The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Iii Part 39

_Cla_. With four Lackeys.

_Jac_. And a Page at the tail on't.

_Cla_. She's evidently design'd for a Person of Quality.

_Isa_. Besides I have so natural an Inclination for a Don, that if my Father do force me to marry this small Creature of a Merchant, I shall make an Intrigue with some body of Quality.

_Cla_. Cou'd you but manage it well, and keep it from _Antonio_.

_Isa_. Keep it from _Antonio_,--is it think you for a little silly Cit, to complain when a Don does him the Honour to visit his Lady? Marry, that were pretty.

_Enter_ Francisco, _and_ Lopez.

_Fran_. How, a Count to speak with me! with me, I say,--here at _Cadiz_.

_Lop_. A Count, Sir, and to speak with you.

_Fran_. Art sure 'tis not the Governor?--I'll go lock up my Wife.

_Lop_. Governor, Sir! No, no, 'tis a mere Stranger, Sir, a rare Count whom I never saw all days of my life before.

_Fran_. And with me wou'd he speak? I hope he comes not to my Wife.

_Enter_ Julia.

_Jul_. Oh Husband, the delicatest fine Person of Quality, just alighted at the Door, Husband.

_Fran_. What, have you seen him then? the Devil's in these Women, and there be but a Loop-hole to peep out of they'll spy a man,--I'm resolved to see this thing,--go, retire, you Women, here's Men coming up.

_Isa_. And will Men eat us?

_Fran_. No, but they may do worse, they may look on ye, and Looking breeds Liking; and Liking, Love; and Love a d.a.m.n'd thing, call'd Desire; and Desire begets the Devil and all of Mischief to young Wenches--Get ye gone in, I say--here's a Lord coming--and Lords are plaguy things to Women.

_Isa_. How, a Lord! oh, heavens! _Jacinta_, my Fan, and set my Hair in order, oh, the G.o.ds! I would not but see a Lord for all the World! how my Heart beats already--keep your Distance behind, _Jacinta_,--bless me, how I tremble--a little farther, _Jacinta_.

_Fran_. Come, come, Huswife, you shall be married anon, and then let your Husband have the plague of you--but for my Gentlewoman,--Oh Lord --they're here.

_Enter_ Guiliom, Carlos, _and_ Pages, _&c_.

_Gull_. How now, Fellow, where's this old Don _Francisco_?

_Fran_. I'm the Person, Sir.

_Isa_. Heavens, what an Air he has!

_Guil_. Art thou he? Old Lad, how dost thou do? Hah!

_Fran_. I don't know.

_Guil_. Thou knowest me not it seems, old Fellow, hah!

_Fran_. Know you--no, nor desire to do,--on what acquaintance, pray?

_Guil_. By Instinct; such as you ought to know a Person of Quality, and pay your Civilities naturally; in _France_, where I have travel'd, so much good manners is used, your Citizen pulls off his hat, thus--to every Horse of Quality, and every Coach of Quality; and do you pay my proper Person no more respect, hah!

_Isa_. What a Dishonour's this to me, to have so dull a Father, that needs to be instructed in his Duty.

_Guil_. But, Sir, to open the eyes of your understanding--here's a Letter to you, from your Correspondent a Merchant of _Sevil_.

[_Gives him a dirty Letter which he wipes on his Cloke and reads, and begins to pull off his hat, and reading on bows lower and lower till he have finisht it_.

_Fran_. Cry Mercy, my Lord,--and yet I wou'd he were a thousand Leagues off.

_Guil_. I have Bills of Exchange too, directed to thee, old Fellow, at _Sevil_; but finding thee not there, and I (as most Persons of my Quality are) being something idle, and never out of my way, came to this Town, to seek thee, Fellow--being recommended as thou seest here, old Vermin--here-- [_Gives him Bills_.

_Isa_. Ah, what a graceful Mein he has! how fine his Conversation! ah, the difference between him and a filthy Citizen!

_Jul_.--_Clara_ has told me all.-- [Jac. _whispering to_ Jul.

_Car_. That's she in the middle; stand looking on her languishingly, --your head a little on one side,--so,--fold your Arms,--good,--now and then heave your breast with a sigh,--most excellent.-- [_He groans_.

_Fran_. Bills for so many thousands.

_Jac_. He has you in his eye already.

_Isa_. Ah, _Jacinta_, thou flatterest me.

_Jac_. Return him some kind looks in pity.

[_She sets her Eyes, and bows, &c_.

_Car_. That other's my Mistress,--couldst thou but keep this old Fellow in discourse whilst I give her the sign to retire a little.--

_Guil_. I'll warrant you I'll banter him till you have cuckolded him, if you manage matters as well as I.

_Fran_. My Lord, I ask your pardon for my rudeness in not knowing you before, which I ought to have done in good manners I confess; who the Devil does he stare at so?--Wife, I command you to withdraw, upon pain of our high displeasure.--my Lord, I shall dispatch your affairs,--he minds me not,--Ay, 'tis my Wife, I say, Minion, be gone,--your Bills, my Lord, are good, and I accept 'em;--why a Devil he minds me not yet, [Julia _goes to t'other side to_ Carlos.]--and though I am not at my proper home,--I am where I can command Money,--hum,--sure 'tis my Daughter,--Ay, ay,--'tis so, how if he should be smitten now; the plaguy Jade had sure the Spirit of Prophecy in her; 'tis so--'tis she--my Lord.

_Guil_. Prithee, old Fellow, Peace,--I am in love.

_Fran_. In love,--what, shall I be the Father of a Lord? wou'd it become me, think ye?--he's mighty full of Cogitabund--my Lord,--sure his Soul has left the Tenement of his Body--I have his Bills here, and care not if it never return more.

[_Looks over the Bills_.

_Car_. Dear _Julia_, let's retire, our time's but short.

_Jul_. I dare not with you, the venture wou'd be too bold in a young beginner in the Thefts of Love.

_Guil_. Her Eyes are Suns, by _Jove_.

_Car_. Oh, nothing is so ventrous as Love, if it be true.