The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Iii Part 70

Sir _Cau_. 'Tis that I wou'd be glad to know, Sir.

_Enter _d.i.c.k.

Sir _Feeb_. Here, _d.i.c.k_, remember I've brought back your Master's Watch; next time he sends for me o'er Night, I'll come to him in the Morning.

Sir _Cau_. Ha, ha, ha, I send for you! Go home and sleep, Sir--Ad, and ye keep your Wife waking to so little purpose, you'll go near to be haunted with a Vision of Horns.

[_Exit_ d.i.c.k.

Sir _Feeb_. Roguery, Knavery, to keep me from my Wife--Look ye, this was the Message I receiv'd.

[_Tells him seemingly_.

_Enter_ Bredwel _to the Door in a white Sheet like a Ghost, speaking to_ Gayman _who stands within_.

_Bred_. Now, Sir, we are two to two, for this way you must pa.s.s or be taken in the Lady's Lodgings--I'll first adventure out to make you pa.s.s the safer, and that he may not, if possible, see Sir _Cautious_, whom I shall fright into a Trance, I am sure.

And Sir _Feeble_, the Devil's in't if he know him. [_Aside_.

_Gay_. A brave kind Fellow this.

_Enter_ Bredwel _stalking on as a Ghost by them_.

Sir _Cau_. Oh--undone,--undone; help, help;--I'm dead, I'm dead.

[_Falls down on his Face; Sir_ Feeble _stares,--and stands still_.

_Bred_. As I could wish. [_Aside, turns_.

Come on, thou ghastly thing, and follow me.

_Enter_ Gayman _like a Ghost, with a Torch_.

Sir _Cau_. Oh Lord, oh Lord!

_Gay_. Hah!--old Sir _Feeble Fainwou'd_--why, where the Devil am I?

--'Tis he:--and be it where it will, I'll fright the old Dotard for cozening my Friend of his Mistress. [_Stalks on_.

Sir _Feeb_. Oh, guard me,--guard me--all ye Pow'rs! [_Trembling_.

_Gay_. Thou call'st in vain, fond Wretch--for I am _Bellmour_,

_Whom first thou robb'st of Fame and Life, And then what dearer was,--his Wife_.

[_Goes out, shaking his Torch at him_.

Sir _Cau_. Oh Lord--oh Lord!

_Enter L_. Fulbank _in an undress, and_ Pert _undrest.

L. _Ful_. Heavens, what noise is this?--So he's got safe out I see--hah, what thing art thou? [_Sees Sir _Feeble_ arm'd_.

Sir _Feeb_. Stay, Madam, stay--'tis I, a poor trembling Mortal.

L. _Ful_. Sir _Feeble Fainwou'd!_--rise,--are you both mad?

Sir _Cau_. No, no,--Madam, we have seen the Devil.

Sir _Feeb_. Ay, and he was as tall as the Monument.

Sir _Cau_. With Eyes like a Beacon--and a Mouth,--Heaven bless us, like _London_ Bridge at a full Tide.

Sir _Feeb_. Ay, and roar'd as loud.

L. _Ful_. Idle Fancies, what makes you from your Bed? and you, Sir, from your Bride?

_Enter_ d.i.c.k _with Sack_.

Sir _Feeb_. Oh! that's the business of another day, a mistake only, Madam.

L. _Ful_. Away, I'm asham'd to see wise Men so weak; the Fantoms of the Night, or your own Shadows, the Whimseys of the Brain for want of Rest, or perhaps _Bredwel_, your Man--who being wiser than his Master, play'd you this Trick to fright you both to Bed.

Sir _Feeb_. Hum--adod, and that may be, for the young Knave when he let me in to Night, was drest up for some Waggery--

Sir _Cau_. Ha, ha, ha, 'twas even so, sure enough, Brother--

Sir _Feeb_. Ads bobs, but they frighted me at first basely--but I'll home to Pupsey, there may be Roguery, as well as here--Madam, I ask your Pardon, I see we're all mistaken.

L. _Ful_. Ay, Sir _Feeble_, go home to your Wife.

[_Ex. severally_.

SCENE VI. _The Street_.

_Enter_ Bellmour _at the door, knocks, and enter to him from the House_, Phillis.

_Phil_. Oh, are you come, Sir? I'll call my Lady down.

_Bel_. Oh, haste, the Minutes fly--leave all behind.

And bring _Leticia_ only to my Arms.

[_A noise of People_.

--Hah, what noise is that? 'Tis coming this way, I tremble with my fears--hah, Death and the Devil, 'Tis he--

_Enter Sir_ Feeble _and his Men arm'd, goes to the door, knocks_.

Ay, 'tis he, and I'm undone--what shall I do to kill him now? besides, the Sin wou'd put me past all Hopes of pardoning.

Sir _Feeb_. A d.a.m.n'd Rogue to deceive me thus.--