The Works of Aphra Behn Volume Iii Part 92

But why, _Erminia_, must I grant it thee?

_Er_. The Princess, Sir, questions my Power, and says, I cannot gain so much upon your Goodness.

_Alcip_. I could have wish'd some other had oblig'd thee to't.

_Er_. You would not blame her if you knew her reason.

_Alcip_. Indeed I do not much, for I can guess She takes the party of the Prince her Brother; And this is only to delay those Joys, Which she perhaps believes belong to him.

--But that, _Erminia_, you can best resolve; And 'tis not kindly done to hide a truth, The Prince so clearly own'd.

_Er_. What did he own?

_Alcip_. He said, _Erminia_, that you were his Wife; If so, no wonder you refuse my Bed: [_She weeps_.

The Presence of the King hinder'd my knowledge, Of what I willingly would learn from you; --Come, ne'er deny a truth that plain appears; I see Hypocrisy through all your Tears.

_Er_. You need not ask me to repeat again, A Knowledge which, you say, appears so plain: The Prince his word methinks should credit get, Which I'll confirm whene'er you call for it: My heart before you ask't it, was his prize, And cannot twice become a Sacrifice.

_Alcip. Erminia_, is this brave or just in you, To pay his score of Love with what's my due?

What's your design to treat me in this sort?

Are sacred Vows of Marriage made your sport?

Regard me well, _Erminia_, what am I?

_Er_. One, Sir, with whom, I'm bound to live and die, And one to whom, by rigorous command, I gave (without my Heart) my unwilling Hand.

_Alcip_. But why, _Erminia_, did you give it so?

_Er_. T'obey a King and cruel Father too.

A Friendship, Sir, I can on you bestow, But that will hardly into Pa.s.sion grow; And 'twill an Act below your Virtue prove, To force a Heart you know can never love.

_Alcip_. Am I the mask to hide your Blushes in, I the contented Fool to veil your Sin?

Have you already learnt that trick at Court, Both how to practise and secure your sport?

Brave Mistress of your Art, is this the way, My Service and my Pa.s.sion to repay?

Will nothing but a Prince your pleasure fit, And could you think that I would wink at it?

Recal that Folly, or by all that's good, I'll free the Soul that wantons in thy Blood.

[_He in rage takes her by the arm, shews a dagger_.

_Er_. I see your Love your Reason has betray'd, But I'll forgive the Faults which Love has made: 'Tis true, I love, and do confess it too; Which if a Crime, I might have hid from you; But such a Pa.s.sion 'tis as does despise Whatever Rage you threaten from your Eyes.

--Yes--you may disapprove this flame in me, But cannot hinder what the G.o.ds decree; --Search here this truth; Alas, I cannot fear; Your Steel shall find a welcome entrance here.

[_He holds her still and gazes on her_.

_Alcip_. Where dost thou think thy ungrateful Soul will go, Loaded with wrongs to me, should I strike now?

_Er_. To some blest place, where Lovers do reside, Free from the noise of Jealousy and Pride; Where we shall know no other Power but Love, And where even thou wilt soft and gentle prove; So gentle, that if I should meet thee there, Thou would'st allow, what thou deny'st me here.

_Alcip_. Thou hast disarm'd my Rage, and in its room A world of Shame and softer Pa.s.sions come, Such as the first efforts of Love inspir'd, When by thy charming Eyes my Soul was fir'd.

_Er_. I must confess your Fears are seeming just, But here to free you from the least mistrust, I swear, whilst I'm your Wife I'll not allow Birth to a Thought that tends to injuring you.

_Alcip_. Not to believe thee, were a sin above The Injuries I have done thee by my Love.

--Ah, my _Erminia_, might I hope at last To share the pity of that lovely Breast, By slow degrees I might approach that Throne, Where now the blest _Philander_ reigns alone: Perhaps in time my Pa.s.sion might redeem That now too faithful Heart y'ave given to him; Do but forbear to hear his amorous Tales, Nor from his moving Eyes learn what he ails: A Fire that's kindled cannot long survive, If one add nought to keep the flame alive.

_Er_. I will not promise; what I mean to do My Virtue only shall oblige me to.

_Alcip_. But, Madam, what d'you mean by this reserve?

To what intent does all this Coldness serve?

Is there no pity to my Sufferings due?

And will you still my Languishments renew?

Come, come, recal what you have rashly said; And own to morrow that thou art no Maid: Thy Blushes do betray thy willingness, And in thy lovely Eyes I read success.

_Er_. A double tie obliges me to be Strict to my Vows, my Love and Amity; For my own sake the first I'll ne'er decline, And I would gladly keep the last for thine.

_Alcip_. Madam, you strangely do improve my pain, To give me hopes you must recal again.

_Er. Alcippus_, you this language will forbear, When you shall know how powerful you are; For whilst you here endeavour to subdue, The best of Women languishes for you.

_Alcip. Erminia_, do not mock my misery, For though you cannot love, yet pity me; That you allow my Pa.s.sion no return, Is weight enough, you need not add your Scorn, In this your Cruelty is too severe.

_Er. Alcippus_, you mistake me every where.

_Alcip_. To whom, _Erminia_, do I owe this Fate?

_Er_. To morrow all her story I'll relate.

Till then the promise I the Princess made, I beg you would permit might be obey'd.

_Alcip_. You, Madam, with so many charms a.s.sail, You need not question but you shall prevail; Thy power's not lessen'd in thy being mine, But much augmented in my being thine, The glory of my chains may raise me more, But I am still that Slave I was before.

[_Exeunt severally_.

SCENE IV. Philander's _Bed-chamber_.

_Enter_ Philander _and_ Alcander. [_The Prince half undrest_.

_Phi_. What's a Clock, _Alcander_?

_Alcan_. 'Tis midnight, Sir, will you not go to bed?

_Phi_. To bed, Friend; what to do?

_Alcan_. To sleep, Sir, as you were wont to do.

_Phi_. Sleep, and _Erminia_ have abandon'd me; I'll never sleep again.

_Alcan_. This is an humour, Sir, you must forsake.

_Phi_. Never, never, oh _Alcander_.