwarf, Squire or Damsel have I met with yet,--wou'd I were cleanlily off this business--hah, Lights, as I live, and People coming this way!--bless me from the Giant!--Oh Lord, what shall I do!-- [_Falls on his Knees_.

_Tick_. I fear no Giants, having Justice on my Side; but Reputation makes me tender of my Person.--Hah--what's this, a Curtain; I'll wind my self in this, it may secure me.

[_Winds himself in a Window-Curtain_.

Sir _Sig_.--They're entering, what shall I do?--hah--here's a Corner; defend me from a Chimney.

[_Creeps to the Corner of the Window, and feels a s.p.a.ce between Tick's Legs and the Corner; creeps in, and stands up just behind_ Tickletext. _Enter_ Gal. _leading_ Laura; Sab. _with Lights just after 'em_; Jul. Oct.

Mor. _and_ c.r.a.p.

_Oct_. Just in the happy Minute!

_Gal_. I've sworn by every G.o.d, by every Power divine, to marry thee, and save thee from the Tyranny of a forc'd Contract.--Nay, Gad, if I lose a fine Wench for want of Oaths this bout, the Devil's in me.

_Oct_. What think ye now, Sir?

_Jul_. d.a.m.nation on her, set my Rage at Liberty, That I may kill 'em both.

[Mor. _holds him_.

_Mor_. I see no cause for that, she may be virtuous yet.

_Oct_. Do ye think as such to pa.s.s her off on me, Or that I'll bear the Infamy of your Family?

No, I scorn her now, but can revenge my Honour on a Rival.

_Mor_. Nay, then I'll see fair Play,--turn and defend thy Life.

[_Goes to_ Gal. _who turns_.

_Jul_. Whilst I do Justice on the Prost.i.tute:--hah-- Defend me, 'tis the Woman that I love.

[_He gazes, she runs to_ Gal.

_Lau. Octavio_!

_Oct_. _Laura!_ My Sister, perfidious shameful-- [_Offers to kill her_.

_Jul_. Hold, thy Sister this? that Sister I'm to marry.

_Lau_. Is this then _Julio_? and do all the Powers conspire to make me wretched?

_Oct_. May I be dumb for ever.

[_Holds his Sword down, and looks sadly;_ Jul. _holds_ Lau. _by one hand, pleads with_ Oct. _with the other_.

_Enter_ Fillamour _and_ Pet.

_Fil_.--Hah, _Galliard!_ in danger too.

[_Draws, steps to 'em_, Mor. _puts between_.

_Oct_. _Fillamour_ here! how now, what's the matter, Friend?

[_They talk whilst enter_ Marcella _and_ Cornelia.

_Cor_. Hah, new Broils; sure the Devil's broke loose to night.--my Uncle, as I live!

[Mor. _pleads between_ Fil. _and_ Octavio.

_Mar_. And _Octavio!_ Where shall we fly for Safety?

_Cor_. I'll even trust to my Breeches, 'tis too late to retreat;--s'life, here be our Cavaliers too; nay then, ne'er fear falling into the Enemies hands.

_Fil_. I, I fled with _Marcella!_ had I been blest with so much Love from her, I wou'd have boasted on't i'th' face of Heaven.

_Mor_. La ye, Sir. [_To_ Octavio.

_Fil_. The lovely Maid I own I have a Pa.s.sion for; But by the Powers above, the Flame was sacred, And wou'd no more have past the Bounds of Honour Or Hospitality, than I wou'd basely murder; and were she free, I wou'd from all the World make her for ever mine.

_Mor_. Look ye, Sir, a plain case this.

_Gal_. He tells ye simple truth, Sir.

_Oct_. Was it not you this scarce past night I fought with here, in the House by dark, just when you had exchanged yours Vows with her?

_Lau_. Heavens! was it he? [_Aside_.

_Fil_. This Minute was the first I ever enter'd here.

_Jul_. 'Twas I, Sir, was that interrupted Lover,--and this the Lady.

_Lau_. And must I yield at last? [_Aside_.

_Oct_. Wonders and Riddles!

_Gal_. And was this the _Silvianetta_, Sir, you told the Story of?

[_Slily_.

_Jul_. The same whom Inclination, Friends, and Destiny, conspire to make me blest with.

_Gal_. So many Disappointments in one night wou'd make a Man turn honest in spite of Nature.