The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Iii Part 90

SCENE I. _The Palace_.

_Enter_ Philander _and_ Galatea _inrag'd_.

_Phi_. 'Tis done, 'tis done, the fatal knot is ty'd, _Erminia_ to _Alcippus_ is a Bride; Methinks I see the Motions of her Eyes, And how her Virgin b.r.e.a.s.t.s do fall and rise: Her bashful Blush, her timorous Desire, Adding new Flame to his too vigorous Fire; Whilst he the charming Beauty must embrace, And shall I live to suffer this Disgrace?

Shall I stand tamely by, and he receive That Heaven of bliss, defenceless she can give?

No, Sister, no, renounce that Brother's name, Suffers his Patience to surmount his Flame; I'll reach the Victor's heart, and make him see, That Prize he has obtain'd belongs to me.

_Gal_. Ah, dear _Philander_, do not threaten so, Whilst him you wound, you kill a Sister too.

_Phi_. Though all the G.o.ds were rallied on his side, They should too feeble prove to guard his Pride.

Justice and Honour on my Sword shall sit, And my Revenge shall guide the lucky hit.

_Gal_. Consider but the danger and the crime, And, Sir, remember that his life is mine.

_Phi_. Peace, Sister, do not urge it as a sin, Of which the G.o.ds themselves have guilty been: The G.o.ds, my Sister, do approve Revenge By Thunder, which th'Almighty Ports unhinge, Such is their Lightning when poor Mortals fear, And Princes are the G.o.ds inhabit here; Revenge has charms that do as powerful prove As those of Beauty, and as sweet as Love, The force of Vengeance will not be withstood, Till it has bath'd and cool'd it self in Blood.

_Erminia_, sweet _Erminia_, thou art lost, And he yet lives that does the conquest boast.

_Gal_. Brother, that Captive you can ne'er retrieve More by the Victor's death, than if he live, For she in Honour cannot him prefer, Who shall become her Husband's Murderer; By safer ways you may that blessing gain, When venturing thus through Blood and Death prove vain.

_Phi_. With hopes already that are vain as Air, You've kept me from Revenge, but not Despair.

I had my self acquitted, as became _Erminia's_ wrong'd Adorer, and my Flame; My Rival I had kill'd, and set her free, Had not my Justice been disarm'd by thee.

--But for thy faithless Hope, I 'ad murder'd him, Even when the holy Priest was marrying them, And offer'd up the reeking Sacrifice To th'G.o.ds he kneel'd to, when he took my price; By all their Purity I would have don't.

But now I think I merit the Affront: He that his Vengeance idly does defer, His Safety more than his Success must fear: I, like that Coward, did prolong my Fate, But brave Revenge can never come too late.

_Gal_. Brother, if you can so inhuman prove To me your Sister, Reason, and to Love: I'll let you see that I have sentiments too, Can love and be reveng'd as well as you; That hour that shall a death to him impart, Shall send this Dagger to _Erminia's_ heart.

[_Shews a Dagger_.

_Phi_. Ah, Coward, how these words have made thee pale, And Fear above thy Courage does prevail: Ye G.o.ds, why did you such a way invent?

_Gal_. None else was left thy madness to prevent.

_Phi_. Ah, cruel Sister, I am tame become, And will reverse my happy Rival's doom: Yes, he shall live to triumph o'er my Tomb.

--But yet what thou hast said, I needs must blame, For if my resolutions prove the same, I now should kill thee, and my life renew; But were it brave or just to murder you?

At worst, I should an unkind Sister kill, Thou wouldst the sacred blood of Friendship spill.

I kill a Man that has undone my Fame, Ravish'd my Mistress, and contemn'd my Name, And, Sister, one who does not thee prefer: But thou no reason hast to injure her.

Such charms of Innocence her Eyes do dress, As would confound the cruel'st Murderess: And thou art soft, and canst no Horror see, Such Actions, Sister, you must leave to me.

_Gal_. The highest Love no Reason will admit, And Pa.s.sion is above my Friendship yet.

_Phi_. Then since I cannot hope to alter thee, Let me but beg that thou wouldst set me free; Free this poor Soul that such a coil does keep; 'Twill neither let me wake in Peace, nor sleep.

Comfort I find a stranger to my heart, Nor canst thou ought of that but thus impart; Thou shouldst with joy a death to him procure, Who by it leaves _Alcippus'_ life secure.

_Gal_. Dear Brother, you out-run your Patience still, We'll neither die our selves, nor others kill; Something I'll do that shall thy joys restore, And bring thee back that health thou had'st before; --We're now expected at the Banquet, where I'd have thy Eyes more Love than Anger wear: This night be cheerful, and on me depend, On me, that am thy Sister, and thy Friend: A little raise _Alcippus'_ Jealousy And let the rest be carried on by me; Nor would it be amiss should you provide A Serenade to entertain the Bride: 'Twill give him Fears that may perhaps disprove The fond opinion of his happy Love.

_Phi_. Though Hope be faithless, yet I cannot chuse, Coming from thee, but credit the abuse.

_Gal. Philander_, do not your Hope's power distrust, 'Tis time enough to die, when that's unjust.

[_Exeunt_.

SCENE II. _The Court Gallery_.

_Enter_ Aminta _as pa.s.sing over the Stage, is stayed by_ Olinda.

_Oli_. Why so hasty, _Aminta_?

_Am_. The time requires it, _Olinda_.

_Oli_. But I have an humble suit to you.

_Am_. You shall command me any thing.

_Oli_. Pray Heaven you keep your word.

_Am_. That sad tone of thine, _Olinda_, has almost Made me repent of my promise; but come, what is't?

_Oli_. My Brother, Madam.

_Am_. Now fie upon thee, is that all thy business?

[_Offers to go off_.

_Oli_. Stay, Madam, he dies for you.

_Am_. He cannot do't for any Woman living; But well--it seems he speaks of Love to you; To me he does appear a very Statue.

_Oli_. He nought but sighs and calls upon your name, And vows you are the cruell'st Maid that breathes.

_Am_. Thou can'st not be in earnest sure.

_Oli_. I'll swear I am, and so is he.

_Am_. Nay, thou hast a hard task on't, to make Vows to all the Women he makes love to; Indeed I pity thee; ha, ha, ha.

_Oli_. You should not laugh at those you have undone.

Aminta _sings_.

_Hang Love, for I will never pine For any Man alive; Nor shall this jolly Heart of mine The thoughts of it receive; I will not purchase Slavery At such a dangerous rate; But glory in my Liberty, And laugh at Love and Fate_.

_Oli_. You'll kill him by this cruelty.

_Am_. What is't thou call'st so?

For I have hitherto given no denials, Nor has he given me cause; I have seen him wildly gaze upon me often, And sometimes blush and smile, but seldom that; And now and then found fault with my replies, And wonder'd where the Devil lay that wit, Which he believ'd no Judge of it could find.