The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Iii Part 13

[_Exit_ Cel.

_Bel_. O, dost thou mock my Griefs? by Heaven, he did.

--Stay, Sir, he's gone.

_Enter_ Charles Bellmour.

_Char_. The Rogue took Courage, when he saw there was no Remedy; but there's no hurt done on either side.

_Lord_. 'Tis fit such as he shou'd be chastis'd, that do abuse Hospitality. Come, come, to Bed; the Lady, Sir, expects you.

_Bel_. Gentlemen, good Night.

[_Exeunt_.

SCENE II_. A Bed Chamber_.

_Enter_ Diana.

_Dia_. I long to know the Cause of _Bellmour's_ Disorder to Night, and here he comes.

_Enter_ Bellmour, Lord, Charles, _and the rest_.

_Char_. Shan't we see you laid, Brother?

_Bel_. Yes, in my Grave, dear _Charles_; But I'll excuse that Ceremony here.

_Char_. Good Night, and no Rest to you, Brother.

[_Ex. all but_ Bellmour _and_ Diana.

_Dia_. Till now, my _Bellmour_, I wanted Opportunity To ask the Cause, why on a joyful Day, When Heav'n has join'd us by a sacred Tie, Thou droop'st like early Flowers with Winter-storms.

_Bel_. Thou art that Winter-storm that nips my Bud; All my young springing Hopes, my gay Desires, The prospect of approaching Joys of Love, Thou in a hapless Minute hast took from me, And in its room, Hast given me an eternal Desperation.

_Dia_. Have you then given me Vows ye can repent of?

_Bel_. I given ye Vows! be witness, ye just Pow'rs, How far I was from giving any Vows: No, no, _Diana_, I had none to give.

_Dia_. No Vows to give!

What were they which unto the Holy Man Thou didst repeat, when I was made all thine?

_Bel_. The Effects of low Submission, such as Slaves Condemn'd to die, yield to the angry Judge.

_Dia_. Dost thou not love me then?

_Bel_. Love thee! No, by Heaven: yet wish I were so happy, For thou art wondrous fair and wondrous good.

_Dia_. Oh, what a Defeat is here!

The only Man, who from all Nature's store I found most charming, fit for my Desires; And now after a thousand Expectations, Such as all Maids that love like me do hope, Just ready for the highest Joys of Love!

Then to be met thus cold--nay, worse, with scorn. [_Aside_.

--Why, since you could not love me, did you marry me?

_Bel_. Because I was a Beast, a very Villain!

That stak'd a wretched Fortune to all my Joys of Life, And like a prodigal Gamester lost that all.

_Dia_. How durst you, Sir, knowing my Quality, Return me this false Pay, for Love so true?

Was this a Beauty, Sir, to be neglected?

_Bel_. Fair angry Maid, frown on, frown till you kill, And I shall dying bless those Eyes that did so.

For shou'd I live, I shou'd deprive the happier World Of Treasures, I'm too wretched to possess.

And were't not pity that vast store of Beauty Shou'd, like rich Fruit, die on the yielding Boughs?

_Dia_. And are you then resolved to be a Stranger to me?

_Bel_. For ever! for a long Eternity!

_Dia_. O thou'st undone me then; hast thou found out A Maid more fair, more worthy of thy Love?

Look on me well.

_Bel_. I have consider'd thee, And find no Blemish in thy Soul, or Form; Thou art all o'er Divine, yet I must hate thee, Since thou hast drawn me to a mortal Sin, That cannot be forgiven by Men, or Heaven.

--Oh, thou hast made me break a Vow, _Diana_, A sacred solemn Vow; And made me wrong the sweetest Innocence, That ever blest the Earth.

_Dia_. Instead of cooling this augments my Fire; No Pain is like defeated new Desire. [_Aside_.

'Tis false, or but to try my Constancy.

Your Mistress is not so divine as I, And shou'd I, 'gainst himself, believe the Man Who first inspir'd my Heart with Love's soft Flame?

_Bel_. What Bliss on me insensibly you throw!

I'd rather hear thee swear, thou art my Foe, And like some n.o.ble and romantick Maid With Poniards wou'd my stubborn Heart invade; And whilst thou dost the faithful Relique tear, In every Vein thoud'st find _Celinda_ there.

_Dia_. Come, Sir, you must forget _Celinda's_ Charms, And reap Delights within my circling Arms, Delights that may your Errors undeceive, When you find Joys as great as she can give.

_Bel_. What do I hear?--is this the kind Relief Thou dost allow to my Despair and Grief?

Is this the Comfort that thou dost impart To my all-wounded, bleeding, dying Heart?

Were I so brutal, cou'd thy Love comply To serve it self with base Adultery?

For cou'd I love thee, cou'd I love again, Our Lives wou'd be but one continu'd Sin: A Sin of that black dye, a Sin so foul, 'Twou'd leave no Hopes of Heav'n for either's Soul.

_Dia_. Dull Man! Dost think a feeble vain Excuse Shall satisfy me for this Night's abuse?

No, since my Pa.s.sion thou'st defeated thus, And robb'd me of my long-wish'd Happiness, I'll make thee know what a wrong'd Maid can do, Divided 'twixt her Love and Injuries too.

_Bel_. I dare thy worst; Shou'd h.e.l.l a.s.sist thy Aims, thou cou'dst not find, New Plagues, unless thou shou'dst continue kind, Hard Fate, _Diana_, when thy Love must be The greatest Curse that can arrive to me.

--That Friendship which our Infant Years begun, And till this Day has still continued on, I will preserve; and my Respects shall be Profound, as what was ever paid by me: But for my Love, 'tis to _Celinda_ due, And I can pay you none that's just and true.

_Dia_. The rest I'd have thee know I do despise, I better understand my conquering Eyes; Those Eyes that shall revenge my Love and Shame, I'll kill thy Reputation and thy Name.

[_Exit_.

_Bel_. My Honour! and my Reputation, now!