The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Iii Part 74

Sir _Cau_. I say the Devil; Heaven bless every wise Man from the Devil.

_Bea_. The Devil, sha! there's no such Animal in Nature; I rather think he pads.

_Noi_. Oh, Sir, he has not Courage for that--but he's an admirable Fellow at your Lock.

Sir _Cau_. Lock! My Study-Lock was pickt--I begin to suspect him--

_Bea_. I saw him once open a Lock with the Bone of a Breast of Mutton, and break an Iron Bar asunder with the Eye of a Needle.

Sir _Cau_. Prodigious!--well, I say the Devil still.

_Enter Sir_ Feeble.

Sir _Feeb_. Who's this talks of the Devil?--a Pox of the Devil, I say, this last night's Devil has so haunted me--

Sir _Cau_. Why, have you seen it since, Brother?

Sir _Feeb_. In Imagination, Sir.

_Bel_. How, Sir, a Devil?

Sir _Feeb_. Ay, or a Ghost.

_Bel_. Where, good Sir?

_Bea_. Ay, where? I'd travel a hundred Mile to see a Ghost--

_Bel_. Sure, Sir, 'twas Fancy.

Sir _Feeb_. If 'twere a Fancy, 'twas a strong one; and Ghosts and Fancy are all one if they can deceive. I tell you--if ever I thought in my Life--I thought I saw a Ghost--Ay, and a d.a.m.nable impudent Ghost too; he said he was a--a Fellow here--they call _Bellmour_.

_Bel_. How, Sir!

_Bea_. Well, I wou'd give the world to see the Devil, provided he were a civil affable Devil, such an one as _Wasteall's_ Acquaintance is--

Sir _Cau_. He can show him too soon, it may be. I'm sure as civil as he is, he helps him to steal my Gold, I doubt--and to be sure--Gentlemen, you say he's a Gamester--I desire when he comes anon, that you wou'd propose to sport a Dye, or so--and we'll fall to play for a Teaster, or the like--and if he sets any money, I shall go near to know my own Gold, by some remarkable Pieces amongst it; and if he have it, I'll hang him, and then all his six hundred a Year will be my own, which I have in Mortgage.

_Bea_. Let the Captain and I alone to top upon him--mean time, Sir, I have brought my Musick, to entertain my Mistress with a Song.

Sir _Feeb_. Take your own methods, Sir--they are at leisure--while we go drink their Healths within. Adod, I long for night, we are not half in kelter, this d.a.m.n'd Ghost will not out of my Head yet.

[_Exeunt all but_ Bellmour.

_Bel_. Hah--a Ghost! what can he mean? A Ghost, and _Bellmour's_!

--Sure my good Angel, or my Genius, In pity of my Love, and of _Leticia_-- But see _Leticia_ comes, but still attended--

_Enter_ Leticia, _Lady_ Fulbank, Diana.

--Remember--oh, remember to be true?

[Aside to her, pa.s.sing by goes out.

L. _Ful_. I was sick to know with what Christian Patience you bore the Martyrdom of this Night.

_Let_. As those condemn'd bear the last Hour of Life. A short Reprieve I had--and by a kind Mistake, _Diana_ only was my Bedfellow-- [_Weeps_.

_Dia_. And I wish for your Repose you ne'er had seen my Father.

[_Weeps_.

_Let_. And so do I, I fear he has undone me--

_Dia_. And me, in breaking of his word with _Bredwel_--

L. _Ful_.--So--as _Trincolo_ says, wou'd you were both hang'd for me, for putting me in mind of my Husband. For I have e'en no better luck than either of you--Let our two Fates warn your approaching one: I love young _Bredwel_ and must plead for him.

_Dia_. I know his Virtue justifies my Choice: But Pride and Modesty forbids I shou'd unlov'd pursue him.

_Let_. Wrong not my Brother so, who dies for you--

_Dia_. Cou'd he so easily see me given away, Without a Sigh at parting?

For all the day a Calm was in his Eyes, And unconcern'd he look'd and talk'd to me; In dancing never prest my willing Hand, Nor with a scornful Glance reproach'd my Falshood.

_Let_. Believe me, that Dissembling was his Master-piece.

_Dia_. Why should he fear, did not my Father promise him?

_Let_. Ay, that was in his wooing time to me: But now 'tis all forgotten-- [_Musick at the door_.

_After which enter_ Bearjest _and_ Bredwel.

L. _Ful_. How now, Cousin! Is this high piece of Gallantry from you?

_Bea_. Ay, Madam, I have not travel'd for nothing--

L. _Ful_. I find my Cousin is resolv'd to conquer, he a.s.sails with all his Artillery of Charms; we'll leave him to his success, Madam.--

[_Ex_. Leticia _and L_. Fulbank.

_Bea_. Oh Lord, Madam, you oblige me--look, _Ned_, you had a mind to have a full view of my Mistress, Sir, and--here she is.

[_He stands gazing_.

Go, salute her--look how he stands now; what a sneaking thing is a Fellow who has never travel'd and seen the World!--Madam--this is a very honest Friend of mine, for all he looks so simply.

_Dia_. Come, he speaks for you, Sir.

_Bea_. He, Madam! though he be but a Banker's Prentice, Madam, he's as pretty a Fellow of his Inches as any i'th' City--he has made love in Dancing-Schools, and to Ladies of Quality in the middle Gallery, and shall joke ye--and repartee with any Fore-man within the Walls--prithee to her--and commend me, I'll give thee a new Point Crevat.

_Dia_. He looks as if he cou'd not speak to me.

_Bea_. Not speak to you! yes, Gad, Madam, and do any thing to you too.